Earth Science: Understanding Fire Hazards and DRRR

• The document is about Earth Science with DRRR (Disaster Risk Reduction and Readiness), focusing on fire hazards.

Fire Hazards Outline

• Examples of notable fire disasters
• Elements of the fire triangle
• Stages of fire
• How fire spreads
• Precautionary measures for fire incidents
• Classes of fire
• Types of fire extinguishers
• Basic fire emergency response
• Actions to take: before, during, and after a fire

Notable Fire Disasters

• BFP recorded 161 fires, mostly wildfires, in the Cordillera Region (CAR) from January 1 to February 29.
• The Manila Central Post Office fire was due to sudden self-discharge of a car battery near combustible materials.
• Ozone tragedy (1996): worst club fire in Philippine history.
• 2017 NCCC Mall Fire occurred in Davao City
• MV Doña Paz (1987): the World's worst peacetime maritime disaster.
• 2025 California wildfires: at least 28 deaths and thousands of destroyed structures.

Elements of the Fire Triangle

• Fuel: a source to burn (reducing agent).
• Heat: a source to make the fuel burn.
• Oxygen: most abundant in the air (oxidizing agent)

Fire Tetrahedron

• Uninhibited chain reaction: any form of inhibition with each of the three elements will inevitably stop the fire.

Stages of Fire

• Stage 1: Ignition (starting point; easiest to eradicate).
• Stage 2: Growth (increasingly difficult to eradicate).
• Flashover: All combustibles in an area are involved.
• Stage 3: Fully Developed (hardest to eradicate; maximum temperature).
• Stage 4: Decay (fire's intensity decreases; fuel is depleted).

How Fire Spreads

• Conduction: heat travels in direct contact.
• Convection: heat flows from hot to cool areas.
• Radiation: heat travels through electromagnetic waves.

Precautionary Measures

• Do not smoke in bed.
• Crush cigarette butts thoroughly.
• Keep lit candles/lamps away from flammables.
• Avoid open flames as decorations.
• Extinguish charcoals and embers after cooking.
• Check kerosene/gas stoves for leaks and clean regularly.
• Do not store flammable substances inside dwelling houses.
• Keep matches/lighters away from children.
• Regularly check electrical installations and repair defects.
• Licensed electricians should undertake electrical work.
• Cords of portable appliances should be as short as possible.
• Do not overload electrical circuits.

Classes of Fire

• Class A: solid materials (wood, paper, textiles).
• Class B: flammable liquids (petrol, diesel, oil).
• Class C: gases (propane, butane, natural gas).
• Class D: metals (Lithium, Magnesium).
• Class E: live electrical apparatus.
• Class F: cooking oils/fats.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

• Multichem: Class A, B, and F fires.
• Water: Class A fires.
• Foam: Class A and B fires
• Dry Powder: Class A, B, and C fires
• L2/M28 Powder: Class D fires.
• CO2: Class B and E fires.
• Wet Chemical: Class F fires

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

• Ensure the extinguisher is charged, properly mounted, easily accessible, and easily located

Basic Fire Emergency Responses

• PASS Method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

Four Ways to Put Out a Fire

• Cool the burning material.
• Exclude oxygen.
• Remove the fuel.
• Break the chemical reaction.

Three proven ways regarding Combatting Fire

• Starvation (remove fuel)
• Cooling (reduce heat)
• Smothering (remove oxygen).

Actions to Take: Before a Fire

• Install enough smoke alarms.
• Teach children about smoke alarm sounds and actions.
• Ensure household members know two escape routes from each room.
• Establish a family emergency communications plan.
• Practice escaping twice a year.
• Know local emergency hotlines.
• Teach "stop, drop, and roll" if clothes catch fire.

Actions to Take: During a Fire

• Follow "stop, drop, and roll" if clothing catches fire.
• Get out, stay out, and call emergency numbers.
• Yell "SUNOG" to alert others and go outside immediately.
• Do not open warm doors.
• If exit is blocked, stay in the room, close doors, use a wet towel under the door, call for help, and signal the window

Actions to Take: After a Fire

• Go to meeting place, and send someone to call the fire department.
• Call local emergency hotline.
• Give needed first aid.
• Inform friends/family of your safety.
• Transport seriously burned/injured people/animals to medical/veterinary care immediately.
• Stay out of fire-damaged homes unless cleared by fire authorities.

Evacuation Plan

• Establishments should have a clear evacuation route.
• Find nearest exit.
• Practice emergency evacuation drills.
• Have a faster response time to encourage a higher survivalrate.
• Have a clear line of communication in place.
• Have a point of gathering at the respective evacuation site.
• Evacuation sites should be established according to the proximity and safety of the site.