Which term is synonymous with backdraft in fire investigations?

The term synonymous with backdraft in fire investigations is a smoke explosion, which occurs when the conditions within a structure are ideal for combustion but do not allow for it to take place due to a lack of oxygen. A backdraft is characterized by a sudden and violent resurgence of fire when fresh air is introduced, causing the hot smoke and gases present to ignite explosively.

A smoke explosion specifically refers to the ignition of combustible gases and smoke, often following an accumulation of flammable materials that are heated to their ignition point. This event typically happens in a confined space where flammable vapors, smoke, and heat are present, closely aligning with the conditions leading to a backdraft.

Understanding the dynamics of fire behavior is crucial, as both phenomena involve rapid combustion fueled by previously unignited materials. In contrast, flashover refers to a different phenomenon where all combustibles in the room reach their ignition temperature almost simultaneously. Combustion is the general process of burning, while a firestorm describes an intense and widespread fire situation, neither of which capture the unique characteristics of backdraft as accurately as smoke explosion does.