Cooperative Personnel Services Firefighter (CPS) Practice Exam 2026 – The All-in-One Guide to Master Your Firefighter Exam Success!

The ignition of a flammable material primarily depends on specific temperature conditions, commonly referred to as the ignition temperature or flash point. This is the minimum temperature at which a substance must be heated for it to ignite in air. When the temperature of a flammable material reaches this point, it can produce enough vapor to mix with air for combustion to occur.

Other factors, such as the presence of oxygen and the characteristics of the material itself, are also important for combustion, but without the necessary temperature, ignition will not happen. Therefore, understanding the specific temperature conditions for various flammable materials is essential for effectively managing fire risks and preventing accidental ignitions.

In this context, factors like water may act as a suppressant for fire, and carbon monoxide, while a product of combustion, does not contribute to the ignition of materials. Proper oxygen concentration is important for sustaining combustion but is not sufficient on its own to initiate it without the correct thermal conditions.