Emergency Preparedness: Fire Safety PDF

TH2203 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Fire Safety Fire can cause death and serious injury through smoke inhalation and severe burns. Fire can also be catastrophic to a business resulting in significant financial los...

TH2203 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS Fire Safety Fire can cause death and serious injury through smoke inhalation and severe burns. Fire can also be catastrophic to a business resulting in significant financial losses through not having insurance or adequate coverage (Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality [CTH], 2009). Fire Basics Fire is defined as the active principle of burning, characterized by the heat and light of combustion (The Fire Code of the Philippines, 2019). Three (3) components are Figure 1 needed to ignite and sustain a fire. These are illustrated in Figure 1. Combustion Triangle Fuel refers to any combustible material and can be in gas, liquid, or solid form. Together with oxygen, it forms an ignitable mixture. When heat is added to this mixture, fire erupts. When one of these components is missing, the danger of ignition no longer persists (Helmerking, 2020). Causes of Fire It is important to understand what causes fire first to prevent it. Fires can be caused by the following (Helmerking, 2020): Natural causes, like lightning Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/S2pgattXCPpXyf2n7 Caused by animals, like rats chewing on electric cables Self-ignition, caused by chemical reactions Technical causes, like defective equipment Negligence, like a lit cigarette thrown in a bin filled with combustible materials Arson (an intentional act of setting fire to a property) Stages of Fire A fire can be subdivided into stages. Fire begins in the ignition stage, where all three (3) components of fire are joined together. At this stage, the fire is called the incipient fire (Helmerking, 2020). Incipient fires can be extinguished with a fire extinguisher or smothering it with a fire blanket. As the incipient fire becomes the heat source, nearby fuel will begin igniting. The fire enters the growth stage as it spreads and grows (National Fire Protection Association [NFPA], n.d.). The entire area will be on fire on the fully developed stage, and the temperature can reach over 1,000°C. The fire in this stage is called developed or full fire. During the transition between growth and fully developed stages, the object around the fire reaches ignition temperature. With sufficient oxygen, these objects ignite with no direct contact with flames. This phase is called the flashover (Helmerking, 2020). When available fuel runs out and oxygen is depleted, the fire becomes less intense and enters the decay or burnout stage (NFPA, n.d.). When oxygen is too low in an enclosed space, an incipient fire cannot become a full fire. However, the temperature can still increase, triggering slow, flameless combustion. This fire is called a smoldering fire. It can be observed in burning coals or lit cigarettes. If the space remains closed, the fire will die from a lack of oxygen (Helmerking, 2020). But, a backdraft may occur if oxygen is suddenly re-introduced into the room (from opening a door or windowpane breaking). It is an explosion-like spread of fire where hot, unburned fuel and flammable gasses from the smoldering fire rapidly ignite and burn (NFPA, n.d.). Fire Classifications Fires are classified based on the type of fuel it consumes. The fire classifications are shown below (The Fire Code of the Philippines, 2019): Class A: Fires involving ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, straw, textiles, rubber, and plastics. Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, paint, and gases such as methane and propane. 08 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 1 of 7  TH2203 Class C: Fires involving electrically energized equipment such as computers, radios, and toasters. Class D: Fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium, aluminum, lithium, sodium, potassium, and other similar materials. Class K: Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media such as cooking oil, fat, grease, etc. These classifications are used in the Philippines and the United States of America. Fire classifications in Europe, Australia, and other countries are classified differently. Fire Protection Equipment As part of the requirements of the Fire Code of the Philippines, establishments must have features that will protect people from fire. Some of the basic fire protection facilities and equipment are: Fire detection, alarm, and communication system – These notify building occupants of the fire and other emergencies. These can be initiated manually or have automatic detection (Fire Code of the Philippines, 2019). Sprinkler Systems – These consist of pipes along a ceiling containing water under pressure. During fires, a seal in the sprinkler head ruptures so that a steady stream of water flows, suppressing the fire (Purpura, 2013). Standpipe Systems – These are piping and hose connections installed in a building providing reliable water for the manual suppression of fires (Mahoney, 2021). Portable Fire Extinguishers – These are apparatuses used to put out a small fire by directing onto it a substance that cools the burning material, deprives the flame of oxygen, or interferes with the chemical reactions occurring in the flame (Britannica, 2017). Putting Out Fires Fire needs all components of the combustion triangle. Therefore, fire is extinguished by depraving one (1) or more of these components. The four (4) ways of putting out fire are (NFPA, n.d.): Cooling – It involves decreasing the temperature of the burning material. Smothering – It involves limiting the oxygen supply to the burning material. Starvation – It involves the removal of a fuel source. Break the combustion process – It involves interrupting the chemical chain reaction that ignites the fire. Figure 2 Using a Fire Extinguisher Sample Fire Extinguisher It is important to know the classes of fire because not all of them can be Label extinguished by water or the same fire extinguisher. Portable fire extinguishers are designed by the class of fire they are intended for, indicated on their label, as seen in Figure 2 (The University of Texas at Austin, n.d.). Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing. Make sure that everyone has exited the building, the Bureau of Fire Protection has been called or is being called, and the room is not filled with smoke (NFPA, n.d.). To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS (NFPA, n.d.): Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism. Aim low. Point the nozzle at the base of the fire. Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. Sweep the nozzle from side to side. Source: https://images.app.goo.gl/Y5wzjZgoEiKwx vmA7 08 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 2 of 7  TH2203 Earthquakes An earthquake is the sudden shaking of the ground caused by the passage of seismic waves through the Earth’s rocks (Bolt, 2022). Many regions around the world are prone to earthquakes. The Pacific Ring of Fire is the most active earthquake zone, composed of the countries surrounding the rim of the Pacific Ocean (Kesper, 2015). The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends the following during an earthquake: DROP – Drop down to the ground, on hands and knees. It reduces the risks of falling as the ground shakes. Crawl away from objects, tall furniture, and shelves that may fall. COVER – Cover the head and neck and find shelter under a sturdy table or desk. If there is no shelter nearby, get down next to low-lying furniture and protect the head and neck with arms and hands. HOLD – Hold on to the shelter until the shaking stops. To reduce the risks of being injured, CDC also advises the following actions: Stay in place during an earthquake. Running outside or to other rooms increases the risk of falling or getting knocked down by falling and/or flying objects. If possible, quickly move away from large furniture, hanging objects, bookcases, cabinets with doors that swing open, and light fixtures. When inside the kitchen, quickly turn off the gas to prevent fires. Only leave the building once the shaking stops. Use the appropriate evacuation routes. Do not use elevators when evacuating. Use the stairs. Drop, cover, and hold if inside a stadium, theater, or any crowded place. Protect your head and neck with arms or in any way possible. Do not leave until the shaking stops. If near the shore, drop, cover, and hold. If shaking lasts 20 seconds or more, evacuate to high ground or move inland immediately. Security Issues in the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Workplace Violence The US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) defines workplace violence as any act or threat of physical violence, harassment, intimidation, or other threatening disruptive behavior at work. It ranges from threats and verbal abuse to physical assaults and even homicide (OSHA, n.d.). Workplace violence can be categorized based on who the perpetrator is and their relation to the organization (Kelloway et al., 2021), as well as prevention strategies as recommended by the US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (2004): Type I/Criminal Intent – This is committed by someone with no legitimate relationship to the organization, often while committing another criminal act (e.g., robbery). It can be prevented using the following strategies: Environmental interventions – Examples of these are ensuring the interior and exterior of the building are well-lit, surveillance systems are installed, and signages are posted. Behavioral interventions include training staff on appropriate robbery response, use of safety equipment, and dealing with aggressive, drunk, or otherwise problem persons. Administrative interventions include adjusting operating hours, precautions during opening and closing, and maintaining a good relationship with local law enforcement. Type II/Customer or Client – It is committed by clients or customers of the organization (e.g., irate customers). It can be prevented with the following strategies: Adequate staffing and skill mix – Low responsiveness and quality of service can result in frustration and agitation in customers. Training in violence de-escalation techniques and improving interpersonal communication skills. 08 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 3 of 7  TH2203 Type III/Worker-on-Worker – It is committed by other employees of the organization (e.g., disgruntled former employees). It can be prevented with the following strategies: Evaluate prospective employees – Conduct background screens for criminal history and check former employer references. Training in policies – Conduct new-worker orientation and inform all prohibited behaviors among workers and company policies regarding workplace violence. Observe changes in behavior – Report and address changes in worker’s behavior. Type IV/Personal Relationship – It is committed by the spouse or partner of the victim in the workplace (e.g., abusive partner). It is prevented with the following strategies: Provide workers with company policies regarding procedures on what to do if a coworker is suspected to be involved in interpersonal violence, either as a victim or perpetrator. Create a culture of support for victims of violence that includes assurances that no penalties will exist for coming forward, complete confidentiality will be observed, and safety and security will be provided. Likewise, workers must also be informed of the consequences of being perpetrators of workplace violence. Terrorism Terrorism is intentional violence involving targeted attacks designed to scare, intimidate, or ‘terrorize’ for a political purpose. These are usually directed at people, events, or institutions and at a large audience whom terrorists aim to intimidate, shock, or threaten (The International Encyclopedia of the Social and Behavioral Sciences, 2015). The biggest defense arm of any hospitality and tourism organization is its staff. Staff must be trained to be observant of their surroundings. Instruct staff to report any suspicious activity to the security team. It includes when a person (Selig & Wolfe, 2016): Acts nervously and is overly concerned with privacy; Denies hotel staff access to a room or refuses room cleaning during an extended stay; Insists on cash payment; Attempts to gain access to restricted areas or talks their way into private areas; or Conducts property surveillance, like taking photos of the property, noting the different entrances, and observing cameras around the property. Staff must take note of suspicious items brought in by guests, such as the following (Selig & Wolfe, 2016): Large amounts of unusual substances like acetone, peroxide, drain cleaner, fertilizers; Luggage emanating fumes or odors or contains disassembled electronics like wires, circuit boards, and batteries; and Plans, drawings, schematics, and maps. Human Trafficking Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception to exploit them for profit. Men, women, and children of all ages and backgrounds can become victims of this crime, which occurs in every region of the world (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime [UNODC], n.d.). Traffickers often take advantage of the privacy and anonymity accessible through the hospitality industry. Hotels and motels can be especially attractive locations for all forms of trafficking. However, human trafficking also occurs at sporting events, theme parks, cruise ships, and many other areas in the tourism industry (US Department of Homeland Security [DHS], 2022). According to the US Department of Homeland Security, a person may be a victim of human trafficking if they: Appear to be deprived of food, water, sleep, basic hygiene, medical care, or other necessities. 08 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 4 of 7  TH2203 Act fearful, anxious, depressed, submissive, tense, nervous/paranoid, or disassociated/ “checked out.” Have bruises or other signs of physical trauma. Defer to another person to speak for them. Appear to be coached on what to say, or their responses seem rehearsed. Have a difficult time providing logical answers to basic questions. Appear to be traveling with few or no personal items, such as luggage or other bags. Seem to be with a “boyfriend,” “girlfriend,” or romantic partner who is noticeably older. Dress inappropriately for their age or in out-of-season clothing. Appear to have no control over their money and/or identification (ID). Talk about getting paid very little or not at all for the work they do. Appear not to have freedom of movement. The International Air Transport Association (IATA) recommends considering following the steps below when a possible human trafficking victim is identified during a flight: 1. Check without being noticed whether there are any trafficking signals. 2. Assess whether the person tries to establish eye contact or avoids looking at you. 3. Try to initiate an informal conversation by asking questions such as: o Where are you flying from? o Why are you traveling? o Are you visiting relatives? o Where are you staying? o Who will be meeting you? o What are your plans? 4. If available, note seat number and passenger name record (PNR) information. 5. If the victim is accompanied, note if the companion is nervous, prevents the child/person from answering questions, or is rude or evasive. 6. Assess the situation with other cabin crew members and your supervisor. 7. Contact the captain-in-command and inform him/her of suspicions. 8. Be cautious and do not try to act on behalf of law enforcement. It is a safety and security issue that professionals must manage. 9. Continue assessing the situation and report additional details to the captain-in-command. Do not attempt to confront a suspected trafficker directly or alert potential victims of any suspicions (DHS, 2022). Check the organization’s protocols for reporting suspected human trafficking instances. Emergency Planning An emergency is any sudden set of circumstances demanding immediate action. It can be naturally occurring, like storms and epidemics, and it can be caused by humans, like fires and riots. The chances of any of these emergencies may be low, but they can happen (Kelloway et al., 2021). A disaster may be prevented or mitigated by implementing an emergency response plan. An emergency response plan is an integrated set of policies and procedures that allows organizations to prepare for, respond to, and recover from emergency incidents (Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety [CCOHS], 2020). Cornerstones of an Emergency Plan An emergency plan has four (4) essential qualities. These are (CCOHS, 2020): Prevention – It ensures that emergencies are eliminated or minimized (e.g., regular workplace inspection and equipment maintenance). Preparedness – It ensures that people in the organization are prepared to respond effectively to an emergency (e.g., conducting drills and employee training). 08 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 5 of 7  TH2203 Response – It ensures that resources are available and used when responding to an emergency (e.g., using fire alarms and proper evacuation procedures). Recovery – It allows the organization to return to usual operations with as little disruption as possible (e.g., assisting employees in dealing with their fears and stress and managing insurance claims). Developing an Emergency Response Plan There are six (6) key steps in developing an emergency response plan. These are discussed below (CCOHS, 2020): 1. Establish the Planning Team. Effective emergency planning requires a team approach. Combining the various skill sets from all levels and functional areas of the organization can be beneficial as it provides a broader perspective in emergency planning. 2. Assess the Risks and Company Capabilities. Risk assessments are conducted to identify the severity of a possible emergency and its impacts on the organization. The organization’s capability to respond to an emergency and available resources are also assessed. Resources include facilities, equipment, supplies, staff expertise, employee experience, and their level of training. 3. Develop the Plan. The emergency response plan shall be written beginning with the most likely emergency scenario, expanding to cover all other emergencies. It will also be based on the current resources as determined in the previous step. The emergency response plan shall include the following: o The emergency response team shall manage and lead during emergencies. o Alarm activation refers to the procedures to activate the alarm system to alert employees of an emergency. o Reporting refers to the procedures for contacting emergency services. o Resource mobilization refers to the procedures for assembling the resources determined in step 2. o Response procedures refer to the procedures for responding to each possible emergency. o Media plan refers to the communication plan for dealing with the media and the public. o Business recovery plans refer to the procedures that will ensure the resumption of critical business functions and operations after an emergency. o Cleanup and restoration plan refers to cleanup, restoration, repair, replacement, and salvage procedures. 4. Implement the Plan. It includes training personnel and conducting drills and exercises as specified in the emergency plan. 5. Evaluate its Effectiveness. A thorough evaluation of the exercise will ensure that the emergency plan is successfully implemented and completed. 6. Improve the Plan Continuously. Pieces of feedback from step 5 and findings from investigations after an actual emergency are applied to the emergency plan to prevent future incidents. References: Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia. (2017, June 5). fire extinguisher. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/fire-extinguisher Bolt, B. A. (2022, October 18). Earthquake. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/earthquake-geology Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (2020) Emergency response planning guide. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (n.d.) Stay safe during an earthquake. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/earthquakes/during.html Confederation of Tourism and Hospitality (2009) Food hygiene, health, and safety: Study guide. BPP Learning Media. Fire Code of The Philippines – Revised Implementing Rules and Regulations. Bureau of Fire Protection. (2019) https://bfp.gov.ph/revised-irr-of-ra-9514-the-fire-code-of-the-philippines/#.Y1ilvnZBzIU 08 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 6 of 7  TH2203 Helmerking, D. (2020). Basics: fire safety. Birkhauser. International Air Transport Association (2018) Guidance on human trafficking. Kelloway, E. K., Francis, L., Gatien, B., and Belcourt, M. (2021) Management of occupational health and safety (8th ed.). Nelson Education Ltd. Kesper, A. (2015). Basic disaster and earthquake preparedness advise for hotels and other tourism businesses. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://sustain.pata.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/Earthquakes-Article_FINAL.pdf National Fire Protection Association (n.d.) Reporter’s guide: All about fire. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Press-Room/Reporters-Guide-to-Fire-and-NFPA/All- about-fire National Fire Protection Association. (n.d.). Fire extinguishers. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://www.nfpa.org/Public- Education/Staying-safe/Safety-equipment/Fire-extinguishers National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. (September 2006). Workplace violence prevention strategies and research needs. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2006-144/pdfs/2006-144.pdf Mahoney, S. (November 19, 2021). Standpipe System Design and Calculations. In National Fire Protection Association. Retrieved October 25, 2022, from https://www.nfpa.org/News-and-Research/Publications-and-media/Blogs- Landing-Page/NFPA-Today/Blog-Posts/2021/11/19/Standpipe-System-Design-and-Calculations Occupational Health and Safety Administration. (n.d.). Workplace violence. Retrieved October 27, 2022, from https://www.osha.gov/workplace-violence Purpur, P.P. (2013). Security and loss prevention (6th ed.) Butterworth-Heinemann Reese, C. D. (2015). Occupational health and safety management: A practical approach (3rd ed.). CRC Press Selig, E. and Wolfe, F. (2016). Hospitality attacks: Tips for guest safety and protection. Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. (n.d.). Human trafficking. Retrieved October 28, 2022, from https://www.unodc.org/unodc/en/human-trafficking/human-trafficking.html The University of Texas at Austin – Fire Prevention Services (n.d.) ABCs of fire extinguishers. Retrieved October 26, 2022, from https://fireprevention.utexas.edu/firesafety/abcs-fire-extinguishers Vertigans, S. (2015). Terrorism. In J.D. Wright (ed.). International encyclopedia of the social and behavioral sciences (2nd ed., pp 237- 243). Elsevier. 08 Handout 1 *Property of STI  [email protected] Page 7 of 7