MODULE 4

• March is one of the hottest months of the year in the Philippines. According to the Bureau of Fire Protection, this is also the time when the highest number of fire incidents are reported.
• Fire brings about the destruction of buildings and the loss of livelihood and lives. It mainly occurs because of negligence and lack of awareness of the different fire hazards.
• March is declared as the Fire Prevention Month in the country. During this month the campaign for fire prevention is intensified.
• Fire


  The rapid oxidation of a flammable material accompanied by the production of light and heat
• The discovery of fire has brought significant advancements to people and industries. Aside from being used as an external source of heat and light, it is also used as a power source.
• Natural fires of low intensity may benefit the environment and restore ecological balance through the removal of pests and plants that compete with other species for nutrients
• Elements of Fire


  • Heat
  • Fuel
  • Oxygen
• Stages of fire development

  1. Incipient stage

  2. Growth stage

  3. Fully developed stage

  4. Decay stage
• Causes of fires


  • Faulty electrical wiring or connection
  • LPG-related
  • Neglected cooking or stove
  • Lighted cigarette butts
  • Left unattended open flame: torch or sulo
  • Left unattended open flame: candle or gasera
  • Matchstick or lighter kept near flammable materials
  • Direct flame contact or static electricity
  • Neglected electrical appliances or devices
  • Unchecked electrical types of machinery
  • Flammable chemicals
  • Incendiary device or ignited flammable liquid
  • Spontaneous combustion
  • Under planned pyrotechnics
  • Bomb explosion
  • Lightning
  • Others (forest fire, vehicular fire, etc.)
• Spontaneous Combustion


  Happens when object produces its own heat without absorbing heat from its surroundings. When it reaches a temperature enough for ignition, it will start a fire by itself.
• Uncontrolled fires, whether natural or man-made, may lead to injury, death, loss of livelihood, and damage to property with its toxic fumes and high temperature.
• A person may die of asphyxiation as fire consumes oxygen and the concentration of carbon monoxide and other toxic gases increase.
• The heat from a hostile fire is far from any temperature that a person is normally exposed to. This can cause extreme pain, severe burns, and other casualties.
• Fire may result in black and impenetrable smoke that may sting the eyes and block one's vision.
• Once a person is caught in a fire, it would be difficult, if not impossible to escape the area.
• People must participate in fire drills to be knowledgeable of the fire escape plans.
• Buildings and infrastructures should have a well-planned evacuation plan showing multiple escape routes to increase the chances of survival during a fire.
• Precautionary and safety measures

  • Never leave a fire unattended
  • Always check the electrical equipment
  • Keep a good distance between things that can catch fire
  • Educate children and adults about fire safety
  • Store flammable materials properly
  • Keep a fire extinguisher of a bucket of sand handy
  • Install fire alarms and smoke detectors
  • Know what to do in case of fire
  • Develop a fire preparedness plan
• The key to preventing fires from occurring is to make sure that the elements of the fire triangle do not come together. Prevent ignition by making sure that flammable materials do not heat up and reach the ignition temperature. Fuel sources should be kept away from ignition sources. In case a fire breaks out, smother it to eliminate the source of oxygen.
• Fire Hazards


  • Risks and potential sources of fire incidents, often arising from negligence or lack of awareness
• Fire Prevention Month


  Designated month, often March, focused on intensifying campaigns and efforts to reduce fire incidents through awareness and preventive measures
• Fire


  Rapid oxidation of a flammable material accompanied by light and heat
• Elements of Fire


  • Heat
  • Fuel
  • Oxygen
• Heat


  Energy necessary to raise the temperature of the fuel to its ignition point, initiating the fire
• Fuel


  Material that undergoes combustion, providing the necessary energy for fire
• Oxygen


  Essential component of the fire triangle, reacting with the fuel to sustain combustion
• Stages of Fire Development

  • Progression of fire from ignition to extinguishment, often divided into stages like incipient, growth, fully developed, and decay
• Incipient Stage


  The initial stage of fire development where ignition occurs and the fire has just started. It has not yet affected a large area, producing a small flame and some smoke with low heat. It's best to extinguish the fire at this stage while it is still small.
• Growth Stage


  The stage of fire development where the fire can continue burning by itself, utilizing its own heat to burn fuel sources around it. Smoke becomes visible and may start accumulating. The temperature increases, and the fire continuously grows bigger as it burns more fuel.
• Fully Developed Stage


  The stage of fire development where the fire reaches its hottest point. Firefighters typically extinguish the fire from a distance as it is dangerous to approach or enter the area.
• Decay Stage


  The stage of fire development where the fire runs out of fuel or oxygen, causing it to enter the decay stage. No fuel should be added as it may cause the fire to reignite.
• Uncontrolled fires


  • Fires, whether natural or man-made, that can lead to injury, death, and property damage due to their toxic fumes and high temperatures
• Asphyxiation


  • The condition of being deprived of oxygen, which can occur in a fire due to the consumption of oxygen and the increase in toxic gases like carbon monoxide
• Extreme pain and burns


  • Resulting from exposure to the heat of a hostile fire, causing severe injuries
• Impenetrable smoke


  • Thick smoke produced by a fire that can sting the eyes and obstruct vision
• Fire drills


  Practice sessions to educate people on fire escape plans and procedures
• Evacuation plan


  • A well-planned strategy for safely exiting buildings during a fire, often including multiple escape routes