FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS TRAINING TO

SUMATRA

FACILITATORS:

JUNE,2013.
WHAT IS

???
 Objectives
• Understand the combustion process

• Understand Fuels

• Understand the Stages/Phases of Fire

• Methods of Extinguishing Fire

• Understand the different fire classes

 Fire: Definitions
• Fire is the chemical reaction which occurs when fuel and
oxygen are brought together with sufficient heat to
cause ignition

• Combustion is defined as a chemical reaction or series

of reactions in which heat and light are evolved

• When the rate of reaction is very slow, only heat is

evolved, slow oxidation occurs, e.g. rusting
 Combustion Components
• Necessary components:-
 Heat
 Oxygen
 Fuel
 Self-sustained chemical reaction.
• Each component needs to be at the proportional ratio
• Oxygen required for combustion to take place not less
12 - 14% : normal atmosphere contains approx. 20%
• Self-sustained chemical reaction occurs when
sufficient heat is produced for continued combustion
The Combustion Process
THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON

FUEL

AIN N
OX CH CTIO
YG A
E N RE

TEMPERATURE
 Fuels
• Fuel is any combustible substance

• Fuel can exist in 3 forms or physical states:- solid, liquid

or gas

• For a fuel to burn, it has to be in the vapour state:  

 SOLIDS -change into vapour state by a process known as
PYROLYSIS or SUBLIMATION
 LIQUIDS -change into vapour state, the process is called
VAPORISATION
 GASES -already into vapour state
 Stages of Fire Development
• IGNITION:
Components of the fire tetrahedron present &
combustion begins.

• GROWTH:
Total involvement shortly after ignition; continues
if enough fuel and oxygen are available.

•  FLASH OVER:
Transition between the growth and fully
developed phases of fire.
Stages of Fire Development, Conti..
•  FULLY DEVELOPED:
When all fuels within that particular
compartment are on fire

• DECAY:
Final stage and occurs when the fire is at its
extinction
 Methods of Extinguishing Fires
• Fire extinction is achieved:-
by limiting one or more of the components of
combustion,

when any of the components of the tetrahedron is

not in the required proportion/ratio in relation to
the chemical reaction - combustion.
 Methods of Extinguishing Fires
• There are four methods of fire extinction namely:-
•  STARVATION
 Removing burning material from the un-burnt
 Removing the un-burnt material from burning
 Dividing the fire into small portions
• SMOTHERING:
 This is done by limiting or reducing oxygen
 Physically or by dilution
• COOLING:
 By reducing temperature
• INTERRUPTION OF S-S CHEMICAL REACTION
 Methods of Extinguishing Fires
• INTERRUPTION OF S-S CHEMICAL REACTION:
 Certain gases contain atoms and molecules with unpaired
electrons known as FREE RADICALS.
 These have rogue atoms or molecules which attempt to
steal back an electron from another atom or molecule,
damaging the state of a molecular structure.
 When introduced into a fire, they break down the molecular
structure of combustion "putting the fire out."
 Examples of gases containing free radicals are Halons (BCF)
and certain proprietary gases e.g. FM 200
 Fire Classes
A Trash Wood Paper

• wood
• cloth
• paper
• rubber
• many plastics
 Fire Classes
B Liquids: Oils, Grease

• gasoline
• oil
• grease
• tar
• oil-based paint
• lacquers/thinners
 Fire Classes
C Electrical Equipment

• energized
electrical
equipment
 Fire Classes
D COMBUSTIBLE METALS

• magnesium
• sodium
• potassium
• titanium
• zirconium
D • other
flammable
metals
Fire Risks Preventive

Measures
 Areas Covered

• Main Causes of Fire

• Fire Prevention
• Fire protection
• Summary
 Main Causes of Fires

•PEOPLE
•HOW/WHY?
Carelessness e.g. cooking, smoking, poor storage
of flammables, burning rubbish, etc.
Ignorance e.g. hunting, cultivation, poor storage of
reactive chemicals, etc.
Arson = Malice/sabotage e.g. to destroy
documentary evidence or loss of items, revenge,
jealousy, etc.
 Main Causes of Fires, conti.
• ACCIDENTS
These occur in motor vehicles, machines, etc.
‘Acts of God’: lightening, earthquakes,
volcanoes, etc.
• ELECTRICITY
Due to electrical faults such as poor wiring,
overloaded power points, etc.
• SPONTANEOUS
Presence of heat in relation to the rate of
combustibility of fuel e.g. sawdust, etc.
Any of the chemicals you use? Fully familiar
with the details of MSDS?
 Causes of Fires

• SHAURITANGA?
• MWANJELWA?
• TANESCO UBUNGO?
• IKULU?
• MAWASILIANO HOUSE.....???)
 Fire Prevention
Definition:
 Steps or measures taken hindering the risk of fire from
taking place

HOW?
 Education to ensure personnel understand the various
concepts of fire safety: process, hazards and risks

 Safe storage of flammable materials

 Smoking restrictions, reinforced by clear warning signs

 Fire Prevention Conti..

 Reducing high risk behaviour:

 Indiscriminate burning of rubbish
 Children playing with fire/matches
 Mobile phones at petrol stations

 Provision of metal bins with lids and ashtrays

 Good house keeping

 Cleanliness,
 Safe storage
 Fire Protection
Definition:
 Measures taken to reduce/minimise fire destruction by
extinguishing the fire immediately

HOW?
• Effective use of installed FPE especially FAFA
• Installation and use of automatic fire detection systems
 Smoke, Flame, Gas & Heat Detectors
 Provide early warning to limit hazard damage
 Fire Protection Conti..

• Installation and use of fire fighting systems

 Automatic Fire Suppression Systems e.g. Sprinklers
 Hose Reels
 Hydrants
• Summoning external help e.g. fire brigade
• Evacuation (safe) from risk site/premises
 Fire Protection
Definition:
 Measures taken to reduce/minimise fire destruction by
extinguishing the fire immediately

HOW?
• Effective use of installed FPE especially FAFA
• Installation and use of automatic fire detection systems
 Smoke, Flame, Gas & Heat Detectors
 Provide early warning to limit hazard damage
 Fire Protection Conti..

• Installation of fire fighting systems

 Automatic Fire Suppression Systems e.g. Sprinklers
 Hose Reels
 Hydrants
• Summoning external help e.g. fire brigade
• Evacuation (safe) from risk site/premises
THE PRICE OF IGNORANCE

Daily News:
07 Nov 2001
Fire Safety
at
Work
 Fire-fighting Decision Criteria
• If you discover a fire DO NOT attempt to fight it
UNLESS:
Alarm is sounded.
Fire is small and contained.
You have a safe escape route reachable without
exposure to fire or smoke.
Available equipment, especially extinguishers, are
rated for type of fire - AND
YOU KNOW HOW TO USE THEM!!
• If in doubt, evacuate!
• ALWAYS CALL FOR HELP
 Evacuation Process
• On detection of a fire: Raise alarm by activating
the fire alarm system. HOW?
• Inform relevant authorities to seek external
help.
• Evacuate out of the building all the personnel
not involved in fire fighting, in an orderly
manner.
• Knowledgeable personnel (FIRE MARSHALS) to
assist all visitors, disabled, old and the young.
 Evacuation Process Conti..

• DO NOT USE LIFTS!!

• Close but DO NOT LOCK doors and windows.
• Never open doors that are hot to the touch.
• NEVER RE-ENTER A BURNING BUILDING
• Assemble at the designated assembly points and
conduct a roll call.
MAJI HOUSE
FIRE
Daily News:
07 Nov 2001
Smoke billows
from 7th and 8th
floors of Maji
House as six
people remained
trapped on roof-
top in Dar es
Salaam yesterday.
They were later
rescued
 Effective Action in Case of Fire

• Always sound the alarm regardless size of fire!

• Know locations of extinguishers in your area
• Know how to use installed FAFA.
• Know emergency procedures and evacuation
routes.
• NEVER let fire get between you and your way
out.
• Avoid smoky conditions.
• Ensure area is evacuated as necessary.
 Evacuation - Off-the-Job

 Make sure everyone in your family knows the

escape routes from every room in your home.
 The disabled, young and old are most at risk!
 Remember to escape first, know how to notify the
fire department for help.
 Teach your family to stop, drop to the ground and
roll if their clothes catch fire.
 Teach your family to never re-enter a burning
building.
EXTINGUISHERS

D
 Objectives
• Understand fire extinguishers
Types
Operating procedures,
Capabilities,
and Limitations.

• Understand basic firefighting concepts:

P.A.S.S.
 Fire Extinguisher Types
•Common types used:

•Gas Cartridge:
Expellant gas is confined in a separate
pressure vessel until an operator releases it
to pressurize the fire extinguisher shell.

•Stored-Pressure:
The extinguishing material and expellant are
kept in a single container.
Fire Extinguisher Anatomy
 Fire Extinguisher Anatomy
PRESSURE GAUGE
DISCHARGE LEVER (not found on CO2
extinguishers)

DISCHARGE LOCKING PIN CARRYING

AND SEAL HANDLE

DISCHARGE HOSE

DATA PLATE

DISCHARGE NOZZLE BODY

DISCHARGE ORIFICE
Fire Extinguisher Types
WATER TYPE
• Class “A” fires only
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper

• Up to 1 minute discharge time

• Has pressure gauge to allow visual

B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease
capacity check

• 5-6 ft. maximum effective range

C
C
Electrical Equipment
Electrical Equipment
• Can be started and stopped as necessary,
during use not storage

• Extinguishes by cooling .
Fire Extinguisher Types
FOAM TYPE
A
A
Trash Wood Paper
Trash Wood Paper • Class “A” & “B” fires only.

• Up to 1 minute discharge time for 9litre

capacity
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease

• Special foam chemical pre-mixed with

water
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment

• Has a special nozzle to allow for solution

to mix with air to form foam/bubbles

• Extinguishes by smothering and to a

smaller effect cooling
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
• Class “B” or “C” fires.
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper
• 2 - 45kg of CO2 gas at 150-200 psi

• Approx. 30 seconds discharge time for standard

5kg unit
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease

• Has NO pressure gauge--capacity verified by

weight

• 3-4ft. maximum effective range

C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment

• Extinguishes by smothering burning materials

• Effectiveness decreases as temperature of

burning material increases
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
DRY CHEMICAL POWDER
• Class “A”, “B”, or “C” fires hence referred
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper
to as Multi-purpose

• 1 -75kg dry chemical (ammonium

phosphate) pressurized to 50-200 psi by
nitrogen gas
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease

• Approx 45 seconds discharge time for 9kg

capacity

C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment • 5-8 ft. maximum effective range.

• Extinguishes by smothering burning

materials, and some chemical action on
combustion.
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
COMBUSTIBLE METAL

• Class “D” combustible metal fires only.

• Pressurized dry powder specific for

combustible metal

• 6-8 ft. max. effective range

• Not common in usage

• Extinguishes by smothering burning

materials, and some chemical action can
COMBUSTIBLE be customised for specific metals.

D
METALS
A Trash Wood Paper
Fire Classes C Electrical Equipment

• wood
• cloth • energized
• paper electrical
• rubber equipment
• many plastics

• gasoline COMBUSTIBLE • magnesium

B Liquids Grease
• oil • sodium
• grease • potassium
• tar • titanium
•

•
oil-based
paint
lacquer
D •
•
zirconium
other
flammable
• flammable METALS metals
gases
 Fire Extinguisher Applications
EXTINGUISHER WORKS BY EFFECTIVE AGAINST
TYPE
Water Cooling
(H2O)

Aqueous Film Smothering

Forming Foam (AFFF, & Cooling
FOAM)
Carbon Dioxide Smothering
(CO2) & Cooling

Dry Chemical Smothering

Powder (DP, DCP) & Chem. action

Combustible Smothering
Metal & Chem. action D
D
 Fighting the Fire
P Pull the pin

Aim low at the

A base of flames
Squeeze the
S handle
Sweep side to side –
S Note exception for FOAM!!
 Fighting the Fire
• Fire extinguishers are an important segment of any overall fire
protection program

• For successful application, the following conditions have to be

met:

 Extinguisher is properly located and in working order.

 Extinguisher is of the proper type for a fire that can occur.

 Fire is discovered while still small enough for the fire

extinguisher to be effective.

 Fire is discovered by a person ready, willing, and able to use

the fire extinguisher.