Fire Hazards PDF

FIRE HAZARDS Fire protection, prevention and control are sometimes thought of activities separate from each other and from accident prevention. Tremendous annual loss of life and property from fire make fire protection, prevention and control an important part of any safety program. Fire Hazard...

FIRE HAZARDS Fire protection, prevention and control are sometimes thought of activities separate from each other and from accident prevention. Tremendous annual loss of life and property from fire make fire protection, prevention and control an important part of any safety program. Fire Hazard All types of live flames, causes of sparks, hot objects and chemicals that are potential for ignition or that can aggravate fire to become large and uncontrolled Pose threat to life and property FIRE It is a chemical reaction between a flammable or combustible material and oxygen - rapid oxidation with the evolution of light and heat.  FIRE TRIANGLE Must be present at the same time If one of three is missing a fire will not start FUEL Any substance, which will combine in the presence of heat "Something that will burn" Ordinary fuels are compounds of Carbon and Hydrogen Metals can be burned in some forms in an atmosphere of pure oxygen FLAMMABLE materials have a flashpoint below 1000 F or 380 C COMBUSTIBLE materials have a flashpoint at or higher than 1000 F *Flashpoint – is the lowest temperature at which a substance produces flammable vapor OXYGEN  Second element of fire  Fire normally draws its oxygen from the air (mixture of 21% Oxygen and 78% Nitrogen) Nitrogen in the air serves only to dilute the Oxygen, does not ordinarily enter into the reaction  PureOxygen atmosphere combustible would burn rapidly (produce great intensity) HEAT Most substances will burn after the solid or liquid fuel has been decomposed or vaporized by HEAT Substance itself will continue to burn when the source of ignition is removed until it has reached the ignition temperature. IGNITION TEMPERATURE  is the minimum temperature required to initiate or cause self- sustained combustion  Ignition temperature is not reached unless the fire is not self-sustaining (solids, liquids, and gases) SOURCES OF HEAT Cutting and Welding Spontaneous Ignition Chemical Action The Sun Electricity Smoking Friction CAUSES OF FIRE KITCHEN AREA  Kitchen stove when left unattended Electric cords, curtains, tea towels and oven cloths which are so close to the stove top FAULTY WIRING  If safety switches and correct fuses were not properly installed by qualified electrician Capacity overload SMOKING IN BED  Tiny embers can smolder unnoticed and burst into flame much later LIGHTNING STRIKE may serve as an ignition source of a fire by directly striking an object LIGHTING  Poor light fittings can cause heat build up Lampshades are so close to light globes and lamp bases that can be knocked over easily Recessed down lights are not properly insulated from wood paneling or ceiling timbers FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS  When flammable liquids such as petrol, kerosene, methylated spirits are stored properly (storage should be away from heat) Unsafe handling and use of flammable liquids is a potential fire hazard CANDLES  Whenleft unattended. When curtains and other flammable items are close to burning candles Remember: Do not sleep with a burning candle CHILDREN  Whenchildren are playing with fire Children are not well oriented about hazards and fire safety Remember: Keep all matches. lighters, and candles out of reach of small children EXTINGUISHMENTS OF FIRE STARVATION (Removing of Fuel) Fire will continue to burn until there is no more fuel to burn Taking the fuel from a fire is not only difficult but also dangerous SMOTHERING (Excluding or Reducing % of Oxygen) Extinguishment by separation of oxygen from fire can be accomplished through smothering the burning area with non-combustible material. Cutting off the supply of oxygen is through: – Covering fire with wet blanket – Throwing dust/sand on the fire COOLING A third way to put fires out is to remove heat from the fire Water absorbs the heat from the burning materials and lowers their temperature (the fuel stop burning) INTERRUPTING THE CHAIN REACTION If we stop the chain reaction, then fire will die out Through application of extinguishing agents such as dry chemicals and halon. CLASSES OF FIRE CLASSES OF FIRE CLASSES OF FIRE HOW TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER T – Twist the lock P – Pull out the Pin A – Aim the Nozzle S – Squeeze the Handle to release the agent S – Sweep the Nozzle side to side aiming at the base of the fire PHASES OF FIRE IGNITION PHASE first stage: heat, oxygen, and fuel source combine and have chemical reaction fire triangle is complete also known as Incipient Types: piloted ignition - fuel + oxygen + external heat (spark) auto ignition - combustion by heat without spark or flame PHASES OF FIRE GROWTH PHASE expansion of fire, depletion of oxygen supply, and increase in temperature also known as Free burning phase breathing becomes difficult highly dangerous flashovers may occur anytime fire influences the environment fire is influenced by the environment PHASES OF FIRE Factors that affects the fire growth: fuel load fuel type orientation of fuel relative to fire ceiling height potential for thermal layering PHASES OF FIRE FULLY DEVELOPED PHASE all fuel have been ignited and burning hottest phase of fire fire is dependent on the amount of Oxygen spread flammable gases within the area Oxygen supply less than 16% too much carbon monoxide is present PHASES OF FIRE DECAY PHASE fire starts to diminish as fuel and/or Oxygen is consumed also known as Smoldering Phase usually the longest stage of a fire decrease in Oxygen and fuel backdraft could potentially occur Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident Rescue: Rescue people from the immediate area of smoke and/or fire. Make people aware that there is a fire alarm activation or actual fire within the building Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident Alarm  Activate the nearest fire alarm station.  When the telephone is available, call the Police or Fire Department hotlines  Provideyour name, exact location of the emergency, telephone number that you using, and type of emergency you are reporting Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident Contain Contain the smoke or fire by closing all windows and doors to rooms, stairways, and corridors This is to control fire and smoke from spreading Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident Extinguish Extinguish the fire using the appropriate fire extinguisher for the type of fire being fought. Only attempt to fight the fire if you are comfortable using a fire extinguisher and the fire is small, contained, and not spreading beyond the immediate area. Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident Relocate Relocate to a safe area. When inside building, relocate outside of the building and away from the main entrance. Do not use elevators within the building as a means of exit. Use the stairways, only Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident Secure Secure first important documents, money and heirlooms when fire breaks out inside your own residence.