prepared by doii (rtd) augustine kumi prepared by doii augustine kumi

PREPARED BY DOII AUGUSTINE KUMI

PRESENTATION ON FIRE SAFETY &PREVENTION

PREPARED BY

DOII (rtd) AUGUSTINE KUMI


OBJECTIVES

To heighten the dangers of fires To promote safety at home and offices To outline the proper procedure to follow in a

fire situation


TOPICS

CHEMISTRY OF COMBUSTION AND CAUSES OF FIRE

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES BY TYPE METHODS OF FIRE EXTINCTION TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS WHAT TO DO IN REAL FIRE SITUATIONS EVACUATION


CHEMISTRY OF COMBUSTION

For combustion to occur three elements are necessary to be present these are;

HEAT OXYGEN FUEL

Combustion will continue as long as these elements remain together.

These elements are represented by a triangle known as the triangle of combustion.


TRIANGLE OF COMBUSTION

FUEL

HE

AT

OXYG

EN


OXYGEN SOURCESOxygen which forms one side of the triangle

can be found in air, it is approximately 21% of the air we breath. Approximately 16% is required for combustion to take place. Some materials contain sufficient oxygen within their make-up to support combustion.

Oxygen in its pure form can be dangerous. When mixed with charcoal or sawdust it forms a powerful explosive.


HEAT SOURCES

We can get heat from many sources. The following are some of the sources;

Electrical Energy Friction Chemical action Hot surfaces Open flame

(Heat must raise the temperature of a combustible material to its ignition temperature)


FUEL SOURCES

Fuel sources are classified according to the three states of matter ;

LIQUIDS SOLIDS GASES


FUEL SOURCES

LIQUDS SOLIDS GASES

Alcohol Coal Acetylene

Cod Liver Oil Cloth Butane

Kerosene Grease Carbon Monoxide

Lacquer Leather Hydrogen

Sun Flower Oil Paper Natural Gas

Petrol Wax Propane

Paint Wood

Turpentine Grain

Vanish Sugar

Plastics


CAUSES OF FIRE

1. CARELESSNESS

2. IGNORANCE

3. ACCIDENT

4. ARSON


CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES BY TYPE

The current British/European Standard BSEN2:1992 classification of fires defines four categories of fire according to the type of materials that are burning.

The classes are; CLASS A-SOLID FUEL FIRES CLASS B-LIQUID FUEL FIRES CLASS C-GAS FIRES CLASSD-METAL FIRES



CLASS A FIRES

These are fires involving solid materials (solid fuels), they are usually organic in nature and leave glowing embers. Class A fires are the most common and the most effective extinguishing agent is water in the form of jet or spray.



CLASS B FIRES

These are fires involving liquids or liquefiable solids. For the purpose of choosing effective extinguishing agents flammable liquids have further been divided into two groups; those that mix (miscible) with water and those that do not (immiscible).

Extinguishing agents are chosen according to whether the liquid fuel will mix with water or not.



CLASS B FIRES

Agents which may be used include water spray, foam, light water spray, vaporizing liquids, carbon dioxide and dry chemical powders.



CLASS C FIRES

These are fires involving gases or liquefied gases in the form of a liquid spillage or gas leak. Examples of these include methane, propane, butane etc.

Extinguishing mediums that can be used on these fires include foam and dry chemical powder, they should be used on fires involving shallow liquid spills though water in the form of spray is generally used to cool the containers.

NB: Gas fires should not be extinguished unless the leak can be stopped.



CLASS D FIRES

These are fires involving metals. Extinguishing agents containing water are ineffective and even dangerous. Carbon dioxide or dry chemical powders containing bicarbonates will also be hazardous if applied to most metal fires. Powdered GRAPHITE, Powdered TALC,SODA ASH,LIMESTONE,and dry SAND are normally suitable for CLASS D FIRES.



CLASS D FIRES

Special fusible powders have been developed for fires involving some metals especially the radioactive ones, for example Plutonium, Uranium, etc.Ternary Eutectic Chloride (TEC) is used –it is a combination of sodium, potassium and barium chloride.


ELECTRICAL FIRES

Electrical fires are not treated as class of their own since any fire involving or started by electrical equipment will in fact fall into one of the other classes.

The normal procedure for dealing with electrical fires is to cut off the electrical power or de-energize the equipment .The fire will then fall into one the classes and an appropriate extinguishing medium can then be used on the fire


ELECTRICAL FIRES

If this cannot be done with certainty, special extinguishing agents which are not conductors of electricity and non-damaging to the equipment will be required.

The extinguishing agents include vaporizing liquids, dry powders, and carbon dioxide.(Dry powders should not be used on equipment with more than 1000 volts).


ELECTRICAL FIRES

Transformers that use oil as coolants are a danger to human health when they are on fire. These oil may contain Poly Chlorinated Biphenyls (PCB) which is very dangerous when they are on fire. If the smoke is inhaled it can cause cancer.


ELECTRICAL FIRES - PREVENTION

Electrical fires in our homes claim lives and cause injury each year. Some of these fires are caused by electrical system failures, but many more are caused by incorrectly installed wiring and overloaded circuits and extension cords. These are simple steps you can take to prevent the loss of life and property resulting from electrical fires.



The Cause Most electrical distribution fires result from

problems with "fixed wiring" such as faulty electrical outlets and old wiring. Problems with cords (such as extension and appliance cords), plugs, sockets, and switches also cause many home electrical fires.



Light fixtures and lamps/light bulbs are also leading causes of electrical fires.

Many avoidable electrical fires can be traced to misuse of electric cords, such as overloading circuits, poor maintenance, and running the cords under rugs/carpets or in high traffic areas.



Safety Precautions Routinely check your electrical appliances

and wiring. Frayed wires can cause fires. Replace all

worn, old or damaged appliance cords immediately.



Replace any electrical tool if it causes even small electrical shocks, overheats, shorts out, or gives off smoke or sparks.

Keep electrical appliances away from wet floors and counters; pay special care to electrical appliances in the bathroom and kitchen.

Buy electrical products evaluated by a nationally recognized laboratory. E.g. UL

Keep clothes, curtains, and other potentially combustible items at least three feet from all heaters.



If an appliance has a three-prong plug, use it only in a three-slot outlet. Never force it to fit into a two-slot outlet or extension cord.

Don't allow children to play with or around electrical appliances like heaters, irons, and hair dryers.

Use safety closures to "child-proof" electrical outlets.

Use electrical extension cords wisely; never overload extension cords or wall sockets.



Immediately shut off, then professionally replace, light switches that are hot to the touch and lights that flicker.

Finally, having a working smoke alarm dramatically increases your chances of surviving a fire. And remember to practice a home escape plan frequently with your family.


METHODS OF FIRE EXTINCTION

Fire extinction in principle means the limitation of one or more of the elements that constitute the fire triangle. This is classified under the following headings;

STARVATION-Removal of fuel (burning or unburnt fuel, whichever is possible).


METHODS OF FIRE EXTINCTION

SMOTHERING-Limitation of oxygen. COOLING-Limitation of temperature or heat.

(A combustible material or fuel will have to heat up to its ignition temperature and release flammable vapors before it starts to burn, if you can cool the material below this temperature the fire will go off- this relates mostly to class ‘A’ fires).


TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS

1. WATER EXTINGUISHER

2. FOAM EXTINGUIHER

3. DRY CHEMICAL POWDER EXTINGUISHER

4. CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUIHER

5. HALON EXTINGUIHER (It is not produced any more due its depletion of the ozone layer)


HOW TO OPERATE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER


P

A

S

S


EVACUATION

Mock evacuation exercises should be organized periodically at the work place so that workers will know what to do in case of an emergency.

A place should be chosen where all occupants or workers in a premises will assemble in case of fire or an emergency(ASSEMBLY POINT).

Once you get to the pre-arranged place do not go back into the premises or building because the situation might have deteriorated and you may not be able to come out again.


EVACUATION

When going out do not stop to any take anything as this may trap you inside, note that in a fire situation, every second counts.

A roll call or a head count should be conducted every time work starts in order to take note of the number of occupants of the premises, this should include all visitors into the premises at all times. The number of occupants at any point in time should be kept by a person appointed to do so.


EVACUATION

In case of fire or emergency the initial roll number will checked against that which will be obtained at the assembly point. If persons are found to be missing a report should be made to the fire officers upon their arrival stating the number and if possible where they were last seen.


EVACUATION

In case of fire or any emergency remain calm especially those who have undergone training to use fire extinguishers. Persons trapped or injured will look to these trained personnel for help so the latter should remain calm but smart.


EVACUATION

FIRE ACTION

When you discover a fire ; Raise an alarm by shouting ‘FIRE’ Call the fire station on – 192 Leave the building using the nearest fire exit

leading to the designated assembly point.


EVACUATION

ACTION TO BE TAKEN ON HEARING THE FIRE ALARM; Close all doors and windows Make safe any moving machinery Leave the building quickly using the nearest

fire exit and report at the designated assembly point

Do not stop to collect any personal belongings


EVACUATION

Do not use lifts (if provided) Do not re-enter the building until authorized

to do so

TACKLING THE FIRE Only tackle the fire if it is possible to do so

without endangering yourself. Use the fire fighting equipment provided.


FIRE ACTION


ELECTRIC SHOCK

Electric shock can result in the following; Cardiac Arrest(Heart Failure) Respiratory Arrest Involuntary Muscle Contraction Surface Or Internal Burns Damage To Bone Joints Ultra Violet Arc Burns To Eyes

PREPARED BY DOII AUGUSTINE KUMIFACTORS AFFECTING SERIOUSNESS OF

ELECTRICAL SHOCK

The path of electricity through the body The degree of resistance-wet(low) or

dry(high) Length of exposure Available current-amperage flow Available voltage-electromotive force(emf) Frequency-AC or DC.


FIRE SAFETY

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Questions

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prepared by doii (rtd) augustine kumi prepared by doii augustine kumi

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