NEBOSH International General

BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd Certificate in Occupational Health
and Safety

Day 7

Presented by
Dr Geoff Lloyd

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

IGC2 Element 3

Work Equipment
– Hazards and Control

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protection from Machinery Hazards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Hierarchy
Fixed enclosing guards
Other guards (e.g. adjustable, self-
adjusting) or protection devices (e.g.
interlocks, trips)
Protection appliances (e.g. push sticks
used with woodworking machines)
The provision of information, instruction,
training and supervision
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fixed Guards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Enclosing

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fixed Guards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Distance

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Other guards - Interlocked Guards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Linked to the operation of the

machine
Prevents operation of the machine
when the guard is open
Prevents access to the hazardous area
until the machinery has stopped
Machine cannot operate until the
guard is in place
Fails safe or fails to minimal danger
Difficult to defeat
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Other guards - Interlocked Guards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protection Devices - Trip Devices
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Trip switch Photo-electric

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protection Devices - Trip Devices
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Pressure pad Trip-wire

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Other Guards - Adjustable Guards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Other Guards - Self-Adjusting
BMS
(Health and
Guards
Safety) Ltd

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protection Devices - Two-Hand
BMS
(Health and
Control
Safety) Ltd
 The hand controls
separated and protected to
prevent spanning with one
hand
 No motion unless controls
are operated within 0.5
seconds of each other
 Movement stopped
immediately, or stopped and
reversed, if one or both
controls are released
 The hand controls at a
distance from the danger
point
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protective Appliances
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Push sticks, jigs & holders

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Other controls
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Emergency stop controls

 PPE
 Information, Instruction, Training and
Supervision
 Operational use / working practices
 Restrictions of use
 Maintenance requirements
 Emergency action
 Fault reporting
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Markings & warnings
 Safety Devices – Strengths &
BMS
(Health and
Weaknesses
Safety) Ltd

Fixed guards
Interlocked guards
Trip devices
Manual adjustable guards
Self-adjusting controls
Two-handed controls

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Example Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Outline the FOUR main categories

of guards and safeguarding devices
that may be used to minimise the risk
of contact with dangerous parts of
machinery. (8)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 FIAT
BMS  Fixed
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Fixed guards provide a physical barrier, are held in
place at all times and are not linked to the machine
operation. They require a special tool for removal
 Interlocked
 Interlocked guards are linked mechanically, electrically,
or pneumatically to the machine operation and prevent
access when the machine is in a dangerous position,
while also preventing operation of the machine when the
guard is open
 Adjustable or self-adjusting
 The adjustable or self-adjusting guard, is essentially a
fixed guard that has elements that can be adjusted, or
which adjust themselves, to allow for the material being
processed. Typical examples can be found on circular
saws and drill chucks
 Trip device
 Trip devices, e.g. a pressure mat, probe or photo-
© BMS Ltd.
electric system, stops the movement of the machine
2008 (V1) when approach is detected
 Safety Devices – Application
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Fixed guards
Interlocked guards
Trip devices
Manual adjustable guards
Self-adjusting controls
Two-handed controls

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Safety Devices – Basic
BMS
(Health and
Requirements
Safety) Ltd

Compatible with
process
Adequate strength
Maintained
Not increase risk
Not easily bypassed
or defeated

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Example Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Outline the principles of the following

types of machine guard:
A fixed guard. (2)
An interlocked guard. (2)

Identify TWO advantages and TWO

disadvantages of a fixed machine
guard. (4)
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

IGC2 Element 4

Electrical Hazards and Control

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Principles of Electricity
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Electricity is a form of energy

 Flow of charged particles or electrons in a
circuit
 A switch can be used to complete or break
the circuit

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Principles of Electricity
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Voltage (V)
 Potential difference measured in Volts V
 Current (I)
 Flow of electrons measured in Amps A
 From high to low potential
 Resistance (R)
 Resistance to electron flow, measured in Ohms Ω
 Conductors offer low resistance
 e.g. iron, copper, aluminium, water
 Insulators offers high resistance
 e.g. rubber, plastic, wood

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Ohms Law
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Voltage = Current x Resistance

V = I x R
I =V/R R = V/ I

Current I

Resistance R
V
Voltage V

© BMS Ltd.
I R
2008 (V1)
Current I
 Basic Circuitry
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Open circuit

Switch

Load
Source voltage V Resistance
RΩ

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Basic Circuitry
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Closed circuit
Power = V x I (work done)
Measured in Watts (W)

Current I Amps
Switch

Source voltage V Load

Resistance
RΩ

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1) Current I Amps
 Basic Circuitry
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Short circuit
Path of least resistance, which
bypasses the load
V = I x R
Earthing
Safe path for fault current to be
dissipated to earth
Exposed metal parts that may become
live due to a fault
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Basic Circuitry
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Direct current (dc)

Current flow in one direction
e.g. Car battery
 Alternating current (ac) Single phase

Current changes direction

e.g. mains supply
 Frequency
 Rate of change of direction 3 phase
 Measured in hertz (Hz)
 1 Hz = 1 cycle per second
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Hazards of Electricity
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Danger is the risk

of death or
personal injury
from electrical:
 Burns
 Shock
 Arcing
 Fire
 Explosion

 Remember Be
© BMS Ltd. SAFE
2008 (V1)
 Electric Shock
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Direct – coming into contact with a

conductor in an electrical circuit

Indirect – touching a conductor that

has become live due to a fault

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Electric Shock
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Effects on the body

Muscular contractions
Hold on
Fibrillation
Cardiac arrest
Respiratory failure
Falls from height
Strains & fractures
Burns
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1) External & internal
 Electric Shock
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Factors influencing severity

Amount and nature of current
Voltage
Body resistance
Contact time
Current
Current path
Health
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Electric Shock
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 First-aid treatment
 Break the contact,
but do not become
a victim
 Summon
emergency
assistance
 Resuscitate
 Emergency medical
attention

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Electrical Burns
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Direct burns
External & internal
effects
Indirect burns
Arcing
Heat
Ultra-violet
Molten metal

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Example Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

(a) Describe the possible health

effects of electricity on the body. (4)

(b) Outline FOUR factors that may

affect the severity of harm of injury
from contact with electricity. (4)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 (a)
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Cardio-respiratory effects which could

include fibrillation of the heart or stopping
of breathing
 Fatal injury due to disruption of heart
rhythm
 Tissue burns the main sites of damage as
being the entry and exit points as well as
possible damage to internal organs
 Secondary effects caused by going into
medical shock, or being thrown to ground
level while receiving a shock while working
© BMS Ltd.
at height
2008 (V1)
 (b)
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 The route taken through the body, the more

dangerous route being across the heart
 The length of contact time that the current is
flowing through the body, will normally cause
more damage
 The general health and age of the person
involved may influence the ability to survive an
electric shock
 Those factors that might affect the size of current
passing through the body such as dryness of the
skin, natural body resistance, ground conditions
© BMS Ltd.
and type of footwear
2008 (V1)
 Electrical Fires
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Arcing
When a conductor carries sufficient
potential to jump across an insulating
material (often air), massive heat is
generated often enough to start fires or
cause injury

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Electrical Fires
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Overheating of conductors
Poor or inadequate insulation
Overloaded circuits
No fuse or incorrect fuse rating
Short circuits
Lack of ventilation
Cables wound on drums
Excessive thermal insulation
Poor connections
Close storage of flammable materials
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Electrical Explosions
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Electrical
equipment
 Overloading
 Short circuits
 Ignition of gas,
vapour or dust
 Static electricity

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Portable Electrical Equipment
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Risk of injury
Using equipment in inappropriate
conditions
Using damaged equipment
Incorrect wiring and connections
Live working

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Control Measures
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Selection and Suitability of Equipment

 Its initial design and quality
 The purpose for which it will be used
 The place where it will be used

 Integrity and use

 Manufacturer’s recommendations
 Likely load and fault conditions
 Probable use of the system(s)
 The need for suitable electrical protection
devices, e.g. overload protection
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Environmental conditions which may affect the
mechanical strength and protection required
 Control Measures
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Protect against
Hazardous environments
Weather
Natural hazards
Extremes of temperature and pressure
Dirty conditions
Corrosive conditions
Liquids and vapours
Flammable substances

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Control Measures
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Protect against
Mechanical damage
Impact, stress, wear and tear, vibration,
hydraulic and pneumatic pressure
Abrasion
 Protect cables with protective covers, flexible
armouring, protective braiding or superior forms of
sheathing, burying them below ground or placing
them at a height
 Cable clamps and cord grips

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protective Systems
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Fuses
 A fuse forms a
weak link in a
circuit by
overheating and
melting by design if
the current
exceeds the safe
limit

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fuses
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Advantages  Limitations
 Over-current  Does not protect
protection against direct
 Protects circuit and shock
equipment from  Slow to operate
overload
 Operating current
 Inexpensive
not exact
 Easy to replace
 Can be replaced
by larger rated fuse
or bypassed with
wire
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protective Systems
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Circuit breakers
 A circuit breaker
is a mechanical
device in the form
of a switch which
automatically
opens if the circuit
is overloaded

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Circuit Breakers
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Advantages  Limitations
 Over-current  Does not protect
protection against direct
 Protects circuit and shock
equipment from  May be mistaken
overload
for a RCD
 Automatically trips
 No tools required
to reset
 Will not allow reset
with circuit fault
 Not easy to defeat
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protective Systems
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Earthing
By earthing (earth bonding) exposed
metal parts which should not normally
carry a current, any fault current is
provided with a low impedance path to
earth should it become live
The fault current will operate protective
devices (fuses, circuit breakers, residual
current devices) and cut off the supply
by breaking the circuit
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Earthing
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Advantages  Limitations
 May protect  Requires regular
against indirect inspection and
shock testing
 Easily identified  Protection
defeated if
removed

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protective Systems
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Isolation
There is a difference between
isolation and switching off:
Switching off
 Depriving the equipment of electric
power whilst still leaving it
connected

Isolation
 Physically separating it from any
source of electric power, with the
additional step being taken of
ensuring that it cannot be
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
accidentally re-energised
 Isolation
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Isolation should
 Establish an effective barrier between
the equipment and the supply
 Ensure that no unauthorised person is
able to remove the barrier
 Establish an air gap or some other
barrier between the contacts in the
switch
 Include a device which will prevent the
removal of the barrier by unauthorised
persons, e.g. a padlock
 Be accessible, easy to operate and
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1) clearly labelled
 Isolation
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Advantages  Limitations
 Does not allow live
 Safest option as
fault finding
circuit is ‘dead’  May isolate more
 Allows safe access than one piece of
to circuit and equipment
equipment  May be
reconnected
unless locked off
 May be more than
one power or
voltage source
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protective Systems
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Reduced / low voltage

110 V CTE

Safety Extra Low Voltage (SELV)

< 50 V
Usually 24 V, e.g. vehicle wash, hand-held lead
© BMS Ltd.
lamps and soldering irons
2008 (V1)
 Reduced / Low Voltage
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Advantages  Limitations
 Reduced voltage  Requires reduced /
reduces shock low voltage
equipment
current
 Cost implication
 Colour coded  Supply requires
protection (fuse
and RCD)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protective Systems
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Residual Current Device (RCD)

 RCDs or current-operated earth leakage circuit
breakers (ELCBs) detect when a current flows
to earth by comparing the currents flowing in
the live and neutral conductors
 They are sensitive enough to detect a leakage
current too small to operate a fuse, but which
may nevertheless be large enough to deliver
an electric shock or to start a fire
 Test and reset buttons

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Residual Current Device (RCD)
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Advantages  Limitations
 Shock protection  Mechanical switch,
 Rapid action (30 ms) which could fail
 Sensitive (30 mA)  They reduce the
 Difficult to defeat effects of a shock,
not the chances of
 Easy to test and getting a shock
reset
 Do not provide
 Will not allow reset overload protection
with fault to earth

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Protective Systems
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Double insulation
The live parts of the
equipment are
covered by two
layers of insulating
material
Suitable for portable
equipment

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Double Insulation
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

The principle of double insulation

also applies to the use of
insulating mats for operators to
stand on and use of insulated
tools and PPE, e.g. rubber
footwear and insulating gloves

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Double Insulation
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Advantages  Limitations
 Failure of 2 layers of  Regular
insulation and its maintenance
associated danger is essential
extremely  Insulation only
improbable remains effective
 Suitable for portable while it is intact
equipment which  Equipment
often suffers requiring an earth
particularly rough should not be
use connected to
© BMS Ltd.  No earth required double insulated
2008 (V1)
extension leads
 Inspection and Maintenance
BMS
(Health and
Strategies
Safety) Ltd

 Includes visual inspection, testing, repair

and replacement
 Equipment identification and where / how it
is to be used
 No unauthorised equipment in the workplace
 User checks for signs of damage
 Formal visual inspections
 Periodic testing of equipment
 Systems for the reporting and replacement
of defective equipment
 Recording of all maintenance and test
© BMS Ltd.
results along with the inventory of equipment
2008 (V1) in use
 User Checks
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Damaged cable
sheath
 Damaged plug
 Loose cord grip
 Environment of
use
 Damaged casing
 Loose screws

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Frequency of Inspection and
BMS
(Health and
Testing
Safety) Ltd

 Risk assessment
 Type of equipment and whether or not it is hand-held
 Manufacturer’s recommendations
 Initial integrity and soundness of the equipment
 Age of the equipment
 Working environment in which the equipment is used (such
as whether it is wet or dusty) or the likelihood of
mechanical damage
 Frequency of use and the duty cycle of the equipment
 Foreseeable abuse of the equipment
 Effects of any modifications or repairs to the equipment
 Analysis of previous records of maintenance, including
both formal inspection and combined inspection and
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1) testing
 Inspection and Maintenance
BMS
(Health and
Strategies
Safety) Ltd

 Records of
inspection and
testing
 Portable Appliance
Testing (PAT)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Example Question Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Describe options for reducing the

risk of electric shock when using a
portable electric drill on a
construction site. (8)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

IGC2 Element 5

Fire Hazards and Control

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Basic Principles
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Fire is a rapid chemical process in which

oxygen combines with a fuel in the
presence of a source of heat energy
 The reaction of these elements is called
combustion
 During the reaction, heat, light and flames
and products of combustion (smoke) are
given off

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 The Fire Triangle
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Heat
 Fuel
 Oxygen

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Ignition Temperatures
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Flash point
Temperature at which gas and vapours
will ignite momentarily when an
ignition source is present
Indicates fire hazard
 Fire point
Temperature at which gas and vapours
will ignite and fire is sustained when
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
an ignition source is present
 Ignition Temperatures
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Auto-ignition temperature
Temperature at which gas and vapours
will ignite without any external source
of ignition

Temperature oC
Auto-ignition No external ignition source

Fire point
External ignition source
Flash point
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Classification of Fire and Fuel
BMS
(Health and
Types
Safety) Ltd

 Class A or solid materials, normally of an organic nature

 e.g. paper, wood, coal and natural fibres
 Class B or flammable liquids or liquefied solids
 e.g. petrol, oil, grease, fats and paint
 Class C or gases or liquefied gases
 e.g. methane, propane, and mains gas
 Class D or metal
 e.g. aluminium, sodium, potassium or magnesium
 Class F or cooking fats,
 e.g. deep fat frying

© BMS Ltd.  Class E or electricity is regarded as a heat source and not a fuel
2008 (V1)
source
 Syndicate Exercise
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Identify methods of heat transfer and

explain how EACH can cause the
spread of fire.

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fire Spread
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Convection

 Conduction

 Radiation

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)  Direct burning
 Causes of Fires
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Accidental
 Electrical faults
 Overloaded electrical circuits
 Unsafe storage of materials
 Heating equipment
 Smoking
 Hot work
 Friction / sparks
 Deliberate
 Arson
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Consequences of Fires
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Fire growth through

buildings
 Thermal layering
 Flash-over
 Back draught
 Heat transfer
 Business disruption

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
BMS
Bradford Fire
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fire Risk Assessment
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Involves
 Use of a site plan
and sub-division of
larger workplaces
 Identifying hazards
and assessing
risks
 Fire control and
evacuation
methods

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fire Risk Assessment Method
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Workplace plan
Workplace division
Workplace inspection
Legislation / best practice
Consultation
Manufacturers’ information
Document review
Incident data
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fire Risk Assessment
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

5 step approach
 Identify fire hazards
 Identify people at risk
 Evaluate, remove or reduce, and protect
from risk
 Record, plan, inform, instruct and train
 Review
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 1 - Identify Fire Hazards
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Identify sources of:

Fuel
Heat
Oxygen

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 2 - Identify People at Risk
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Consider:
Employees
Non-employees

Groups who may be especially at risk:

Impaired mobility, mental illness, ageing,
less able bodied, impaired vision, impaired
hearing, children and young persons

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 3 - Evaluate, Remove or Reduce,
BMS
(Health and
and Protect from Risk
Safety) Ltd

Consider:
 The severity and likelihood
 The chance of fire occurring and whether the
sources of ignition can be reduced and the
potential for a fire minimised
 The fire control measures already in place and
whether they are sufficient for the remaining
risks and will ensure that everyone is warned
in the case of fire and that they can escape

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 4 - Record, Plan, Inform,
BMS
(Health and
Instruct and Train
Safety) Ltd

Record the findings and prepare an

emergency plan
Record significant findings
Emergency plan and instructions
Training and instruction
Maintenance, inspection and testing

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Step 5 - Review
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Review the assessment and revise it

if necessary
When:
It is no longer valid
There has been a significant change in the
matters to which it relates
 The workplace
 New work patterns
 New process or plant
 New legal requirements

© BMS Ltd.
Elapse of time
2008 (V1)
 Fire Control Measures
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Storage areas for flammable and

combustible materials should be:
 Detached, secure, single-storey, ventilated
buildings of non-combustible constructions and
used for no other purpose
 Separate from other parts of the premises
 Accessible to fire fighters
 Large enough to allow clear spaces to be
maintained around stacks of materials
 Large enough so that sprinkler systems are not
obstructed by stacking up the stored materials
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
too high
 Fire Control Measures
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Control of ignition sources

Smoking, etc.
Systems of work
Working with hot processes or implements
Machinery
Electrical equipment and systems

Good housekeeping

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Example Question
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Outline FOUR types of ignition

source that may lead to a fire in a
workplace. (4)

Outline ways of controlling EACH of

the ignition sources identified in (a).
(4)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Manual systems
 Gongs, strikers, hand-bells, whistles, air
horns
 Manual / electric systems
 Manual call point / break glass
 Convenient, safe position on exit routes,
stairwells and at final exits
 Conspicuous, well illuminated (day
and night)
 Free from obstruction
 Indicated by signage
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Automatic detector and alarm

systems
 Risk to life, e.g. sleeping
 Risk to the process, building or its
contents
 May be linked to door release
mechanisms / extinguishing
devices
 Smoke, heat and flame

© BMS Ltd.
 System should be regularly
2008 (V1)
inspected, tested and maintained
BMS
Automatic Fire Detectors
(Health and
Safety) Ltd
 Smoke detectors
 Ionising detectors
 Small particles, susceptible to false alarm
 Optical detectors
 Dense smoke, large particles
 Flame, or radiation, detectors
 Infra red
 Ultra-violet
 Heat detectors
 Fusion
 Expansion or self-resetting
 Fixed temperature
© BMS Ltd.  Rate of rise
2008 (V1)
 Choice of Detector
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Smoke and heat detectors are

suitable for most buildings
Radiation detectors:
For high-roofed buildings, e.g.
warehouses
For clean-burning flammable liquids
Laser beam infra-red detectors may be
used where there are tall compartments
or long cable tunnels
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Choice of Detector
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

The conditions in the area to be

protected

The sensitivity required

The availability of suitable locations

The potential for false alarms

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Fire Alarms
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Phased evacuation
Alert signal before alarm sounds
Pre-planned evacuation
Warning signals
Audible
Contact with emergency / rescue
services
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Portable Fire-Fighting Equipment
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Marking
 Colour coded
 Siting
 Clearly visible
 Accessible, free from obstructions
 Suitable for fire hazards in the area
 Protected from the weather, etc.
 Signage
 Maintenance
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)  Training
 Other Types of Fire Fighting
BMS
(Health and
Equipment
Safety) Ltd

Fire blanket
Hose reels
Automatic
sprinklers
Drenchers
Hydrants and
foam inlets
Dry risers

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Extinguishing Media
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 Aim: removal of fuel / oxygen / heat

Water Class A
Foam Class A, B and C
Dry powder Class B, C and E
Special powder Class D
CO2 Class B and E
Wet chemical Class F
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Means of Escape
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

 An escape route provides the means by

which people in any given area can reach a
place of safety

 Alternative routes  Passageways

 Fire protected  Doorways
 Unobstructed  Emergency lighting
 Travel distances  Signage
 Stairs  Assembly point
© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Emergency Evacuation Procedures
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Fire marshals
Fire drills
Roll call
Provision for the
infirm and
disabled

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)
 Example Question.
BMS
(Health and
Safety) Ltd

Outline the requirements to ensure

the safe evacuation of persons from
a building in the event of a fire. (4)

© BMS Ltd.
2008 (V1)