Fire Safety Training for Employees

1. Fire Safety Trainingfor Employees Ringling College of Art and Design Department of Environmental Health and Safety

2. The fire safety training is completed in two parts. • Part 1 – This online training session will provide information on fire prevention, classifying fuels, fire extinguishers and rules for fighting fires. • Part 2 – Practice extinguishing a live fire in a controlled environment. The practical session is only permitted after successfully completing the online training.

3. Topics • Introduction • Fire prevention • Fuel classification • Fire extinguishers • Fire watch • Rules for fighting fires • Quiz

4. Introduction • Fires can happen anywhere, at any time. Sometimes they are small, easy to control, that cause little damage and no injuries. However, different types of fires can result in different outcomes. Depending on the materials (fuel) involved, the protocol will differ. • The key to ensuring safety for you and others in the event of any fire lies in how you respond. First let’s explore how to prevent fires from happening in the first place.

5. Fire Prevention • Life Safety • The primary goal of fire safety efforts is to protect building occupants from injury and to prevent loss of life. • Property Protection • The secondary goal of fire safety is to prevent property damage. • Protection of Operations • By preventing fires and limiting damage we can assure that work operations will continue.

6. Fire Prevention A fire must have three elements to ignite and maintain combustion. - Fuel - Heat - Oxygen A fire is prevented or extinguished by removing any one of the three elements. If all three are not present in sufficient quantities, a fire will not ignite or a fire will not be able to sustain combustion

7. Fire PreventionHousekeeping • Good housekeeping habits are an important part of a safe workplace. • Why is good housekeeping important: • To reduce amounts of flammable and combustible materials. • To reduce ignition hazards. • To ensure safe emergency evacuation of occupants. • To allow for quick emergency response.

8. Fire PreventionHousekeeping • Never block aisles, fire exits, emergency equipment, or alarm pull stations with equipment or materials. • Avoid build up of combustible materials, such as paper, wood, cardboard, etc. • The storage and use of flammables and combustibles should be kept to a minimum. Use approved flammable cabinets for storage. • Clean up all spills such as grease, oil, or water immediately.

9. Fire PreventionStorage Guidelines • No storage is allowed in corridors and stairwells. A cluttered hallway could slow down emergency evacuation. • Storage must not exceed a plane of 18 inches below sprinkler heads or smoke detectors. Storage that breaks this plane may prevent sprinkler heads from fully covering a room during a fire.

10. Fire PreventionStorage Guidelines • All storage must be at least 3 feet from electrical panels. In some emergency situations it will be necessary to access these panels quickly. • Maintain at least a 3 feet clearance from heating surfaces, air ducts, heaters, and lighting fixtures. • Storage of combustible materials in mechanical rooms is prohibited.

11. Fire PreventionElectrical Safety • Electrical hazards are the cause of numerous workplace fires each year. Faulty electrical equipment or misuse of equipment produces heat and sparks that serve as ignition sources in the presence of flammable and combustible materials. • Examples of common ignition hazards: • Overloading circuits • Use of unapproved electrical devices • Damaged or worn wiring

12. Fire PreventionElectrical Safety • Electrical equipment should be plugged directly into the wall outlet. Do not use extension cords for permanent appliances and do not use power strips at all. - Exception: Approved power strips for computer equipment • Keep ignitable materials away from outlets. Always check the electrical cord to ensure that it is not frayed or damaged.

13. Fire PreventionCompartmentalization • Buildings are designed to prevent fire, heat, and smoke from spreading beyond locations of origination. Building elements such as fire walls, fire dampers, and fire doors, are designed to seal off one location from the next. This system is called compartmentalization. • Compartmentalization increases the safety of evacuating building occupants because smoke and fire are not able to escape into exit passageways.

14. Fire PreventionCompartmentalization Do NOT Wedge Open Fire Doors Why not……….. For the safety of the buildings occupants If a fire occurs in a location where the fire door has been wedged, smoke and heat will travel freely into exit corridors hindering or preventing occupant evacuation. A door with an electro-magnetic device will close upon activation of the fire alarm.

15. Fuel Classifications • Fires are classified according to the type of fuel that is burning. • If you use the wrong type of fire extinguisher on a fire, you might make matters worse. • Its very important to understand the different fuel classifications…

16. Fuel Classifications • There are four major kinds of fires. • Class A fires burn the more familiar solid fuels like wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and different plastics. • Class B fires use flammable liquids like oils, gasoline, certain paints, lacquers, grease and solvents for fuel. Continued on next page

17. Fuel Classifications • There are four major kinds of fires. • Class C fires are electrical fires, which are similar to type A fires in that the fuel is generally plastic, but the heat source is fed by electricity. • Class K fires are kitchen fires that involve burning animal or vegetable fat, usually in a commercial grade deep fat fryer or a frying pan.

18. Fuel Classifications Most fire extinguishers will have a pictograph label explaining which types of fire the extinguisher is designed to fight. For example, a simple water extinguisher might have a label like this… …which means it should only be used on Class A fires.

19. Types of Fire Extinguishers • Different types of fire extinguishers are designed to fight different classes of fire. The most common types of fire extinguishers are: 1. Water (APW) 2. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) 3. Dry Chemical (ABC) 4. Wet Chemical (Type K)

20. Types of Fire Extinguishers 1. Water (APW) Fire Extinguishers Large silver fire extinguishers that stand about 2 feet tall and weigh about 25 pounds when full. APW stands for “Air-Pressurized Water.” Filled with ordinary tap water and pressurized air, they are essentially large squirt guns.

21. Types of Fire Extinguishers APW’s are designed for Class A fires only: Wood, paper, cloth. • Using water on a flammable liquid fire could cause the fire to spread. • Using water on an electrical fire increases the risk of electrocution. If you have no choice but to use an APW on an electrical fire, make sure the electrical equipment is un-plugged or de-energized. APW’s extinguish fire by taking away the “heat” element of the Fire Triangle. 1. Water (APW) Fire Extinguishers

22. Types of Fire Extinguishers 2. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers The pressure in a CO2 extinguisher is so great, bits of dry ice may shoot out of the horn! • Move the discharge horn up to a right angle. • Be careful not to hold the extinguisher by the horn when discharging. • CO2 cylinders are red.

23. Types of Fire Extinguishers 2. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers Carbon dioxide is a non-flammable gas that takes away the oxygen element of the fire triangle. Without oxygen, there is no fire. CO2 is very cold, so it cools the fuel as well. CO2 cylinders are designed for Class B and C fires only! (Flammable Liquids and Electrical Sources)

24. Types of Fire Extinguishers 3. Dry Chemical (ABC) Fire Extinguishers Dry chemical extinguishers put out fire by coating the fuel with a thin layer of dust. This separates the fuel from the oxygen in the air. The powder also works to interrupt the chemical reaction of fire. These extinguishers are very effective at putting out fire. ABC extinguishers are red.

25. Types of Fire Extinguishers 3. Dry Chemical (ABC) Fire Extinguishers An “ABC” extinguisher will have a label like this, indicating it may be used on Class A, B and C fires. On campus most fire extinguishers are the ABC type.

26. Types of Fire Extinguishers 4. Wet Chemical (Type K) Fire Extinguishers In food service settings an extinguisher rated to fight type K fires is required. The fuel is animal or vegetable fat. Extinguishes by cooling and forming a foam blanket to prevent the fire from reigniting.

27. If you discover a fire… If you discover a fire… … remember the acronyms R.A.C.E. and P.A.S.S. R.A.C.E. is in the case of a fire P.A.S.S. is for fire extinguisher use

28. If you discover a fire… R.A.C.E. is in the case of a fire RESCUE Rescue anyone from immediate danger. Never use an elevator. Get out as safely and quickly as possible.

29. If you discover a fire… R.A.C.E. is in the case of a fire ALARM Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station. Call 9-911 and / or Public Safety (7500) to report the location and extent of the fire.

30. If you discover a fire… R.A.C.E. is in the case of a fire CONTAIN Close all doors and windows that you can safely reach to contain the fire.

31. If you discover a fire… R.A.C.E. is in the case of a fire EXTINGUISH or EVACUATE If safe to do so, extinguish the fire using the P.A.S.S. method. If extinguishing the fire is not possible, evacuate the building. Never use an elevator.

32. If you discover a fire… P.A.S.S. is for fire extinguisher use Only use an extinguisher if: • The building alarm has been activated • The emergency services have been contacted • The fire is small and contained • You are sure that you will not be injured • You know how to use an extinguisher

33. How to Use a Fire Extinguisher It’s easy to remember how to use a fire extinguisher if you remember the acronym PASS: • Pull • Aim • Squeeze • Sweep

34. How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Pull the Pin This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

35. How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Aim at the base of the fire… Hit the fuel. If you aim at the flames… … the extinguisher agent will fly right through and do no good.

36. Fire ExtinguishersHow to Use a Fire Extinguisher Squeeze the top handle… This depresses a button that releases the pressurized extinguishing agent.

37. Fire ExtinguishersHow to Use a Fire Extinguisher Sweep from side to side … until the fire is completely out. Start using the extinguisher from a safe distance away (about 6-8 feet away), then slowly move forward. Once the fire is out, keep an eye on the area in case it re-ignites.

38. Checking a fire extinguisher • Every month a fire extinguisher must be visually examined. • If you have the duty of checking fire extinguishers, check the following: • The fire extinguisher is in its proper place. • It is not obstructed; clear access is maintained • The extinguisher’s operating instructions face outward. • Seals of tamper indications are intact. • Pressure gauge is in the normal range. • There is no obvious physical damage. Contact Public Safety if an issue exists with any fire extinguisher.

39. Fire Watch • A fire watch is required when hot work is performed. Hot work includes operation such as foundry work, welding, cutting, burning, heating, grinding, or similar spark, slag, or intense heat producing activities. • These activities are capable of igniting combustible materials or flammable atmospheres or providing a source of ignition for a fire. • Someone must be present in the work area DURING and for at least 30 minutes AFTER hot work is finished to perform the fire watch duties.

40. Rules for Fighting Fires Fires can be very dangerous and you should always be certain that you will not endanger yourself or others when attempting to put out a fire. For this reason, when a fire is discovered… Follow the R.A.C.E. method RESCUE ALARM CONTAIN EXTINGUISH or EVACUATE

41. Rules for Fighting Fires Do not fight the fire if: 1 You don’t have adequate or appropriate equipment. If you don’t have the correct type or large enough extinguisher, it is best not to try fighting the fire. 2 You might inhale toxic smoke. When synthetic materials such as the nylon in carpeting or foam padding in a sofa burn, they can produce hydrogen cyanide, acrolein, and ammonia in addition to carbon monoxide. These gases can be fatal in very small amounts.

42. Rules for Fighting Fires Do not fight the fire if: 3 Your instincts tell you not to. If you are uncomfortable with the situation for any reason, just let the fire department do their job. 4 If the fire is spreading rapidly, it is time to evacuate the building. Close all doors and windows that you can safely reach to contain the fire.

43. Rules for Fighting Fires • The final rule is to always position yourself with an exit or means of escape at your back before you attempt to use an extinguisher. • In case the extinguisher malfunctions, or something unexpected happens, you need to be able to get out quickly. You don’t want to become trapped.

44. If in doubt, get out!

45. Questions • If you have any questions regarding fire safety, contact the Director of Environmental Health and Safety • Use the web form on the Contact EHS page at www.ehs.ringling.edu

46. Quiz Now that you have finished reading the fire safety information, complete the quiz. This is available at: http://www.ringling.edu/campus-student-life/campus-services/environmental-health-safety/environmental-health-safety/training-information/fire-safety-training/ Use the information in this presentation to assist you in answering the questions if required.