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City and Guilds 2330City and Guilds 2330

Certificate in Electrotechnical Certificate in Electrotechnical TechnologyTechnology

Level 2Level 2

Unit 1 Outcome 1 Session 4 Unit 1 Outcome 1 Session 4

Fire Extinguishers and Warning SignsFire Extinguishers and Warning Signs

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Unit 1 Unit 1 Working Effectively and Safely in an Working Effectively and Safely in an

Electrotechnical EnvironmentElectrotechnical Environment

Outcome 1Outcome 1Identify the legal responsibilities of both

employer and employee and the importance of Health and Safety in the

working environment

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Review of Health & Safety legislationReview of Health & Safety legislationTo briefly run through what we have learnt so

far;• Health & Safety was initially introduced in response to

accidents that involved injuries or death.

• HASWA was introduced to provide a framework within which all other Health & Safety legislation would operate.

• All employers have the legal responsibility, to ensure as far as is reasonably practicable, that the work place is safe for employees.

• Employees are responsible for the safety of themselves and others, and are expected to use, and care for safety equipment provided, properly.

• Personal protective clothing is concerned with the whole body. It is essential and should always be worn when appropriate

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Outcomes from this sessionOutcomes from this session

At the end of this session you should be able to

Identify types and application of fire extinguishers

Identify the types and meaning of safety signs

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Fire and Fire PrecautionsFire and Fire PrecautionsFire can be caused by a number of things besides carelessness and stupidity, faulty wiring, explosions, welding, to name a few.

For a fire to occur there needs to be three things.

These are;

• Heat

• Fuel

• Oxygen

Remove any one of these and the fire will go out

The Triangle of Fire

Oxygen

FuelHea

t

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Classes of FireClasses of FireThere are four common types or classes of fire A,B,C and D

• Class A wood, paper textiles etc

• Class B oil, petrol, paint etc

• Class C gas, acetylene etc

• Class D metal, magnesium, aluminium etc

Electrical fires do not fall into any particular Class.

The type of materials burning tells you which extinguisher to use.

An electric spark igniting paper would need a Class A extinguisher

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Types of Fire ExtinguishersTypes of Fire Extinguishers

TypeType Suited forSuited for ClassClass ColourColour

Water Wood, paper, textiles etc A Signal red

Carbon dioxide(CO2)

Petrol, paint, oil and electrical B,C,D Signal red

Foam- CO2/Water Petrol, paint, oil etc B,D Signal red

Powder Everything A,B,C,D Signal red

Halogenated hydrocarbon (gas)

Petrol, paint oil and electrical etc B,C,D Signal red

All fire extinguishers are now red, each extinguisher should have its own label to identify what class of fire it is to be used on. It is important to remember not to use the wrong type as this could have serious consequences.

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Warning SignsWarning Signs

• Prohibition signs – these have a red circle with a band across them. They mean that you must not do something

• Warning signs – these are triangular signs coloured yellow with a black border and give a warning about a hazard or danger

• Mandatory signs – these tell you, you must do something. They are white objects on a blue background

• Emergency escape or first aid signs – these are green with white figures or indicators

• Fire signs – these are red with a white border and are used to indicate where fire equipment is stored along with how to get to it.

In 1996 a new set of signs became law, there are now five general types of signs. None of them have wording and they are standard across Europe.

They are;

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Warning SignsWarning SignsThese are just a few examples of signs. The full list is in the HSE guidance book.

White object on a

blue background

Red circle and band

Deep yellow backgroundWhite objects on a green background

White object on a red background

White objects on a green background

As you see none of these signs contain words so you should learn to recognise them

Warning

Fire

Emergency escape or First aid

Mandatory

Prohibition

End of session 4