Fire Safety

TRAINING
 Legislation

• Fire Precautions Factories Act 1990 requires us to cover;

• Fire Protection and Fire Fighting

• Staff Training
• Risk Assessment
• Detection & warning
• Means of escape
What Does Fire Safety Mean?
Fire safety refers to planning and infrastructure
design aimed at reducing the risk of fire or
impeding the spread of a fire when one does break
out.

Fire safety encompasses the use of fire-resistant

building materials, preventative actions, safe work
practices, fire safety training, flame-resistant
protective clothing, and more.
 What Does Fire Safety Mean?
Fire safety includes the following:
• Ensuring adherence to local building codes
• Ensuring the provisions of fire codes (exists, stairs, markings and
signage etc.) are followed
• Compliance with electrical safety codes
• Fire risk assessments when a building, equipment, or process is
modified
 What Does Fire Safety Mean?
Fire safety includes the following Cont’d:
• Proper storage of flammable and hazardous materials
• Installation of fire detection and automatic or semi-automatic fire
alarm systems
• Arrangement of correct types of operational fire extinguishers and
hydrants
• Training users in fire extinguishers, fire alarm, emergency evacuation
and assembly procedures
• Conducting fire drills regularly by coordinating with the local fire
department
FIRE PROTECTION
FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS
Class A: Carbonaceous/ Free burning materials

Class B: Liquids or liquefiable solids

Class C: Gases

Class D: Metals

Class K: Kitchen fire (Cooking oils and fats)

FIRE PROTECTION
FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS
FIRE PROTECTION
FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS CONT’D
RIGHT EXTINGUISHERS FOR extinguishing
fires

 CLASS “A” FIRES - ORDINARY

COMBUSTIBLES:
Water and Foam
Water and Foam fire extinguishers extinguish
the fire by taking away the heat element of the
fire triangle. Foam agents also separate
the oxygen element from the other elements.
Water extinguishers are for Class A fires only -
they should not be used on Class B or C fires.
 RIGHT EXTINGUISHERS FOR
extinguishing fires Cont’d

 CLASS “B” FIRES - FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS:

• Dry Chemical
• Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire
primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of
the fire triangle.
• Today's most widely used type of fire extinguisher is
the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on
Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by
creating a barrier between the oxygen element and
the fuel element on Class A fires.
 RIGHT EXTINGUISHERS FOR
extinguishing fires Cont’d

 CLASS “B” FIRES - FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS

Cont’d:
• Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only.
It is important to use the correct extinguisher for the
type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the
fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished
successfully.
RIGHT EXTINGUISHERS FOR
extinguishing fires Cont’d

 CLASS “C” FIRES – GASES:

Carbon Dioxide
Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish fire
by taking away the oxygen element of the fire
triangle and also be removing the heat with a very
cold discharge.
Carbon dioxide can be used on Class B & C fires.
They are usually ineffective on Class A fires.
Never use Water or Foam on
electrical equipment!
 RIGHT EXTINGUISHERS FOR
extinguishing fires Cont’d

 CLASS “D” FIRES - COMBUSTIBLE

METALS:
 The agent cools the metal to below its ignition
temp.
 These residues are harmful to electronic
equipment.
 Use agents that deprive oxygen.
 Know that metal fires burn extremely hot (5000
deg.).
 RIGHT EXTINGUISHERS FOR
extinguishing fires Cont’d

• Ways of Extinguishing fire:

1) Smothering – Cutting off oxygen from the fire to
suffocate it.
2) Starvation- removal of fuel sources.

3) Cooling - Removing heat from fuel source and

surrounding objects.
Common types of
fire extinguishers Cont’d:

i) WATER. ii)DCP. iii)CO2. iv) FOAM

Common types of
fire extinguishers Cont’d:

Mobile
Foam
Unit

Fire
Hose
Fire Hose reel cabinet
 FIRE PROTECTION
How to operate a portable fire extinguisher

It is important to know the locations and the types of

extinguishers in your workplace prior to actually using one.
Fire extinguishers can be heavy, so it's a good idea to practice
picking up and holding an extinguisher to get an idea of the
weight and feel.
Take time to read the operating instructions and warnings found
on the fire extinguisher label. Not all fire extinguishers look
alike.
Practice releasing the discharge hose or horn and aiming it at
the base of an imagined fire.
 FIRE PROTECTION
How to operate a portable fire extinguisher
When it is time to use the extinguisher on a fire, just remember
PASS!
• Pull the pin.
• Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire from the
recommended safe distance.
• Squeeze the operating lever to discharge the fire
extinguishing agent.
• Starting at the recommended distance, Sweep the nozzle or
hose from side to side until the fire is out. Move forward or
around the fire area as the fire diminishes. Watch the area in
case of re-ignition.
FIRE PROTECTION CONT’D
How to operate a portable fire extinguisher
PULL the SQUEEZE the lever
pin

AIM LOW at the base of the fire SWEEP from side to side
 Fire Safety:
Fire Risk Assessment

5 Steps to Fire Risk Assessment

• Identify potential fire hazards
• Decide who might be harmed and how
• Evaluate risks and decide whether more needs to be done
• Record findings – tell employees
• Review from time to time and revise when necessary
Step 1 – Identify Fire Hazards
The Fire Triangle
Identify Ignition Sources

Other examples:
• Smokers materials
• Heating equipment
• Cooking
• Lighting equipment
• Arson
• Static electricity
• Friction
• Metal impact
Identify Fuel Sources

• Flammable liquids, solvents and chemicals

• Wood
• Paper and card
• Plastics, rubber and foam
• Flammable gases
• Furniture
• Textiles
• Waste material
 Identify Oxygen Sources

• Main source is air around us:

• Natural airflow (doors, windows etc.)

• Mechanical air conditioning)

• Some chemicals (oxidising materials)

• Oxygen supplies from cylinder and piped systems

Types of Heat Transfer

• Convection

• Radiation (Energy of
electromagnetic waves.)

• Conduction Ever-
deepening
layer of smoke
• Direct Contact

Smoke rises
Detection and warning

In almost all workplaces, a suitable

electrically operated fire warning system,
with manual call points positioned both
on exit routes and adjacent to final exits
should be installed.
Conclusion

Fire only occurs when prevention

fails.