Lesson-2

                                                FIRE AND ITS RELATED HAZARDS

 WHAT IS FIRE?

`           Fire is combustion or burning, in which substances combine chemically with oxygen from air
and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke. Natural disasters can produce Fire such as;
earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, while Man-made Disaster such as electric equipment spark
incendiary materials that lead to big fires.  Uncontrolled fires can take place in forested areas or in urban
metropolitan areas.

            Other reference described it as the visible effect of the process of combustion- a special type of
rapid and persistent chemical reaction that releases heat and light accompanied by flame.  For those
working in the Sciences, fire occurs between the active merging of Oxygen and some sort of fuel (wood or
gasoline as examples).

THE TRIAD OF FIRE

            Fire is composed of three elements- Heat, Fuel and Oxygen, which when combined, will result in a
chemical reaction called BURNING. The leading cause of death in a fire, by a three-to-one ratio over
burns, is ASPHYXIATION (Choking sensation). Inhaling carbon monoxide can cause loss of
consciousness or death within minutes. The heat from a hostile fire exceeds anything to which a person is
normally exposed. A fully developed room fire has temperature over 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.

What causes FIRE in general environment?

1. Appliances and equipment

             * Short circuiting = electrical explosions

2. Arson or Incendiarism/Juvenile fire setting

            * Setting fire to buildings, properties, and forests with the intent to cause damage

3. Candles

4. Chemicals and gases

            * Open gas lines = danger of explosion when fire is lit

            * No fire = but there’s suffocation from poisoning

5. Electric wiring

            * Faulty electric wiring

6. Fireworks

            * The sparks and fire ignite flammable material near it such as wooden boards, clothing, and
paper.

            * Blindness, severe burns, loss of fingers and limbs, and death

7. Holiday decorations

            * The heat the of Christmas lights can burn curtains or other flammable materials touching it

8. Household products and appliances

            *Cleaning liquids placed in spray cans, aerosol containers, and hairsprays  are prone to
exploding when heated

            * Gas stoves and LPG tanks can leak flammable gas

9. Lightning fires and lightning strikes

            * 24,600 forest, grass, and house fires

10. Smoking materials

            *Thrown into flammable materials such as dry vegetation, paper in trash  bin, can cause
uncontrolled fires

PREVENTIVE MEASURES OF FIRE AT HOME

 

WHAT TO DO BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER THE EVENT OF FIRE?

(School-based Preparedness)

Focus: Educational Community

It is the policy of every school to provide and ensure a safe and healthful environment for students,
employees and the general public visiting the institution.

Each individual in the academic and non-academic departments is responsible for the maintenance of
safe working conditions in their respective areas, and for proper adherence to all authorized and
applicable environmental, health and safety policies, rules and regulations.

            “The best defense against fire is to prevent it from starting”

a. THE PREPAREDNESS STAGE:

      1. Conduct annual fire safety inspection in collaboration with the local Fire Department.
      2. Installing and maintaining back – up generators.
      3. Check stability of hanging objects like ceiling fans, lighting and wall decorations inside the room.
      4. Breakable items, harmful chemicals, and flammable materials should be stored and secured properly in
the lowermost shelves.
      5. Be sure that every electric cord used during class & laboratory activities are unplug before going out of
the room.
      6. Be familiar with the respective disaster officer appointed in each class / section.
      7. Familiarize selves with the warning (alarm) system of the school and the exit routes whenever an
evacuation is needed.
8. Know the proper evacuation methods for the very young and the elderly and physically challenged members
of NEU community.
9.  Conduct and participate in the regular organized DRILLS applicable for common types of disasters
affecting the university. (Earthquake, Fire and Heavy typhoons)
10. Students & employees should be reminded of always bringing with them their disaster paraphernalia:

(flashlight, whistle, cell phones and your ID Reminder Tags containing important personal emergency
management & contact numbers)
11.  Attend to all trainings and seminars in your department related to Disaster Preparedness and Management.
12.  Always read all important announcements about Disaster Preparedness, News updates and other
relevant Information-education at the Bulletin Board of NEU-Disaster Risk Reduction & Management
Committee.
13. Know where the first aid supplies, washing areas, fire extinguishers & the fire alarm stations are located.
Learn how to use them beforehand.
 

b. PREVENTION STAGE:

            Proper Personnel & General Public Behavior is important in preventing the initiation of FIRES.
Following prudent fire emergency procedures is important during fire emergencies to avoid loss of life.
Maintaining safe exits is crucial to facilitate safe evacuation in the event of fire.

1. Keeping the university premises tidy and clean at all times is a basic requirement to prevent fire and
accidents. Removing waste paper, packaging and old rags scattered in every room or corridor and dispose them
properly.
2. NO SMOKING signs must be observed at all times
3. Switching off all monitors, computers, unnecessary lights each night.
4. Keeping all corridors obstruction –free.  Bulletin boards, display cabinets of non-combustible construction
and approved benches are acceptable.
5. Disallowing electrical cords running across doors or aisles, or pinching them behind or under furniture
6. Ensuring that stairways and corridors are adequately lit during night classes especially the exit and
emergency lights
7. REGARDING EXTENSION CORDS:

a.      Electricity and electrical equipment may cause a fire through electrical arcs or by overheating, and can
cause injury or death through shocks and burns
b.      Damaged and very old extension cords must not be used.
c.       Splicing and repairing of cords and plugs are not permitted.
d.      Cords used in wet condition or outdoors must be protected by ground fault circuit interrupters.
e.      Extension cords must not be “daisy-chained” or plugged into each other.
f.        Extension cords for maintenance work and equipment energizing must have three-prong plugs
g.      Cracked, frayed or broken electrical cords and plugs must be replaced.
h.      Power outlets and multiple outlet plugs must never be over loaded.
8. REGARDING OPEN FLAMES AND FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS USED IN THE LABORATORY: A fire
requires air, an ignition source and fuel to ignite. Whenever these 3 elements come together under the proper
conditions, a FIRE will result. NO SMOKING signs must be maintained.

 
 

c. Response Stage (Event of Fire)

1.  Be observant of your surroundings .If you smell a different smoke or something burning that is unusual.
Find out if this is due to fire.
2. If you found out there’s a fire in a particular place, immediately call for help, activate alarm system and grab
a Fire Extinguisher.
3. Use the PASS method of administering the extinguisher; Pull the Pin / Aim at the Base of the fire/ Squeeze
the handle/Sweep the base of the fire.
4. If fire is uncontrolled, immediately call for fast support and assistance from the security officer. If possible,
confine the fire in the place you found it.
5. If fire alarm is heard , be calm and listen to the instruction from the  school authority or any member of the
Disaster Management Center for quick evacuation of nearby area
6. If you are working on something in the office  during the alarm, keep all your important papers inside the
steel vault or drawer , switch off your computers or the main switch available in your room, and grab your
valuables quickly
7. Go towards the nearest fire exit and proceed to the school evacuation area fast and quiet ( DO NOT RUN or
SHOUT)
8. If you are about to pass through a huge smoke ,  KEEP LOW and cover your nose
9. If you need to pass the door with a very hot door knob, DO NOT attempt to open it. Go to an alternative
route.
10. Stay safe in the evacuation area while contacting your relatives or significant others
11. Keep calm, watch for your valuables and pray. wait for the next instruction from school authority
12. Wait for the next instructions from school authority if it is possible or necessary to go back to the building
even if it is already 100% safe.
 

Do the STOP, DROP, and ROLL (SDR) when Caught by FIRE!

            Practice, STOP, DROP, and ROLL. Know how to stop, drop, and roll in case your clothes catch on
fire. Stop what you are doing. Drop to the ground, cover your face, and roll back and forth until the flames
are extinguished.

           

 
 Source: 

 THE FIRE PREVENTION DEVICES AND HOW TO USE THEM

a.    Portable Fire Extinguishers

           

                        Portable Fire Extinguishers are distributed in the entire school buildings. Inform yourself
about their location and how to operate them. Every extinguisher is marked with a short instruction of use
and with respective class of fire for which it can be used.

                        This equipment can save lives and property when used on small fires but only if it is used
properly. Before fighting a fire, remember:

Proceed only if the fire is;

o   small and contained,

o   the fire alarm has been pulled,

o   there is a clear exit through which to escape,

o   person using the extinguisher knows how to use it properly

      When using a fire extinguisher, follow “PASS” method. Hold the extinguisher upright and:

Source: http://www.mscdubai.com/blog/state-fire-safety-awareness.html
 

Source:

Remember:

1.    Time is always of the essence, since fire extinguishers have a limited operation time of 8-15 seconds.

2.    Fight fire WITH the wind not AGAINST the wind!

3.    Aim Nozzle from FRONT to BACK, and from BOTTOM to TOP, BUT for Dripping and Flowing Fires, it
must be attacked from TOP to BOTTOM.

4.    Use more than one extinguisher SIMULTANEOUSLY rather than in series.

5.    Beware of RE-IGNITION; glowing embers should be sprinkled with PLENTY OF WATER.

6.    Used extinguishers must not be put back in the cabinet or brackets of the building but PUT ASIDE for
REFILLING!

 b. The Smoke Detector

            Some rooms in an establishment are fitted with a smoke detector. This battery operated appliance
recognizes dangerous, toxic fumes and sends off a loud alarm signal to alert people that happen to be
present.

            These smoke detectors must be mounted in places where smoke can be discovered and reported
at an early stage. As a consequence there may be false alarm caused by cigarette smoke, vapor and the
like. In such cases occupants must make sure that there is no fire and no other source of danger. The
smoke detector can be reset by airing the room properly- this will remove the source of false alarm.

            No changes must be made to the smoke detector. Should building occupants disregard that order
and damage the detector, they will be liable for eventful repair costs.
Source: 

Remember: This smoke detector does not send an alarm directly to the Fire Department of your area. In
case of TRUE fire, it is still advisable to activate the FIRE ALARM button or call the FIRE department
directly or thru the security officers of the school.

(Special added Feature Topic)

BOMB THREAT

            An extra-ordinary threat usually, verbal or written to detonate an explosives or incendiary device to
cause property damage, death or injury, whether or not such device actually exist. School threat disrupts
school activities and creates significant anxiety to school community.
            Management of Bomb Threat differs from managing other forms of disasters discussed in previous
pages of this manual in many aspects and it needs an expert advice and instruction from a specially
created Crisis Management Team of an institution.

WHAT TO DO IF THERE IS A BOMB THREAT

IN THE SCHOOL CARRYING BIOLOGICAL AGENTS

1.    If you received a “Bomb Threat” via phone but you do not have sufficient training on how to respond ,
immediately REFER the call to the nearest school security officer
2.    If you have sufficient training to attend to a “Bomb Threat” caller, HOLD ON with the call and GRAB a
piece of paper and follow the Protocol. You may also document the call using the “Bomb Threat” checklist.
3.    Remain CALM and DO NOT divulge any information to anybody except to the school Security Officer.
This may cause PANIC to people.
4.    Wait for the next move and instructions directly from the school Security Officer or from the members of
the NEU “CRISIS Management Team”.
5.    If you notice something or anything unusual from your room , from the rest room or from your actual
surroundings outside the school building (eq. BAG, CONTAINER OR BOX ), NEVER attempt to hold or open
it , REPORT it to the Security Officer  ASAP.
6.    REMAIN VIGILANT AND WAIT FOR THE ORDER to EVACUATE the building from the Security
officer or from the “Crisis Management Team”.
7.    IF YOU WILL BE LEAVING THE ROOM, NEVER LEAVE any bag or personal belongings. BRING
them all with you.
8.    DO NOT close the window or the door of your room once you leave the vicinity.
9.    STAY AWAY from congesting groups of people, for Bombs are usually placed where most people
converge. STAY calmly in the Evacuation Area
10.   DO NOT USE your cell phone, radio, walkie-talkie or any “electronic devices” during the time of
investigation. WAIT until the situation becomes safe and stable.
11.   STAY AWAY from tall buildings, huge glass windows and suspicious vehicles, STAY only at the
designated Evacuation Area.
12.   WAIT for further updates if it still possible to return to the building or you may  be allowed to leave the
school premises
13.   If you are instructed to go home, SEE you respective faculty in charge or adviser first. STAY vigilant on
your way home.