DRRR: Module 13

FIRE
HAZARDS
INTRODUCTION
Fire is a chemical reaction that occurs when a material rapidly
oxidizes (i.e., reacts with oxygen). Fire can be made by
humans or nature. It is very useful to humans (destructive
also).

Fire destruction is commonly happening during summer

season, due to higher ambient temperature some festive
events, due to availability of fire crackers.
INTENDED LEARNING
OUTCOME
• Recognize elements of the fire triangle in different
situations;
• Analyze the different causes of fire;
• Observe precautionary measures and proper procedures in
addressing a fire incident;
• Apply basic response procedures during a fire incident;
and
• Follow fire emergency and evacuation plans.
TOPIC 1: Fire Hazards
What is Fire Hazard?
It is a condition that favors fire development or growth. There are three (3) elements
required to start and sustain fire: (1) oxygen, (2) fuel, and (3) heat.

As we all know oxygen is naturally present in most Earth environments,

fire hazards usually involve the mishandling of fuel or heat. Fire or
combustion is a chemical reaction between oxygen and a combustible fuel.

To start a fire, a source of ignition such as a spark, flame, and

high temperature is needed. The ignition temperature of the
combustion point is the temperature at which a given fuel can
burst into flame.
FIRE TRIANGLE OR COMBUSTION TRIANGLE

• Diagram for understanding the necessary ingredients

for most fires.
• The triangle illustrates the three elements a fire needs
to ignite: heat, fuel, and oxygen.
• A fire naturally occurs when the elements are present
and combined in the right mixture.
• The fire extinguishers by removing any one of the
elements in the fire triangle.
Without sufficient heat

A fire cannot begin, and it cannot continue. Heat can be

removed by the application of a substance which reduces
the amount of heat available to the fire reaction. This is
often water, which requires heat for phase change from
water to steam. Introducing sufficient quantities and types
of powder or gas in the flame reduces the amount of heat
available for the fire reaction in the same manner. Turning
off the electricity in an electrical fire removes the ignition
source.
Without Fuel
A fire will stop. Fuel can be removed naturally, as when the
fire has consumed all the burnable fuel, or manually, by
mechanically or chemically removing the fuel from the fire.
Fuel separation is an important factor in fire suppression, and
is the basis for most major tactics such as controlled burn.
The fire stops because a lower concentration of fuel vapor in
the flame leads to a decrease in energy release and a lower
temperature. Removing the fuel thereby decreases the heat.
Without sufficient oxygen

A fire cannot begin, and it cannot continue. With a

decreased oxygen concentration, the combustion process
slows. In most, cases, there is plenty of air left when the
fire goes out, so this is commonly not a major factor.
TOPIC 2: Types, Sources, and
Causes
of Fire
TYPES OF FIRE

Class A fires Class B fires

Class B fires Class D fires

Class K fires
 CLASS A FIRES

Most of the time, this type of fire is effectively quenched

by water or insulated by another suitable chemical agent.

SOURCES/MATERIALS

Involve ordinary combustible materials like paper, wood

and fabrics, rubber plastics, textiles, paper, and clothing.
designation symbol is a green triangle
 Class B fires

Dry chemicals and carbon dioxide are typically used to

distinguish these fires.

SOURCES/MATERIALS

Mostly involve flammable liquids (like gasoline, oils,

greases, tars, paints, etc. and flammable gases)
designation symbol is a red square
 Class C fires

For safety reasons, non-conducting extinguishing agents

such as dry chemicals or carbon dioxide are usually used
to put out this fire.

SOURCES/MATERIALS

Involve electrical (live electrical equipment, and

designation symbol is a blue circle situations, motors, generators, and other appliances. It
excludes fires in other materials started by electricity.
 Class D fires

Sodium carbonate, graphite, bicarbonate, sodium chloride,

and salt-based chemicals extinguish these fires.

SOURCES/MATERIALS

Involve combustible, easily oxidized metals such as

designation symbol is a yellow decagon aluminum, magnesium, titanium, and zicronium.
Class K fires

SOURCES/MATERIALS

Are fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible

cooking media (vegetable, animal oils, and fats).
 Fuels can be solid, liquid,
or gas

SOLID: wood, plastics, textiles, paper, clothing, fabric curtains,

etc.
Fuels can be solid, liquid,
or gas

LIQUID: petrol, diesel, kerosene, etc.

Fuels can be solid, liquid,
or gas

GAS: Ammonia, Carbon monoxide

Flammable liquids are
categorized as below:
FLASH POINT: The lowest temperature for a given fuel at
which vapors are produced in sufficient concentrations to
flash in the presence of a source of ignition.

FIRE POINT: The minimum temperature at which the vapors

continue to burn, given a source of ignition.

AUTO IGNITION: The lowest point at which the vapors of a

liquid or solid self-ignite without a source of ignition.
Acetone, Diesel, Ethanol, methanol etc.
Other sources of fire hazards
are:

• Failure of electrical systems and equipment

• Lightning strikes
• Presence of a flammable gas or liquid mixture
• Hot surfaces, e.g.: furnaces, chimneys
• Hot engines
• Heated surfaces
COMMON HAZARDS OF FIRE
• 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 welding, cutting metal
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 Extinguishers
• Absence of Fire detection and alarm system
• Violation of building and fire codes
COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE
left unattended, electric cords, curtains, tea towels, oven
cloth close to the stove top

installation was not done by qualified electrician,

capacity overload, and if switches and correct fuses
were not installed.

tiny embers can smolder unnoticed and burst into flame.

COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE
poor lighting fittings cause heat buildup, lampshades are
so close to light globes, not properly insulated from
wood paneling or ceiling timbers.

such as petrol, kerosene is not stored properly, storage

should be away from heat, unsafe handling and use.

when left unattended, sleep with a burning candle and

curtains close to candles
TOPIC 3: The
Phases of Fire
IGNITION - first stage: heat, oxygen. and fuel source
combine and have a chemical reaction (fire triangle is
complete)

A. Also known as incipient;

B. 2 types: Piloted ignition and auto ignition
C. Piloted ignition - fuel + oxygen + external heat
source (spark)
D. Auto ignition - combustion by heat without spark
or flame
E. Smoke and heat are produced
F. Oxygen supply = 21%
G. Does not have high temperatures
H. Breathing is barely affected
GROWTH - expansion of fire, depletion of oxygen
supply, and increase in temperature

A. Also known as free burning phase

B. Oxygen supply is less than 21%
C. Temperature reach between 640 to 870 degrees
D. Factors that affect the growth of fire:
1. fuel load, 2. fuel type, 3. orientation of fuel relative
to fire, 4. available oxygen, 5. ceiling height, 6.
potential for thermal layering
E. Fire influences the environment and is influenced
by the environment.
F. High levels of carbon monoxide
G. Breathing becomes difficult
H. Highly dangerous flashovers may occur anytime.
FULLY DEVELOPED - all fuels have been ignited
and burning.

A. Hottest phase of a fire

B. Fire is now dependent on the amount of oxygen
C. Spread of flammable gases within the area
D. Oxygen supply < 16%
D. Too much carbon monoxide is present
DECAY - First starts to diminish as fuel and/ or
oxygen is consumed.

A. Also known as smoldering phase

B. Usually the longest stage of a fire
C. Characterized by significant decrease in oxygen
and fuek
D. Backdraft could potentially occur.
TOPIC 4: Basic Response
Procedures to Fires
Before an actual fire incident occurs, there is some information that people need to know.

I. Emergency contact numbers

especially the nearest fire station. IV. Proper use of fire hose and
fire extinguishers

II. Exit points

V. Proper precautionary
measures (e.g., proper storage of
III. Location of fire hose and fire combustible, fuels, etc.)
extinguishers
 BASIC RESPONSE PROCEDURES:
1. If inside a burning area:

a. Once you hear the fire alarm, evacuate to a safe area right away.
b. If you see fires, pull fire alarms as you exit the area. Inform other people present in the fire that is occurring.
c. If the fire is still small and can be extinguished, use an appropriate fire extinguisher (recall the different classes of fire). Usually, normal
fire extinguishers do the job, but if unavailable, buckets of water or damp cloths would do.
d. If the fire is already large and is rapidly spreading (growth phase), immediately find the nearest fire exit and exit the
area.
e. Touch doors first to check if they are warm before opening them. If they are warm, do not attempt to open and proceed to
a different route.
f. Use the stairs not elevators
g. Close all windows and doors that you can reach as you exit.
h. If there's is smoke, stay as low as possible, Also, try to cover your nose to prevent inhalation.
i. Once outside, move away from the exits and assemble in a safe area designated by the evacuation plan of the area or by
emergency response teams.
 BASIC RESPONSE PROCEDURES:
2. If outside a burning area:

a. Do not attempt to go inside the burning area.

b. Immediately contact the nearest fire station and other emergency response numbers.
c. Listen and follow orders of the emergency response teams.
d. Organize/ Participate in a bucket relay. bucket relay is when people help the firefighters by passing
buckets full of water to extinguish the fire or to prevent the fire from further spreading.

3. if you catch the fire, do the “STOP, DROP, and ROLL” right away

4. If you are unable toleave the area unscathed or you have suffered burns, immediately attend to them on
the degree of burn.
FIRE DETECTION DEVICES

What is a Fire Extinguisher?

It is an active fire protection device used to

extinguish or control small fires, often in
emergency situations. typically, a fire
extingusiher consists of a hand-held cylindrical
pressure vessel containing an agent.
FIRE DETECTION DEVICES
Locking pin - also known as the Pull pin, this metal pin
is inserted into the valve portion of the fire extinguisher
and prevents accidental discharge (for instance,
accidentally squeezing the operating level down when
you only meant to carry the extinguisher to a different
location).

Carry Handle - simply, that, the handle allows for easy

grasping, lifting, and carrying of the extinguisher.

Operating Lever - the metal piece that can be pressed or

squeezed to operate the extinguisher. However, the
operating lever will not be able to be pressed/ squeezed
unless the pull pin has first been removed.
FIRE DETECTION DEVICES

Pressure Gauge - the pressure gauge is a small, circular

gauge attached to the outside of the valve assembly to
show whether the fire extinguisher has proper pressure
to expel the agent in the event of a fire. If the arrow of
the gauge is in the green, it is properly charged. If it is to
the left of the green, it is undercharged and will not have
enough pressure to work properly. If the gauge needle is
to the right of the green, it is overcharged and is a hazard
at risk of exploding Carbon dioxide extinguishers do not
have pressure gauges.
FIRE DETECTION DEVICES

Instruction Label - all properly operating fire

extinguishers should have a legible instruction label on
the extinguisher`s tank that provides instructions for
proper use and which type of fire it is intended to be
used on.

Discharge nozzle or horn and hose - the nozzle is the

hose`s conical end, out of which the extinguishing agent
disperses. The discharge hose is the hose that allows the
extinguishing agent to travel from tank to the base of the
fire and enables the users to aim the flow of the agent.
WHEN TO USE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER?

• The fire is small

• You know what materials are burning
• You have the proper extinguisher
• You have considered the possible dangers in the area
• You know how to operate the extinguisher
• You are sure you have an constructedexcape route
TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER
FIRE EXTINGUISHER CHART
FIRE EXTINGUISHER CHART
When choosing to use a fire extinguisher to fight a fire, remember
first to check that it is the correct class for the fire you are
fighting(only a Class A-rated extinguisher can be used when ordinary
combustibles are involved, only a Class B-rated extinguisher can be
used when flammable liquids are involved, and only a Class C rated
extinguisher can be used when electrical equipment is involved) and
so on.

• If you have the correct extinguisher, then just remember PASS:

Pull the pin
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire from a safe distance
Squeeze the level to discharge the agent
• Sweep the hose from side to side
• If you are in danger of being overwhelmed by the fire or trapped,
it is best to evacuate the building and leave fighting the fire to
emergency responders.
8988878pp98

Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Slay
Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep
SMOKE DETECTOR - This is an active fire protection
device used to extinguish or control small fires, often
in emergencies. Typically, a fire extinguisher consists
of a hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel containing
an agent.

HEAT DETECTORS - Detect fires where there is no

smoke activated by he significant increase of
temperature associated with fire

FLAME DETECTORS - React to the movement of

flames.
FIRE SAFETY
This refers to precautions that are taken to prevent and reduce the likelihood of a fire that may result in
death, injury, or property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence of an uncontrolled fire in the
event one occurs, better enable those threatened by a fire to survive or to reduce the damage caused by a
fire. Fire safety measures include those that are planned during the construction of a building or
implemented in structures that are already standing and those that are taught to occupants of the building.

In our country, Fire Prevention Month is being observed in March of every year led by the Bureau of Fire
Protection (BFP). The purpose of the month-long observance is to heighten the fire safety consciousness
of the Filipino people and reduce the incidence of fires that result in property losses.
FIRE SAFETY
Fire drills are conducted at the frequencies specified by the Fire Code and involve all the following
activities and considerations:

Phase 1: Alarm – Fire alarms are sounded.

Phase 2: Response – Learners will have to be alert for fire, and smoke.
Phase 3: Evacuation – All building occupants evacuate, following pre-determined routes to the
evacuation areas.
Phase 4: Assembly – At the designated evacuation area, learners are grouped. Phase 5: Head Count – The
head of the family or school (either teacher) should check to make sure all participants are accounted for.
Phase 6: Evaluation – Evaluation of the drill is conducted to identify problems during the drill and how
these be corrected.
FIRE SAFETY
End of Semester

NO MORE 6:30