FIRE SAFETY

Harpeth Health Science Program

Kelly Hutchison R.N.

Fire can occur

anywhere at

anytime.

Every year, fire kills more people than any other natural disaster in United States. According to OSHA statistics, in the year 1995, 200 people were killed at workplace from fires and explosions, more than 5, 000 were injured, and businesses faced the loss of around 2. 3 billion dollars. Fires create havoc among workers and demolish thousands of businesses every year.

Information from 6P International, LLC .

The Fire TriangleIn order to understand how fire extinguishers work, you first need to

know a little bit about fire. Four things must be present at the same time in order to produce

fire: Enough oxygen to sustain combustion, Enough heat to raise the

material to its ignition temperature, Some sort of fuel or combustible material, and The chemical, exothermic reaction that is fire. Take a look at the following diagram, called the "Fire Triangle"

Oxygen, heat, and fuel are frequently referred to as the "fire triangle." Add in the fourth element, the chemical reaction, and you actually have a fire "tetrahedron." The important thing to remember is: take any of these four things away, and you will not have a fire or the fire will be extinguished.

Essentially, fire extinguishers put out fire by taking away one or more elements of the fire triangle/tetrahedron.

Fire safety, at its most basic, is based upon the principle of keeping fuel sources and ignition sources separate.

Fire ExtinguishersType of fire extinguishers are classified by

the type fires on which they may be used

Class A – Ordinary combustibles (paper, wood, rags, etc.)

Class B –Flammable LiquidsClass C – Electrical EquipmentClass D –Combustible MetalsCombination Types – ABC and BC

Pass Procedure Use the PASS system when fighting

fires Remove extinguisher from mounting Pull pin – this allows you to activate

the extinguisher Aim – hold hose and point at the

base of the fire Squeeze –the trigger mechanism to

release the extinguishing agent Sweep –back and forth at the base of

the fire

Pull the Pin

Aim at the base of the fire

Squeeze the handle

Sweep from side to side

Stay away from the fire!Quick short bursts from side to sideKeep low towards the base of the fire.

RACEThere are four essentialsteps to take if youdiscover a fire: Rescue Alarm Contain ExtinguishThese four steps must be accomplished to

successfully deal with a fire emergency. The order they are performed will varyaccording to the circumstances.

RescueIn a health care facility, rescue usually

means moving the person from the area of the fire to another area inside the facility.

The goal should be to get everyone out of the room, not out of the building, unless the fire spreads and evacuation of the facility becomes necessary.

After the occupants are rescued from the room on fire, the next step is to move the people in adjoining rooms: the rooms on either side of the fire room, the room across the hall and the rooms above and below the fire room.

AlarmSounding the alarm is the quickest way to

get help. It alerts other staff members and initiates the

process that alerts the fire department.Extra care should be taken by those working

in high noise areas, such as the laundry, to ensure everyone in the area is aware that there is a fire.

Most serious health care facility fires can be traced to a delay in sounding the alarm and failure to close doors.

RescueWhen everyone has been removed from

the room that contains the fire, close the door(s) to the room. Closing the door(s) accomplishes two things:

1. The fire and smoke are contained in the room and prevented from spreading to other areas; and

2. The sprinkler system will be activated sooner. (The sprinkler system is heat sensitive and activates when the air temperature reaches a pre-set level. The air temperature will rise faster if the doors are closed).

Extinguish1. Smothering it;2. Using a fire extinguisher; or3. Pouring water on it (unless it is

an electrical or grease fire). *If the fire cannot be

extinguished, leave the area and close the door

Important NotesRule for FiresFires are very dangerousBe certain that you will not endanger

yourself or others when attempting to put out a fire.

Pull the Fire AlarmCall 911Assist anyone danger

Notes……..1. Never fight a fire if you don't know what is

burningIf you don't know what is burning, you don't know what

type of extinguisher to use.Even if you have an ABC extinguisher, there may be

something in the fire that could toexplode or produce highly toxic smoke.2. Never fight a fire if the fire is spreading

rapidly beyond the spot where it startedThe time to use an extinguisher is in the incipient, or

beginning, stages of a fire. If the fireis already spreading quickly, it is best to simply

evacuate the building, closing doors andwindows behind you as you leave.

Notes………3. Never fight a fire if you don't have

adequate or appropriate equipmentIf you don't have the correct type or large

enough extinguisher, it is best not to try to fight

the fire.4. Never fight a fire if you might inhale

toxic smokeIf the fire is producing large amounts of smoke

that you would have to breathe in order tofight it, it is best not to try.Gases from man made materials can be fatal in

very small amounts.

Notes……..5. Never fight a fire if your instincts tell you not to.If you are uncomfortable with the situation for any

reason, just let the fire department dotheir job.6. The final rule is to always position yourself with

an exit or means of escape at your back before you attempt to use an extinguisher to put out a fire.

In case the extinguisher malfunctions, or something unexpected happens, you need to be

able to get out quickly, and you don't want to become trapped.

Just remember, always keep an exit at your back.

Interesting fact….What make children different from adults when it comes to fighting fires??

Adults usually flee or leave the building when a fire breaks out due to fear.

Children often hide in places like under beds , closets, or behind furniture.

This is why you should always know how many people are at home, in class, or in a business/ hospital. Knowing this one question can and will save lives

Fire Safety Questions 1. Define what PASS stands for.2. Define what RACE stands for.3.Please describe what body position a person

should have when fighting a fire? 4. What is the single most important thing to

know when a fire occurs?5. In the fire triangle…. What feeds the fire or

causes it to spread? How can you stop this from happening?

6. Briefly Describe the differences in four different fire extinguishers.

7. What kind of Fire extinguishers does Harpeth have and why do you think we have this type?

http://erd.dli.mt.gov/safetyhealth/brochures/fireextinguishersafety.pdf

http://www.com.state.oh.us/SFM/pub/fmpr_RACE.pdf