What factor does NOT typically affect the risk of flashover in a fire scenario?

Flashover refers to the rapid spread of fire that occurs when the temperature of a room rises to the point where combustible materials ignite almost simultaneously. Understanding the factors that influence the risk of flashover is critical for fire investigators.

Ventilation plays a crucial role in flashover scenarios. Proper ventilation can supply the fire with oxygen, which can accelerate the combustion process, leading to a higher risk of flashover. The amount of fuel available in a space directly impacts the potential for flashover as more fuel can lead to increased heat generation and a combination of conditions that promote this rapid fire spread. The location of the fire within a compartment also influences flashover; for example, fires typically occurring in confined spaces with limited airflow can generate the intense heat necessary for flashover more quickly than in more open environments.

Weather conditions, while they can affect the behavior of fire to some extent, do not typically impact the risk of flashover in an indoor fire scenario. Unlike factors related to the immediate environment of the fire, such as ventilation and fuel quantity, weather conditions like wind and humidity tend to be more relevant for outdoor fires or may influence fire-spread patterns after a flashover has already occurred. Thus, they are not considered a primary factor affecting the risk of flashover