Focus Area: Understanding Fire Safety

Instructions: Use the following questions to complete a research on Fire and Firefighting

equipment.

1. Explain the different types of fires. That is:

(i) Class A- these are also called ordinary fires. They are the most common classes of

fire. They occur with wood, fabric, paper, trash, plastic etc. Even though they are

ordinary fires they shouldn’t be taken lightly because if fuel is present, it can easily

intensify so it is best to put them out as soon as possible.

(ii) Class B- these involve flammable liquids and gases especially fuels like petroleum or

petroleum-based products such as gasoline, paint, and kerosene. Other gases that are highly

flammable are propane and butane, which are common causes of Class B fires. The best way to

deal with these types of fire is to smother or remove the oxygen using foam or CO2 fire

suppression equipment. Class B fires do not include grease fires or cooking fires.

(iii) Class C- they are also called Electrical fires and they are common in facilities that use

heavy equipment but they can still happen in a wide range of industries. Construction sites are

another common Class C fire risk: electrical power tools or appliances used for cooking can

cause sparks to ignite combustible materials and intensify rapidly. Old buildings with bad wiring

or space heaters present more concerns. Electrical fires require non-conductive materials to

extinguish the flame, so water alone is not a good solution.

(iv) Class D- they are also called metallic fires. These fires are not as common as the others,

but they require special attention because they are hard to extinguish. Metallic fires involve
flammable materials like titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and potassium, all commonly

occurring in laboratories. Class D fires cannot be addressed with water, as this can intensify the

fire and be potentially dangerous. Dry powder agents are the best solution for smothering the

flames and limiting damage to property or people.

2. Discuss the uses and importance of the following Fire-fighting equipment:

 Fire extinguishers:

Class A- this type is used for ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, cloth and some plastics. It

works by coating the fire with water or a dry chemical.

Class B- this type is used for flammable liquids such as gasoline, grease and oil. They are used to

extinguish fires involving flammable and combustible liquids.

Class C- this type of extinguisher works on electrical, lightning or energized fires from live

wires, panels and circuit breakers. The importance of this extinguisher is that it may contain

mono ammonium phosphate, potassium bicarbonate, or potassium chloride, which are all

suitable for putting out this type of fire.

Class D- these types of extinguishers are usually found in commercial settings. Class D fire

extinguisher works on flammable metals. The importance of this extinguisher is that it contains a

special blended Sodium Chloride-based dry powder extinguishing agent (B570), this solution

smothers the fire and removes the element of heat. Heat from the fire causes it to cake and form a

crust excluding air and dissipating heat from burning metal.

 Color codes for extinguishers- the color-coding system helps individuals select the

correct fire extinguisher based on the fire class, allowing for a rapid and effective
 response to different types of fires. There are five fire extinguisher colors: red, blue,

cream, black and yellow. Red is used for water (spray and mist), Blue is used for dry

powder, Cream is used for foam, Black for Carbon dioxide (CO2) and Yellow for white

chemical. Class A fire extinguishers are red and in some cases cream, Class B uses

cream, Class C uses blue, and Class D uses yellow.

 Fire hydrants- they are the central piece that connects the water to the hose, which allows

firefighters to control the flames. Fire hydrants provide a stable place for storage and

water supply. Fire hydrants are used to access water directly from the local mains supply

to provide water for firefighting. For class A fires, the fire hydrant carries 1000gpm or

greater of water, Class B fire hydrants carry 500-1000gpm of water while Class C fire

hydrants have less than 500gpm of water.

 Fire hoses- A fire hose is a very high-pressure hose that is used to take water to a fire. It

may also carry fire retardant materials. Fire hoses can be attached to either a fire engine

or a fire hydrant, and the pressure is between 800 and 2000 kPa. The importance of this is

that it transports water or other fire suppressants like foam to put out fires.

Explain and demonstrate using and maintain fire extinguishers re;

(a) Safety guidelines and procedures for the various ranges of fires- the correct way to use a

fire extinguisher is PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep). Pull the pin. Hold the

extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.

Aim low and stand back from the fire. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. Sweep the nozzle from side to side. Back away

from an extinguished fire in case it flames up again. Evacuate immediately if the

extinguisher is empty and the fire is not out. For class A fires, the best way to extinguish
 them is with water. This will cause the fire to cool down and eventually go out, stopping

its spread or development in the process. spread or development in the process. This can

be done by spraying the burning matter with water (such as a hose or sprinkler system) or

using a water fire extinguisher. For class B fires, due to the characteristics of the fuel

involved in class B fires, it is important not to use water to extinguish the flames. In most

cases, a spray of water would not reduce the heat, but would serve to spread the fuel

farther, causing more damage. Smothering the flames and reducing the oxygen supply is

the best method of combat against this type of fire, and so foam is a commonly used

weapon against class B conditions. In the case of a kitchen stovetop fire, sodium

bicarbonate (baking soda) or potassium carbonate are effective ways to smother the

flames. For class C fires the first step is to disconnect the equipment responsible for the

fire from the power source, if safe to do so. Then, if possible, use a CO2 or dry powder

extinguisher to put the fire out. Refrain from using water or any other chemical that may

conduct electricity, as it can worsen the flames or result in electrical shock. For class D

fires it may get more intense if water or foam is used on them. Only dry powder should

be used to extinguish a Class D fire, as powder absorbs the heat from the fire.

(b) Preparing and maintaining report of usage- a fire extinguisher should be maintained once

every year. Fire extinguisher maintenance is undertaken by a qualified engineer who will

carry out several checks to establish if everything is in working order. Typical

maintenance included in an annual service consists of carrying out a visual inspection,

checking the extinguisher has not been used or tampered with, taking a pressure gauge
 reading, removing the discharge hose to check for blockages or corrosion, weigh and

clean the extinguisher and ensure wall mountings are secure.

(c) Storage and maintenance of fire extinguishers- Fire extinguishers should always be

placed in easily accessible areas in case an emergency requires immediate action. To help

prevent damage, mount extinguishers on brackets or place them on a countertop for easy

access. It’s best to install fire extinguisher mounts at a height out of reach of young

children but at a comfortable height for those that may need to use them. You should not

have to travel more than 40 feet to reach an extinguisher. Common places around the

home that can be prone to fires include kitchens, laundry rooms, patio or grill areas, and

garages or sheds. Fire extinguishers kept in kitchens should be stored away from sources

of high heat like stoves. Fire extinguishers should be stored in temperatures ranging from

-40 degrees to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Fire extinguishers stored below -40 degrees

Fahrenheit may result in the extinguisher's valve or hose cracking. At temperatures above

120 degrees, the fire extinguisher will still function, but the discharge time may be a little

shorter than 9 to 10 seconds. A fire extinguisher should be maintained every year. When

under maintenance it is ensured that the extinguisher is not blocked by equipment, coats

or other objects that could interfere with access in an emergency, the pressure is at the

recommended level, the nozzle or other parts are not hindered in any way, the pin and

tamper seal are intact, there are no dents, leaks, rust , chemical deposits and/or signs of

abuse/wear. Wipe off any corrosive chemicals, oil, gunk etc. That may have been

deposited on the extinguisher. It is also recommended to shake your dry chemical

extinguishers once a month to prevent the powder from settling/packing. Fire

extinguishers should also be pressure tested (hydrostatic testing) after a few years to
 ensure that the cylinder is safe to use. If the extinguisher is damaged or needs recharging

it should be replaced immediately. The extinguisher should be recharged after every use

no matter the amount used.

QUESTION #2

Focus area: Accident, injury and emergency

Prepare an accident or incident report on an injury/near miss that occurred in the Technical

Drawing Laboratory.

Lot 411 Cedar Crescent,

Meadows of Irwin,

Montego Bay P.O. #2

St. James

Mount Alvernia High School

24 Queens Drive P.O. Box 124

Montego Bay

R.E.: Injury to D. Lewis

On November 15, 2022, the Technical Drawing students went in the lab to have their class and

while waiting for the teacher, Mr. McKenzie, to arrive a fight broke out between D. Lewis and

V. Watt. This was because they were fighting over whose seat it was until V. Watt got upset and

threw a computer in D. Lewis' stomach. She immediately started to cry and held her stomach

while V. Watt left the classroom. Some teachers soon arrived in the lab and brought D. Lewis to

the nurse.

What I would recommend so that this incident doesn’t happen again is to set rules for the lab so

that students do not enter if a teacher isn’t present and there is no fighting in the lab or

destruction to computers.

Sincerely,

T. Nugent
 QUESTION #3

Focus Area: Safety resources

Prepare labelled diagrams of safety gears and accessories for different tasks in the

Technical Drawing/Building/Construction, Mechanical Engineering and

Electrical/Electronic Industries.

Technical Drawing/Building/Construction
Mechanical pencils

HB pencils
Erasers
 T- square

Geometry

set
Drawing board
Protective Gloves

Safety earmuffs
 Face

shields

Hard hats
Safety glasses
 Overalls

Hard toe no-slip shoes

Mechanical Engineering

3D Printer

Screwdriver
 Ohmmeter

Graphing Calculator
 Steel toed boots

Hard hats

Electrical/Electronic Industries

Insulated gloves
 Safety glasses

Arc flash suits

Insulated screwdrivers
 QUESTION #4

Focus Area: Technical Drawing as a universal language

Use the following pointers to complete research on the Importance of Technical Drawing as a

universal language. Please note that the information presented will be assessed by a

summative test.

A. Discuss Importance of Technical Drawing as a universal language:

(i) To the manufacturing industry- Detailed technical drawings communicate the design intent of

the item to be manufactured and assembled. They help the manufacturer understand how to build

or construct something to a specific size, form, and function to enable it to work correctly.

(ii) To engineering- it is essential for communicating ideas in industry and engineering. To make

the drawings easier to understand, people use familiar symbols, perspectives, units of

measurement, notation systems, visual styles, and page layout.

(iii) To architecture- it is used to communicate design ideas and to convey information about the

construction of buildings and other structures. Technical drawings are used to convey

information about the size, shape, and materials used in construction, as well as information

about the location and orientation of the building. They are also used to communicate

information about the building's systems, such as electrical and plumbing systems. Technical

drawings are essential for ensuring that a building is constructed according to the design intent

and that it meets all relevant building codes and regulations.

(iv) To designers- it allows them to clearly and accurately communicate their ideas to others. It is

a way for designers to create detailed plans and specifications for a project, which can be used by

engineers, manufacturers, and other stakeholders to understand and execute the design.
Additionally, technical drawing can help designers to identify and resolve potential issues with a

design early on, which can save time and money later in the design process. Overall, technical

drawing is an essential tool for designers as it helps to ensure that a design is clear and accurate.

B. Discuss the uses and importance of codes and standards in the preparation and

interpretation of drawings.

Firstly, codes are describing the cross-referencing of parts of a drawing, either within the same

sheet (i.e., relating an elevation to its place on the ground-plan) or from one sheet to another,

often when details of a structure in an elevation need to be drawn in a bigger scale on a separate

sheet while standards are the conventions and guidelines that define how engineering drawings

are created, presented, and interpreted. They cover aspects such as units, scales, views,

projections, sections, dimensions, tolerances, annotations, symbols, and codes. Drawing

standards and formats are important because they enable communication and collaboration

among the various stakeholders involved in the design, production, and maintenance of

engineering products and systems. They help to avoid errors, misunderstandings, and ambiguities

that could lead to costly rework, delays, or failures. They also ensure compliance with the

relevant regulations, codes, and specifications that apply to the engineering domain and the

customer requirements. Drawing standards and formats also support quality control, verification,

and validation processes that ensure the reliability and safety of the engineering outcomes.

C. Identify the benefits of the following standards in relation to safety and quality of

products and services;

(i) AISI, ISO, BS standards- AISI (American Iron Steel and Steel Institute) good weldability,

good machinability, and high strength and impact properties in either the normalized or hot

forged condition. ISO (International Standard) they are simpler and more concise, they promote

consistency and clarity, and they are more compatible with modern technologies and software.

BS (British Standard) ensure clarity, accuracy, and consistency in the design documentation. It

also facilitates the exchange of information and data between different parties involved in the

design process, such as designers, manufacturers, suppliers, and customers. By using BS 8888,

you can avoid misunderstandings, errors, and delays that may arise from ambiguous or

incomplete design specifications and requirements.

(ii) Building codes and standards- building codes and standards offer numerous advantages to

builders, building occupants, and the environment. They promote safety, health, accessibility,

energy efficiency, and insurance coverage, among other benefits. By following these guidelines,

builders can ensure that their projects are constructed to the highest standards of quality and

safety.

(iii) Engineering codes-

D. Create a table demonstrating the various conventions for building materials, symbols on

site plans and abbreviations.

 QUESTION #5

Focus Area: Functions of drawing equipment and materials

Discuss the uses and functions of the drawing equipment and materials named below.

A. Equipment and tools:

(i) Drawing boards- these are boards with a large flat surface used for sketching, inking,

drawing, and technical drawing on a stable surface. Lines are also drawn easily and

precisely.

(ii) T-squares- a T-square is a t shaped ruler that guides for drawing straight horizontal lines

on a drafting table. It can also be used in conjunction with a set square to draw vertical

and angled lines.

(iii) Drafting machine- drafting machine is a tool consisting of a pair of scales mounted to

form a right angle on an articulated protractor head that allows an angular rotation. When

used it allows a straightedge to be moved while maintaining any desired angle between it

and the edge of the drawing board.

(iv) Computers, plotters and printers- a computer is a device for storing data. It can also be

used to create 3D and or 2D models. A plotter is a machine that takes instructions from

computers and uses pens and paper to make drawings. Plotters are used to print out huge

graphs, designs, and other types of paper-based documents, such as engineering

 drawings, business charts, construction maps, and architectural blueprints. A printer is a

device that accepts text and graphic output from a computer and transfers information to

paper. They are used to producing high quality, durable technical drawings for computer-

aided design (CAD), blueprints for construction projects, banners, and architectural

renderings and designs.

(v) Scanners- this is a device that scans documents and converts them into digital data. They

are used to convert technical drawings – printed or drawn on paper – into vector images

to open them on CAD/CAM software.

(vi) Multimedia device- a multimedia device allows a person to deal with a variety of these

media while eliminating the need to have a separate device for each. They are used to

doing more than one thing on the same device.

B. Drawing Instruments

(i) Compasses- this is an instrument for drawing circles and arcs measuring distances

between points, consisting of two arms linked by a movable joint, one arm ending in a

point and the other usually carrying a pencil or pen. In technical drawing it is used for

inscribing arcs and circles.

(ii) Triangles- a triangle is a polygon with three sides, in technical drawing it is used to draw

accurate parallel lines, vertical lines, and other angled lines.

(iii) Protractors- this is an instrument used for measuring angles, typically in the form

of a flat semicircle marked with degrees along the curved edge.

(iv) Divider- a measuring compass, especially one with a screw. This is used to transfer

lengths to the drawings either from scales or from the drawing itself.
 (v) French curves- this is a template used for drawing smooth curves of almost any desired

curvature.

(vi) Templates- this creates exact circles, squares, lines, arcs, and more without reaching for

a compass, ruler, or protractor. It's a necessary tool for executing clean-lined blueprints,

sketches that demand precision, or crisp compositions for bullet journals.

(vi) Lettering guides- this is an essential tool for technical drawing. They contain cut-outs of

letters, numbers and special characters, facilitating work in construction and engineering.

(vii) Rulers- rulers used in technical drawing are usually made of polystyrene. It is used for

drawing lines and connecting points.

(viii) Scales- a scale is used to take measurements on the plans and convert them so we then

know what sizes things will be in real terms. It is also used to see exactly how each component

will fit and how much space you'll have, both empty and filled.

C. Drawing materials

(i) Drafting paper-this is paper which has been specially prepared for use in technical drawings.

They provide a frame of reference for the drafter and for anyone viewing the draft.

(ii) Tracing paper- these are translucent and designed to accept most drawing media. It can be

used for transfer tracing, fine line drawing, and overlays.

(iii) Erasers- An eraser is a piece of soft rubber or plastic used to rub out something written. In

technical drawing it is used to remove preliminary or unwanted lines.

(iv) Dusting cloth- this is usually a cloth used to very important to keep your drawings and

drafting surface clean.

(v) Ink- this is used to make lines of constant width for architectural, engineering, or technical

drawings.