fire hazard

• class a - fires caused by combustible materials including paper, fabric, wood, and other flammable solids
• class b - fires caused by flammable liquids such as paint, turpentine or petrol among others
• class c - fires caused by flammable gases including methane, butane or hydrogen among others
• class d - fires caused by combustible metals
• class f - fire include those caused by cooking oils such as chip-pan fire
• electrical fires - fires involving electrical equipment but upon removal of the electrical item, the fire class is changed.
• foam extinguisher - common type used for class a and b fires (color cream)
• water extinguisher - mostly used for class a fire (color red) should not be used to class b and c
• dry powder extinguisher - abc extinguisher (color blue)
• wet chemical extinguisher - used on class f and a (color yellow)
• fire - rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermal chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products
• normal air contains 21% oxygen
• four stages of fire development

  1. incipient
  2. growth
  3. fully developed
  4. decay
• incipient - a flame that is still in its beginning stage
• incipient - fires in this initial stage can be extinguished or controlled by portable firefighting equipment
• incipient - flames are small and aren't widespread
• incipient - smoke allows visibility in the room
• incipient - the heat emitted from the flame is low
• growth - will be affected by the structure of the building and the fuel available
• growth - there are sufficient oxygen and fuel to support the ongoing growth of the flame
• growth - defined layer of smoke above the flame
• growth - temperature in the room increases
• growth - condensation dissappears from windows
• growth - brown stains on window glaze may appear
• growth - cracks in windows
• fullydeveloped - out of all the stages, this phase is where energy release is at its greatest. the temperature will be at its highest point
• fully developed - darkened or black smoke
• fully developed - dense smoke
• fully developed - substantial heat
• fully developed - blackened window glazing
• fully developed - visible exterior flames
• fully developed - critical during this phase to limit the fire's access to combustible material and oxygen
• decay - starts to run out of fuel or oxygen
• burns - the most common injury are associated with fires. Can range from mild to severe and can cause pain, scarring, and permanent disfigurement
• first-degree burns - affect only the top layer of skin, causing redness, minor swelling, and pain
• second-degree burns - these affects the first two layers of skin causing blistering, severe pain, redness, and swelling
• third-degree burns - most severe and can damage all layers of the skin and even underlying tissues such as muscles and bones
• smoke inhalation - breathing in smoke can cause respiratory problems, such as coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath
• carbon monoxide poisoning - produced when materials burn. can cause headaches, nausea, dizziness, and even death
• trauma - injuries can occur from falls, explosions, or collapsing buildings during a fire