FIRE

• Fire


  Rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermal chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products
• Fire triangle

  • Fuel
  • Heat
  • Oxygen

  
• Fuel


  Any material that can be burned such as solid, liquid, or gas. Combustion takes place when fuel is converted into gaseous state as moisture is removed
• Heat


  Energy that flows through object. Enough amount of heat would free the vapor from solid and liquid forms of fuel. The lowest temperature needed to form an ignitable mixture in air near the surface of the liquid is called the flash point
• Oxygen


  Element, estimated 21% of it can be found in the air. During combustion process chemical reaction takes place. Oxygen is released and serves as an oxidizing agent for combustible materials
• Fire extinguishment


  Removing any of the elements in the fire triangle to suppress the fire
• Removing the heat


  Adding water as an extinguishing agent. Other extinguishing agents include chemical and mechanical foams
• Removing the fuel


  Shutting off valves and pumping storage vessels to safe areas to help eliminate the supply of fuel to the fire
• Removing the oxygen


  Separating it from the fuel source or by displacing it with other gases like carbon dioxide, nitrogen and steam
• Natural causes of fire

  • Lightning
  • Volcanic activities
  • Spontaneous combustion
• Spontaneous combustion is when a hydrocarbon substance unexpectedly creates fire without apparent cause. Pyrophoric substances ignite spontaneously in air at or below 54˚C or within 5 minutes after getting into contact with air
• Human-made causes of fire

  • Machinery sparks
  • Cast-away cigarette butts
  • Kaingin
  • Arson
• Common causes of housefire

  • Cooking equipment
  • Heaters
  • Smoking in bedrooms
  • Candles
  • Curious children
  • Faulty wiring
  • Barbeques
  • Flammable liquids
  • Lighting
• Cooking fire


  The #1 cause of home fires, and unattended cooking is the top contributing factor
• Things to do to prevent cooking fire

  • Do not leave your cooking unattended
  • Keep handles of pots and pans turned in
  • Don't put anything that catches fire near your stove or burner
• Things to do to control cooking fire

  • Cover the fire by placing a lid over the pan
  • Turn off the burner or stove
  • In case of oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed
  • In case of microwave fire, unplug the power source and keep the door closed
• Cigarette fires


  The leading causes of fire deaths
• Tips to prevent fires from smoking material

  • Do not smoke in bed or anywhere that you might fall asleep
  • If you smoke, do it outside
  • Do not discard cigarettes in potted plants, landscaping vegetation or bark dust
  • Use a deep, sturdy ashtray or a non-combustible container that cannot be tipped over
  • Before throwing away butts or ashes, douse in water or sand
  • Never smoke in a home where oxygen is used
• Tips to prevent electrical fires

  • Avoid overloading outlets
  • Don't use an extension cord with a major appliance
  • Call a qualified electrician if fuse blows, circuit breaker trips often, lights become dim, or outlets/switches become heated
  • Check wattage of lamp bulb matches recommendation
  • Use power strips with circuit breakers carefully
  • Install ground fault circuit interrupters (GFCIs) and arc-fault circuit interrupters (AFCIs)
  • Don't place extension cords under carpets or mattresses
  • Regularly check and replace damaged electrical cords
• Tips to prevent candle fires

  • Use stable candle holders
  • Keep candles at least 12 inches away from anything that can burn
  • Blow out candles when leaving room or going to bed
  • Never burn a candle if medical oxygen or any flammable substance is nearby
• Spontaneous combustion


  When a material can produce or accumulate its own heat and can cause increase in temperature without drawing heat from its surroundings, reaching its ignition temperature and starting to burn without any source of fire
• Materials prone to spontaneous combustion

  • Oily rags
  • Hay
  • Other agricultural products
• Classes of fire


  • Class A - ordinary combustible materials
  • Class B - flammable liquids and gases
  • Class C - energized electrical equipment
  • Class D - combustible metals
  • Class K - cooking oils and fats
• Types of fire extinguishers

  • Water and Foam - for Class A fires
  • Carbon Dioxide - for Class B and C fires
  • Dry Chemical - for Class A, B and C fires
  • Wet Chemical - for Class A and K fires
  • Clean Agent - for Class A, B and C fires
  • Dry Powder - for Class D fires
  • Water Mist - for Class A and C fires
• Fire safety sign colors

  • Green and white - safe condition, fire exit signs
  • Blue - mandatory action
  • Red - prohibition, fire equipment location
• Common fire related hazards in the workplace

  • Electricity - neglect or misuse of wiring
  • Rubbish and waste material - fire likely to spread
  • Smoking - carelessly discarded cigarette butts or lit matches
• Blue fire safety signs

  Indicate a mandatory action or a must do action for safety
• Blue fire safety signs


  • Circular in shape
  • Feature a white graphic or white text
• Red fire safety signs

  • Used to indicate prohibition or you must not go on that location because it might pose danger or harm
  • Also signifies the location of fire equipment and supplementary information
• Red fire safety signs for prohibition


  • Circular with a red border, white background and black image
• Fire equipment signs


  • Square with red background and white images
  • Used to tell you where to find the location of fire-fighting equipment
• Response Procedure During a Fire Incident

  1. Rescue

  2. Alarm

  3. Confine

  4. Extinguish
• Common Fire Related Hazards

  • Electricity - neglect or misuse of wiring can lead to short circuits
  • Rubbish and waste material - fire is likely to spread through accumulated waste
  • Smoking - carelessly discarded cigarette butts or lit matches are one of the major causes of fire
  • Cooking - kitchens provide opportunities for fire to start and materials on which it can feed
  • Heating appliances - portable heaters are a threat when placed beside combustible furniture or fittings
  • Combustible materials including - flammable liquids, glues and solvents are all liable to combust unless stored and used properly
  • Arson or willful fire-raising
• Fire Safety Precautions


  • Keeping your workplace tidy and having a good standard of housekeeping
  • Regularly removing combustible waste, including accumulations of dust
  • Keeping ignition sources away from combustible material or flammable liquids and gases
  • Keeping use of flammable liquids to a minimum and closing containers when not in use
• What you should do during a fire incident

  1. Check the door

  2. P.A.S.S. (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep)

  3. Stay low

  4. Stop, Drop, and Roll

  5. Call the National Emergency Hotline 911
• What you should NOT do during a Fire Incident

  • Don't install smoke alarm detectors
  • Don't go upstairs to retrieve heirlooms, passports and pets
  • Don't open doors that have smoke flowing from the joints
  • Don't throw water on a chip pan fire
  • Don't try and escape using an Elevator
  • Don't jump from an upstairs window
  • Don't hide in a cupboard or under the bed
  • Don't delay calling the Fire and Rescue Services
• School Fire Safety Education

  • Educating and preparing students for a fire emergency should be a priority
  • Conduct expected and unexpected monthly school fire drills in which everyone participates
  • Inspect exits regularly to ensure stairways, doors and windows are unblocked and working properly
  • Train students on how to respond to a fire alarm during a school fire drill
  • Know locations of the fire protection system, fire alarm pull stations and sprinklers
  • Make sure every room has a map showing 2 exits
  • Pair students with specific needs to an adult or classmate for extra assistance
  • Have a predetermined location where students know to meet once they exit the building and practice during a school fire drill
  • Have a list to ensure every student is accounted for
  • Encourage parents to practice home fire drills, and prepare them in the event of a residential fire
• On-Campus Fire Safety


  • Cook only in designated areas
  • Keep cooking areas clean and free of clutter
  • Never leave cooking unattended
  • In case of a fire inside a microwave, close the door and unplug the unit
• Campus Laboratory Fire Safety

  • Never leave laboratory experiments or pressure containers unattended
  • Keep flammable gases and chemicals away from heat
• Maintaining Your Computer Room to Prevent Fire


  • Keep your computer room free of storage
  • Inspect power cords
  • Maintain and clean computer systems
  • Train employees and display fire emergency plans
  • Schedule regular inspection of your fire protection systems