What is a fire?
Fire
is the rapid oxidation of a
combustible material releasing heat,
light, and various reaction products such
as carbon dioxide and water.
Chemistry of Fire
Fires start when a flammable and/or a
combustible material with an adequate
supply of oxygen or another oxidizer is
subjected to enough heat and is able to
sustain a chain reaction. This is
commonly called the fire tetrahedron.
Elements of Fire or Fire
Triangle
Three condition generally make a fire
triangle.
These are:
1. Availability of fuel, Fuel is any thing that
can burn.
2. High temperature.
3. Presence of oxygen.
Fire Triangle (Cont)
FUELS
Gases: Acetylene, Propane, CO, H2
Liquids: Gasoline, Organic Solvents
Solids: Plastics, Wood Dust, Fibers, Metal Particles
OXIDIZERS
Gases: O2, F2, Cl2
Liquids: H2O2, HNO3
Solids: Peroxides, NO2
IGNITION SOURCE:
Sparks, Flames, Electricity, Heat
Causes of Fire
1. Open Flames
Examples of such unsafe conditions are as follows:
Negligence in conducting hot work, such as welding,
cutting or grinding;
Improper use of candles;
Improper handling of flammable or combustible liquids or
flammable gases in near-to-potential ignition sources; and
Matches and cigarettes that are improperly disposed of, or
left unattended near combustibles.
Causes of Fire (Cont)
2. Electrical
Examples of such unsafe conditions are as follows:
Damaged electrical conductors, plug wires or extension cords
Use of faulty, modified or unapproved electrical equipment
Insufficient space or clearance between electrical heating
equipment and combustibles
Short or overloaded circuits.
Loose electrical connections; and
Lighting.
Causes of Fire (Cont)
3. Cooking
Examples of possible unsafe conditions are as
follows:
. Deep frying in pots or pans on stove tops
. Unattended cooking appliances; and
. Combustibles located dangerously close to
cooking equipment
Causes of Fire (Cont)
4.
SPONTANEOUS IGNITION
WASTE MATERIALS
AND
THE
IGNITION
OF
Examples of such unsafe conditions are as follows:
.Improper disposal of materials susceptible to spontaneous
combustion, such as oily rags from wood finishing or polishing;
.Accumulation of organic materials, such as green hay, grain or
woodchips; and
.Accumulation of waste combustible materials near potential
sources of ignition.
Common Causes of fire
Ignorance or Carelessness.
Chemical fire.
Use of match by children.
Lightening.
Use of heaters in rooms.
Untrained Electrician.
Unattended furniture.
Smoking
Naked lamps
Cont..
Welding, Grinding and Cutting work.
Fire works.
Un Attended Fire
Spark From Oven
Dryness of Bearing & Axles.
Short
Circuiting
(Old/
Undersize wiring)
Burning Coils
Burst of Stoves
Over Loading on Electrical EQ
Wiring,
Classes or Types of Fire
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
A Class Fire
B Class Fire
C Class Fire
D Class Fire
E Class Fire
K Class Fire
A Class Fire
A class fire is a fire of Solid Fuel i.e. Paper,
Wood, Carpets & Clothes etc.
B Class Fire
B Class Fire is a Fire if Liquid Fuels I.e.
Crude, HSD, JP1, JP4, JP8, Kerosene ,
NAPHTHA, Furnace oil and lubricants etc.
C Class Fire
C Class Fire is Gases Fire i.e. LPG,
Natural gas, propane etc.
D Class Fire
D Class Fire is a Fire of Metals i.e.
Potassium, Magnesium etc.
E Class Fire
E Class fire is Electric Fire which
includes Electric Wrings, Switch Boards,
Distribution Boards, Electric panels,
switch
Gear
Room,
Computer
hardware's etc.
K Class Fire
This type of fire based on vegetable oil &
animal fats.
FIRE EXTINGUISHING
METHODS
1. Cooling
2. Smothering
3. Starvation
Cooling
By this method we reduce temperature to
extinguish the fire.
O2
Temp
.
Fuel
SMOOTHERING
By this method we isolate the supply of O 2 to
extinguish the fire.
Temp
.
O2
Fuel
STARVATION
By this method we isolate the supply of Fuel
to Extinguish the fire.
Temp
.
O2
Fuel
Products of Fire
Thermal Products
Heat
Flame
Non-Thermal Products
Smoke
Toxic Gases
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
Carbon monoxide (CO)
Sulphur Dioxide (SO2)
Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S)
Hydrogen (H2)
Amount of CO2 in Air & Its Effects
0.5 %
= No symptoms and no permanent danger.
2.0 %
= Increase the breathing rate by 50 %
3.0 %
= Increase the Breathing rate by 100 %
5.0 %
= Vomiting, Dizziness, Difficulties after 30
minutes
8 ~ 10 % = Vomiting, Dizziness, Headache,
unconsciousness and death after short
time.
Fire Fighting Techniques
There are generally two methods. These are
following:
1. Old methods
2. Modern methods
OLD METHODS
1. Water
Oldest of all fire fighting material.
Puts out fire by reducing temperature of fuel.
Examples: wood, papers, cloth and rubber.
2. Sand
A layer of sand usually cuts off the oxygen
supply.
MODERN METHODS
Fire Extinguishers
A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device
used to extinguish or control small fires, often in
emergency situations. There are four types of fire
extinguishers. These are following:
1. Water
2. Foam
3. Carbon dioxide
4. Powder
Stored Pressure Water Extinguisher
The most common fire extinguisher is 2.5
gallon water unit use for class A fire. It has
a long discharge time about 1min giving an
inexperience enough time to fight fire.
Stored Pressure Foam Extinguisher
The foam extinguisher unit is a 2.5 gallon
stored pressure unit these units are unique
because the are effective on class A and
class B fire they can not use on class E
fire because water conduct electricity.
Carbon Dioxide
Carbon dioxide extinguisher like other gas
and chemical fire units work very quickly.
The gas is heavier than air it settles over
burning material and displaces the oxygen
near the fire, smothering the flame.
Powder
These material are used for extinguishing
class D fires . The dry powder use including
sand ,graphite ,asbestos , sodium chloride
and soda ash.
EXTINGUISHER
AGENT/ INGRIDIENT
FIRE CLASS
Stored Pressure Water
Water
Carbon Dioxide CO2
CO2
B&C
Aqueous Film Forming Foam
(AFFF)
Foam
A&B
Dry Chemical
Sodium Bicarbonate, Potassium
Bicarbonate, Ammonium
Phosphate, Potassium Chloride
B&C
Multipurpose Dry Chemical
Mono ammonium Phosphate
A, B , C & E
Dry Powder
Various, depending on metal type.
How to use an
Extinguisher?
Here's a simple way to remember the steps to take
when using a portable extinguisher. Start by standing
around 3 meters back from the fire. Then follow the
acronym "P.A.S.S."
Pull
the pin. The pin is there as a safeguard and locks
the handle. Pulling it out enables it for use.
Aim
low. The hose or nozzle should be pointed at the
base of the fire to best put it out.
Cont
Squeeze the lever above the handle. This will shoot
the extinguishing substance from the hose or
nozzle. Keep in mind that most small extinguishers
will run out of their extinguishing agent in 10 to 25
seconds.
Sweep from side to side. As you move slowly
toward the fire, keep the hose or nozzle aimed at
the base of the fire. If the flames appear to be out,
release the handle and watch closely. If the fire
KEEP IN MIND
Before you use an extinguisher to fight small fires, make sure
everyone else has left the area and that firefighters have been called.
Always have an exit route at your back. Never let the fire get between
you and the way out.
Call the fire department to inspect the fire area, even if you are sure
you have extinguished the fire.
Once a month, inspect your extinguisher for damage and make sure it
is properly charged (see manufacturer's instructions for details).
If you use an extinguisher, it must be recharged by a professional. If it
is a disposable unit, throw it out.
How to avoid a fire?
Avoid downed power lines while driving. High-power
lines that are damaged can spark and start fires.
Other driving hazards include unlabeled tanks or
barrels and gasoline pumps.
Keep all fire exits clear in any building. Having these
exits usable and knowing where they are ensures
that if a fire starts, you will be out and away before it
reaches you.
Don't smoke. A high percentage of fires are started
by
cigarettes.
Smoking
in
bed
is
particular
challenge to the fire gods and should be avoided at
all costs. Also avoid any bare wiring in a building.
WHAT TO DO IN CASE OF FIRE
1. Raise the alarm immediately.
2. Quickly and quietly leave the building.
Use the nearest exit.
3. Do
not
go
back
to
collect
your
possessions.
4. Assemble at the 'Fire Assembly' point.
WHAT DO THESE PICTURES MEAN?
First Aid
By law every workplace that has more than 5 people
must have somebody who is trained in First Aid.
There are three aims to First Aid:
1. To preserve life
2. To prevent any injury from becoming worse
3. To promote recovery
There are many situations for which a first aider
must be trained;
For example:
Electric
shock,
burns,
cuts,
broken
bones,
concussion, shock, head injuries.
First Aid Boxes
In order to be able to give first aid you must have
access to a First Aid Box which must be stocked
correctly. A kit should include:
Medium, large and extra large sterilize dressings
Sterile eye pads
Triangular bandages
Safety pins
Disposable gloves
