According to Brannigan, what is referred to as the potential fuel of a structure?

The potential fuel of a structure is referred to as fire load. Fire load encompasses all combustible materials within a building that can contribute to the intensity and duration of a fire. It includes not only the materials that are immediately flammable, like furniture and paper, but also structural components made of combustible materials. Understanding fire load is vital for fire safety professionals because it helps in assessing the fire risk associated with a building. It provides information necessary for planning effective fire prevention and response strategies, including identifying areas that may need enhancements in fire-resistant materials or other safety measures.

Fire risk typically refers to the likelihood of a fire occurring, while fire hazard denotes conditions that increase the risk of fire or contribute to its potential severity. Fire source often refers to the specific ignition sources, like electrical faults or open flames, rather than the broader classification of combustible materials present within the structure.