Which is not a method of heat transfer during a fire?

The method of heat transfer that is not recognized within the context of fire behavior is chemical transfer. In firefighting and fire dynamics, heat transfer occurs primarily through three established mechanisms: convection, conduction, and radiation.

Convection involves the movement of heat through fluids (liquids or gases). When air is heated, it becomes less dense and rises, allowing cooler air to take its place, creating a cycle that transfers heat throughout the area.

Conduction refers to the transfer of heat through direct contact between materials. When one object at a higher temperature comes into contact with a cooler one, heat will flow from the hot object to the cold one until thermal equilibrium is achieved.

Radiation is the transfer of heat through electromagnetic waves. This process does not require a medium, meaning heat can be transferred through empty space. An example in a fire scenario would be the heat from flames radiating to nearby surfaces.

While chemical reactions, such as combustion, are crucial to the start and maintenance of a fire, they primarily involve the release of energy rather than the transfer of heat in the same way that convection, conduction, and radiation do. This distinguishes chemical transfer from the other three methods, which are fundamental to understanding how heat moves during a fire situation.