Which term describes building materials that can contribute fuel to a fire?

The term that describes building materials that can contribute fuel to a fire is "combustible." Combustible materials are those that can ignite and sustain combustion when exposed to an adequate heat source. Typically, these materials will burn when flames or high temperatures are present and can therefore significantly contribute to the intensity and spread of a fire.

In the context of building safety and fire prevention, understanding what materials are combustible is crucial for making informed decisions about construction and renovation. This knowledge helps in risk assessment and in implementing fire safety measures, such as using non-combustible materials in critical areas to reduce fire hazards.

While "inflammable" and "flammable" also deal with materials that can catch fire, "flammable" is generally understood to refer to materials that ignite easily at lower temperatures, while "inflammable" can cause confusion as it also means capable of burning. "Non-combustible" refers to materials that do not burn at all and therefore do not contribute fuel to a fire, so they would not be the correct choice in this context.