What is the term used for the potential severity of a fire based on the materials present?

The term that specifically describes the potential severity of a fire based on the materials present is known as "fire load." Fire load refers to the total amount of combustible material in a given area, measured in terms of weight or volume of combustibles. It essentially assesses how much fuel is available for a fire, which directly impacts its intensity and duration. The higher the fire load, the more severe the potential fire could be, as there’s more material to burn.

While "fire hazard" is related to the dangers posed by combustible materials and conditions conducive to fire outbreaks, it is a broader term that encompasses various factors, including ignition sources and the environment of the materials. Similarly, "fire risk" combines both the likelihood of a fire starting and its potential consequences, while "fire environment" refers to the specific context or surroundings in which a fire occurs. Therefore, none of these terms pinpoint the severity due to the identifiable combustibles in the same way that fire load does.