Fire Safety

Todd HaysAssistant Fire MarshalEnid Fire Department

Fire Safety

•Introduction•The Chemistry & Physics of Fire•Preventing Fires•Burns•Handling Fire Safely•Fire Safety Outdoors•Fire Safety Resources

Fire Safety

Introduction

•The ability to use fire safely is essential to human survival.•Goal:

•Develop knowledge & skills necessary to prevent & to survive fires and burns.

Fire SafetyChemistry

•Fire is a chemical reaction between oxygen and vapors known as “volatiles”.•Fire produces two types of energy.

•Heat & Light•What causes something to give off volatile vapors? (decompose)

Heat•Light is a byproduct of heat •(only about 5% is visible from a fire)

Fire Safety

Chemistry•The Fire Tetrahedron

•Oxygen•Heat•Fuel•Sustained Chain Reaction•Also called the Fire Diamond

Fire SafetyChemistry

•The Fire Tetrahedron•Oxygen

•Oxygen is an invisible gas in the air that fire consumes as part of the burning process. The oxygen sustains the fire and as it is used up must be replaced. Otherwise the fire will go out due to its removal from the fire tetrahedron model.

•Heat•To initially start a fire it is necessary to apply heat to the fuel in the form of a flame or spark. This heat must raise the fuel to its ignition temperature. Continued heat is then needed to keep the fuel at its ignition temperature and therefore keep the fire going. This heat is usually supplied by the fire itself. If too much heat is removed the fire tetrahedron model breaks down and the fire will become extinguished.

Fire Safety

Chemistry•The Fire Tetrahedron

•Fuel•To start and maintain a fire you need the right kind of fuels. While burning, the energy stored in fuel combusts and releases heat, light, and other forms of radiation energy. Removing the fuel breaks the fire tetrahedron model and the fire will stop burning.

• Sustained Chain Reaction•A burning fire is a chemical reaction that consumes fuel and oxygen to produce heat and light as products of combustion. Stop this chemical reaction and the fire tetrahedron is broken.

Fire Safety

Chemistry•Products of Combustion - Smoke

•Heat•Skin starts to burn at about 115 . If inhaled, lungs and the airway can be injured.

• Gas•The most commonly produced gas from fire is Carbon Monoxide

•Odorless, Colorless & Tasteless•Causes disorientation, drowsiness, unconsciousness & ultimately, death•Many others – most are hazardous to our health

•Particles - Soot•Mostly carbon particles of incompletely burned fuels

Fire Safety

Chemistry•Fire Dynamics

•Fire dynamics or fire behavior is based on the fundamental relationship between fuel, oxygen and heat. The type of fuel, the location of fuel in the room, the geometry of the fuel, building construction and ventilation can have a significant effect on the speed of fire growth and spread.

•Simply put, it is how a fire acts, related to the amount of fuel, the space it is in, how it is shaped and how well it is ventilated.

Fire SafetyPreventing Fires

•Sources of Fire•Smoking•Furnaces•Space Heaters•Fireplaces•Cooking

•Kitchen•Camping

•Electrical Appliances•Electrical Distribution Equipment•Arson

Fire SafetyPreventing Fires

•Seasonal & Holiday Fire Safety•December – February

•Trees & decorations (candles, lights, etc.)•Heating appliances•Frozen water pipes

•March – May•Outdoor cooking•Camping•Fire Safety Outdoors pg. 57

•September – November•Heating appliances•Jack-O-Lantern candles

Fire SafetyPreventing Fires

•Home Safety Inspection•Complete the checklist in your Fire Safety book to help you understand what hazards exist in your home. Then, with the help of your family, you can try to eliminate any of the hazards that you have found.

•Fun Facts!Who was the first Volunteer Fire Chief in America?

Along with founding a newspaper, signing the Declaration of Independence and flying famous kites, Benjamin Franklin is also known for forming the first volunteer fire company in America. That's right! In 1736, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Benjamin Franklin formed the first volunteer fire company, called the Union Fire Company. Of course, its only fitting that he be Fire Chief of the new fire company ... and so he was!

Fire Safety

Home Fire Escape Planning•Planning

•Sketch a floor plan of your house•Include all windows & doors•Label each room

•Primary Exits•Doors

•Secondary Exits•Windows

•Shelter in Place•Close doors between you & the fire•Plug air vents & cracks around doors•Open the window & signal with something big•Call 911 if possible

Fire Safety

Home Fire Escape Planning•Planning (continued)

•Decide on a meeting place•Landmark near the road

•Tree, Mailbox, Light pole, etc…•Choose a place to call 911 from or use a cell phone

•Practice the Plan!•Once every two or three months•Day time•Night time

•Evaluation•Check for any problem using the secondary exits•If something didn’t work well, test some other methods until the escape plan works smoothly

Fire Safety

Smoke Detectors•Activated by smoke particles •Installing Smoke Detectors

•At least one on every level of the home•In every sleeping area•The space adjacent to the sleeping areas•Mount on the ceiling, at least 12 inches from a wall if possible

•Testing & Maintenance•Test at least once a month•Remove dust from the detector monthly with “canned air” or a vacuum•Change the batteries at least once a year – Choose an important date, like when you change the clock, a birthday or holiday•Track the smoke detector’s age and replace them if they are more than 10 years old.

Fire Safety

Reporting a Fire Alarm•A fire in your home

•Get Out & Stay Out!•Call 911 from a neighbor’s phone or use a cell phone

•A fire outside your home•You can call from inside your home

•What to say when you call 911•Name•Address•Tell if you know everyone is out of the house•Where the fire is inside the house•The telephone number you are calling from

Fire Safety

Fire Extinguisher•Classes of fire extinguisher

•Class A•Paper, wood, fabrics, plastics

•Class B•Gasoline, oil, grease, tar, oil based paints

•Class C•Electrical, overheated wiring, extension cords, appliances

•Class D•Magnesium, sodium, potassium, uranium, plutonium, calcium, lithium, titanium

•Class K•Cooking oils

D

Fire Safety

Fire Extinguisher•P.A.S.S.

•Pull the PIN

•AIM the nozzle

•SQUEEZE the handle

•SWEEP the nozzle

Fire Safety

Natural Gas•If you smell gas in your house….

•Get out!•Contact an adult•Natural Gas can ignite with only a spark•Call 911 from a neighbor’s phone or use a cell phone from outside.

Fire Safety

Burns•Scalds

•Prevention•Turn pan handles toward the back of the stove•For a shower or bath, turn on cold water first, then add hot water•Set water heater thermostat to 120 degrees or less•Keep hot liquids like soup and coffee away from small children•Never use a wet oven mitt or towel to handle something hot

•Treatment•Remove wet fabric•Apply cool water to the burned area

Fire Safety

Burns•Flame Burns

•Prevention•Don’t wear loose fitting sleeves when cooking over an open fire•Use an oven mitt or leather gloves to protect your hands

•Stop - Cover - Drop - Roll •Treatment

•Apply cool water to the burned area for 10 – 15 minutes•If clothing sticks to a person’s body, do not remove it•If it is a large or serious burn, get professional help immediately

Fire Safety

Handling Fire Safely•Matches

•Use•Remove one match from container then close the container.•Hold the match firmly, away from your head, and identify what you want to light.•Make sure no one is in front of you, then strike the match by drawing it quickly across the striking surface. Move the match away from your body when striking.•Light the object, then extinguish the match. •Dispose of the match, only when you know it is out, or you may drop the match into a camp fire.

Fire Safety

Handling Fire Safely•Charcoal Fires

•For outdoor use ONLY!•Charcoal lighter fluid

•Read all directions•Close lid after use•Set the container well away from the fire area

•Heap charcoal into a pyramid or use a fire starter can

Fire Safety

Handling Fire Safely•Melting Wax

•Hot wax is extremely flammable•Boil water in a pan, then remove from fire•Place pan of wax into boiling water to melt wax•Use pliers or tongs while wearing gloves to avoid being scalded or burned

•Pan Fires•Keep a lid and oven mitt nearby while cooking•If grease ignites, place lid or cover on pan, then turn off heat. If cooking over a campfire, slide the pan off the fire.•Wait at least 5 minutes before removing cover.

Fire Safety

Heaters•Kerosene Heaters

•Keep at least 3 feet from combustible materials•Use only UL listed heaters that have tip-over protection•Only use K1 kerosene (recommended by manufacturer)•Refill appliance only when it has cooled for a few minutes•Use only in well ventilated rooms•Ask fire department if local codes allow this type of heater use

Fire Safety

Heaters•Wood Burning Stoves

•Have the stove check by an expert before use•Read and follow manufacturer’s instructions•Never use flammable liquid in a wood stove•Never use green wood Why?•Never use artificial logs made of wax and sawdust

•The wax can melt and leak out causing a fire outside the stove

•When adding wood to the stove, open the door slowly, using a mitt or glove. •Keep an extinguisher or a bucket of sand or water nearby

Fire Safety

Heaters•Coal Burning Stoves

•Do not overload a coal stove.•Ignite the coal with paper and wood first.•Use coal stoves in well ventilated areas, as the produce high levels of carbon monoxide.

Fire Safety

Heaters•Fireplaces

•Do not overload a fireplace•Burn only one or two logs at a time•Burn artificial logs one at a time and don’t split or break them apart •Don’t use flammable or combustible liquids on the fire, as an explosive flash can occur.•Once the fire is started, close the screen or doors securely.

Fire Safety

Flammable Liquids•A liquid with a flashpoint below 100 degrees Fahrenheit

•Gasoline•Adhesive remover•Some cleaning products•Mineral spirits??•Use only with proper ventilation•Most vapors are heavier than air

Fire Safety

Proper Clothing•Natural

•Wool•Cotton•Silk –

•Synthetic•Polyester•Acrylic•Acetate•Nylon•Rayon

Determining flammability of material•Weight

•Heavier fabrics are less likely to burn•Weave

•Dense fabrics are less likely to burn•Construction

•Smooth fabrics are less likely to burn•Style

•Loose fitting garments can ignite more easily than tight fitting ones.

Fire Safety

Fueling How – To’s•General Safety Precautions

•Ensure the equipment is cool prior to fueling•Fill the equipment’s fuel tank outdoors, at least 6’ from any building•Position the equipment on firm level ground•Use a pour spout or funnel•Pour slowly from an approved safety can•Take care not to overfill or spill the fuel•Replace fuel tank cap•Ensure any spillage is dry•Place fuel can several feet away before starting equipment

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Outdoors•Wildland Fires•Types of Wildland Fires

•Grass fire•Wheat, pasture, yards

•Surface fire•Leaf litter, underbrush

•Ground fire•Below the surface – peat, duff, etc…

•Crown fire•Treetops

•What is the cost of a wildland fire?

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Outdoors•Camping Safety

•Have some sort of fire alarm that can be heard throughout the camp. Make sure everyone knows how to use it.•Remove all flammable rubbish & leaves from around buildings and tents•Hang towels to dry away from stoves & heaters•Collect fireplace & stove ashes in covered metal containers to cool, then dispose of them properly•Make a nightly check of the camp before bedtime to see that all fires & lights are out or suitably protected.

•Designate a Fire Warden for this and other duties

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Outdoors•Campfires

• Campfires should only be built in sand, rocks, or other mineral soils, never near trees or brush•All flammable materials should be cleared away at least 10 feet from the fire.•Never leave a fire unattended•Campfires should be kept small, approximately 3’ across by 2’ high•Discard matches into the fire or make sure they are cool to touch before they are discarded.•Select the location with regard to the wind direction and speed and where sparks could blow•Appoint an older member as Fire Warden •Keep buckets of water near each tent that is used only for fire control

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Outdoors•Camp Stoves

• Use only with adult supervision•Place stoves & grills on a level, secure surface, in a ventilated area•Don’t overload the stovetop with heavy pots or large frying pans•Keep pan lids handy to smother a pan fire if necessary•Keep fuel in well marked, approved containers at least 20 feet from any buildings, tents and fires•Never refuel a stove inside a cabin or tent; always do it outdoors•Allow a hot stove to cool before changing cylinders or refueling•Take home any empty containers for proper disposal

•Lanterns•Use fuel burning lanterns outdoors

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Outdoors•Types of Fuel

• Compressed Gas•Butane, propane•Uncomplicated, lightweight, easy to use

•Kerosene•Very stable•Reliable•Bulky

•White Gas•Extremely flammable•Widely used

•Alternative fuels•Charcoal, pellets, canned flammable jelly

Fire Safety

Fire Safety Outdoors•Carrying fuel

• Compressed Gas•Just pack as they are

•Kerosene, White Gas•Carry only in a container made for that purpose•Metal fuel bottle with a secure lid•Different color that water bottle and clearly marked•Store & carry separately from food items

•Breaking Camp• Ensure all fires are completely out

•Sprinkle water on fire & spread the coals with a stick until all coals are out cold

Fire Safety

Careers in Fire Safety•Your Fire Department

• Roles•Suppression•Training•Prevention

•Inspections / Code Enforcement•Public Education•Fire / Arson Investigation

•Approximately 90% of all fire departments in the U.S. are volunteer•Paid fire departments protect the greatest number of people•Good physical shape

•Maximum pace for long periods in difficult conditions•Leap into action without warming up•Subject to extreme heat and sometimes cold

Careers in Fire Safety•Types of Trucks

•Engine (pumper)•Ladder •Tanker•Rescue•Wildland•Specialty

Fire Safety

Fire Safety•Fire Department Survey

1. Career2. 803. 214. 2007 – 3601 2008 – 39595. Accidental6. Fire Prevention Division7. Fire Prevention Division8. Fire Prevention Division9. Training10. 1811. Fire, Medical, Rescue, Haz-Mat, Prevention12. Recent Changes in the fire service13. Favorite pieces of equipment14. Community & Fire department goals

Fire Safety

Questions?