Basics of Fire Safety

1. Basics of Fire Safety

2. Aims To give you an understanding of : • The nature of Fire • Fire hazards and risk • Fire Prevention at work • Local Fire procedures • How to select and use a portable fire extinguisher safely

3. Objectives At the end of the course you will • Have an understanding of Fire • Be able to reduce Fire risk at Work • Know what to do when the Fire Alarm sounds • Know what to do if you find a fire • Be able to correctly and safely select and use a fire extinguisher

4. Why do we do this training • Because management care about your safety • Because many people are unnecessarily injured by fire at work each year • Because the law specifically requires larger employers to train its staff in Fire Safety • Because Fire Risk assessment flagged a need to train staff in Fire Safety

5. Lesson Plan • Pre - course assessment • Fire Hazards and Risk • Disaster - A case study • The Nature of Fire • Fire Procedures • Fire Extinguishers • End of course assessment

6. To Begin : Pre-course knowledge • 1. What three things are needed for fire to exist • 2. What do you think is the most common cause of fire in industrial premises? • 3. What would you think is the average maximum time allowed for fire evacuation? • 4. What colour is a modern CO2 Extinguisher? • 5. What extinguisher would you use if your computer caught fire?

7. Fire Hazards and Risk Question : What is the difference between a hazard and a risk ? Answers : A hazard is something with the potential to cause harm or loss. A risk is the likelihood that the hazard will actually cause that harm or loss.

8. Fire at Bradford11th May 1985 • Time : first flame - well alight? • How many died? • Why? • 2-3 Minutes • 56 people lost their lives • Very Poor standards of Fire Safety

9. School of Chemistry, 2007

10. Faculty of Engineering Queen’s Building, 2008

11. What is Fire? • The rapid oxidation of a fuel evolving heat, particulates, gases and non-ionizing radiation

12. Sources of Ignition • Smoking • Electrical equipment • Heaters • Contractors tools and equipment • Arson

13. Fuels • Paper & Boxes etc. • Expanded polystyrene beads • Plastics • Solvents • Carpets • Furniture • Waste materials

14. Classes of Fire - BS EN 2 • A - Free burning materials, paper, wood, plastics etc. • B - Flammable liquids, petrol, meths, solvents etc. • C - Flammable gases, methane, hydrogen etc. • D - Metals, potassium, sodium, magnesium etc. • F - Cooking fats • Electricity can be involved in any class of fire

15. Fire Prevention • Be mindful of Fire Safety • Don’t block fire exits, call points or extinguishers • No smoking policy • Take care when cooking • Observe good security • Don’t wedge Fire Doors open

16. Fire Procedure - Fire Alarm • Leave the building immediately • Use the nearest exit • Walk quickly but don’t run closing doors behind you • Do not delay your exit to collect your belongings • Attend the Fire Assembly Point and report to the Fire Warden • Do not return until told to do so

17. Fire Procedure - Finding a Fire • Sound the fire alarm • Fight the fire if you are competent and you consider it safe to do so • Evacuate as per normal fire procedure • Inform the Fire Warden

18. Fighting a Fire -Do not fight the fire if : - • It is bigger than a waste paper bin • One extinguisher is not enough • Smoke is affecting your breathing • You cannot see the way out • Gas cylinders or chemicals are involved • Your efforts are not reducing the size of the fire

19. Extinguishers - European Changes

20. Fire Extinguishers - Water • Red body • Suitable for use on Class A Fires, wood and paper etc. • Not suitable for combustible liquids, cooking fats etc. • Not safe to use on fires involving electricity • Extinguishes by cooling

21. Fire Extinguishers - Foam • Cream body (Old type) or Red Body with Cream label • Suitable for Class A and B Fires. • Not suitable for use on fires involving electricity • Extinguishes by cooling and sealing the surface of a burning liquid

22. Fire Extinguishers - Powder • Blue body (Old type) or Red body with blue label. • Best on Class B fires but safe to use on any type of fire. • Works by chemically interfering with the combustion reaction

23. Fire Extinguishers -Carbon Dioxide • Black body (Old type) or red body with black label (New type) • Best on Class B and C fires but safe to use on any type of fire • Safe to use on fires involving electricity • Extinguishes by reducing oxygen levels and cooling

24. Fire Extinguishers - Blanket • Any colour body or label but they are usually red or white • For use on any type of fire but best on small contained class B fires and people on fire. • Extinguishes by asphyxiating

25. Fire Safety at Home • Fit and maintain a smoke detector • Bin the chip pan • Fit MCBs in fusebox • Check round at night • Close doors at night • Don’t smoke in bed • Prepare an escape plan

27. The Main Causes of Fire: Smoking/Matches Misuse of Electricity Defects in Heating Systems Spontaneous Ignition Improper Rubbish Disposal Arson Prevention of Fatal Fires: Fire Extinguishers Smoke Detectors Sprinkler Systems Prevention

28. The Acronym RACE is useful inFighting a Fire: • R: Rescue: Move all pt to safe area • A: Activate the alarm :location and type of fire. • C: Confine the fire: close windows/doors, shut of electrical equipment • E: Extinguish the fire • always remain calm amd make sure you are aware of your facilited fire plan, where the extinguishers are, and the evacuation plan for your area.

43. Each of these three elements must be present at the same time to have a fire. A fire will burn until one or more of the elements is removed. Fuel Any combustible material – solid, liquid or gas Heat The energy necessary to increase the temperature of fuel to where sufficient vapors are given off for ignition to occur Oxygen The air we breathe is about 21% oxygen – fire needs only 16% oxygen

44. There are 4 classes of fire: Class A Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and some plastics. Class B Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane. Class C Energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes and power tools. Class D Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium, and sodium.

45. To Prevent Fires Class  Ordinary Combustibles: • Keep storage and working areas free of trash. • Place oily rags in covered containers.

46. Class  Flammable liquids or gases: • Don’t refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space, in the presence of an open flame, or while the equipment is hot. • Keep flammable liquids stored in a tightly closed container and away from spark producing sources. • Use flammable liquids only in well ventilated areas.

47. Class  Electrical Equipment: • Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for the circuit. • Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells strange. Unusual odors can be the first sign of a potential fire. • Utility lights should always have some type of wire guard over them.

48. Class  Flammable metals: • Knowledge of the properties of the metals and using good judgment and common sense will assist you in controlling or avoiding potential fires/reactions.

49. Be prepared for a fire emergency • Check the location of fire alarms and know how they work. • Learn your building evacuation plan. • Know where your two nearest exits are located. Learn how doors swing and where stairs lead. • Make sure nothing blocks fire pulls, extinguishers and emergency exits. • Learn the sound of your building fire alarm. • Post emergency numbers (including security and first aid) near your telephone. • Make sure you know what to do if the fire alarm sounds. Plan your escape.

50. Dial 911 Emergency Number OR Alternate Emergency Number When you notice a fire: • Pull the nearest fire alarm “pull station” while exiting the floor. • If there is no pull station: • Do not assume that anyone else has already called the fire department. • Stay calm and be prepared to answer the operator’s questions regarding the emergency. • EVACUATE !