PRACTICING FIRE SAFETY

1. PRACTICING FIRE SAFETY

2. HOW FIRES START • Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of • fuel. It needs three elements to occur. • -Fuel: Fuel cam be any combustible material- solid, liquid • or gas. Most solids and liquids become a vapor or gas • before they will burn. • -Oxygen: The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. • Fire only needs an atmosphere with at least 16% percent • oxygen. • -Heat: Heat is the energy necessary to increase the • temperature of the fuel to a point where sufficient vapors are • given off for ignition to occur.

3. CHEMICAL REACTION • A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire are • present in the proper conditions and proportion. Fire occurs • when this rapid oxidation, or burning takes place. • -Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannot • occur or will be extinguished if it was already burning.

4. TETRAHEDRON • THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON • The process we know as fire is a chemical reaction which involves • rapid oxidation or burning of a combustible material. In the past, • we learned that three elements, fuel, heat, and oxygen were necessary • for fire to start and continue burning, hence the fire triangle concept. • In recent years this concept has been expanded to include a fourth • element, that of the chemical reaction, thus creating the fire tetrahedron.

5. Cont. • The following is a brief description of each element and their interaction: • Fuel - May be any combustible material. Can be a solid, liquid, or gas. Typically solids and liquids must be heated to the point where they are converted into a vapor or gas before they will burn. • Oxygen - There must be at least 16% oxygen present for a fire to burn. This is usually not a problem since the air we breath is about 21% oxygen.

6. Cont. • Heat - Heat is the energy needed to increase the fuel’s temperature to the point where sufficient vapors are produced for ignition to occur. • Chemical Reaction - The chemical chain reaction know as fire occurs when fuel, oxygen and heat are present in the right conditions and amounts.

7. HOW FIRES ARE CLASSIFIED 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 thinner and propane.

8. Cont. 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. These metals burn at high temperatures and give off sufficient oxygen to support combustion. They may react violently with water or other chemicals, and must be handled with care.

9. Residence LifeSafety Regulations forResidential Living Candies, Incense, and Combustible Materials • Candles and incense are a fire hazard and are not permitted in the residence halls or apartments. Combustible materials such as gasoline, paint thinner, and oil lamps are not permitted within the residential facilities. Fire safety codes require strict compliance with this regulation. Propane grills are prohibited.

10. Cont. Fire Alarms, Fire Drills, and Residential Safety • Each residence hall has at least two fire drills per semester. These drills will not be announced and you must evacuate the building immediately each time the fire alarm sounds. Disciplinary action will be taken if a student does not evacuate the building. • The misuse of fire alarms, fire detection devices, or fire extinguishers constitutes a serious offense. Any resident who misuses such equipment or devices will be subject to prosecution and disciplinary action. Residents are responsible for any damage to the system and they will be held financially accountable. Fire and safety regulations strictly prohibit the use or storage within residential facilities of explosives, fireworks, live Christmas trees, flammable liquids, fire-arms, ammunition, and combustible engines of any kind.

11. WHEN NOT TO FIGHT A FIRE • NEVER FIGHT A FIRE: • If the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started. • If you can’t fight the fire with your back to an escape exit. • If the fire can block your only escape. • If you don’t have adequate fire-fighting equipment. • In any of these situation, • DON’T FIGHT THE FIRE YOURSELF. • CALL FOR HELP.

12. HOW TO EXTINGUISH SMALL FIRES CLASS A- Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material below its ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition. Use pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose (ABC rated) dry chemical extinguisher. DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical extinguisher on Class A fires.

13. Cont. • CLASS B: Extinguish flammable liquids, greases by • removing the oxygen, preventing the vapors from • reaching the ignition source or inhibiting the chemical • chain reaction. • Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry • chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical, and halon • extinguishers may be used to fight Class B fires. • CLASS C – Extinguish energized electrical • equipment by using an extinguishing agent that is not • capable of conducting electrical current. • Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, • multi-purpose dry chemical and halon* fire • extinguishers may be used to fight Class C fires. DO • NOT USE WATER EXTINGUISHERS ON • ENERGIZED ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT.

14. Cont. • CLASS D: Extinguish combustible metals such as • magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium with • dry powder extinguishing agents specially designated • for the material involved. • In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material, • cooling it below its ignition temperature. NOTE: Multipurpose (ABC-rated) chemical extinguisher leave a residue that can harm sensitive equipment, such as computers and other electronic equipment. Because of this, carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are preferred in these instances because they leave very little residue.

15. Cont. • ABC dry powder residue is mildly corrosive to many metals. For • example, reside left over from the use of an ABC dry powder • extinguisher in the same room with a piano can seriously corrode • piano wires.

16. HOW TO IDENTIFY THE PROPER FIRE EXTINGUISHER • All ratings are showed on the extinguisher faceplate. • Some extinguishers are marked with multiple ratings such as AB, • BC and ABC. These extinguishers are capable of putting out more • than one class of fire. • Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicates • how large a fire an experienced person can safely put out with that • extinguisher. • Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the • extinguishing agent will not conduct electrical current. Class C • extinguisher must also carry a B rating.

17. HOW TO USE A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER • Class D extinguishers carry only a letter rating indicating their • effectiveness on certain amounts of specific metals. • REMEMBER THE ACRONYM, “P.A.S.S.” • P …….Pull the Pin • A ……..Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flame. • S ………Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher upright. • S ………Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the • area of the fire with the extinguishing agent. NOTE: PULL A FIRE ALARM BOX AND ALERT OTHERS BEFORE YOU ATTEMPT TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

18. Remember: • Should your path of escape be threatened. • Should the extinguisher run out of agent. • Should the extinguisher prove to be ineffective. • Should you no longer be able to safely fight the fire. • Close the door on your way out of the area. • …THEN LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!!!!

19. HOW TO INSPECT YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS • Know the locations of the fire extinguishers in your work area. • Make sure the class of the extinguisher is safe to use on fires likely • to occur in the immediate area. • Check the plastic seal holding the pin in the extinguisher handle. Has • the extinguisher been tampered with or used before? Report any • broken/missing seals/pins to the Public Safety Office 256-4922. • Water, some foam, and dry chemical extinguishers have gauges • indicating the pressure inside the extinguisher. The pressure • needle should be in the “green” area (generally 100-175 lbs., • depending on the type of agent).

20. Cont. • CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are high pressure cylinders • with pressures ranging from 1500 lb to 2150 lb. These • extinguishers DO NOT have gauges and must be weighed by • Fire Safety Unit staff to determine the amount of contents • remaining. • Make sure the pin, nozzle and nameplate are intact. • One is encouraged to be aware of the condition of your area’s • extinguishers by visual inspection on a frequent basis to ensure • you have a working extinguisher there when you need one. • Report any missing, empty or damaged fire extinguishers to the • Public Safety Office (256-4922) whenever you notice any • discrepancies.

21. The Appearance of Different types of extinguishers • Generally, you can tell with a glance which type an extinguisher is • hanging on the wall, or in the cabinet, just by looking at its shape. • Check the labels of the extinguishers in your area and note the • color and shape/size of the extinguisher. This may help if someone • runs in to help you fight a fire with the WRONG extinguisher (i.e. • water on an electrical fire) – you can STOP them before they are • injured or make matters worse! • ABC-rated multipurpose dry powder extinguishers are the most • common on campus, particularly in the corridors fo academic • buildings. They are almost always RED in color and have either • a long narrow hose or no hose(just a short nozzle). These • extinguishers are very light (5-25lbs) Halon extinguishers look • virtually identical to ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers

22. Cont. • Water extinguisher are generally found in the dormitories and are • usually SILVER (crome-metal) in color, have a flat bottom, have a • long narrow hose, are quite large (2-1/2 gallons). • CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are generally red, have • a LARGE “tapered” nozzle (horn), are VERY HEAVY (15- • 85 lbs). They are high-pressure cylinders. • Care should be used NOT TO DROP a co2 cylinder, if it • is damaged it can punch a hole through the nearest wall(s) • and end up on the other side of campus! (The containers • are quite sturdy, but don’t abuse them.) CO2 cylinders do • not have a pressure gauge-they must be weighed to • Determine the amount of contents.

23. Where can I find a fire extinguisher on campus • In the corridors of academic and office buildings, and inside very • large rooms. • In or immediately outside all laboratories where chemicals are • stored and used. • In or immediately outside mechanical spaces where motorized or • other equipment is present which might reasonably cause a fire. • In campus storage buildings, and mounted inside • certain university vehicles. • If you can’t find the fire extinguisher in your area, or feel you need • a different type/size or extinguisher for you area, contact The • Public Safety Office 256-4922.

24. RESIDENCE HALL FIRE SURVIVAL PROCEDURE When You Move In: • Locate at least two emergency exits from your floor and • make sure they are free of obstruction • Note location of fire alarms, extinguishers or any other • emergency equipment available. • Note location of landmarks which may aid egress when • visibility is reduced by smoke.

25. ALWAYS: • Refamiliarize yourself with standard fire drill procedures. • Become familiar with University fire and general safety • regulations. • Make sure the fire doors in halls and stair wells are closed • at all times. • Extinguish all cigarettes and matches and empty wastebaskets • often. • Close door to your room when you retire. Exit when fire • alarm sounds!!!!

26. NEVER: • Smoke in bed. • Burn candles. • Allow an open flame (cigarette, candle, torch, etc.) • or cooking appliance (coffee pot, hot plate, etc.) near • common combustible material, i.e., wood, paper, textiles, or • flammable liquid. • Ignore fire alarm.

27. IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE: • Remain calm. Act quickly, not rashly. Your objective is • survive. If you can exit safely, do so. If not, you must work • quickly to defend yourself against smoke and flame. If you leave your room in the event of a fire: • Never open your door without first checking for heat or • smoke. Close doors behind you. • Do not allow doors to lock behind you. You may be forced • to return.

28. Cont. • If smoke is encountered during egress, do not walk upright • …crawl. The air is cooler and less toxic nearer the floor. • Never use an elevator. • If smoke is present in a stairwell, avoid it. Choose another • route • If your clothes catch fire…stop, drop, and roll to extinguish • the flames. • If you are in a room where fire starts, try to extinguish the fire • if small. If the fire is too large, leave quickly. Close the door • and/ or call the Fire Department, dail 9, 9-1-1.

29. IF YOU ARE TRAPPED IN YOUR ROOM: • Seal door/window cracks and ventilation grills with tape • (preferably duct tape) or towels and/or clothing (preferably • wet) to keep smoke out. If there is smoke in the room, open • the window to let it out. Hang out an article of cloth, large • enough for rescuers to see, out of a corner of the window. • Close the window again and seal cracks. Keep window closed • to prevent outside smoke from entering. • Do not break the window unless the room has been heavily • invaded by smoke and you must get air to survive. Remember; • stay close to the floor for air. Call the Public Safety Office (4911), • report the fire location and your situation. Tie a towel or • clothing (preferably wet) around your nose and mouth if • necessary to filter smoke. Do not jump!!