How Hot is Fire?
- Raj Arya
- May 9
- 2 min read
How Hot is Fire? Understanding the Heat That Shapes Structures
When we think of fire, we often picture blazing flames, glowing embers, and intense heat—but just how hot is fire, really?
At Wedge India, where we engineer advanced protection systems for buildings and industrial assets, understanding fire’s temperature is not just theoretical—it’s vital for designing fire-resistant materials, insulation systems, and safety protocols.
The Basics: What Determines Fire Temperature?
The temperature of a fire depends on several key factors:
The fuel (wood, gas, oil, plastic, etc.)
The oxygen availability
The combustion efficiency
The containment (open-air vs enclosed)
Let’s break down how hot different types of fires can get:
Fire Temperature Chart by Source
Type of Fire | Temperature (°C) | What It Means for Structures |
Candle Flame (center) | ~1,000°C | Low risk; localized heating |
Wood Fire (well-ventilated) | 600–1,100°C | Common in residential and warehouse fires |
Industrial Gas Burners | 1,200–1,600°C | Requires thermal barriers and specialized insulation |
Oxy-Acetylene Torch | ~3,480°C | Used in welding; melts metals easily |
Typical Building Fire (internal temp) | 600–1,200°C | Can collapse steel frames without fireproofing |
Wildfires | 800–1,200°C | Destroys surfaces and penetrates wall cavities |
Flame Color = Heat Indicator
Flame color can often tell you the approximate temperature:
Red: 600–800°C → Smoldering wood
Orange–Yellow: 1,000–1,200°C → Paper, wood, household fires
Blue–White: 1,400°C+ → Gas and industrial burners
Why Fire Temperature Matters for Construction & Insulation
At Wedge India, our insulation panels, fireproofing mortars, and protective coatings are tested to withstand high thermal loads. Understanding fire behavior ensures we:
Choose the right insulation for fire-rated walls and cold storage
Recommend intumescent coatings that activate above 300°C
Design fire barriers that resist structural failure up to 2 hours or more
Offer safety solutions compliant with IS and international standards
Wedge India’s Fire Protection & Heat Management Solutions
We supply and engineer products that handle extreme heat, including:
WedgeFR Panels: PIR-based fire-rated insulation
WedgeCoat FX: Intumescent fire barrier coatings
WedgeShield Wraps: For ducts, cables, and pipe insulation
Thermal Gap Fillers for high-temp industrial enclosures
Final Word
Fire can exceed 1,200°C, hot enough to melt aluminum, weaken steel, and destroy unprotected buildings. That’s why fire-rated insulation and coatings aren't optional—they're essential.
Want to learn how Wedge India can safeguard your facility from fire risk?
👉 Contact us or explore our fire safety solutions at www.wedge-india.com
Thanks for the detailed insights. I came across something similar recently — this high performance insulation materials resource adds another angle to the discussion. Thought it might be helpful to others here too.