Fire Hazards

and
Control
Fire Hazards
What Does Fire Hazards Mean?
Fire hazards are workplace hazards that either involve the presence of a flame,
increase the probability that an uncontrolled fire will occur, or increase the severity of
a fire should one occur.

Fire hazards include:

 Flames
 Sparks
 Hot objects
 Flammable chemicals
 Chemicals accelerants, which can increase a fire’s rate of spread

The Fire Triangle

Hazardous substances that increase the risk of fire can be considered with respect to
the Fire Triangle—a model of the three conditions that are necessary to start a fire
(fuel, an ignition source, and oxygen). A fire hazard is typically something that will
either act as fuel or as an ignition source.

Four Classes of Fire

Class A: Ordinary solid combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth and some plastics.
Class B: Flammable liquids such as alcohol, ether, oil, gasoline and grease, which are best extinguished by
smothering.
Class C: Electrical equipment, appliances and wiring in which the use or a nonconductive
extinguishing agent prevents injury from electrical shock. Don’t use water.
Class D: Certain flammable metallic substances such as sodium and potassium. These materials are normally
not found in the Medical Center.
Types of Fire Extinguisher

Safety Signs

Prohibition Signs
These are circular white signs with a red border and
red cross-bar
Warning Signs
These are triangle yellow signs with a black border and `
symbol
Mandatory Signs
These are circular blue signs with a white symbols
Advisory Signs
These are square or rectangular green signs with a white
symbol

Fire Hazard Signs

What to do during the event of Fire?

• Raise the alarm

• Turn off machinery, gas, and electricity supplies in the area
of the fire
• Close doors and windows without locking or bolting them
• Remove combustible materials and fuels away from the
path of fire, if the fire is small, and if this can be done safely
• Attack small fires with the correct extinguisher
• Call the FIRE DEPARTMENT if fire cannot be controlled