Unit IG2 – Risk Assessment

GWG

Element 10:
Fire

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 Learning Outcomes
10.1 Describe the principles of fire initiation, classification and spread.

10.2 Describe the basic principles of fire prevention and the prevention of
GWG fire spread in buildings.

10.3 Outline the appropriate fire alarm system and fire-fighting

arrangements for a simple workplace.

10.4 Outline the factors which should be considered when implementing

a successful evacuation of a workplace in the event of a fire.

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 Unit IG2: Element 10.1
Fire Principles
GWG

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 Fire Triangle
Heat – Oxygen -Fuel
Fire Triangle is useful for two reason:
• Fire Prevention – Keep the three elements apart and fire cannot start
GWG • Fire Fighting – Remove one of the elements and the fire will go out

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 Fire Triangle
Heat Sources
• Use of naked flames/torches
• Overheating and arcing from electrical equipment
GWG • Heat and sparks from hot works
Oxygen Sources
• Atmospheres
• Oxygen cylinders
Fuel Sources
• Paper
• Textiles
• Plastics
• Petrol & diesel fuels

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 Classification of Fires

Class A - solid materials

GWG Class B - liquids and liquefiable solids

Class C - gases

Class D - metals

Class F - high temperature fat

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 Spreading of Fire
Conduction
• The principle that heat can be transmitted through solid materials
• Some metals, in particular conduct heat very efficiently
GWG e.g. Copper
Convection
• The movement of hot gases up through the air
• The heated air can pass through gaps and cause a fire to start elsewhere

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 Spreading of Fire
Radiation
• Heat energy can be radiated through air in the form of infrared heat waves
which travel in straight lines, can pass through transparent surfaces (such
GWG as glasses).
Direct Burning
The simplest method of fire spread where a flame front moves along or
through the burning material

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 Causes of Fire
• Deliberate (Arson)
• Electrical faults
• Misuse of electrical equipment
GWG • Smoking
• Loss of control over the firing of rubbish
• Heating appliances
• Unsafe use and storage of flammable materials
• Hot Works
• Mechanical heat

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 Consequences of Fire
• People killed and injured
• suffocation by inhaling smoke or toxic fumes
• burns
GWG • Damage to buildings and contents including smoke damage
• Environmental damage

Three main reason to carry out a Fire Risk assessment:

•Prevent harm to people – Moral reason
•Comply with the law – Legal reason
•Minimize the cost associated – Economic reason

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 End-of-Section Quiz
GWG
_____ is the principle that hot air rises and cold air sinks.
a. Conduction
b. Convection
c. Radiation
d. Direct burning

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 Unit IG2: Element 10.2
Preventing Fire and Fire Spread
GWG

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 Fire Prevention
Fire Prevention : To keep all three elements apart

• Eliminate or reduce the storage of flammable materials

GWG • Control of ignition sources
• Control smoking and smoking materials
• Good housekeeping
• Lubrication of machinery to prevent friction
• No overloading of electrical systems
• Regular inspection of electrical systems
• Ventilation outlets not obstructed
• Controlling hot work with permits etc.
• Proper storage of flammable liquids
• Segregation of incompatible chemicals
• Security to prevent arson
• Regular inspection and supervision

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 Storage of Flammables
• Minimum quantities
• Suitably fixed storage tanks
• Keep upright in well ventilated storage area
GWG • Clear marking of containers
• Clearly marked storage area
• Spillage controls by using non-spill caps or bunding
• Adequate ventilation
• Suitable fire-fighting equipment
• Removing likely sources of ignition
• Trained competent staff
• Adequate Warning signs

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 Preventing Fire Spread
Compartmentation
Keeping fire IN or OUT of area of building
• Creating enclosed/sealed boxes
• Fire-resistant floors and walls
GWG
• Fire-resistant doors(self-closing)

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 Preventing Fire Spread
Fire Resistant Materials:
• Steel
• Concrete/ Bricks / Stone cladding/ Glass
• Thermal timber plywood sheathing boards
GWG
• Aluminium alloy
• Plaster sheathing board/ Plastic sheathing board

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 Preventing Fire Spread
Protection of Openings and Voids
• Lift shafts
• Service conduits
• Air – handling ducts
GWG • Void between floors

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 End-of-Section Quiz
GWG
______ is severely affected by high temperatures, expansion may
occur, pushing structural elements apart.
a. Steel
b. Concrete
c. Brick
d. Timber

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 Unit IG2: Element 10.3
Fire Alarms and Fire-Fighting
GWG

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 Common Fire Detection/Alarm Systems
Fire Alarms
The sophistication will depend on the complexity of workplace
• To shout ‘fire’- Simplest
GWG
• Use of gongs, bells - Simple with more Noise
• Break glass points - Manually operated
• Automatic systems

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 Common Fire Detection/Alarm Systems
Fire/Smoke Detection
Smoke detectors
GWG • Detect small smoke particles
• Can give rise to false alarms

Heat detectors
• Detect excess heat generated by a fire
• Usually less sensitive and give later warning
• May not detect fires that are giving off smoke but
not much heat.

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 Portable Fire Fighting Equipment
• Siting
• Maintenance
• Training
GWG

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 End-of-Section Quiz
GWG ‘Class A’ fire extinguisher is _____
a. Chemical foam
b. Carbon dioxide
c. Powder
d. Water based

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 Unit IG2: Element 10.4
Fire Evacuation
GWG

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 Means of Escape
• Available to every person in the workplace
• Should allow an able-bodied person to travel the entire route by their
own unaided effort
GWG
• Must take staff to a place of safety
• Two or more separate routes may be required
• Travel distance should be short
• Adequate width
• Clearly signed
• Appropriately lit
• Emergency lighting
• No obstructions

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 Means of Escape
Travel Distance Depends upon
• Number of people
• Fire risk
GWG • Final exit - place of total safety
• Storey exit - protected stairway
• Separate fire compartment - to a final exit

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 Means of Escape
Emergency lighting should
• Illuminate the escape route
• Illuminate fire signs and equipment
GWG • Be maintained in safe working order
• Be tested routinely.
Passageways
Fire-resistant protection
Adequate width
Unobstructed
No storage of materials or equipment

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 Fire Door and Exit Directional Signs
Fire Doors
• Able to withstand fire for a set time
• Fitted with self-closing devices
GWG
• Fitted with intumescent strip
• Fitted with a cold smoke seal
• Have vision panels of fire-resistant glass
• Clearly labelled

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 Fire Door and Exit Directional Signs
Exit Directional Signs
• Comply with local standards
• Easy to understand
GWG
• Supplemented by words such as ‘Fire Exit’
• Clearly visible
• Sited correctly

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 Assembly Point

• Safe distance from building

• Safe location
GWG • More than one assembly point for staff and visitors
- Depending upon the number of people
• Must not impede fire fighters
• Clearly signed

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 Fire Marshals
• Check all areas are evacuated

• Assist disabled workers

GWG • Ensure fire escape routes are kept clear

• Ensure windows and doors are closed

• Conduct roll call at assembly point.

• Meeting the fire and rescue service on its

arrival and giving all relevant information

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 Fire Drills
Purpose
• Testing the effectiveness of the
evacuation procedures
GWG • Testing management
arrangements
• Providing instruction to employees
on the actions to be taken in
emergency situations.
• Alarms audible
• Identifying weaknesses in
emergency communications
procedures and systems
• Familiarising employees
• Rehearsing joint action with the fire
service / other occupiers

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 Provision For Disabled

• Refuge areas

• Plans to assist people in wheelchairs who cannot use stairs if a

GWG
lift is inactivated

• A buddy system might be adopted where a colleague alerts the

worker to the fire alarm

• Visible alarm might be used in conjunction with the audible alarm

for profoundly deaf worker

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 End-of-Section Quiz
GWG
Which of the following is not a purpose of fire drill?
a. To test the effectiveness of evacuation procedures
b. To familiarise employees on evacuation procedures
c. To check alarms audible
d. To check competence of workforce

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 End-of-Element Quiz
1. Fire prevention is measures taken to prevent a fire from spreading.
GWG a. True
b. False

2. In the event of an uncontrolled fire, the first course of action should be to

a. Get a fire extinguisher
b. Run away as quickly as possible
c. Activate the alarm
d. Collect your belongings

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 End-of-Element Quiz
3. ‘Class F’ describes fires of combustible metals.
a. True
b. False

GWG
4. Which ONE of the following is not a natural cause of fire?
a. Intense sunlight
b. Lighting
c. Static electricity
d. Smoking

5. Reducing the ignition temperature by taking the heat out of the fire is ____
a. Cooling
b. Smothering
c. Starving
d. Interrupting the chain of combustion

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