Gas temperatures in a room above a fire are considered what kind of indicator of fire conditions below?

Gas temperatures in a room above a fire are considered a poor indicator of fire conditions below because the temperatures and conditions can vary significantly due to factors like the stratification of hot gases, the location of the fire, and the presence of obstacles. While elevated temperatures might indicate a fire's presence, they do not provide a complete or accurate picture of what is occurring in the room directly underneath. The heat can collect at the ceiling level, while the conditions closer to the floor may differ greatly. Furthermore, flashover conditions can occur without significant temperature changes in the gas layers at lower levels, which can lead to the misconception of safety or the presence of more dangerous conditions. Therefore, while gas temperatures offer some information, reliance on them can lead to misinterpretation of the overall fire dynamics and conditions below the hot gas layer.