BRIEF LECTURE NOTES ON FIRE SAFETY

CHEMISTRY OF COMBUSTION

A. THE FIRE TRIANGLE (OR THE TRIANGLE OF COMBUSTION)

Heat, Fuel and Air (oxygen) in proper proportion create fire.

HEAT FUEL

AIR

Removing any one or more of the above will extinguish the fire. Fuel and air are in abundant
supply but heat is created as a result of man’s own activities.

FUEL: There are three types of fuel, namely:

a. Solid fuel
b. Liquid fuel
c. Gaseous fuel

a. Solid fuel: examples are paper, wood, fabric, wood products, metals.

b. Liquid fuel: examples are petrol, paints, thinners, turpentine, kerosene etc.

c. Gaseous fuel: LPG, acetylene, butane, propane etc.

HEAT SOURCE: Heat sources are sparks, arcs, friction, lit matches lit candle, lit mosquito coil,
lit lantern lit cigar, lightening etc.

METHODS OF EXTINGUISHMENT

1. Removing the fuel – starving the fire.

2. Cutting off the air supply – smother or blanketing.

3. Removing the heat – cooling.

FIRE PREVENTION / SAFETY IN OFFICE

Fire Safety in places of work, factories offices etc is very important.

1. GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

This is the practice of proper and acceptable way of segregation, i.e. arranging and placing
equipment and materials in the proper places so as to enhance quick-escape from fire and to
minimize fire spread.

a. Remove cobwebs.
b. Discarded paper and refuse should be properly disposed off.
c. Avoid congestion.
d. Keep packages etc away from sockets, passage ways and exits. Avoid obstruction.
e. Fire extinguishers should not block passage ways.
f. Flammable materials should be properly kept and be put away from sources of heat.

2. SAFE USE OF ELECTRICITY

a. Use qualified electricians.

b. Check cords and plugs regularly.
c. It is advisable to use three-pin plugs. Two-pin plugs are not earthed.
d. Do not allow cords and cables to run under carpets and through doorways.
e. Hanging cables should be avoided. Tension in them can cause wear and break.
f. Complete rewiring should be done after 40 years.
g. Avoid touching or working on electrical equipment under wet conditions.
h. Never overload electrical sockets.
i. Put off and remove plugs of all electrical equipment not requiring 24hrs operation.
j. Periodically check on air conditioners and electrical installations.
k. Safety officer and watchmen should have routine checks before and after the day’s
work.
l. Protect yourself by wearing a rubber soled slippers, when ironing or opening the fridge.
m. Disconnect heater, iron, blender when leaving room even if you expect to return in a
minute.
n. Avoid temporary joints in cables. Replace entire cable.
o. Consider every cable LIVE.
p. In the event of power outage switch off electrical gadgets to avoid being subjected to
initial high voltage when power is restored. Use stabilizers and UPS.

FIRE DEFENCE

a. Fire extinguishers must be provided and sited at appropriate places.

b. Alarm systems; provide smoke or radiation or heat detectors.
c. General and specific Notices eg. FIRE EXIT, NO SMOKING etc must be clearly marked.
Danger and warning signs should be provided.
d. Designate a place for those who smoke.
e. Have one or more fire hydrant fixed in the premises.
TYPES OF EXTINGUISHING AGENTS

a. WATER: This extinguishing agent is the commonest. It is used in cooling and therefore
as an extinguishing agent. It normally extinguishes mainly solid fuels. Under certain
conditions the steam converted from water will exclude oxygen (smothering).

b. FOAM: This is used in putting off mainly liquid fires. It starves the fire by forming a
layer over the burning liquid.

It will also SMOTHER by keeping oxygen out. It also has a cooling effect because it is
water-based.

c. CARBON DIOXIDE: Carbon dioxide is a non-combustible gas and hence used to

smother the fire. Under certain conditions coldness of the gas also helps in cooling.
Carbon dioxide, under pressure, when it expands solidifies and cools.

d. DRY CHEMICAL POWDER: This extinguishing agent smothers, cools and inhibits
chain reaction in metal fibres.

e. HALONS: Halons are liquid when under pressure. When released it is in gaseous form.
It is non-combustible and it is being phased out because it is an ozone depleting
substance. It has smothering and cooling effects in fire.

TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

These are referred to as First Aid Appliances because they are used mainly for small fires that
have just started. They are not effective when the fire goes out of control. They are classified
as A, B, C, or D or a combination of these.

Modern extinguishers have the same method of operation. Instructions are normally displayed
on the name plate fixed on the appliances.

Fire extinguishers have colour codes: -

Red Colour - Water

Blue Colour - Dry Powder

Cream Colour - Foam

Green Colour - Halon

Black Colour - Carbon dioxide

Modern fire extinguishers however have one colour, red but the specifications and type of fire it
is used for are on the name plate.

WATER FOAM CO2 POWDER HALONS

A – – –
B –
C – –
D – – – – –

Water is class A fire extinguishers

Foam is class B fire extinguishers
CO2 is class BC fire extinguishers
Powder is class ABC fire extinguishers
Halon is class BCD fire extinguishers

Class A fire extinguishers are used mainly on solid fires

Class B fire extinguishers are used mainly on liquid fires
Class C fire extinguishers are used mainly on gaseous fires
Class D fire extinguishers are used mainly on metal fires
Class ABC fire extinguishers are used mainly for solid, liquid as well as gaseous fires eg. dry
powder extinguishers.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

1. SOUND THE ALARM: Upon detection of fire, the alarm must be sounded. All staff and
workers must be able to identify the type of alarm. The sounding of the alarm may be assigned
to a particular officer. In some establishments all workers are taught how to activate the alarm.

2. CALL FOR FIRE SERVICE: Emergency telephone numbers to the Fire Service are 999,
192, 222222, 22221, 24045, 22098. Access to phone should be given to a safety officer or the
watchman especially after the day’s work. Precise information to the Fire Service should be
given with regards to address of fire.

3. EVALUATION:

a. Stop all machines (if it is a factory)

b. Put off all power supply.
c. Close all windows and doors.
d. Search toilets.
e. All should head for exit points.
f. Close vaults and safes.
g. Orderly evacuation is paramount.
h. All should congregate at designated assembly point.
i.
4. ASSEMBLY POINT: This should be away from the premises. Arrangements can be made
with nearby premises for use of open space as assembly point.

5. ROLL CALL: At assembly point a roll call of all staff should be conducted to make sure all
have evacuated. A responsible officer should be assigned for this task. Any problem should be
reported to the Fire Officer.

ATTACKING FIRE:

Circumstances will dictate whether to attempt to tackle fire or not. Your life is more important
than fire fighting and salvaging.

Deal with small fires using fire extinguishers. All workers including watchmen and safety
officers should know how to operate these first aid appliances. For a sizeable fire evacuation
should be paramount.