BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL

International Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health

“Raising Standards, Saving Lives”

 BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL

1B1 Fire
Key Learning Points:

• Principle of Fire
• Fire risk assessment
• Fire prevention and protection arrangements
• Fire emergencies
• Fire safety training

“Raising Standards, Saving Lives”

 The Fire Triangle

OXYGEN IGNITION

FUEL
 Fire Propagation

• Radiation

• Convection

• Conduction

• Direct Burning
 Ignition Temperatures

Flash Point.
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.

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.
A self-heating process leading to ignition. This can occur
due to friction, chemical reaction, bacterial decay, or oxidising
agents.

Auto Ignition.
Lowest temperature at which a material will ignite
independently of an ignition source when heated.
 Glossary of Terms

Combustion
Chemical reaction between substances usually involves
oxygen and flame generation

Pyrolysis
Thermal decomposition of solids into solids (carbon),
liquids or gases

Smoke
Product of incomplete combustion
 Fire Classifications

Class A
Solids (wood, paper, textiles etc)
Class B
Flammable liquids
Class C
Flammable gases
Class D
Metal fires
Class F
Fires fuelled by cooking fats
Stopping the Fire
Breaking the Fire Triangle

Oxygen Ignition
Smothering Cooling

Fuel
Starvation
Fire fighting with extinguishers
Fire Fire
Class SolidDescription Extinguisher
Water, dry powders,
A materials CO2

Foams, powders,
B Liquids

C Gases Turn off gas

D Metals Inert dry

powder
Fires involving
F cooking oils
Wet
Chemical
 Fire Risk Assessment

1. Are we doing enough to prevent a fire from

starting?

2. Do we have sufficient arrangements in place to

protect people in the event of a fire starting?
 Fire Risk Assessment – Five Steps Approach

1. Identify potential fire hazards in the workplace

2. Decide who might be in danger in the event of a fire (note
their location)
3. Evaluate the risks arising from hazards and decide whether
existing fire precautions are adequate
4. Record the findings/details of the action/inform employees
5. Review/revise the assessment when necessary
 Identifying Fire Hazards
Where are the sources?

Employers must consider:

• The chance of fire occurring

• Whether sources of ignition and fuel can

be reduced
OXYGEN IGNITION

FUEL
 Evaluation of Fire Precautions

To consider:

• means of detection and giving warning

• means of escape
• means of fighting fire
• planning for an emergency etc
 Fire Detection and Warning

Can existing means of detection discover a fire quickly enough

to raise an alarm for all occupants to escape to a safe place?

Can the warning be clearly heard throughout the premises?

Have employees been informed of the warning system and

know how to respond?
 Fire stages and means of detection

Ionisation chamber
Ionisation chamber
1. Smoke
1. Smoke OpticalOptical

UV detector
2. Flames (radiation) UV detector
2. Flames (radiation) IR detector
IR detector
Melting,
3. Heat expansion,
electrical systems,
3. Heat
 Means of Escape – General Principles

When assessing the adequacy of the means of escape take

into account:

• The nature of the occupants e.g. mobility

• Number of people attempting to escape
• Travel distances to place of safety
• The size and extent of the place of safety
 Establishing Means of Escape

• Occupant capacity
• Protected routes (corridor, stairway)
• Emergency lighting
• Signs and notices
• Disabled persons
 Fire Procedures & Training

Emergency plan
• complexity based on workplace and activities
• establishing the fire team (roles and responsibilities)
clear instructions and clearly indicated
Initial training (Induction)
regular training and testing the plan
 Fire Fighting Equipment – Extinguishers

Type of extinguisher will depend on the workplace

General types of fire extinguisher
• water
• foam
• dry powder
• carbon dioxide
• vaporising liquids, including halons

Located in conspicuous positions (fire points) on escape

routes and clearly marked. No more than 30m to
alternative.
 Fire Fighting Equipment –
Other types

Fire Blankets

Hose Reels

Automatic Sprinklers

Drenchers
 Recording the Risk Assessment

Risk assessments must be recorded where there are 5 or more

employees
To be incorporated into emergency plan
Should include information, instructions and training given to
employees
 Reviewing the Risk Assessment

After any significant change which may affect the risks

Review regularly to ensure that the precautions are still

working effectively especially after a fire or ‘near miss’
occurs
 BRITISH SAFETY COUNCIL

1B1 Fire - Summary

Key Learning Points:

• Principle of Fire
• Fire risk assessment
• Fire prevention and protection arrangements
• Fire emergencies
• Fire safety training

“Raising Standards, Saving Lives”