NEBOSH International General Certificate

in Occupational Safety and Health

Unit IG2

Element 10: Fire

© RRC International
10.1 Fire Initiation, Classification and
Spread
 Principles of Fire
Fire is a rapid chemical process in which oxygen combines
with another substance (‘fuel’) in the presence of a source
of heat.

This reaction is called combustion.

During this reaction, heat, flames and smoke are produced.

 Principles of Fire
Fuel:
A combustible material or
substance consumed during the
combustion process.

Oxygen:
From the air (which is 21% oxygen)
or oxygen-rich substances (oxidising
agents).

Heat or ignition source:

Energy to start the combustion
process.
 ClaClassification of Firessification of Fire

This is the EU system.

There is no formal Class E. ‘Electrical fires’ is used for electrical equipment.
Principles of Heat Transmission and Fire Spread
• Direct burning.

• Convection:
• Conduction.

• Radiation.
 Group Exercise
Suggest common causes of fire in the workplace.
 Causes
• Electrical equipment.
• Deliberate ignition (arson).
• Hot work.
• Smoking.
• Cooking appliances.
• Heating appliances.
• Unsafe use and storage of flammable liquids and gases.
• Mechanical heat.
• Chemical reactions.
 Consequences
• People killed and injured.
• Damage to buildings and contents including smoke
damage.
• Environmental damage, e.g. water run-off.
 End of Module 10.1 Exercise
1. What three things are needed for a fire to start?

2. What are the methods of fire spread?

3. Suggest common causes of workplace fire in an office.

10.2 Preventing Fire and Fire Spread
 Control of Ignition Sources
• Electrical equipment.

• Hot work.

• Smoking.

• Cooking and heating appliances.

• Mechanical heat.

• Deliberate ignition.
 Use of Electrical Equipment in Flammable
Atmospheres
• Flammable gas/vapour/dust mixed with air can be explosive.
• Electrical equipment can ignite the mixture.
• National legislation controls use of electrical equipment:
‒ In EU, the ATEX Directives.
‒ In UK, transposed as the Dangerous Substances and Explosive
Atmospheres Regulations 2002.
 Systems of Work
Permit to work for control of hot work:
• Remove flammable materials from the area.
• Cover items that can’t be removed.
• Sweep the floor.
• Damp down wooden floors.
• Provide suitable fire extinguishers.
• Ensure ‘fire-watcher’ present in the area.
• Check area after work has finished.
 Storage of Flammable Liquids
• Use the minimum volume of liquid required.

• Liquid should be in a properly labelled container.

• Ideally, the container will be metal with a self-closing lid.

• Use a metal tray to catch spills and have absorbent material
available.

• Use away from heat and ignition sources.

• Ensure that workspace is well-ventilated.

• Return containers to safe storage after use.

 Compartmentation
• Keeping fire and smoke in or out of area of building.
• Creating enclosed/sealed boxes using fire-resistant materials.
• Fire is contained in one part of the building.
• Only fully effective if openings in the compartment walls are
sealed.
• Local building regulations play a major part in applying high
standards of compartmentation to workplaces.
 Fire Door
Characteristics of fire door:
• Able to withstand fire for a set time (e.g. 30 mins).
• Fitted with self-closing devices.
• Fitted with intumescent strip (expands when hot).
• Fitted with a cold smoke seal.
• Have vision panels of fire-resistant glass (typical).
• Clearly labelled.
Properties of Common Building Materialss
of Common Building Materials
Concrete: Usually performs well in a fire.
Steel: Severely affected by high temperatures.
Brick: Usually very resistant.
Timber: Thin timber will burn quite quickly; thick timber will
survive for longer.

Surface treatment can improve fire performance:

• Encasing steel in concrete.
• Intumescent paint.
• Insulation.
• Wall coverings.
10.3 Fire Alarm Systems and Fire-Fighting
 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
• Simplest system:
‒ Someone shouts ‘Fire!’

• Simple with more noise:

‒ Hand bell, whistle or air horn.

• Manually operated fire alarm:

‒ Manual call points.

• Interlinked smoke alarm:

‒ Links normally unoccupied rooms to interlinked smoke alarms.

• Automatic fire detection and alarm:

‒ Automatic detectors, manual call points, linked to sounders/lights.
The sophistication will depend on the complexity of workplace.
 Fire Detection and Alarm Systems
Smoke detectors:
• Detect small smoke particles.
• Very sensitive, early warning.
• Two main types: ionising and optical.
• Can give rise to false alarms.

Heat detectors:
• Detect excess heat generated by a fire.
• Less sensitive, later warning.
• Two main types: rate of rise and fixed temperature.
• May not detect fires that are giving off smoke but not much heat.
 Portable Fire-Fighting Equipment
• Fire extinguisher.
• Fire blankets:
‒ Physically smother fires, e.g. fat fires in kitchens.

• Hose reels:
‒ Used in large buildings for fire teams.

• Sprinkler systems:
‒ Sited in buildings and warehouses.
‒ Automatically dowses the fire.
Extinguishing Media
 End of Module 10.3 Exercise

1. What are the different ways of detecting fire and

sounding the alarm?

2. Name the different types of fire extinguisher and

the class of fire they can be used on.
10.4 Fire Evacuation
 Means of Escape
• Available to every person in the workplace.
• Does not require use of lifts (expect in special cases).
• Must take person to a place of safety.
• Two or more separate routes may be required.
• Travel distance should be short.
• Adequate width.
• Clearly signed.
• Appropriately lit.
• Emergency lighting.
• No obstructions.
 Stairs and Passageways
• Fire-resistant protection.
• Adequate width:
‒ Consider wheelchair users.
• Unobstructed.
• No storage of materials or equipment.
 Doors

• Easy to operate.
• Adequate width.
• Open in direction of travel.
• Not locked.
 Emergency (Escape) Lighting
• At night or where there is no natural light.
• To indicate escape routes.
• To indicate call points and fire-fighting equipment.
• Regular maintenance.
• Routine inspection/testing.
 Exit and Directional Signs

• Standard shape.
• Standard colour.
• Pictogram.
• Easy to interpret.
• Clearly visible.
 Assembly Points
• Safe distance from building.
• Safe location.
• Further escape possible if
needed.
• Must not impede fire-fighters.
• Clearly signed.
• 'Refuges' for disabled workers.
 Fire Marshals
Typical duties:
• Check all areas are evacuated.

• Assist disabled/infirm workers.

• Ensure fire escape routes are kept clear.

• Ensure windows and doors are closed.

• Conduct roll call at assembly point.

 PProvision for the Infirm and Disabled or
the Infirm
• Staff with disabilities may need and Disabled
personal evacuation plans:
‒ Assist with travel downstairs.
‒ Alert those with hearing impairment.
• May need to consider temporary disabilities, e.g. use of crutches.
• Consider also evacuation of young/elderly.
 Fire Drills
• Usually once or twice a year.

• Allows staff to practise procedures.

• Allows for testing of those procedures.

• Records kept.
 End of Module 10.4 Exercise

1. What general principles should be applied when

establishing means of escape?
2. What is the purpose of emergency lighting?
3. What might fire marshals do in the event of an
evacuation?
 Summary
In this element, we have:
• Outlined some of the basic principles of fire safety such as: the fire
triangle, the five classes of fire, the methods by which fire can
spread and some of the common causes of workplace fires.
• Explained how fire and the spread of fire can be prevented by
controlling potential fuel sources and potential ignition sources.
• Outlined the structural measures that exist to contain fire and
smoke in the event of a fire starting, and the use of self-closing fire
doors.
 Summary
• Described the general principles of fire detection and alarm
systems.
• Discussed types of fire extinguisher commonly used, such as
water, carbon dioxide, foam, dry powder and wet chemical, and
the strengths and limitations of each type.
• Outlined the principal characteristics of a means of escape.
• Described basic requirements for evacuation procedures, fire
marshals, training and information, the capabilities of
employees, fire drills and special procedures for the infirm or
disabled, and the inclusion of escape routes in building plans.