.

FIRE
Is probably the only
single factor which
could completely
paralyse a thriving
enterprise in a very
short time-span.
 FIRE
Fire losses include:
 Information
 Facilities
 Production
 Profits
 Life
FIRE CHEMISTRY
 COMBUSTION

Chemical reaction between

substances usually involves
oxygen and flame generation.
 FLAME
Complex multiform structure capable of
existing at low or high temperatures.
 PYROLYSIS
Decomposition of a material by heat, producing
vapours and gaseous decomposition products.
 SMOKE

Formed from small airborne

particles of partially burnt
materials, often thickened
by steam.
HEAT TRANSMISSION
THROUGH

CONDUCTION

CONVECTION

RADIATION
THE TRIANGLE OF
FIRE

en

Fu
yg

el
Ox

Heat
 FUELS
Combustibles (Organic/ Carbonaceous) e.g.
 Wood;
 Paper, etc.

Flammables (Liquid/Gases) e.g.

 Paint;
 Solvent;
 Acetylene.
 FLAME CHAIN
REACTION
The exothermic reaction of combustion in a
gaseous mixture is between freely moving
molecules, when these collide the atoms are
rearranged forming new, smaller molecules.

The faster The higher

the rate of the
reaction temperature
The more
molecules
that will be
formed
 EXPLOSIVE LIMITS
Also known as ‘flammable range’ or ‘explosive
range’, this represents the range between
minimum and maximum concentrations of
vapour in air which form flammable mixture.
Lower Explosive Limit (L.E.L.)
Concentration below which mixture is
too weak to explode or burn.
Upper Explosive Limit (U.E.L.)
Concentration above which mixture is
too rich to explode or burn.
IGNITION TEMPERATURES

FLASHPOINT

The lowest temperature at which a

hydrocarbon liquid gives off sufficient
vapour to form a flammable mixture in
air that will give a momentary FLASH
upon ignition.
IGNITION TEMPERATURES
FIRE POINT

Lowest temperature at which sufficient

vapour is given off which will support
combustion upon the application of a
means of ignition.
IGNITION TEMPERATURES
SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION

Lowest temperature at which a

substance will ignite without the
application of a flame. This can occur
due to friction, chemical reaction,
bacterial decay, or oxidising agents.
IGNITION TEMPERATURES
AUTOMATIC IGNITION

Lowest temperature to which a

hydrocarbon liquid has to be heated
for it to ignite and burn independently
of an ignition source.
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS
Defined by the Highly Flammable Liquids and
Liquefied Petroleum Gases Regulations 1972
as being ‘any liquid, liquid solution, emulsion
or suspension which, when tested in the
manner specified in Schedule 1 of these
Regulations, gives off a flammable vapour at
a temperature of less than 32°C and when
tested in the manner specified in Schedule 2
to these Regulations, supports combustion.’
 FIRE
EXTINGUISHANTS
CLASSIFICATION OF
FIRES
A = Solid Carbonaceous materials

B = Flammable Liquids (4 sub-divisions)

C = Flammable Gases

D = Metals
 FACTORS PRINCIPLES OF
FOR FIRE EXTINGUISHING
FUEL STARVATION

HEAT COOLING

OXYGEN SMOTHERING

FLAME CHAIN REACTION FLAME CHAIN INHIBITION

 STARVATION
The Three main forms of fire starvation:
 Removal of fuel from fire;
 Removal of fire from the fuel;
 Sub-division of burning material.
 SMOTHERING
Starve a fire of oxygen by smothering it
using:
 Fire fighting foams;
 Inert gases;
 Fire blankets;
 Sand, etc.
 COOLING

Water is the most common and

versatile method of cooling and is
best applied as spray or mist, but
should not be used on fires
involving metal.
FLAME CHAIN INHIBITION
Inhibitors interfere with chemical
reaction, include:
G.P. Dry Powdered;
Halon /Halon Substitutes.
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
All fire extinguisher bodies will be red,
with a band of colour comprising 5% of
the area, colours coded as follows:
RED - water
YELLOW - foam
BLUE - powder
BLACK - carbon
GREEN - halon / PCF410
BS EN3 : 1996 - All fire extinguishers must
comply by 2007.
 METAL FIRES

Water and G.P. Dry Powder

ineffective and dangerous.
Special fusing powders are used.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS
FIRE PRECAUTIONS

Designed to protect occupants

of buildings, to ensure in the
event of fire they will be able to
make their own way out and be
protected from fire and smoke
until they are free of the
dangers.
 STRUCTURAL
PRECAUTIONS
Means of Escape:
 Passageways;
 Stairs;
 Exits properly arranged; and
 30 minutes of fire resistance
protection, compartmentation etc.
PHYSICAL PRECAUTIONS
To be installed:
 Fire alarms systems;
 Fire fighting equipment;
 Directional signs;
 Emergency lighting etc.;
In accordance with the
requirements of the Fire
Certificate.
 ORGANISATIONAL
PRECAUTIONS
 Fire action;
 Evacuation;
 Procedure;
 Drills;
 Staff training;
 Policy.
COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE
IGNITION SOURCE:
 Electrical equipment;
 Smoking materials;
 Heat and sparks;
 Heating plant;
 Children and other
trespassers;
 Rubbish burning.
COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE
FUEL SOURCE:
 Waste/rubbish;
 Combustibles in structure/fittings;
 Insulation, textiles, plastics, wood and
paper;
 Flammable liquids and gases;
 Packaging/wrapping.
REASON FOR FIRE SPREAD
 Delayed discovery;
 Large quantities of combustible or
flammable materials;
 Lack of fire separating walls;
 Unprotected openings in floors
and walls.
REASONS FOR FIRE SPREAD

 Rapid burning of dust deposits;

 Combustible construction of building;
 Use of combustible materials in roof,
ceiling, wall linings etc.
 ESCAPE ASSESMENT
Assessment of Risk is based on
building construction and activities
involved.
Three Categories of Risk are used;
High, Normal, Low, depending on the
nature and activities of the building.
 MEANS OF ESCAPE
Distance of travel - distance between any
point and nearest:

 Final exit from building or;

 Door to protected stairway, (minimum 30
minute protection required); or
 Door in compartment wall;
 Actual distance dependent on
circumstances and risk rating.
 ROOM EXITS
 More than one - if room occupied by
more than 60 people or travel distance
excessive.

 Wicket doors - not generally acceptable

unless number of occupants small and
risk normal/low.

 Exit width - not less than 750 mm

gangways to be available at all times for
escape by persons.
 CORRIDORS
DEAD END -
 Walls/partitions to be fire resisting.

MAIN CORRIDOR -
 At least 1.0m wide.
MAXIMUM LENGTH OF CORRIDOR:
 Office - 45M;
 Factories - 30M.
 STAIRWAYS
 Multi-storey generally more than one required.
 Stairways to be fire resistant & 800 mm
(minimum) wide.

NOT Acceptable
- Escalators;
- Ramps (steeper than 1 in 10);
- Lifts and hoists;
- Wall and floor hatches.
 DOORS
 Must open in direction of travel;

 Sliding doors may be acceptable,

but not where public is involved;

 Revolving doors are not

acceptable.
 FIRE DOORS
 Fire resisting doors to be fitted with self-
closing devices;

 Loading doors/shutters etc. not

generally acceptable;

 Doors must open easily from inside, be

clearly labelled and clear for use.
 Must be kept clear at all times.
 EXIT
Escape routes to be clearly signed
and signs illuminated if necessary.

EXIT
EMERGENCY LIGHTING

This should be provided where

natural light is insufficient and
must conform to BS 5266 - Part
1 - 1988.
FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS
MUST BE:
 Fitted to every building requiring a Fire
Certificate;
 Effective and operable at all times without
exposing persons to risk;

 Distinctive and not confusable;

 Audible throughout building.

FIRE ALARM SYSTEMS

 Maintained in an effective state;

 Maximum travel to alarm point should
be 30M;
 Must conform to BS-COP 1019-1972.
FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
 Appropriate means to be provided;
 To be conspicuously and
advantageously placed;
 To be regularly serviced/maintained.
INSTRUCTIONS & DRILLS
 Persons to receive instruction in
accordance with Fire Certificate;
 Training frequency - at least twice per
year;
 Training information to be recorded;
 Drill frequency - annually or in accordance
with Fire Certificate.
 FIRE NOTICES
Position conspicuously in all parts of building(s)

FIRE NOTICE
Precise details
of
action
 DISABLED PERSONS
 Precautions to be taken to ensure
safety;
 Arrangements for safe evacuation to be
made.
FIRE CERTIFICATES
 FIRE CERTIFICATES
Required by Fire Precautions Act 1971
Issued by Fire Authority for premises
providing:
1) Sleeping accommodation;
2) Teaching, training or research;
3) Institute providing treatment or care;
 FIRE CERTIFICATES

4) Entertainment, recreation or instruction;

5) Access by members of the public;
6) Place of work (Section 78 H.A.S.W.A.).
 APPLICATION FOR
CERTIFICATE
To Fire Authority on Form FP1 information
required:
1) Name & address of owner and occupier;
2) Use of premises;
3) Maximum number of employees or public
likely at any time.
 APPLICATION FOR
CERTIFICATE

4) Use(s) involving members of the

public;
5) Details of explosives or highly
flammable materials stored or used.
 INSPECTION
Subsequent to certificate application an
inspection of the following will be
conducted:
 Means of escape;
 Means of fighting fire;
 Means of warning persons.

If the Fire Authority is satisfied with

arrangements then a Fire Certificate will
be issued.
 INSPECTION
If arrangements are not satisfactory the
Fire authority can require improvements
to be made before a certificate is issued.

Prohibition, restriction of uses of

premises possible if risk is extreme.
THE FIRE CERTIFICATE
Will Specify:
 Use of premises;
 Means of escape;
 Fire fighting equipment installed;
 Fire alarm system installed;
 Details of flammable/explosive materials.
THE FIRE CERTIFICATE
In addition the Certificate may specify:
 Adequate staff training;
 Permanence of escape routes;
 Frequency of alarm tests;
 Maintenance of fire fighting equipment;
 Records to be kept;
 Maximum no. of persons on premises.
 VALIDITY
Fire certificates remain valid unless
material change occurs e.g:
 Extensions/alterations to structure;
 Increase in quantity of flammables/
explosives;
 Increase in number of persons;
 Significant alterations to internal layout.
 SPECIAL PREMISES
Defined by:
 Fire Certificates (Special Premises)
Regulations 1976;
 Schedule 1 - defines situation
e.g: chemical works;
nuclear installations;
explosive factories.
 Subject to certification by Health &
Safety Executive.
 FIRE CERTIFICATES
If not required, minimum requirements of
regulations must be met:
 Doors open outwards;
 Exits clearly marked;
 Means of escape available at all times;
 Maintained/available fire fighting equipment;
 Hoist/lifts enclosed and vented (30 minutes
protection).
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT,
PREVENTION & FIRE
SAFETY POLICY

FIRE
 FIRE SAFETY LAW
The main legislation relating to fire safety in the workplace
can be found in the:
 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
 Fire Precautions Act 1971.
 Management of Health and Safety to Work Regulations
1999.
 Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals)
Regulations 1996.
 Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regulations 1997.
 Fire Precautions (Workplace) (Amendment) Regulations
1999.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS ACT 1971

 Developed in response to a major

disaster.
 In this case, it was in response to the
multi-fatality fire at the Rose and
Crown Hotel in Saffron Walden in 1969.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS ACT 1971

Premises in which more than 20

employees are present (or in which
more than 10 employees work above
or below the ground floor) usually
require a fire certificate, which will be
issued by the local fire authority
upon request by the occupier or
owner.
FIRE PRECAUTIONS ACT 1971
This certificate will:
 Identify and record fire risks; and
 Outline the ways in which these risks are
to be controlled;
 It will also detail the systems and
procedures that are necessary to
safeguard those who could be exposed to
these risks, including emergency services
personnel.
 CONTROL MEASURES
 Measures required to prevent or reduce the
risk of fires occurring;
 Measures required for giving warning of a
fire - raising the alarm;
 Measures used to enable people to escape
from the premises, to a place of ultimate
safety;
 Measures for fire fighting, both fixed and
portable equipment;
 Fire procedures and fire training.
 CONTROL MEASURES
All of these five measures will be required
to some degree, being dependent upon:

 Type of industry;
 The size and complexity of the Company;
 The type of hazard;
 The extent that people are exposed to
hazard.
HEALTH AND SAFETY (SAFETY,
SIGNS AND SIGNALS)
REGULATIONS 1996
A safety sign is required in situations where
risks to health and safety cannot be avoided
or adequately controlled by other means. The
sign cannot be totally text, a pictogram is
needed. If any of the signs currently present
in a workplace do not include a pictogram,
they must be replaced by a suitable sign, or
have a pictogram added to the existing sign.
HEALTH AND SAFETY (SAFETY,
SIGNS AND SIGNALS)
REGULATIONS 1996

The Fire Precautions (Workplace)

Regulations 1997 as amended by
the Fire Precautions (Workplace)
(Amendment) Regulations 1999.
HEALTH AND SAFETY (SAFETY,
SIGNS AND SIGNALS)
REGULATIONS 1996
Both sets of regulations impose
minimum health & safety requirements
on fire precautionary matters in the
workplace (including shared areas and
facilities, and the means of access to the
workplace).
HEALTH AND SAFETY (SAFETY,
SIGNS AND SIGNALS)
REGULATIONS 1996
Where the regulations apply, the employer
must carry out a fire risk assessment. A
dire risk assessment is a structured and
systematic examination of the workplace to
identify the hazards from fire.
HEALTH AND SAFETY (SAFETY,
SIGNS AND SIGNALS)
REGULATIONS 1996
The information gained from these risk
assessments will help an organisation to
make the best judgement in determining
the way that it will address these risks.
HEALTH AND SAFETY (SAFETY,
SIGNS AND SIGNALS)
REGULATIONS 1996
The fire safety measures for the
workplace need only be sufficient to
deal with the particular fire risks. If
such measures are already in place
then further action may not be
necessary. There are 6 other legal
duties it is necessary to know.
 LEGAL DUTIES
1. The employer must nominate people to undertake
any special roles identified in the emergency plan.
2. The employer must consult his employees (or
their representatives) about nominations to
perform special roles and about proposals for
improving the fire precautions.
3. The employer must inform other employers in the
building about any significant risks found, which
might affect the safety of their employees and co-
operate with them about measures to reduce the
risk.
 LEGAL DUTIES
4. If you are not an employer but have control over
the work place you also have responsibility to
ensure compliance with the regulations in those
parts of the building over which you have control.
5. The employer must establish a suitable and
readily available method of calling the emergency
services.
6. Employees are required to co-operate with the
employer to ensure the workplace is safe from
fire.
FIRE RISK ASSESSMENT -
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
There are no hard and fast rules as to
how a fire assessment should be
carried out. A fire risk assessment is a
simple and careful assessment of what
could cause a fire, and to what extent
that fire may cause an injury to
persons before they are able to
evacuate to safety.
 RISK ASSESSMENT
TECHNIQUES
 Various techniques are available to
assess fire risks;
 Assessments should be both practical
and systematic to ensure every part of
the workplace is examined;
 Every room, space or area in the building,
especially those not often used, must be
included.
IDENTIFY THE HAZARDS
The majority of fire hazards can be
grouped into one of two categories:
 Ignition sources;
 Fuel sources.
 COMMON HAZARDS
A few examples of some common fire hazards
are listed below:
 Accumulation of rubbish, paper or other
materials that can be accidentally or
deliberately ignited;
 Electrical wiring, plugs and sockets which are
faulty or in poor condition;
 Careless use of portable heaters;
 Smoking in unauthorised or high fire risk
areas, and careless disposal of smoking
materials.
 NUMBERS AFFECTED
This relates to the number of people who
could be affected by a fire, taking into
account the ‘type/group’ of the person i.e:
 Members of the public;
 Disabled persons;
 Children;
 Elderly people.
EVALUATE THE RISKS

The findings of the fire risk

assessment should enable the
assessor to decide which risks
require the most urgent action.
 EVALUATE THE RISKS
The Home Office gives guidance as to the
classification of risk:
 Low fire risk;
 Normal fire risk;
 High fire risk;
 Severity of fire;
 Likelihood of occurrence.
CONTROLLING THE RISK

Having evaluated the risk and identified

the groups of people who may be exposed
to it, there is now both a legal and moral
obligation to reduce the risk to its lowest
practicable level.
HIERARCHY OF CONTROL
 Elimination
 Reduction
} Most effective as they
deal with the hazard.
 Enclosure
 Remove person
 Reduce contact
 Personal protection
 RECORD
Employers with five or more
employees must keep a record of
their Fire Risk Assessment, and in
particular of the significant findings
and any employees identified as
being especially at risk.
 REVIEW
A review of the fire risk assessment
should be undertaken when:
 Change is proposed or takes place in
the use of all, or part of, the premises;
or
 Material change is proposed or takes
place in the premises;
 Legislation changes.
 FIRE SAFETY POLICY
ESSENTIAL inclusion in the company
Safety Policy:
 Arrangements regarding fire;
 Precautions/Prevention, duties &
responsibilities (at all levels);
 Must be clearly set out;
 Clear unbroken line of duties etc.
FIRE ACTION & TRAINING
 Action to be taken on discovering fire;
 Manual operation of alarm system;
 Procedure to inform fire service;
 Method of evacuation;
 Assembly point;
 Accounting of persons.
FIRE ACTION AND TRAINING
 Appointment/training of
fire teams;
 Appointment/training of
fire wardens;
 Appointment/training of
floor manager;
 Methods of monitoring and
testing arrangements etc.
 ENFORCEMENT
The Fire Prevention Officer (FPO) of the
Local Fire Authority has the power:
 Of entry to premises;
 To make necessary enquiries;
 To examine Certificate;
 To require facilities/assistance be
made available.
OFFENCES AGAINST THE
FIRE PRECAUTIONS ACT
1971
A) Using premises (as designated)
without a certificate.
B) Failure to:
 maintain existing fire fighting
equipment;
 maintain means of escape;
 provide fire safety training.
 PENALTIES
Summary conviction:
 £5,000 maximum fine;
 £400 failing to keep copy of Certificate on
premises.
Conviction or indictment:
 Unlimited fine; or
 2 years maximum prison; or
 Both fine and imprisonment.
 NOTICES
Fire Safety & Safety of Sports Places Act
1987 - Refers:
Fire Authority able to issue:
A) Prohibition notices;
B) Improvement notices - appeals
within 21 days;
C) Contravening a fire certificate.
 NOTICES

D) Carry out changes without notice to

the Fire Authority;
E) Contravening any requirement;
F) Contravening any provision of the
1971 Act.