What is the temperature of the atmosphere in a room during the smoldering phase?

The smoldering phase of a fire is a critical stage characterized by slow, low-temperature combustion, which typically occurs with solid fuels that are not in a state of open flame. During this phase, materials like wood, paper, or other combustible solids can generate significant heat even in the absence of visible flames, and the temperature in the environment can rise considerably as the fire progresses.

In this phase, the temperature can reach up to around 1,000°F, as the materials continue to oxidize and produce heat without large amounts of hot gases or flaming combustion being visible. This high temperature can create a hazardous environment, as materials can be heavily charred, and the risk of transition to the next phase of combustion (the fully developed phase) increases.

In contrast, temperatures around 500°F or 800°F might be encountered during the fully developed fire stage or rapid combustion phases. Temperatures below 200°F would typically indicate that a fire is not actively smoldering or is in a very early stage of ignition, making them inconsistent with the characteristics of the smoldering phase where temperatures can be significantly higher. Thus, the correct representation of the temperature during the smoldering phase aligns with higher values around 1,000°F.