FIRE SAFETY

What is Fire?

Fire is the result of a chemical

reaction called combustion. At a certain
point in the combustion reaction, called
the ignition point, flames are produced.
Flames consist primarily of carbon dioxide,
water vapor, oxygen, and nitrogen.
 Combustion Characteristics

For a fire to happen, the following elements

are essential;
 Oxygen to sustain combustion
 Heat to rich ignition temperature
 Fuel or combustible materials
This results in chemical chain reaction
which starts a fire.
Removing any of these elements will
extinguish the fire.
 Mode of Heat Transfer
During a fire heat transfer occurs by;
 Conduction – the transfer of heat
from one substance to another due to
direct contact.
 Convection – the transfer of heat
thought a fluid cause by molecular
motion.
 Radiation – energy that is radiated or
transmitted in the form of rays or waves
or particles.
 Source of ignition

Ignition can occur by;

 Electrically powered equipment – Arcing,
damage warning, over heating of cables due to
excess loads, loose electrical connections, heat
from electricity bulbs etc.
 Open flames
 Hot surfaces
 Source of ignition

 Sparks from welding operations

 Chemical reaction between incompatible
chemicals
 Smoking
 Batteries
 Flash Point

Flash Point is the lowest temperature at which a liquid

produces enough vapour to form an ignitable
mixture. The lower the flash point, the easier it is to
ignite the material.
Flash Point

For example: Diethyl Ether (-45 oC)

Methyl Alcohol ( 11.1 oC)
Lower the flash point of a flammable liquid,
greater than hazard
 Classification of Fire

On the basis of the type of fuel, fires are classified

into the following:
 Class A fire – ordinary combustibles such as;
wood, paper, rubber, fabrics, and many plastics,
etc.

 Class B fire – flammable liquids and gases;

gasoline, oils, paints, lacquer and tar
 Classification of Fire

 Class C fire – fires involving live electrical equipment

 Class D fire – combustible metals such as;

magnesium, sodium, potassium, etc.

 Class k fire – fires in cooking appliances that involve

combustible cooking media: vegetables or animal oils
and fats.
 To Prevent Fires

Class A Fire – ordinary combustibles

Keep storage and working areas free of trash
 Good house keeping practices reduce the
chances of general fire.
 Places oil rags in covered containers
 No smoking is to be strictly adhered by all at
working areas
 To Prevent Fires
Class B – flammables liquids and gases
 Don’t refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a
confined space, is the presence of an open
flame, or while the equipment is hot.
 Keep flammable liquids stored in a tightly closed
container and away from spark producing
sources.
 Use flammable liquids only in well ventilated
 To Prevent Fire

Class C – Electrical Equipment

 Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for
the circuit.
 Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment
that smells strange. Unusual odor can be first sign of a
potential fire.
 To Prevent Fire

 Utility lights should always have some type of

wire guard over them.
 Switch off electrical appliances or equipment
when not it use.
 Please do not use power plugs more
than their ratings.
To Prevent Fire

Class D – Flammable Metals

 Knowledge of the property of the metals
and using good judgement will assist you
in controlling or avoiding potential
fires/reactions
 Store inflammable metals away from the
working area.
 Placement of Fire Extinguisher
 Readily visible
Near points of entry and exits
Near also Emergency lights
 Easily accessible
 Free from blockage
 Near normal paths of travel
 Mounted no more than 5 feet off ground
Ways to Extinguish Fire

By eliminating any one of element from the fire

Tetrahedron, fire can be stopped by the
following methods;
 Cooling the fuel by removing heat (e.g., by
applying water)
 Smothering by cutting off oxygen supply
(e.g., by applying foam, carbon dioxide)
Ways to Extinguish Fire

 Starving the fire by removing the fuel (e.g., by

applying stopping gas flow during pipe line).
 Inhibition by stopping the chain reaction (e.g.,
by applying dry chemical powder)
Type of extinguishers and the classes
of fire for which they can be used
Water Class A fire
Dry chemical powder Class B & C fire
Foam Class A & B fire
Carbon dioxide Class B & C fire
Special dry powder Class D fire
What will you do In the event of
Fire?

 Actuate the manual fire alarm call point.

 Alert personnel nearby so that they can
come to your help/inform security section.
 Determine what is burning.
What will you do In the event of
Fire?

 Use the right type of extinguisher for fighting

the fire. Use the fire extinguisher only if you
have attended practical training.
 Always position yourself with an exit or means
of escape behind you before you attempt to
use an extinguisher to put out a fire.
What will you do In the event of
Fire?
 If the person who notices the fire feels that it
cannot be tackled by extinguisher, he can
directly inform the fire station without delay.
 On hearing the alarm evacuate the building
and assemble at the designated assembly point
 What will you do In the event of
Fire?
 As you evacuate close the doors of the rooms
(do not lock) as this will they slow down the
spread of smoke and fire.
 While moving out of the building always use
stairways.
 Do not use lifts, they may fail mid way
trapping people inside.
 Precautions

 Keep the doors of the staircase closed. If they open, heat

and smoke will enter staircase during fire and prevent escape
of occupants.
 Do not obstruct emergency equipment. Fire extinguishers
must be easily accessible.
 Materials must not be stored in front of exits or along
stairways blocking them.
 Precautions

 Know the exits in the laboratory and in the

building
 Display emergency contact numbers near the
telephone.
 Keep all exit routes free from obstruction
 There is emergency escape lighting in the
corridor as well as the staircase
Evacuation

 Use nearest available fire exit

 Do not go back for personal
belongings
 Do not use lifts
 Do not re enter building till advised
to do so.
Key Points for use of Fire
Extinguishers
 Know how they operate

 Always leave yourself an exit and ensure

it is clear

 Know the colour coding

Key Points for use of Fire
Extinguishers

 Never attempt to fight a fire Unless it is

Safe to do so
 Remember it can be dangerous to use
the wrong extinguisher
 Do Not Use if you have not be Trained
FIRE DETECTION AND WARNING

 In some buildings there will be voice

activated warning
 In others either bells or sounders
 There is Smoke Detection in corridors
,stairwells, and some laboratories
FIRE DETECTION AND WARNING

 There is Heat Detection in plant rooms

and kitchen areas
 The alarm must be audible in all areas
 Fire Brigade Team

Chief fire brigade  Direct and supervise all teams

of actions to be taken during operation
Assistant chief fire brigade  Assist Fire Chief in the
supervision of all teams for action to be taken during
the operation.
 Fire Brigade Team
Command Post;
Communication  Notify all brigade members,
sound alarm, call fire stations & related disaster
response groups. And Promptly notify the Bureau of
Fire of any incident of fire.
Transportation Transport and accompany the
victim to the nearest hospital.
 Fire Brigade Team

Security/ Traffic  Clear the area and passageways

for the eventual use of evacuating occupants and
personnel.
Clear the fire lanes of parked vehicle and other
obstructions for the easy access of the Bureau of Fire
equipment and other emergency vehicles.
Isolate and secure the emergency area and other
important areas, allow only emergency vehicles and
 Fire Brigade Team

Fire Fighting Team;

Rescue team  Report to the Brigade Chief for
instruction on the conduct of the search and rescue
operation & report for accounting after search.
Extinguishing team  Response to the announced
alarm and fight fire immediately, report the veracity &
condition of fire. Transport victims to the treatment area
for proper treatment.
 Fire Brigade Team

First Aid  Provide first aid to all injured or needing

medical attention & direct transport of victims to the
nearest hospital.
Evacuation Team  Guides the occupants of the
building or area to the safe exits and lead them to the
pre-designated assembly area. Pacify & control
crowd, direct evacuees to the nearest route of
escape/exit, account & relay info need for rescue.
 Fire Brigade Team

Salvage team  Conduct salvage

operations, evacuate the building or area of its
valuable contents, classified records, data,
information, maps and any valuable equipment.
supplies and materials, office furniture and other
less important supplies and materials.
 Fire Brigade Team

Fire Warden (Roll Call)  fire warden can conduct

a roll call to ensure that all persons are safely
evacuated from a building in the event of an
emergency. In larger organizations it may be
necessary for each department manager to maintain
a list of employees.