Fire Hazard

Characteristics of Fire:
• Fire is a living, breathing process that is commonly referred to as the process of combustion.
Combustion is the self-sustaining process of rapid oxidation of a fuel, which produces light and heat.
• Fire is the result of this rapid combustion reaction. Fire needs 3 items to survive and sustain
combustion: fuel, heat and oxygen. These three things combined create the chemical chain reaction that
causes combustion; the result is fire. Remove any 1 of these three items and the chain of combustion is
broken and the fire is extinguished.
• Removal of Fuel example: Turning the source off (natural gas) from a BBQ fire will cease the fire.
• Removal of Heat example: Turning the element off on a stove with a pot of grease on it will decrease
the extent of the fire and if given time will extinguish itself.
• Removal of Oxygen example: Putting a lid on the same pot of grease will smother the fire and remove
the oxygen, thus extinguishing the fire.

The three elements of the fire triangle are:

1. Fuel: Any material that can undergo combustion. Fuels can include wood, paper, gasoline, natural gas,
plastics, and many other substances.
2. Heat: The energy required to raise the temperature of the fuel to its ignition point, initiating the
combustion process. Heat can be provided by various sources such as flames, sparks, friction, or electrical
energy.
3. Oxygen: The oxidizing agent necessary for the combustion reaction to occur. Oxygen combines with
the fuel in a chemical reaction, releasing heat and producing flames.

How Fire Extinguishers Work?

 Portable fire extinguishers apply an extinguishing agent that will cool the burning fuel, displace or
remove oxygen, or stop the chemical reaction so a fire cannot continue to burn. When the handle of an
extinguisher is compressed, it opens an inner canister of high pressure gas that forces the extinguishing
agent from the main cylinder through a siphon tube and out the nozzle.

Important Facts about Fire Extinguishers and Their Use:

- The extinguisher must be right for the type of fire.

- It must be located where it can be easily reached.
- It must be in good working order.
- The fire must be discovered while it is still small.
- The person using the extinguisher must be trained to
use it properly.

THE TYPE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER

COMMON FIRE HAZARDS

• Electric wires, loose connections, old electrical equipment, octopus wiring connection
• Cooking and heat generating appliances
• All works and situations where fire is essential such as wielding, cutting metal and casting, etc.
• Improper storage of tools and items at the end of the day’s work
• Smoking and personal lighters and matches
• Fireworks, pyro-techniques, explosives
 • Improper and unauthorized storage of flammable and hazardous materials
• Insufficient numbers of emergency exits and stairs
• Hindrance to sight or reach fire extinguisher, and alarm systems
• Insufficient numbers and types of Fire Extinguisher
• Absence of Fire detection and alarm system
• Violation of building and fire codes

COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE

a. KITCHEN STOVES
--left unattended, electric cords, curtains, tea towels, oven cloths close to the stove top

b. FAULTY WIRING
--installation was not done by qualified electrician, capacity overload, and if switches and correct fuses
were not installed

c. SMOKING IN BED
--tiny embers can smolder unnoticed and burst into flame

d. LIGHTING
--poor light fittings cause heat build-up, lampshades are so close to light globes, not properly insulated
from wood paneling or ceiling timbers

e. FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
--such as petrol, kerosene are not stored properly, storage should be away from heat, unsafe handling and
use

f. CANDLES
--when left unattended, sleep with a burning candle and curtains close to candles

g. Chemicals, Bomb explosion, Lighted matchsticks, Cigarettes

BASIC RESPONSE DURING FIRE

1. RESCUE—immediate rescue the people in the area of smoke or fire, make them aware the fire alarm
activation
2. ALARM—activate nearest fire alarm station, call the Police or Fire Department Authorities
3. CONTAIN—contain the smoke or fire by closing all the windows and doors, rooms, stairways and
corridors (control smoke/fire from spreading)
4. EXTINGUISH– using appropriate fire extinguisher if the fire is small, contained, and not spreading
5. RELOCATE—relocate to safe area when inside the building, keep away on the building, do not use the
elevators within the building as means of exit. Use stairways, only.
6. SECURE– secure important documents, money, heirlooms when fire breaks out inside your own
residence.

Activity 1.
Directions: Examine and walk around your house and check if it is fire hazard free. Write your
observations on your answer sheet.
Activity 2:
Directions: Find reports of any Fire incidents in your province or in your locality and if you can time
travel during those time and becomes a resident of the local community, how will you mitigate the effects
of this disaster at least at the family level and at most to people living near you.
Write your thoughts and feelings below.