Fire Safety Management PDF

School of Architecture & the Built Environment **Fire Safety Management BE6810** **3.0 [CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF FIRE]** **Learning Outcomes** **At the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:** - **Identify causes of accidental fires and arson.** - **Describe preventive measures agai...

School of Architecture & the Built Environment **Fire Safety Management BE6810** **3.0 [CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF FIRE]** **Learning Outcomes** **At the end of this lesson, learners will be able to:** - **Identify causes of accidental fires and arson.** - **Describe preventive measures against fire and arson.** - **Describe the arson prevention plan.** **3.1 [Accidental fires]** Accidental fires refer to all fires that are not started deliberately. They may be grouped into: - - - - - - **Case Study -** Fires in HDB flat (Bukit Batok, February 2008) **What happened? (Scenario)** An 8-year-old girl was having a nap in the master bedroom, at the lower deck of a double decker bed. Her father came to check on her and saw fire at the upper deck. He tried to put out the fire with a pail of water but was unsuccessful. The fire developed very quickly, and they evacuated. The entire master bedroom was gutted by the fire while other parts of the unit sustained severe heat and smoke damage. The burnt remains of a portable socket outlet, hi-fi set and electrical wirings were recovered in the Area of Fire Origin. The cause of fire was determined to be accidental and of electrical origin. **3.1.1 Electrical Appliances and Installations** Overloading of a circuit will result in insulation failure and a short circuit. In a short circuit, a [**large amount of heat is released**] and will result in fires. Loose connections/wiring will result in arcing (or sparking). [Fig 1](https://www.scdf.gov.sg/docs/default-source/scdf-library/far-issue-1.pdf) shows a list of entities commonly involved in residential electrical fires.  ***Fig. 1*** **3.1.2 Cookers and Cooking Equipment** Failure in the heat controlling device of cooking equipment will result in overheating which may lead to fires. **[Cooking left unattended]** is also a common cause of fire. **3.1.3 Naked Light and Flames** Incandescent lamps and high pressure sodium lamps (e.g. street lamps) operate at high temperature. Care must be taken to ensure that they are not place too near or in contact with combustibles as it will act as a source of heat for ignition. Naked flames (e.g. cutting torches) must be handled with care. **[Human error]** while using naked flames are usually the cause of fire (**[e.g. lighted candles tipping over]).** 4. **Chemical and Liquefied Petroleum Gas** Fires that involve chemicals and **Liquefied Petroleum Gas (**LPG) are generally caused by inadequate arrangements for their **[safe use]**, transportation, **[storage]** and disposal.  The lack of appropriate training when using chemicals may lead to reactive chemicals being mixed causing a fire or explosion. Mishandling or poorly connecting LPG gas cylinders can have similar effects. Poor storage and transportation arrangements are also responsible for causing fires involving both chemicals and LPG. Storing chemicals that will react with one another in the same cabinet may result in fires if there is a leak allowing them to mix. **3.1.5 Smokers and Smokers' Materials** Smokers indiscriminately discarded cigarette butt may cause fires if it lands on **[flammable materials]**. Smoking in prohibited high risk areas (e.g. fuel storage, generators, plant rooms), if left unchecked is also dangerous. **3.1.6 Waste and Waste Management Systems** Waste material not properly removed or allowed to accumulate will be a fire hazard. During festive seasons, many households will be doing 'spring cleaning' resulting in the discarding of furniture and furnishings in common areas. **Case Study -** [Bedok North Fire](https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/fire-bedok-north-three-dead-toddler-scdf-2682541) (May 2023) **What Happened** Three people, including a three-year-old, have died after a fire broke out in a fourth-floor Housing Board (HDB) flat in Bedok in May 2013. Four people were found unconscious in the unit, which had a \"vast accumulation of combustible items. A 56-year-old woman was found in the living room, while three others -- a 35-year-old man, a 34-year-old woman and the child -- were in the bedroom. Sixty people were evacuated from neighbouring units as a precautionary measure.  **3.2 [Causes Relating to Renovation and Maintenance Work]** Renovation and maintenance work increases the risk of fires. **3.2.1 Temporary Electrical Installations** Temporary electrical installations, if incorrectly installed/ used, can be potentially hazardous. Problems of **[overloading]**, bypassing of electrical protection are common when there is a lack of site supervision. **3.2.2 Hot Works** Hot works include cutting with blow torch, welding and grinding (heat from friction). Flame or sparks from hot work may **[come in contact]** with flammable material if insufficient care is taken. **3.2.3 Waste Material** Renovation work will generate a large amount of waste (e.g. packaging material). Some solvents used are **[highly flammable]**. Waste must be properly stored and disposed of as soon as possible to minimise fire risk. **3.3 [Fire Prevention]** Once the causes of fires are understood, it is possible to prevent/ reduce the risk of fires.  **3.3.1 Electrical Appliances and Installations** All electrical equipment shall comply with the Singapore or International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) Standards. *Singapore Safety Mark* All electrical installations should be performed by an **[Licensed Electrical Worker (LEW](https://elise.ema.gov.sg/elise/findworkerservlet?Operation=GetOffer&Item=EL)[)]** in accordance with the relevant regulations. Details about LEW is found in this [link](https://elise.ema.gov.sg/elise/findworkerservlet?Operation=GetOffer&Item=EL). Installations should be inspected regularly (e.g. once a month) and tested. (see Fig. 2) Electrical cabling should be protected against damage by routing the cables away from pedestrian and vehicular routes. [Fig. 2](https://www.ema.gov.sg/regulations-licences/licences/electrical-supply-installation-licences/inspection-requirements) shows the Inspection Frequency for Licensed Electrical Installations recommended by the Energy Market Authority (EMA). **3.3.2 Cookers and Cooking Equipment** Gas cooking equipment and alteration of gas pipes should be installed by a **[Licensed Gas Service Worker (LGSW)](https://www.ema.gov.sg/regulations-licences/licences/worker-licences/gas-service-workers-licence) or City Gas.** Gas installations to appliances should be fixed piping and/or protected/armoured flexible tubing. Gas cooking equipment and appliances should be subjected to **[regular inspections and testing]**.  [*Fig. 2*](https://www.ema.gov.sg/regulations-licences/licences/electrical-supply-installation-licences/inspection-requirements) **3.3.3 Naked Lights and Flames** Avoid using naked flame within buildings, whenever possible. Where the use of naked flame cannot be avoided, formal operating procedures and additional levels of supervision may reduce the fire risk. High temperature lighting should be subjected to planned preventive maintenance to ensure the units are kept away from combustible surfaces. **3.3.4 Chemicals and LPG** Appropriate training in the handling of chemicals and LPG cylinders is necessary. Ideally, the use and storage of flammable chemicals and substances and LPG should be avoided, where reasonably practicable. Where substitution cannot be done, safe storage must be provided. Arrangements should be made to store flammable liquids, gases and substances away from other general storage areas. It will be better if a physical barrier (wall) is provided. It is even better if **[storage can be stored externally.]** **3.3.5 Smokers and Smokers' Materials** Smoking is not allowed in most buildings. It is necessary to ensure that smoking takes place in **designated areas** only and ensure proper ash trays are provided in the designated areas. The use of fire-retardant material (e.g. curtains, bedding) will minimise fire risk in hotel rooms. **3.3.6 Waste and Waste Management System** An effective strategy to reduce the risk of fire from waste will involve formal arrangements for waste collection that will prevent the large build-up of waste. (e.g. some town councils arrange for the collection and disposal of bulky items during the festive season). It is also important to keep heat source away from waste storage areas (e.g. ensure lighted cigarettes are not discarded into waste storage areas). - The first fire involving the batteries of a PMD (electric scooter) was reported to SCDF in 2015. - The first powerbank fire was reported in 2013. - Laptop fires are rare with only 3 reported cases between 2008-2015. **3.4 [Arson]** Arson can be defined as "the deliberate act of setting fire to a building or property". Arson can lead to loss of life and significant damage to property.  1. **Why do People Commit Arson?** Arson is associated with: - Other **[criminal act to destroy evidence]**. - A grievance -- unhappy with company e.g. dismissed by company. - Insurance claims e.g. fraudulent arson - Economic and political motivation -- terrorist activities. - People with mentally instability. 3. **[Arson Prevention Plan (APP)]** An Arson Prevention Plan (APP) is a document on fire safety management system to safeguard the building's fire safety system against security threats arising from arson attacks. The occurrence of arson can be reduced if potential threats can be identified and effective protection measures adopted. A Fire Safety Manager (FSM) has legal duties under the Fire Safety (Fire Safety Managers) Regulations to submit the status of implementation of the *Arson Prevention Plan* in the [Annual Fire Safety Report\*] to the Building Owner. [ ] **The format of the APP is found on this [*link*](https://www.scdf.gov.sg/docs/default-source/scdf-library/p-fm/erp-arson-prevention-plan.pdf).** An APP should include: - - - - ***\*Note**: The Annual Fire Safety Report will be covered in Topic 5.* **3.5.1 Arson Risk Assessment** The Arson Risk Assessment (ARA) examines the vulnerability of the building (internally and externally) to possible acts of sabotage. This includes: a. b. c. d. - Conducting scenario planning of possible acts of sabotage to the fire safety systems that are likely to occur based on the nature of business and activities conducted in the building. - Recommending measures to handle such situations to enhance the protection of the fire safety systems. **3.5.2 Fire Safety Management Procedures** Effective procedures in a building would reduce the likelihood of arson attacks. The procedures include: a. - *Performing routine inspection schedule of fire safety systems (including performance tests of the systems)* - *Checking on the security aspect of the system and rectification works.* b. - *Establishing fire safety housekeeping programmes.* - *All fire doors are kept closed at all times,* - *There is no obstruction of passageway/staircases from discarded items.* - *Hazardous substances are properly kept, etc.* c. **3.5.3 Risk Reduction Measures** This includes outlining the risk reduction measures for each of the risk factors identified during the **fire risk assessment** process. This can be done by: - **Reducing the opportunity to start a fire** by proper storage of flammable and hazardous substances, clearing rubbish and construction materials on a daily basis, stepping up on fire safety surveillance, installation of CCTVs and security lighting, etc. - **Reducing the loss or disruption of operations** resulting from a fire by stepping up on inspection of rising mains at landing areas, sprinkler control valves and fire safety surveillance on fire control pump rooms, etc. **3.5.4 Implementation** There must be a **clear timeline** for the implementation of all that is assessed and planned. (see Fig 3). Periodic reviews should be carried out to establish effectiveness of the plan and to improve, where necessary. *Fig. 3* Updated: 30 Aug 2024 \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_