DRO1113 L11 - Fire Hazards Control Student Copy PDF

INTRODUCTION TO OSH (DRO1113) TOPIC 11: Fire Hazards & Control  LESSON OUTCOME At the end of this chapter, you will be able to: 1) Identify fire hazards and evaluate main fire risks in a workplace. 2) Explain the basic principles of fire prevention an...

INTRODUCTION TO OSH (DRO1113) TOPIC 11: Fire Hazards & Control  LESSON OUTCOME At the end of this chapter, you will be able to: 1) Identify fire hazards and evaluate main fire risks in a workplace. 2) Explain the basic principles of fire prevention and the prevention of fire spread in buildings. 3) Identify the appropriate fire alarm system and firefighting equipment for a simple workplace. 4) Outline a mean of escape for a simple workplace.  INTRODUCTION Fire cannot take place unless three things are present. The absence of any one of these elements will prevent fire from starting. Fire extinguishing depends on removing 1 of the elements. Fire triangle  1. SOURCES OF IGNITION The following are potential sources of ignition in the typical workplace: o Naked flames o External sparks o Internal sparking o Hot surfaces o Static electricity  2. SOURCES OF FUEL The things which will burn easily are the most likely to be the initial fuel, which then burns quickly and spreads the fire to other fuels. Common source of fuel: o Solids – wood, paper, cardboard, plastic, rubber, etc. o Liquids – paint, varnish, thinner, adhesives, petrol, & other chemicals o Gases – LPG, acetylene and hydrogen  3. OXYGEN Oxygen is provided by the air all around, but this can be enhanced by wind, or by natural or powered ventilation systems which will provide additional oxygen to continue burning. Some chemicals such as nitrates, chlorates, chromates and peroxides can release oxygen as they burn and therefore need no external source of air.  METHODS OF EXTINCTION Cooling – using water to limit or reduce the temperature Smothering – limiting the oxygen by using a foam or fire blanket Starving – limiting the fuel supply Chemical reaction – by interrupting the chain of combustion and combining the hydrogen atoms with chlorine atoms in hydrocarbon chain  CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE Class A – involve solid materials such as wood, paper, etc. Class B – involve liquids or liquefied solids o Class B1 – liquid soluble in water (e.g., methanol) o Class B2 – liquid not soluble in water (e.g., petrol, oil) Class C – involve gases or liquefied gases such as butane or propane Class D – involve metals such as aluminum or magnesium Class E – involving electrical equipment or circuitry Class F – involve high-temperature cooking oils or fats in large catering establishments or restaurants.  PRINCIPLES OF HEAT TRANSMISSION & FIRE SPREAD Fire transmit heat by: o Convection o Conduction o Radiation o Direct burning Principles of heat transmission  PRINCIPLES OF HEAT TRANSMISSION & FIRE SPREAD Fire and smoke spread in buildings. o The smoke rising spread horizontally across the space deepening until the entire space is filled. o Smoke will pass through any holes or gaps in the wall, ceiling or floor and get into other parts of the building. o Smoke move rapidly up staircases or lift wells and into any area that left open. o The toxic smoke and gases give danger to people inside the building.  CONSEQUENCES OF FIRE Death Overcome by gas or smoke Burns Burns & overcome by gas or smoke other Personal injury Building damage Flora and fauna damage Loss of business and jobs Transport disruption Environmental damage  CONTROL MEASURES Reduce the amounts of dangerous substances to a minimum Avoid or minimize releases Control releases at sources Prevent the formation of an explosive atmosphere Use a method such as ventilation to collect, contain and remove any releases to a safe place Avoid ignition sources Avoid adverse condition that could lead to danger Keep incompatible substance apart  MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE It is essential to ensure that people can escape quickly from a workplace if there is a fire. Necessary to improve the fire protection on existing escape routes, or to provide additional exits. In deciding about the adequacy of means of escape, should consider following points: o People need to be able to turn away from fire as they escape or be able to pass a fire when it is very small. o If a single-direction escape route is a corridor – need protected by fire resisting partitions and self-closing fire doors. o Stairways need to separated from workplace.  FIRE DETECTION & WARNING Fire alarm Heat or smoke detection Installed on the exit route Automation fire detection should link into an electrical fire alarm system Audible throughout the workplace  FIRE PLANS Fire plans should be posted in the workplace Escape routes, number of exits, number of stairs, fire- resisting doors, fire resisting walls and partitions, place of safety Fire safety sign and notice including pictorial fire exits and fire action notice The location of fire warning call point and sounders or rotary gongs The location of emergency lights The location and type of PPE  MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE Some doors may need to open in the direction of travel, such as: o Door from a high-risk area, such as a paint spraying room o Door that may be used by more than 50 persons o Door at the foot of stairways where there may be a danger of people being crushed o Some sliding doors may be suitable for escape purpose if they do not put people using them at additional risk, slide easily and are marked with the direction of opening. o Doors which only revolve and do not have hinged segments are not suitable as escape doors.  MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE Escape routes should meet the following criteria: o Where 2 or more escape routes are needed, they should lead in different directions to places of safety. o Escape routes need to be short and to lead people directly to a place of safety. o It should be possible for people to reach the open air without returning the area of fire. o Escapes routes should be wide enough for a volume of people using them. o It must be possible to open all doors easily and immediately from inside without using key or similar devices. o Make sure no obstructions on escape routes.  MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE Escape route must be well lit. If the route has only artificial lighting or if it is used during the hours of darkness, alternative sources of lighting should be considered in case the power fails during a fire. Candles, matches and cigarette lighters are not adequate forms of emergency lighting.  MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE Exit sign on doors or indicating exit routes should be provided where they will help people to find a safe escape route. Signs on exit routes should have directional arrows, ‘up’ for straight on and ‘left’, ‘right’, or ‘down’ according to the route to be taken.  MEANS OF ESCAPE IN CASE OF FIRE Escape times o Everyone in the building should be able to get to the nearest place of safety in between 2 and 3 minutes. o Where fire drills are held, check how long it takes to evacuate each floor of the workplace. o If escape times are too long, re-arrange the workplace. Reaction time o Amount of time people will need for preparation before they escape. (e.g., timing to closing machinery) o If reaction time are too long, additional routes may need to be provided. ADVANTAGES & LIMITATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ADVANTAGES & LIMITATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS  FIXED FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT - SPRINKLER Sprinkler system can be very effective in controlling fires. Designed to protect life and/ or property and may be regarded as a cost-effective solution for reducing the risk created by fire. Sprinkler system normally extend to the entire building. The installation should be designed for the fire hazard; considering the building occupancy, the fire load and its burning characteristics.  FIRE EMERGENCY PLANS Each workplace should have an emergency plan. The plan should include the action to be taken by staff in the event of fire, the evacuation procedure and the arrangement for calling BOMBA. The notice should include the method of raising an alarm in the case of fire and the location of an assembly point to which staff escaping from the workplace should report  FIRE EMERGENCY PLANS Basic components should be considered when designing any fire routine procedures: o The action to be taken on discovering a fire o The method of operating the fire alarm o The arrangements for calling the fire brigade o The stopping of machinery and plant o First-stage fire fighting by employees o Evacuation of the premises o Assembly staff, customers and visitors, and carrying out a roll call to account for everyone on the premises.  FIRE EMERGENCY PLANS Emergency response team (ERT) is a special team that responds to emergencies to ensure proper personal evacuation and safety, shutdown building services and utilities, work with responding civil authorities, protect and salvage property, and evaluate areas for safety prior to re-entry.  FIRE EMERGENCY PLANS The alarm system should be tested every week, while the premises are in normal use. The test should be carried out by activating a different call point each week at a fixed time. Once a fire routine has been established, it must be tested at regular intervals in order to ensure that all staff are familiar with the action to be taken in an emergency. Drills should be held at least twice a year. Programs for fire drills should be planned to ensure all employees are covered.  IN THIS SESSION: 3 things I learn are... 2 things I need clarification is... 1 thing I am confident with is... THANK YOU