Definitions 2

FIRE:
Is the visible manifestation of
a chemical reaction, called
combustion, it happen between
two different substances
(combustible - is the
substance (solid, liquid, gas)
which can burn and
comburent - is the substance
which allow the combustible to
burn (Oxygen)) with release of
sensible energy (fire heat &
light) and secondary products,
such as Carbon dioxide, carbon
monoxide, sulphur dioxide,
ash, steam, etc.
 Definitions 3

Flammability Temperature: Minimum Temperature at which a combustible material

develop sufficient amount of vapors able to take fire with Oxygen if in presence of a
sufficient source of energy /flame, spark, etc.)
Auto-ignition Temperature: Minimum Temperature at which a combustible material
in air start spontaneously to take fire without other source of energy such as sparks
or flame, etc.
Flammability Range (particularly for gas): Delimited range between Lower and
Upper Flammability Levels which is the concentration in Volume of the combustible
in air is flammable: below the LFL the combustible cannot burn because is to low;
above the UFL the combustible cannot burn because is too much
 SITE FIRE TRIANGLE 4

GAS: Acetylene,
HEAT SOURCES
Propane, Butane,
to reach ignition
Hydrogen Natural
temperatures:
gas, Carbon
open flame,
Monoxide, Others
sparks, arcs, hot
surface, friction,
LIQUIDS:
electrical energy,
Gasoline,
chemical action,
Kerosene, Alchol,
sun, compression
Paint, Oil, Other
of gases, etc.
SOLIDS: Wood,
Paper, Clothes,
Grease, Plastic,
OXYGEN: is required Other
proximally around 16%,
normal air contains 21%
 FIRE PRODUCTS 5

Smoke, Ash, Flame, Liquid, Gas

Material Energy Heat

Combustible
Comburent (O2) COMBUSTION
Energy attivation
 RISKS FOR PEOPLE 6

Heat / High Temperature

Toxic Gas (CO) (CO2) (etc.) / Smoke / Asphyxia
Electrocution during fire fighting
Contact with hazardous substances
Etc.
 FIRE STAGES 7

Fires tend to grow in stages. The graph shows that fires start with a slow
induction period, but once ignition is reached they grow very quickly
 Fire Stages 8

These can burn so rapidly that the fire spreads faster than
you can run away from it! This is called flashover,
flashover and
occurs in nearly all major fire disasters, such as when a
whole room is engulfed by fire. This transition, from small to
large, can be so rapid that many casual observers are
caught, with fatal consequences. Once this occurs then the
whole compartment (e.g. a room) will continue to burn, at a
speed controlled by how quickly oxygen can be replenished.
This may continue until the available fuel is consumed.
 Fire Temperatures 9

°C
Red
native 525
Red
Dark 700

Red 900
cherry
Yellow 1100
dark
Yellow 1200
light
White 1300

White 1500
bright
 Methods of Heat Transfer 10

Methods of Heat Transfer

Radiation
Convection
Conduction
 SPREADING OF FIRE 11

A typical fire might start in a waste bin. When flames reach 1

or 2 meters high, especially if they start to spread under a
ceiling, then the radiant heat from the flame will cause
decomposition of materials several meters away. This will
produce lots of flammable gases.
Smoking in restricted area 12
 SPREADING OF FIRE 13

1. CONDUCTION - Movement of heat through solid

materials. E.g; Metal.

How fire may be spread in

a building due to the
conduction of heat along
an unprotected steel
girder
 SPREADING OF FIRE 14

2. CONVECTION - Transfer of heat by air movement.( Heat

in air always rises).
IMPORTANT - When evacuating stay low
away from smoke and heat.
Breathing in smoke is the
biggest killer not fire.
If doors remain closed fire is
extinguished due to lack of
oxygen. However a rapid
increase in oxygen ( Door
opened can re-start a fire).
This is known as a back
draft.
How fire on a lower floor can spread to
upper floors by convection
 SPREADING OF FIRE 15

3. RADIATION -Heat transfer through atmosphere.

Clothing may be
ignited by radiation
when placed too
close to a source
of radiated heat
Fire in a Camp 16
 FIRE DETECTION 17

Fire detection system consist of mainly

three categories:
Heat Detector
Smoke Detector
Flame Detector
 METHODS TO EXTINGUISH FIRE 18

e n. Lim
yg ita
x t
fo O ion
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at i I N He
it R
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Lim O
H
T G EA
Y T
SM O
X

COMBUSTIBLE SUBSTANCE
STARVATION

LIMITATION OF FUEL.

Inhibition or retardation of the combustion reaction.

 BASIC FIRE FIGHTING 19

FIND The Fire.

Learn of its size, Location combustibles involved.

INFORM
F Sound the Alarm - even if the Fire Appears Small
I Shout FIRE! FIRE! , Instruct someone to sound alarm.
R
E
RISTRICT The Fire.
By Closing Door, Isolating Fuel , electrical Supply and
Closing Ventilation. Use Boundary cooling.

EXTINGUISH The Fire.

By using the correct type and quantity of fighting media.
 BASIC FIRE FIGHTING 20

• Be aware of fire hazards

• Check where fire alarms are
• Check where fire fighting equipments are
• Call for help: “who you area”, “where you
are”, “what’s going on”
• Try to initially intervene only if is the case and
if trained to do so
• Participate at training and drill
• Report information to Fire Marshal
 FIGHTING THE FIRE 21

Fight the fire only if you have adequate means of escape and if you
are trained to do so.
Do not fight a fire if gas cylinders are involved. Keep your distance.
If a fire is too big (cannot be put out by a portable fire extinguisher)
back away. Try to contain fire.
Remove any combustible material around fire if possible.
Give location, type, size of fire to Site FIRE MARSHAL or Team.
 FIRE FIGHTING MEANS 22

Carbon Dioxide, Powder, Foam, Water, etc.

Fire Hydrants
Sprinklers
Fire Hoses
Fire Hose Reels
Fire Nozzles
Fire Blankets
Fire Extinguishers
 FIRE CLASS & 23

EXTINGUISHERS
 Fire Classification 24

Class A: Wood, paper, cloth, trash, plastics.

Solid combustible materials that are not metals.
(Leaves Ash).
Class B: Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil,
grease, acetone). Any non-metal in a liquid
state. (Can Boil).
Class C: Flammable gases (methane, acetylene,
propane).

Class D: Metal Bases Fires (Welding Slag, etc.)

Class E: Electrical (energised electrical

equipment).
Class F: Cooking Fats and Hot oils (Catering
Equipment).
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS TYPICAL USE 25

PASS: Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep

Aim at
the fire
base
 Extinguisher Types and Classifications 26

Basic fire extinguisher training is only to fight incipient fire.

Basic fire fighting practices shall be refreshed periodically.
Any training provided and this matter shall be recorded at
Site. Different kinds of Fire extinguishers includes:
1) Dry Chemical (Powder ), useful for most of the fire, basically
isolate the flame from the Oxygen
2) Foam (various types protein, fluor-protein, etc. generally
mixed with water), useful for example for the hydrocarbons,
able to lay down on the liquid surface isolate the flame from the
Oxygen
3) CO2 (Liquids Expanding to Gas), typical for electrical
apparatus (some restriction for confined space due to possible
asphyxia), able to reduce the heat and reduce the amount of
Oxygen to the flame
 Remind that Halon is forbidden due to Ozone Hole Effects
 Extinguisher Capacity and Propellant 27

1kg to 12kg ABC Dry Powder (normally N2 pressurized dry gas which
prevents solidification). The most common is 6Kg

6/9Ltr Water or Foam unit or CO2 Cartridge

Trolley Units various size - 45kg upwards- CO2 and ABC units, (propellant
is normally a fixed N2, CO2 Pilot cylinder, which is secured externally).

Portable dry Powders

Foam CO2
 Extinguishers functions 28

Stored Pressure

Contains the propellant with in the body, as a

pressurized gas to force the extinguishing
medium out through the discharge hose.
Cartridge Operated

Has an internal pressurized cylinder

connected to head cap assembly.

Vents the propellant gas, once the sealing disc

has been pierced.

Extinguishing Capacity (EXAMPLE)

34 A 144 B C
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AVAILABILITY & TRAINING TEST 29

• Every 30 m in TCF areas

• On construction vehicle
• Near powered equipment
• Every 15 m hot works
• Training and drill
• Regularly inspected
• Fire Marshal and Fire
fighting Team to be defined
Periodic discharging, Testing and Refresh Training. 30

Note: To ensure that extinguishers remain reliable.

All extinguishers should be tested at agreed
intervals. The recommended times, in each case
since the date of manufacture, or the last actual
discharge, (test or otherwise ), of the particular
extinguisher body shall be reported by manufacture.
 Suitable Firefighting 31

Sometimes to intervene properly are necessary supplementary

personal protection means, generally utilized by the Firefighting Team,
which are full body protective clothes, mask and breathing apparatus

FILTER TYPE EXPIRY TIME

ABEK
 Fire extinguishers testing 32

Fire extinguishers are means, intended to

be used for fighting fires,- if safe to do
so! Their value depends on their
operational condition.
This requires inspection service and
maintenance as below:
Examine the Extinguisher thoroughly to confirm its condition
and identify if it needs repair.
Test by discharge, refill, or withdraw from service.
Perform the procedures, in a safe and practicable manner.
Tell the supervisor, about the need for regular checks, so that
immediate actions are taken to rectify abnormalities.
Inform the responsible person about the need for exchange,
replacement, due to the condition of an extinguisher.
Report any equipment found to be dangerous
Extinguishers, which are un repairable must be brought out of
the site to specialized company for their disposal.
Inform Area Owner on arrival and before leaving. Work
only as PTW if foreseen
 Other Means: Hoses and Hydrants 33

Slowly open the hydrant valve, allowing water to pressurize

the hose.
To test the hose after fully pressurized, close the hydrant
valve and observe for any leakage.
After use or function tests, drain off the water, and return to
the original location
Ensure that the hydrant valve is closed and the hose stowed
Inspect the hose for any damage, particularly the bindings
which connect the hose ends, to the couplings.
Inspect the sealing O ring, within the hydrant outlet, to
confirm adequate greasing has been applied.
After the Inspection, stow the hose correctly, and secure
the hydrant.

PAY ATTENTION: Pressurized system can be very

dangerous, so valve and other apparatus shall be properly
mantined
OTHER MEANS: SITE FIRE TRUCKS 34
OTHER MEANS: SITE FIRE TRUCKS 35
OTHER MEANS: SITE FIRE TRUCKS 36
OTHER MEANS: SITE FIRE TRUCKS 37
OTHER MEANS: INDUSTRIAL FIRE TRUCKS 38
Remind that when a Fire Starts You Never know how will finish…… 39
 40

FIRE SAFETY
 GENERIC EVACUATION PROCEDURE 41

IF YOU ARE NOT INVOLVED IN THE EMERGENCY

FIRE FIGHTING TEAM AND THE ALARM SOUNDS
APPLY ALWAYS EMRGENCY PROCEDURES AND
INSTRUCTIONS

On hearing the alarm, leave the Building/Working place in

safe conditions and by the nearest safe exit.
Shut off A.C. units. Inside Building last person to leave must
close doors, windows, power.
Proceed to assembly point.
Do not re-enter building/incident areas - Never under
estimate the speed at which smoke fire can spread.
Do not use lifts.
Do not return in your position until the all clear is given.
Familiarise yourself with all emergency exit and practices.
 REVIEW SITE IGNITION SOURCE 42

Heated Surfaces ( Machinery etc.).

Cloth, Newspaper on hot surfaces.
Faulty Machinery’s Electrical fittings, etc.
Sparks (Grinding, Welding, Cutting, Funnel etc.).
Electrical Overloading / Heating.
Impact sparks (Tools falling down to tank etc,.).
Static Electricity (Removal of nylon banian etc.).
Spontaneous Combustion ( Oil rags, certain wet cargoes).
Cigarettes.
 SITE FIRE PREVENTION 43

Fire risk assessments

Minimise combustible
materials on site
Avoid stockpiling

Use Flame Retardant Sheeting

and protective coverings

Set and maintain high

Regular Fire Prevention Housekeeping
Inspections standards

Report fire hazards

 SITE IGNITION SOURCE CONTROL 44

Strictly NO SMOKING policy in ANY Office building

No open fires anywhere on site

Strict implementation of SWP system for hot works

Electrical equipment checked and certified (Tag)

Fire arrestor devices when required / Traffic control

Lamps secured and positioned away from flammable material

Non Sparking tools if needed

 NON SPARKING TOOLS 45

Special tools made of metals such as bronze

 COMBUSTIBLE MANAGEMENT 46

Bunded and shaded bulk fuel and

lubricant storage

No Smoking

No Naked
Light
HOT WORK SAFE PRACTICES 47

Spark containment
Screens set to protect other workers
from grinding sparks
 GAS CYLINDER USE AND STORAGE 48

•Gas cylinders properly colour coded

•Hoses properly protected and in good condition
•Check valves and flashback arrestors on both hoses at
all times
•Correct carriage, handling/lifting of cylinders
•Oxygen and fuel gas cylinders stored separately, 5m
minimum distance
•Empty cylinders separated from full cylinders
•Cylinders secured in an upright position
•Cylinder never be stored or used in a horizontal
position
•Cylinder never be stored or used in confined space
•Care of cylinders (e.g. avoidance of heat, oil or grease;
cleanliness)
•Keeping equipment safe (regular checks)
GAS CYLINDER STORAGE 49
STORAGE AND SEGREGATION OF OXYGEN CYLINDERS AND FLAMMABLE GASES 50

5
 LIFTING GAS BOTTLE 51

Never hoist cylinders by choker slings or trolley

 ELECTRICAL APPARATUS 52

Electrical and other fittings

Only authorised persons should interfere with electrical fittings
Do not use personal electrical appliances
Faulty fittings and wiring must be reported
All electrical fittings must be firmly secured
Make shift plugs, sockets and fuses should not be used.
Circuit should not be overloaded.
All portable electrical appliances to be disconnected after use
Drying clothes on electrical heaters are prohibited
 MACHINERY 53

Always keep the area clean. Prevent oil leakage, remove

combustible materials
Use container for cotton waste, cleaning rags, oil rags, etc;
Wood, paints, spirits, oil etc; should not be kept in machinery
space
All electrical wiring should be well maintained / insulated.
Load capacity of the wires and fuses should never exceeded
 Miscellaneous 54

Smoking
Smoke only in authorised areas.
Use proper ashtrays.
Matches and cigarette ends properly stubbed out.
Proper warning notice to be placed.
Do not smoke in bed.
Laundry & wet clothing
Do not place clothes over heaters, radiators, etc. HOUSEKEEPING
Clothes should be placed in designated area.
Kitchen - Canteen
Avoid overheating or spilling fat or oil.
Ensure burners or heating plates are shutoff
when cooking is finished.
Ensure necessary fire fighting equipment is
available.(known its location)
Maintain housekeeping
 REVIEW - SAFETY TIPS 55

See that you know what to do in case of fire.

Make certain you know your escape.
Keep fire doors and shutters clear and unobstructed.
Don’t obstruct access to fire extinguishers: learn how they operate.
Don’t hang clothing over or near heating equipment.
Don’t let paper, oily rags or other rubbish accumulate.
Do not smoke in prohibited areas.
Use proper containers for flammable liquids , not open tins or buckets.
Handle flammable liquids at a safe distance from possible sources of
ignition.
Check before and after using blow lamps, welding and cutting
equipment.
Switch off from the mains any electrical equipment when not in use.
Keep Always Free Fire MEANS… 56