Fire Hazards & Control

The Triangle of Fire

Oxygen Heat
Source of ignition

Fuel
 SOURCES OF IGNITION
 Naked flames
 Electricity (Overheating/Arcing)
 Smoking materials
 Hot work (Welding, burning)
 Chemical reactions (Giving off heat)
 Heating appliances (Hot surfaces)
 Friction (Inadequate lubrication)
 Static electricity
 Lightning
 Improper storage of flammable materials
 Lack of inspection and supervision
 Harm to persons from fire
Main effects
 Being burnt
 Inhaling toxic fumes
 Effects of smoke inhalation
 Depletion of oxygen supply

Other effects
 Collapse of building
 Crush or other injury
sustained while escaping
 CAUSES OF FIRE
 Deliberate (Arson)
 Electrical faults
 Misuse of electrical equipment
 Smokers materials
 Smoking in prohibited areas
 Loss of control burning rubbish
 Heating equipment
 Unsafe storage of materials
 Flammable liquids/gases
 Welding/hot work
 Mechanical heat (Friction)
 Classification of Fires
Class Type of fuel
A Combustible solids
B Flammable liquids or liquified
solids
C Flammable gases
D Flammable metals
F Combustible cooking media
Fires involving Electrical - classified according to the
electrical source of ignition rather than fuel
equipment source
 Extinguishing Agents
Class Type of Extinguisher
A Water, Dry powder, CO2, Foam

B Foam, CO2 , Dry powder

C Dry Powder, water mist, Foam
D Sand, Soda ash
F The foam congeals on the top of
the oil

Electrical CO2, Dry Powder

 Minimising Risk Of Electrical Fire
 Pre-inspection by users
 Suitability of equipment
 Inspection/maintenance by competent
 persons
 Avoid misuse of equipment
 Prevent overloading of circuits
 Correct design and rating for task
 Isolate if not in use
 Improved means of protection e.g. RCD
 High standards of housekeeping
 Staff awareness training
 Fire Risk Assessment
1) Identify hazards:
The three elements of the triangle of fire
2) Identify who could be harmed:
Persons at risk particularly the disabled etc.
3) Evaluate the risks and adequacy of precautions:-
Considering prevention, protection and
precautions
4) Record findings:
Prepare an emergency plan
5) Review:
If no longer valid
 Factors To Consider In
Fire Risk Assessment
 Construction and use of building
 Flammable materials
 Sources of ignition
 Work activities generating heat
 Methods of control
 Means of fire detection
 Means of raising the alarm
 Means of fighting fire/maintenance of equipment
 Evacuation routes/Protection of routes
 Numbers of persons at risk
 Fire prevention training/fire drills
Prevention, Protection &
Precautions
1) Fire Prevention
Control measures to reduce the risk of fire
Starting
2) Fire Protection
Structural measures to reduce the risk of fire
Spreading
3) Fire Precautions
Measures taken to reduce the risk in the
Event of fire
 Fire Prevention
Aim to keep the three sides of the fire triangle apart:
 Eliminate or reduce the storage of flammable materials
 Control of ignition sources
 Control smoking materials
 Good housekeeping
 Lubrication of machinery to prevent friction
 No overloading of electrical systems
 Regular inspections of electrical systems
 Ventilation outlets not obstructed
 Controlling hot work with permits etc.
 Proper storage of flammable materials
 Segregation of incompatible chemicals
 Security to prevent arson
 Regular Inspection and supervision
Storage of Highly Flammable Liquids
and Gases
 Minimum quantities
 Suitable fixed storage tanks
 Keep upright in well ventilated area
 Clear marking of containers
 Clearly marked storage area
 Spillage controls
 Adequate ventilation
 Suitable fire fighting equipment
 Trained competent staff
 Adequate warning signs
 FIRE PROTECTION
Compartmentation
Splitting a building into separate sealed
areas made of fire-resisting materials
Restricts the spread of fire and smoke within
a building
Depends upon:
•the use of the building
•building height
•floor area
•compartment volume
 Fire Protection (2)
Fire resistant materials
• Primary construction: the main “material”
of the building
• Secondary construction: internal
partitioning
• Bricks
• Concrete
• Structural steel
 Fire Precautions

a) Fire/smoke detection
b) Fire alarms
c) Means of escape
d) Means of fighting the fire
e) Emergency evacuation
procedures
 Fire/Smoke Detection

Smoke detection

Heat/Flame detection
 Fire Alarms

 Automatic systems:-
Continuous detection
Alarm sounding


 Call the Fire Brigade

Indicate location of fire
Means of Escape - Definition

A means of escape is a
continuous path along which a
person can travel from wherever
he/she may be in the building
and reach safety by his own
unaided efforts
Suitability of a Means of Escape
 Number of employees to use it
 Any people with special needs
 Fire resistance of structure
 Position/Number of escape routes
 Open staircases
 Use of building
 MEANS OF ESCAPE – MAIN REQUIREMENTS

Multiple exits Final exit door

Fire resistance of structure
Adequate size for numbers
Travel distance
Clearly marked exits
Emergency lighting
Exit free of obstructions
Unlocked opening outwards
Fixed stairs to upper floors
Exit to safe place
Suitable assembly point
 MEANS OF FIGHTING FIRE
Method

Remove oxygen

Remove heat

Remove fuel

1) Portable extinguishers e.g. hand held or on a trolley

2) Fixed installations e.g. Hose reel, sprinklers etc
Fixed Fire Fighting Equipment

Hose Reel Sprinkler

 Portable Fire Fighting Equipment
Type Colour Fire
Code Class
Water Red A Cools the fuel and
surroundings
Dry Blue All Smothers the fire
powder
Foam Cream B Smothers burning liquids
Carbon Black All Cools and excludes oxygen
Dioxide
Congealing Canary F Cools and excludes oxygen
Foam Yellow
Fire None B Smothers the fire
Blanket
 Fire Extinguishers (1)
Water:- Class A
Lowers the ignition temperature.
Prevents re-ignition. Red

Only to be used on Class A fires

Foam:- Class B
Excludes oxygen – Blanket effect
Suitable for Class B fires
Aqueous Film Forming Foam Cream
 Fire Extinguishers (2)
Dry Powder:- Class A, B, C
Powder has a smothering effect
but no cooling properties
Can be used on all types of fire
Carbon Dioxide:- Class B, E Blue
High pressure cylinder containing
liquified CO2
Liquid vaporises in contact with air
Safe to use on electrical fires and
burning liquids Black
 Inspection & Maintenance of Fire
Extinguishers
Inspection
Routine (perhaps monthly) visual checks to ensure
extinguishers are in place, not been discharged or
damaged
Maintenance
Involves an annual examination by a competent person
with the removal and replacement of equipment found
faulty and the date of the inspection recorded
 Fire Extinguisher
Maintenance
1. Daily checks (Fire Warden)

2) Weekly inspection (Fire Warden)

3) Annually serviced (competent person)

4) Five yearly extended service/discharge

5) Twenty yearly overhaul/replacement

SITTING OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

 Accessibility
 Proximity to exits/Escape routes
 Visibility and signage
 Located off ground with adequate support
 Suitable type
 Protection against damage and weather
Emergency Evacuation Procedures
• Means of raising the alarm
• Contacting the emergency services
• Fire evacuation routes
• Fire evacuation signs
• Who are and the role of fire marshals
• Assembly points/place of safety/role call
• When not to tackle a fire
• Types of extinguishers
• Prevention of spread of fire e.g. closing fire doors
• Not to use lifts
• Evacuation in an orderly fashion
• Prevention of return
• Disabled evacuation procedure
THANK YOU