INDUSTRIAL FIRE

CAUSES, EFFECTS AND

PREVENTION.
WHY FIRE TRAINING AND AWARENESS

 B e c a u s e management cares about safety

 B e c a u s e many people are unnecessarily
injured by fire at work each year
 WHAT IS FIRE?
• Fire is a SPECTACULAR example of a
FAST chemical reaction between a
combustible substance and oxygen
accompanied by the evolution of heat
 3 FIRE REQUIRMENT .
• 1. Oxygen
• 2. Fuel
• 3. A source of energy i.e. HEAT

•FIRE TRIANGLE: (HEAT + O2 + IGNITION)

 FIRE TRIANGLE
•
OXYGEN

FIRE

HEAT FUEL
 CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE
• SMOKING:
Litters in factories provides essential fuels in fire
accident . Smoking near fuel depot and jerry
cans used to transport and store petrol during
fuel crises also contribute to INDUSTRIAL FIRE.
CHEMICALS
• Lack of adherence to chemical safety
requirements and improper storage
 CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE
• DIRT AND UNTIDINESS
Refuse and process waste are good
kindling for a fire to start or help a fire to
expand.
• CONTRACTORS’ OPERATIONS
Building and maintenance contractors
often use a variety of Equipment, which
can produce a great deal of heat
(blowlamps, welding and simple drilling.)
 CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE

• PROCESS HAZARD
A: Faults in process plants leads to:
1.Overheated machinery bearings and
frictional sparks.
2. Tremendous amount of HEAT.
B: Sparks from cutting and welding tools
C: Lack of regular maintenance
Preventive vs. Breakdown
 CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE
• FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
• Flammable solvents of all kinds are both
necessary and dangerous in many
industrial processes.
• Experience has shown that often that
substances are badly transported and
stored.
 CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE
• POOR HOUSE KEEPING
• Warehousing inadequate standards .
• Improperly stacked goods allow a fire to start
unnoticed and also impede fire-fighting
operations when eventually detected.
• Office waste must be regularly removed.
Cleanliness is particularly essential in an office
to avoid simmering files, which can spread
undetected during the many hours (nights and
weekends) when premises are unoccupied.
 CAUSES OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE

• ARSON
• This subject has already received
substantial publicity . Damage by riot is
another danger, which can be included
in this category.
• Bomb Blast/Terrorist Activities
 ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT AND WIRING
• Short circuits, and faults resulting in excess current
flow generating heat, which ignites insulation and
flammable materials lying nearby.
• Broken Strands, loosely fitted plugs, overloaded
sockets; improperly secured terminals can cause
arcing and sparking.
• Deterioration of insulation and wiring leads to ageing,
mechanical
damage and excessive heat because of overloading.
• Unprofessional Alteration and addition to existing
installation.
• Wiring installed by incompetent persons and
not reaching acceptable standards.
• Inferior materials.
 EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE

Direct EFFECT:
(a) ‘no effect’ or near misses
(b) minor injury
(C) major injury
(d) property damage
(e) Business closure
 EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE

• INDIRECT EFFECTS: refers to the

consequence flowing from the direct effect
of fire.
(a) for the injured person
* loss of earning or earning capacity
*disrupted family life.
*disrupted personal life, and
*other consequences e.g. pain & suffering
 EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE
(b) for the company:
* injury costs
* production loss costs.
* property damage costs.
* reduction in employee morale.
* poor reputation as a result of adverse media
publicity.
* poor customer relations following adverse
media publicity.
 EFFECTS OF INDUSTRIAL FIRE
* lost time – supervisors, workers and others.
* product damage cost.
* first aid and medical cost.
* increased employer’s liability premium.
* legal cost, e.g. fines imposed by court, legal
representation fees
* cost of changes in practice arising from
prosecution or as a result of enforcement action,
e.g. prohibition or improvement notice.
* training cost e.g. retraining of injured employee
or training of replacement Labour.
 PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL
FIRE
FIRE RISK ASSESMENT
• Identify the FIRE HAZARD in
our offices.
• Identify the PEOPLE who
could be at RISK.
• ELIMINATE, CONTROL or
AVOID the fire hazard.
• Ensure that the existing FIRE
SAFETY PROVISION meet up to
standard.
• Record FINDINGS.
• Prepare EMERGENCY PLAN.
• REVIEW FRA Periodically.
 PREVENTION OF INDUSTRIAL
FIRE
• Provision of Fire Extinguishers.
• Provision of Information / Training.
• Provision of Fire Alarm.
• Provision of Fire Escape Route.
• Provision of Fire Risk Assessment.
(Yearly)
 CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE
• A: Solid material of Organic nature (ordinary
combustible): wood paper & Fabric
• B: Flammable liquids and gases: Petrol, diesel etc
• C: electrical equipment: Live electrical motors,
generators and other appliances
• D: Combustion Metals: Magnesium, Sodium, lithium,
Aluminum
• K: Cooking appliances(Oils and fats) - involve
combustible cooking media (Vegetable, animal oils or
fats)
 Fire Suppression techniques

For Class A: Water: Such as water from a garden hose or tap.

Dry Chemicals: Dry chemicals are found in ABC fire extinguishers.
Other Methods: Fire blankets can deprive a dry chemical fire of oxygen.

The best materials for extinguishing a Class B fire are:

Halon: Used to be commonly used in fire extinguishers until the 1990s when it was
found to be bad for the Ozone layer.
Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher: Your regular ABC household fire extinguisher is a dry
chemical extinguisher capable of fighting Class B fires.
Foam: Can be effective for extinguishing liquid gas fires.
WATER IS NOT RECOMMENDED
Fire suppression techniques (contd)
For Class C:
Dry Chemical Extinguisher: The ideal way to fight a small electrical fire is to use a dry
chemical fire extinguisher such as an ABC rated household extinguisher.

For Class D:
dry powder extinguishers are designed to absorb heat and separate the metal from
oxygen sources.

For Class F:
Typical substances used to suppress fires include:
Water Mist: Water is not recommended for Class K fires, but misty water can be
effective suppressants.
Foam: Most Class K fire extinguishers operate using a special substance that turns oils
into foams.
Fire suppression blanket: Fire blankets are often used in kitchens if the fire is small
enough to be covered entirely by the blanket. The blanket will suffocate the fire by
denying its access to oxygen.
 CLASSES OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
• CO2 CARBON DI- B
OXIDE
• COLOUR: BLACK or
RED
• FLAMMABLE
LIQUIDS (faster than
foam)
• AVAILABLE IN 1KG,
3KG, 5KG, 20KG.
• RANGE: 2-3MTRS
• DISCHARGE TIME:
6—23S
 CLASSES OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
A B C
• DCP (DRY CHEMICAL
POWDER)
• COLOUR: FRENCH
BLUE or RED
• LIVE ELECTRICAL
EQUIPMENT
• AVAILABLE IN
1,2,3,4,6,9, 12, 50, 75KG
• RANGE: 2-8MTS
• DISCHARGE TIME: 6-
23S
 CLASSES OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
A
• H2O (WATER)
• COLOUR: RED
• ORDINARY
COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIAL (wood,
paper & paper)
• 9ltrs=10kg
• RANGE:9LTRS
• DISCHARGE
TIME:60S
 CLASSES OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS B

• FOAM FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS.
• COLOUR: PALE CREAM
• USED FOR
EXTINGUISHING
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS.
• AVAILABLE IN 4.5L & 9L.
• WEIGHS 10-15KG
• RANGE:7-10m
• DISCHARGE TIME: 60s
 Fire Extinguishers -
Blanket

• Any colour body or label but

they are usually red or white
• For use on any type of fire but
best on small contained class B
fires and people on fire.
• Extinguishes by asphyxiating
 Fire Safety At Home
• Fire works
• Candles, lamps
• Cooking gas/ kerosene stove
• Smoking in bed
• Electrical equipment
• Children playing with matches
Fire classification chart
 GOOD HOUSEKEEPING
• Good house keeping is essential part
of sound management practice. It
benefits efficiency, aids production and
it is also good for fire protection. Well-
organized and carefully maintained
premises are safer from fire. The
chance of fire breaking out is reduced;
and should fire occur, it could be more
readily controlled. Below is a list of
duties, which will serve as a safety
aide-memoir to management.
• Cleanliness and tidiness.
• Staff should tidy their personal
workplace.
• Combustible materials waste and
process should be kept clear of the
premises.
• Metal dustbins with lid should be used
for storing waste.
 GOOD HOUSE-KEEPING
• Waste with special hazards should be
labeled, flammable liquid, paint rags,
oily rags.
• Waste containers should be removed
from building at the end of each day,
or more frequently if necessary.
• Waste awaiting disposal should not be
accessible to public.
• Waste burning on site must be
controlled and supervised.
• Pipes, beams, trusses, ledges
deducting and electric fittings should
be regularly cleaned.
• Areas in the building and around must
be kept free of accumulated packaging
materials and cleaned.
• Cupboard, drawers all concealed
spaces should be kept free from dust
and rubbish
 ACTION: IN CASE OF FIRE
• RAISE THE ALARM
• CALL SECURITY ON EXT. 2727 or 2999
• ATTACK THE FIRE (EXTINGUISHERS)
• EVACUATE THE BUILDING
 P.A.S.S. PRINCIPLE (How to use
an extinguisher)
• P= PULL THE PIN
• A= AIM AT BASE OF FIRE.
• S= SQUEEZE THE LEVER.
• S= SWEEP THE AFFECTED
AREA FROM SIDE TO SIDE
 GENERAL RULE FOR FIGHTING
FIRE
• SOUND THE ALARM.
• CALL SECURITY-
• ENSURE YOU SELECT THE RIGHT EXTINGUISHER.
• RE-ASSESS THE FIRE. (gas cylinders, chemicals, fuel)
• KEEP ESCAPE ROUTE BEHIND YOU (tackle the fire from furthest
distance possible.)
• NEVER LET FIRE GET BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR EXIT.
• CONSIDER THE EFFECT OF SMOKE.
• IF YOU ARE IN DOUBT STOP, CLOSE DOOR AND GET OUT.
• MOVE TO THE FIRE ASSEMBLY POINT
 What is Radiation?

Radiation is defined as
The transmission or emission of energy in the form of particles or waves through a
material medium or space

Radiation includes:
Electromagnetic radiation such as radio waves, heat, x-rays, gamma radiation, and
even visible light.
Particle radiation such as alpha radiation, neutron radiation, and beta radiation
Acoustic radiation such as seismic waves, sound, and ultrasound
Gravitational radiation

Radiation poisoning occurs when a radioactive material releases particles which enter
a person’s body and cause damage. The different characteristics of the radioactive
substances are different. In different ways they can harm and help people and some
are more dangerous than others.
 Harmful Effects of Radiation
Radiation can be categorized into non-ionizing or ionizing depending
on the radiated particle’s energy. Radioactive materials that emit α,
β, or γ radiation are the common sources of ionizing radiation. Visible
light, microwaves, infrared light, are the common sources of non-
ionizing radiation

It also depends on dosage. When a dose of radiation is received at

once, then it can be called an acute exposure, and when a small dose
of radiation is exposed for a long period then it is chronic exposure.

Threshold effects appear after a certain level of radiation exposure is

reached and enough cells have been damaged to make the effect
apparent. Non-threshold effects can occur at lower levels of
radiation exposure.
 Health
1. Hair
effects
Loss of hair fall occurs when exposure to radiation is higher than 200 rems.
2. Heart and Brain
Intense exposure to radiation from 1000 to 5000 rems will affect the functioning of the
heart. Radiation kills nerve cells and small blood vessels of heart which may cause
immediate death. Brain cells are affected if the radiation exposure is greater than 5000
rems.
3. Thyroid
Certain body parts are affected specifically when exposed to different types of radiation
sources. The thyroid gland may be affected when exposed to radioactive iodine. If
exposed to a considerable amount of radioactive iodine, whole or part of the thyroid can
be affected.
4. Blood System
A number of lymphocytic cells present in the blood will be reduced if a person is exposed
to 100 rems. This may cause several immune problems. This is termed as mild radiation
sickness. As per the reports from Nagasaki and Hiroshima, symptoms may be present
more than ten years from that exposure.
5. Reproductive Tract
As the cells of the reproductive tract divide fastly, these are more prone to be affected
even if the exposure is not more than 200 rems.
 Effects of Radiation

Radiation is around us, and is used in many applications

safely.
The radiation effects can be mild or life-threatening,
depending on the dose. All sources of radiation
poisoning can be nuclear accidents, the work
environment, and some medical treatment.
There is no cure, but barriers can prevent exposure and
some medicines can remove some of the body’s
radiation.
Anyone who thinks they are radiation sensitive will
seek medical attention as soon as possible.
 Effects (Contd)

In reproductive cells, ionizing radiation damages the

genetic material and results in mutations that are
transmitted from generation to generation

The radiation ‘s genetic effects are reflected not only in

individuals irradiated but in their immediate or distant
offspring
 Protective Measures
The objective of radiation protection is to
protect people and the environment against the
harmful effects of ionizing radiation. This is
achieved through a process called risk
assessment which involves
1) Identifying the hazard
2) estimating the size of the risk and
3) Assessing its importance in comparison with
other risks.
 Safety measures
Protective Clothing
Lab accidents often involve spills or splashes which can readily contaminate exposed
wrists, legs and feet. For any work with an open radioactive source, wear:
 gloves (the longest length available)
 a full-length lab coat (worn closed with sleeves rolled down)
 close-toed shoes. Do NOT wear sandals or other open-toed shoes while working
with radioactivity

It is strongly recommended that you wear safety glasses for any procedure, but it is
essential that you war safety glasses whenever there is a potential for the build-up of
pressure.

Keep an extra set of clothing and shoes in the lab in the event that clothing becomes
contaminated.

Avoid using petroleum-based hand creams when wearing gloves because petroleum-
based hand creams may increase glove permeability.
 Food and Beverages

o Do not eat, drink or smoke in any room in which open sources

of radioactive materials are used.
o Do not store food, beverages, or medicines in refrigerators,
freezers or coldrooms where open sources of radioactive
materials are used or stored.
o Do not store food, beverages, medicines, cosmetics, coffee
cups, eating utensils, etc. on open surfaces near lab benches
where contamination can be readily spread.
o Never mouth pipet radioactive solutions.
 Waste disposal
Several factors determine the route by which radioactive wastes are disposed. These
factors include: half-life, radionuclide, chemical constituents, physical form (liquid or
solid), dose rate, and other physical characteristics (is the source sealed and
encapsulated or open?).
• Most solid wastes that contain isotopes with half-lives not exceeding 120 days are
handled through the centralized Decay-in-Storage (DIS) Program for ultimate
disposal as non-radioactive medical waste.
• Solid radioactive wastes contaminated with radionuclides with half-lives greater
than 120 days are disposed of through a contracted radioactive waste disposal
service system.
• Certain liquid wastes are disposed of through the Sanitary Sewer Disposal
Program.
• All liquid scintillation wastes are disposed of through a contracted radioactive
waste disposal program as part of the Off-Site Radioactive Waste Disposal
Program.
• Special wastes that include animal or other biological waste, hazardous chemical
wastes such as phenol, sealed sources, certain uranium and thorium compounds,
radium, or transuranic isotopes are disposed of through special arrangement.