FIRE HAZARDS,

PREVENTION
&
CONTROL
 FIRE
Fire is a chemical reaction that requires three elements
to be present for the reaction to take place and continue.
FUEL
The three elements are:
 Heat, or an ignition source
 Fuel
 Oxygen
EXPLOSION
These three elements typically are referred to as the
“fire triangle.” Fire is the result of the reaction between
the fuel and oxygen in the air. OXYGEN IGNITION
 FIRE
 The concept of a fire triangle is to aid in understanding
of the cause of fires and how they can be prevented and
extinguished.
 Heat, fuel and oxygen must combine in a precise way for
a fire to start and continue to burn.
If one element of the fire triangle is not present or
removed, fire will not start or, if already burning, will
extinguish.
 FIRE HAZARDS
 These are any material, condition or act that contributes to the start of a
fire, or increases the extent and severity of a fire.
Fire hazard recognitions in industrial settings are categorized into two,
namely:
Unsafe Behaviour/Acts: Unsafe Condition:
Poor housekeeping Building design
Ignoring ignition sources
Equipment design
Careless use of flammable
Material storage facility (warehouse, tanks, silos etc)
Open burning
Improper use of electricity Heating and air conditioning system
Industrial oven
Building with heavy electrical installation
 CLASSES OF FIRE
Fires are classified as A, B, C, D or K based on the type of substance that is the fuel for the fire, as
follows:
 Class A—fires involving ordinary combustibles, such as paper, trash, some plastics, wood and
cloth. A rule of thumb is if it leaves an ash behind, it is a Class A fire.
 Class B—fires involving flammable gases or liquids, such as propane, oil and gasoline
 Class C—fires involving energized electrical components. This is the most common type of fire at
FMN Plc.
 Class D—fires involving metal. Examples of this are aluminum, magnesium, beryllium and sodium.
 Class K—fires involving vegetable or animal cooking oils or fats; common in commercial cooking
operations using deep fat fryers
 SOURCES OF IGNITION
Smoking
Electrical equipment
Heaters
Contractors tools and equipment
Arson
CLASSES OF FIRE

Ordinary Flammable Involving Combustible

Combustibles Liquids Electricity Metals
 HOT WORK
 Any temporary or permanent operation that involves open flames or
produces heat and sparks.
 Any device or equipment that can be an ignition source in a flammable
environment.
 Examples includes, but is not limited to; Welding, Brazing, Cutting, Grinding,
Soldering.

 Carrying out hot work activities safely is an important part of fire safety in
the workplace, but to do so, we need to identify hot work hazards and control
measures that will effectively reduce risks and keep workers safe.
 Hazards Associated With Hot Work
Electrical Hazards — Most hot work involves using electrical equipment (drilling machine, grinding machine, etc) so workers will face
electrical hazards such as the risk of equipment short-circuiting, faulty wiring and the risk of shocks or even fatal electrocution.
Exposure to Harmful UV or Infrared Light — Hot work activities such as welding can involve potentially dangerous UV or infrared light. If
workers are exposed to these types of non-ionizing radiation, it can cause damage to their skin or eyes.
Exposure to Dangerous Fumes — Hot work can produce dangerous fumes that pose major health risks for workers. Fumes can cause
respiratory health conditions, burns, flu-like symptoms and damage to the eyes.
Flying Sparks Can Cause Fires or Combustion — When hot work activities like welding are carried out, sparks can fly and these sparks
can cause fires or combustion if they come into contact with flammable materials, debris or hazardous materials.
Conducting Heat through Pipes — Heat can be conducted through metal materials like pipes and, when heat is transferred, it can come
into contact with flammable, combustible or otherwise hazardous materials.
Skin Injuries through Contact with Hot Materials or Equipment — If workers touch equipment, debris or surfaces that are extremely hot —
or come into contact with open flames or sparks — they may sustain skin injuries like heat burns, friction burns or cuts.
 Combustible Dusts
 Many manufacturing and processing operations generate dust particles that can ignite and cause a fire or explosion.
Combustible dusts include food ingredients, seed and grain, metals, paper, pulp, plastics, textiles, biosolids, wood, rubber,
dyes, pharmaceuticals and pesticides.

Any combustible material can burn rapidly when in a finely divided form. If such a dust is suspended in air in the right
concentration, under certain conditions, it can become explosible. Even materials that do not burn in larger pieces (such as
aluminum or iron), given the proper conditions, can be explosible in dust form.
 FIRE PREVENTION & CONTROL
 Fire prevention requires segregating the three elements of the fire triangle. In practice, a method to
achieve that goal is to post—and enforce—no-smoking signs around flammable liquids and gases and
have fire watches on all Hot work.
There should be routine inspection and preventive maintenance of all equipment.
What do we do to avoid fire hazards?
We can avoid the risk of fire and explosion by first considering the Hierarchy of Hazard Control. This is
done by observing the following procedure;
 Carry out a risk assessment
 Complete the hot work permit
 Ensure the presence of fire watch, gas detector and fire extinguisher
 Follow the procedures/instructions in the hot work permit
Hot Work Permit and Fire watch must be present in all locations where activities involving open and /or
uncontrolled flames and sparks occur.
 FIRE PREVENTION & CONTROL
 Keep the workplace tidy and free from a build up of rubbish (Good Housekeeping)
 Store such things as chemicals in the recommended way
 Report all faults and unsafe conditions
 Work safely and obey your workplace fire regulations
 All Hot jobs must require a Valid written Permit to Work or hot permit before its commencement
 Never smoke in undesignated places, the stump could easily start a fire.
 Keep fire exits clear of obstructions
 Switch off all electrical appliances after work hours
 Adhered strictly to all Install Fire Safety instructions
 Don't misuse fire fighting equipment
 Carryout Routine Inspection Checks/Risk Assessment of the workplace (these will highlight the hazards
and should suggest preventative actions and controls)
 Proactive (Installation of Fire detection, alarms and suppression systems): To ensure fire protection
 FIRE PREVENTION & CONTROL

A Fire Watch is a person who must be trained in Hot Work, Emergency

Response, and how to use a Fire Extinguisher. (If there are any other special
fire fighting devices, such as a deluge system at the work site, the Job Owner
or other designated personnel will instruct the Fire Watch on the use of the
equipment).
A Fire Watch must be familiar with the work being done at the site.
The job of the Fire Watch is to monitor the site for fire and unsafe conditions or
activities while the hot work is being performed, during breaks and
interruptions.
The Fire Watch will continue to monitor the work area for fires for 3 hours
after hot work operations are completed, which includes breaks, interruptions,
and at shift end.
FIRE FIGHTING
Common Fire Classifications
 USE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
It is very easy to fight primary fire with extinguishers. Just remember to apply
your “PASS” word correctly.
PASS
Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and
will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important - in order to put out the
fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the
extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back
and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from a safe
distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to
diminish. Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher - different fire
extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim
at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!
 Fire Emergency Evacuation
Procedure
If you cannot tackle the fire, it is crucial to know the fire
emergency evacuation procedure!
DO NOT PANIC!!!
1. Raise an Alarm, Alert others, Call any of the displayed
emergency numbers at your site only if you can.
DO NOT
2. Once you see fire lights or hear the fire alarms, leave
whatever you are doing and X Use the Lift/Elevator during a fire emergency evacuation
X Stop to pick up your belongings
3. Evacuate through the nearest exit or try to follow the
emergency exit signs, but do not rush or push others. X Try to be a hero
4. Go to the nearest fire assembly point and await further
instructions
 Use of Personal Protective
Equipment
Personnel carrying out Hot Work must first ensure appropriate PPEs are
properly worn before commencing work.

Eye and Face Protection

welding, flame cutting, flame soldering

Flame resistant gloves, aprons, other flame protective clothing

ANSI rated hard had where required
Safety Shoes
Other PPE required for the setting
 Day 2 – Fire Hazards, Prevention and Controls
The Story
On a fateful afternoon, an employee sustained first degree burns on
his lower abdomen while cutting a piece of iron plate using
oxyacetylene cylinder. In the process, the hose attached to the
acetylene gas cylinder got busted below the clip. This resulted into
fire, which caught up with the lower abdomen of the employee. Even
though, the fire was quickly extinguished, the employee already
sustained burns on his lower abdomen.
 Day 2 – Fire Hazards, Prevention and Controls
QUIZ FOR THE DAY

What Failed? What can you do differently to

prevent this accident?
1. 1.
2. 2.
3. 3.
4. 4.