CAUSES OF FIRE

current with tremendous amperage and

very high temperature.

Natural Causes
1. Spontaneous Heating
It is an automatic chemical reaction that
results to spontaneous combustion due to

Four basic paths of lightning include:

a. Striking a metal object
b. Direct strike to the structure
c. Striking a nearby taller object allowing
for transient horizontal surges to the

auto- ignition of organic materials.

The gradual rising of heat in a confined
d.

space until ignition temperature is reached.

A slow oxidation process that is exothermic
in nature.
It involves the exothermic decomposition of
organic materials in a confined area.
It is a slow process causing the burning of a
plant combustible material even without an
external source of heat.
Factors affecting the development of spontaneous

lines, phone lines or television cables.

3.

Radiation of sunlight- when a light hits a

concave mirror, concentrating the light on a
combustible material thereby igniting it

Accidental causes
1. Electrical Appliances
a. Short circuit unusual or accidental

combustion
a. Air supply
b. Insulating materials
c. Temperature
2.

Lightning
A form of electricity
A natural electric

connection between 2 points at different

potentials (charge) in an electrical
b.

circuit of relatively low resistance.

Arcing production of sustained
luminous electrical discharge between

current

with great

separated electrodes; an electric hazard

magnitude producing tremendous amperage

that results when electrical current

and voltage.
It usually strikes objects that are better

crosses the gap between 2 electrical

electrical conductors.
It can cause fire directly or indirectly.
Indirectly when it strikes telephone and

c.

(charged conductors) come in contact;

occurs during short-circuits or welding

line surge.
It can cause flash fire or dust explosion.
When lightning strikes steel or metal rod

d.

power voltage; induced current; sudden

burn thus resulting to an explosion.

of igniting combustible materials.

Cold bold shorter in duration; capable of
splintering a property or literally blowing
apart an entire structure; produces electrical

operations.
Induced current induced line surgeincrease of electrical energy flow or

covered with dust, the dust would suddenly

A lightning may in the form of:

a. Hot bolt longer in duration; capable only

conductors.
Sparking production of incandescent
particles when 2 different potentials

other transmission lines causing an induced

b.

building through trees

Striking nearby public utility power

increase of electrical current resulting to

e.

the burning of insulating materials,

Overheating of electrical appliances
increase or rising of amperage while
electric

current

transmission

line

is

flowing
resulting

in
to

a
the

damage or destruction of insulating

materials maybe gradual or rapid:

internal or external.
2. Purely Accidental Cause
a. ignorance in using volatile substances or
chemicals
b. overfilling of fuel tanks
c. spilling of fuel tanks
3. Negligence and other Forms of Human
Error
a. Smoking
b. misuse of fuels
c. misfiling of fuel tanks
d. motor vehicle traffic accidents
Intentional Causes- incendiary
If in the burned property, there are

maybe performed in order to realize the

objectives of fire protection.

It involves the process of establishing the

2.

SOP in case of fire breaks out.

EVALUATION-SIZE-UP
(on-the-spot

planning or sizing-up the situation)

This is the process of knowing the

emergency situation.
It involves mental evaluation by the
operation officer-in-charge to determine the
appropriate course of action that provides
the highest probability of success.
The things to consider in SIZE-UP

preparations or traces of accelerants and

(Evaluation of the situation):

a.
Learn the facts of situation- by

plants and trailer then the cause of fire is

intentional.
a. Plants- booster- either a pool or
liquid accelerant or a pile of
combustibles used to enhance the

b.

answering the 5Ws and 1 H

Understand the probabilities

of

c.

dangerous or fatal behavior of fire

Know your own situation

or

capabilities- weaknesses and strengths;

quality of fire in a selected

location. It boosts the progress of

d.

fire by producing a large body of

fire.
b. Trailers/streamer - arrangement or
configuration

of

3.

action- entry or rescue

EVACUATION
This is the activity of transferring people,

flammable

livestock, and property away from the

materials that is intended to carry

burning area to minimize damage or

fire from one location to another.

destruction that he fire might incur in case it

These may include gasoline soaked

towels, liquid accelerant splashed
across the floor and accelerant
c.

available manpower and equipment.

Determine the specific course of

soaked newspaper.
Accelerants- used to accelerate the
spread of fire by using gasoline,

lighter fluids or kerosene.

Pudding it is the typical burnt pattern resulting
from the use of liquid accelerants.
FIRE CONTROL AND EXTINGUISHMENTS
Fire Suppression Activities
1. PRE-FIRE PLANNING
This activity involves developing and
defining systematic course of actions that

4.

propagates to other adjacent buildings.

ENTRY
This is the process of accessing the burning

structure.
Entry maybe done in a forcible manner
The

following

are

the

purposes

of

conducting forcible entry:

a. to provide access for the fighters with
equipment for fire extinguishments
b. to provide rescue
c. to aid in ventilation
5. RESCUE
This is the operation of removing
(extricating)

Thus, saving people and other livestock

ignite and continue the combustion.

from the burning building and other

d.

involved properties, conveying them to

secure place.
6. EXPOSURE- cover exposure
This is the activity of securing other buildings
near the burning structure in order to prevent
the fire from extending to another building.
7. CONFINEMENT
This is the activity of restricting the fire at the

place (room) where it started.

The process of preventing fire from extending

(blanketing effect)
Chemical interruption or inhibitionthe sequence of events in suppressing
or extinguishing a fire by interrupting

the chemical reaction.

11. OVERHAUL
This is the complete and detailed check of
the structure and all materials therein to
eliminate

conditions

that

may

cause

reflash.
It involves complete extinguishments of

from another section or from one section to

sparks or smoldering (glowing) substances

another section of the involved building.

8. VENTILATION
This is the operation purposely conducted to

(embers) to prevent or eliminate possibilities

displace toxic gases.

It includes the process of displacing the

12. FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION

This is an inquiry conducted to know or

heated atmospheric within the involved

of re-ignition or rekindling.

determine the origin and cause of fire.

building with normal air from outside

9.

atmosphere.
SALVAGE
The activity protecting the properties from
preventable damage other than the fire.
Steps:
a. remove the material outside
b.

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

Fire Trucks

the

burning area
protect or cover the materials by using
tarpaulins (cotton canvass treated with

the water proofing).

10. EXTINGUISHMMENT
This is the process of putting out the main
body of fire by using the 4 general methods

of truck used to carry equipment or

people to a fire or emergency.

When a firefighter says truck though,

he usually means a hook and ladder
or aerial ladder truck.

Types of fire trucks:

a.

fire engines

b.

ladder trucks

using an extinguishing agent whose

c.

rescue trucks

primary

d.

aerial ladder trucks

of fire extinguishments:
a. Cooling (removing heat)- a process

b.
c.

The term usually means any other type

characteristics

is

heat

absorption
Separation- the removal of fuel.
Smothering (Removing of oxygen)- a
process of excluding the oxygen from
the fuel so that gases or vapors cannot

Fire Engines

It has large pump that takes water from

a small fire hydrant or other source.

The pump boosts the pressure of the

extendable boom made of several

water and forces it through hoses.

sections that fit inside each other.

Engines carry several sizes of hoses and

extend 150 feet (46 meters).

nozzles.

Many also have a small-diameter hose

The boom on the largest trucks can

A built-in hose runs the length of the

called a booster line.

boom and is used to direct water on a

Engines used for fighting grass or bush

fire.

fire carry a tank of water and such tools

In most cases, a pump in a nearby

engine generates the pressure needed to

as shovels and rakes.

spray the water.

Ladder Trucks

Rescue Trucks

These are equipped with portable

ladders of various types and sizes.

These also carry forcible entry tools,

with many of the same kinds of forcible

which firefighters use to gain entry into

entry tools that ladder truck carry.

a building and to ventilate it to let out

Common forcible entry tools include

It also carries additional equipment for

unusual rescues.

smoke.

These are enclosed vehicles equipped

They have such tools as oxyacetylene

axes, power saws, and sledge hammers.

torches, for cutting through metal and

Ladder trucks called quints have their

hydraulic

own pump.

objects.

Kinds of Ladder Trucks

jacks,

for

lifting

heavy

It may also carry other hydraulic tools.

With a hydraulic rescue tool, commonly

1. Aerial ladder truck

known by the trade name Jaws of Life,

firefighters can apply a large amount of

It has metal extension ladder mounted

pressure to two objects to squeeze them

on a turntable.

together to or pry them apart. It is often

The ladder can be raised as high as 100

used

feet (30 meters), or about eight stories.

It has a cage like platform that can hold

free

people

trapped

in

automobiles and other vehicles after the

2. Elevating-platform truck

to

incident.

It also carries small hand tools, such as

several people.

crowbars and saws, and topes and

The platform is attached to a lifting

harnesses for rescuing people from

device that is mounted on a turntable.

water or high places.

The lifting device consists of either a

hinged boom (long metal arm) or an

In addition it carries medical supplies

and equipment.

Special Fire Vehicles

It includes airport crash trucks and

A baby extension (baby Bangor) is a 12-

hazardous material trucks.

foot long extension ladder without a

Airport crash trucks are engines that

halyard for raising the flying section.

spray foam or dry chemicals on burning

aircraft.

Water is ineffective against

by engaging its heel spurs over the

many aircraft fires, such as those that

involve jet fuel, gasoline, or certain
metals.

The hand-raised fly is held in position

upper rungs of the main section.

Roof Ladders

It is designed for one specific function.

However, it may be used for other
purposes if condition warrant.

Protective Clothing

These are equipped with folding at the

Firefighters require special clothing for

top and which provide a means of

protection against flames, falling objects, heat, toxic

anchoring the ladder over the roof ridge

gases or lack of oxygen, loss of vision, loss of

or other roof part.

communication, and physical damage.

These are generally equipped to lie flat

on the roof surface so that firefighters

Fire Ladder

may stand on the ladder for roof work.

Straight Ladder

It is non-adjustable in length and

consists only of one section.

Folding Ladders or Collapsible Ladders

opening into attics and lofts and other

for quick access to windows and roofs

areas which are somewhat difficult to

of one and two-story buildings. (12,

reach without a special ladder.

Extension Ladder

It is adjustable in length.

It consists of two or more section,

permit length adjustment.
It provides access in windows and roofs
within the limits of extendable length.

It is constructed so that they can be

folded or collapsed for small or closet
work.

These are usually short in length since

they only require reaching a short

which travels in guides or brackets to

It provides a means of reaching through

Sometimes called a wall ladder, used

14, 16, 18 and 24)

Their length range from 12 to 20 feet

distance.
Aerial Ladders

An artificial ladder is a mechanical unit

Extra long ladders are usually equipped

generally operated by hydraulic power

with stabilizing poles, called tormentors

that is mounted built chassis.

(24 to 55 in length).

The source of power is usually derived

from apparatus engine which actuates a
hydraulic hoist.

Fire Hose

firefighters

These are currently constructed of metal

point

strength.
These generally range in length from 65
to 100 feet, but longer ladders do not

A telescoping boom has a ladder

is a partially enclosed platform. Various
ground ladders are also carried.

discharged

to

It is a device over which rope or hose

when

firefighters

are

level.

It consists of a metal frame, curved so

that it will fit over a windowsill or the
edge of the roof.

It contains two or more rollers over

This device reduce the possibility of

Though these are not considered to be

cutting the hose on the sharp edge of the

ladders,

wall, cornice, or roof while it is being

some

elevating

platform

raised or lowered.

apparatus carry ground ladders.

This apparatus has some features, which
is similar to aerial ladders, but they are
primarily a portable elevator controlled

Hose Clamp

Pompier Ladders

It is a tool to shut off the water in hose

lines when other control valves are not

by an operator.

is

which rope or hose may be drawn.

Elevating Platforms

it

operating in buildings above the ground

mounted on it, but the top working area

where

equipment

Tower ladder apparatus combines some

and elevating platforms.

under

may be pulled to hoist or lower

features of both aerial ladder equipment

water

Hose Hoist

Tower Ladders

carry

extinguish fire.

exist.

to

pressure from the source of supply to a

and are trusted to provide adequate

A type of flexible tube used by

applicable.

It is used to replace a burst section of

It consists of a large gooseneck book at

hose, to extend lines, or to hold water

the tip, which a single bed through

back for line advancement without

which the rungs project.

shutting off the source of supply.

At one time, the pompier ladder was

used by firefighters to reach the upper
stories of tall buildings, beyond the
reach of ground or aerial ladders but
their use has diminished greatly.

Fire Hose and its Parts

Hose Jacket

It is used to seal small cuts or breaks

which may occur in fire hose or to
connect damaged couplings of the same
size.

Hose Spanner Wrench

you live in an older structure built in the 60s and

It is to tighten or loosen hose couplings,

but this versatile tool can be used to
close utility cocks, pry, and hammer.

system. Also, if you happen to live in a building

concerned with nominal safety compliance, rather

It protects hose from injuries from

than genuine concern for safety, your building may

not also have sprinkler system or an automatic smoke

vehicles crossing hose lines.

likely, your building does not have a sprinkler

below five (5) stories, and the builder was just

Fire Hose Rams and Ridges

early 70s before the Fire Code took effect, most

Firefighters at the nozzles will receive

detector system.

sudden jerks each time a wheel cuts off

the water momentarily.

The Ideal Safety Tandem: Sprinkler System

and Smoke Detector

Nozzle
Ideally, an effective combination would be

It is a piece of firefighting equipment

to have an automatic fire detection system operating

used to direct and control a stream of

in tandem with the sprinkler suppression system. As

water.

the fire starts, and begins generating smoke, the

The characteristics of the stream of

smoke detection system will activate way ahead of

water or fire stream are determined

the sprinkler system, warning the residents, and

mainly by the nozzle.

triggering a local fire department that will put out the

fire, perhaps without the need for the sprinkler

Water Sprinkler System

They are generally used to protect
living

quarters,

adjacent

and

passageways.
The system may extinguish fire in these

system to go into action.

On the other hand, if

nothing is immediately done and the fire gets bigger,

the sprinkler system activates and eventually douses
the fire. One system detects; the other extinguishes
the fire.

places.
Their primary function is to protect the
building structure, limit the spread of
fire and control the amount of heat

Using the Right Fire Fighting Tools

Fire Category
Class A

Burning Material
Ordinary
combustible
materials

Extinguishing Meth
Cool below flash poi

Class B

Flammable
combustible liquids

Cut oxygen supply

Class C
Class D

Electrical Equipment
Combustible metal

Cut oxygen supply

Cut oxygen supply,
below flash point

Class E

Petroleum Gas

Remove gas supply

Class F

Spontaneously

Remove material

produced.
They also protect the people in these
areas and maintain escape routes.
Fire Code of the Philippines mandates that
all high-rise buildings (above 15 meters in height) be

or

equipped with sprinkler fire suppression systems. If

you are living in a new building constructed in the
80s and 90s your building will surely have one. If

Specific Fire Fighting Tips

combustible materials

Upon discovery of Fire or Smoke

1. Remove persons from immediate danger!
2. Alert others in near vicinity and Administration
3. Contain Fire and Smoke (close doors)
4. Evacuate and/or Extinguish
It is a normal reaction for most people to

When not to Fight Fire?

immediately flee, at the first onset of fire. This is

If fire has already spread beyond where

certainly the safest personal approach to nay fire.

it originally started.

However, there are specific instances when you can

If you are in a situation where, while

actually successfully fight fire, provided:

fighting the fire, you have no avenue of

escape.

small.

If you do not have any adequate

firefighting equipment.
thing

for

IMMEDIATELY

you
and

to

do

CALL

is

to

LEAVE

THE

You know what you are doing.

FIRE

DEPARTMENT in your place as soon as you reach a

safe area outside the endangered premises.

You have the correct, appropriate

firefighting equipment.

In anyone of the above circumstances, the

safest

The fire has just started, and it is still

It is

important for you to balance any Gung-ho macho

tendency to do it yourself, with the right sense to
know when to leave the job to property equipped and
trained professional firefighters.

Assuming the above conditions, here are

specific tips and firefighting techniques:
TIMING is critical. You must be able to act
fast and correctly, as soon as the fire starts before it
has a chance to grow and spread. This assumes that
there is very early detection of this incipient fire

In any case, even if you decide to initially

either with an early warning smoke detector, or you

handle the firefighting, make sure you let someone

were fortunate enough o have someone immediately

else in your household call immediately for outside

notice it while at its very early state. It is only at this

help the nearest local firefighting units or other

early state of the fire that you can expect to put it out.

people.

Once it has begun to spread, you only alternative is to

evacuate.
Equipment Familiarity and Firefighting Practices
For you to have this quick instinctive
firefighting reaction, assumes that you are properly
oriented to fight fire.

This also means prior

familiarity with all the firefighting tools you have

available, and regular practice on their use. This is

true for both the professional firemen, as well as rank

amateurs. Firefighting is a very serious task, and can

sufficient vapor to burn.

If we look at fuel types and vapor

be fatal to the careless or inexperienced. So, if you

production, we find that solid fuels and

expect members of your household to be able to do

liquid fuels with high flash points can

this, they must have proper familiarization and

be extinguished by cooling.

practical exercises. Without this, your chances of

Low flashpoint liquids and flammable

success are very poor, your firefighting capability is

gases cannot be extinguished by cooling

minimal you are better of evacuating immediately

with water as vapor production cannot

at the first sign of fire.

be sufficiently reduced.

What to do if someone actually catches fire?

Reduction of temperature is dependent

on the application of an adequate flow

Stop moving immediately.

in proper form to establish a negative

Drop to the ground or floor.

heat balance.

Roll to smother the flames. If you have

a fire blanket or damp clothing material,
cover the person as he or she rolls.

2. Extinguishment by Fuel Removal

In some cases, a fire is effectively

extinguished by removing the fuel

FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT

source.

The extinguishment of fire is based on an

This may be accomplished by stopping

interruption of one or more of the essential elements

the flow of liquid or gaseous fuel or by

in the combustion process. With flaming combustion

removing solid fuel in the path of the

the

fire.

fire

may

be

extinguished

by

reducing

temperature, eliminating fuel or oxygen, or by

Another method of fuel removal is to

stopping the uninhibited chemical chain reaction. If a

allow the fire to burn until all fuel is

fire is in the smoldering mode of combustion, only

consumed.

three extinguishment options exist:

reduction of

temperature, elimination of fuel or oxygen.

3. Extinguishment by Oxygen Dilution

FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT THEORY

1. Extinguishment by Temperature Reduction

oxygen dilution is the reduction of the

oxygen concentration to the fire area.

This

can

be

accomplished

by

One of the most common methods of

introducing an inert gas into the fire or

extinguishment is by cooling with

by separating the oxygen from the fuel.

water.

The method of extinguishment by

This method of extinguishment will not

The process of extinguishment by

work on self-oxidizing materials or on

cooling is dependent on cooling the fuel

certain metals as they are oxidized by

to a point where it does not produce

carbon dioxide or nitrogen, the two

most common extinguishing agents.

4. Extinguishment by Chemical flame Inhibition

2. keep your escape path at your back. Never allow

the fire to get between you and the escape path.

Some extinguishing agents, such as dry

3. select the correct extinguisher for the Class of fire

chemicals and halons, interrupt the

4. remember P.A.S.S.

flame producing chemical reaction,

Pull the pin

resulting in rapid extinguishment.

Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of flames

This method of extinguishment is

Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher

effective only on gas and liquid fuels as

upright

they cannot burn in the smoldering

Sweep the extinguisher or nozzle from side to side

mode of combustion.

covering the base of the fire.

If

extinguishment

of

smoldering

5. observe fire after initial extinguishment, it may

materials is desired, the addition of

rekindle

cooling capability is required.

6. the contents of small extinguishers may last as

little as 8 seconds and up to 60 seconds for larger

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

extinguishers. The time to discharge an extinguisher

depends on the type and size of the extinguisher

Portable fire extinguishers are designed to

Do Not Use (or continue to use) an extinguisher if:

attack a fire in its initial stage. The selection of a

suitable extinguisher is primarily influenced by the
following factors:

The fire is larger than a waste paper basket

The fire is spreading quickly beyond the point of

The size and rate of fire spread

origin

the Class of fire (i.e. type of materials involved)

The extinguisher is not having any effect or is

having an adverse reaction on the fire

the training and capabilities of the person using the

extinguisher

You are putting your life at risk

Note: Always follow the specific instructions on a

You cannot extinguish the fire quickly (less than 30

fire extinguisher and familiarize yourself with these

sec)

instructions prior to an emergency situation. Persons

You do not know what fuels are involved in the fire

should be trained in the use of extinguishers to

optimize their effectiveness

REMEMBER: Saving lives through a quick escape

is far more important than saving property.

General Guidelines for Using a Fire Extinguisher

An emergency is not the time to read extinguisher
P.A.S.S.

instructions, if you do not know how to use the

1. raise the alarm, summon help and have someone

extinguisher or the type of materials involved in the

call the fire service.

fire:

 Close the door to contain the fire

An extinguishing agent is a substance that

will put out a fire.

Ensure everyone is out of the building

Every extinguishing agent

operates by attacking one or more side of the fire

tetrahedron. The specific actions involved are the

Ring the fire service.

following:
Never go back into the building once out
1 Cooling
Wait to meet the fire service
Fire extinguishers are provided for a 'first
attack' fire fighting measure generally undertaken by
the occupants of the building before the fire service
arrives. It is important that occupants are familiar
with which extinguisher type to use on which fire.

To reduce the temperature.

This is a direct attack on the heat side of

the fire tetrahedron.

2 Smothering

Most fires start as a small fire and may be

To separate the fuel from oxygen.

This can be considered as an attack

extinguished if the correct type and amount of

on the edge of the fire tetrahedron

extinguishing agent is applied whilst the fire is small

where the fuel and oxygen meet.

and controllable.

The principle fire extinguisher

3 Oxygen dilution

types currently available include:

Water (solid Red): wood and paper fires

- not electrical

To reduce amount of available oxygen

needed to sustain combustion.

Foam (Blue band): flammable liquid

This is an attack on the oxygen side of

the fire tetrahedron.

fires - not electrical

Carbon Dioxide (Black band) electrical

4 Chain breaking

fires

Dry Chemical (White band) flammable

To disrupt the chemical process that

liquids and electrical fires

sustains the fire (the chain reaction side

Wet chemical (Oatmeal band) fat fires -

of the fire tetrahedron).

Types of Extinguishing Agent:

not electrical

Special Purpose (Yellow band) various

1. Water Extinguishing Agent

(eg. metal fires)

Fire extinguisher locations must be clearly

It is a liquid between the temperatures

coded

of 0 C and 100 C (32 F and 212 F);

according to the extinguishing agent. The important

at 100 C (212 F) it boils and burns to

thing to remember is that fire fighting must always be

steam.

identified.

Extinguishers

are

secondary to the safety of people.

Extinguishing Agent:

colour

It weighs about 1 Kg/liter (8.5 lb/gal);

Fresh water weighs slightly less, and

seawater slightly more.

3. Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Agent

Being fluid and relatively heavy, water

is easily transported through fire mains

flames,

and hoses when it is placed under

The velocity of the water is increased

at the working end of the hose.

Water is primarily a cooling agent. It

absorbs

heat

and

cools

commonly

used

of

Carbon

extinguishes

fire
It

mainly

dilutes

by

the

air

is

too

low

to

support

combustion.

It is effective on Class B fires, where

the main consideration is to keep the
flammable

vapors

separated

from

oxygen in the air.

It has a very limited cooling effect and

thus, can be used on Class A fires in

water and foam-making agent (foam

confined spaces, where the atmosphere

concentrate). The result is called foam

may be diluted sufficiently to stop

solution.

combustion.

Various foam solutions are lighter than

Extinguishment takes time.

the lightest flammable oils.

It is use to protect areas containing

valuable article.

When applied to burning oils, they float

Extinguishing effects of foam:

Use to form a blanket on the surface of
flaming liquids, including oils.

Properties

The bubbles are formed by mixing

on the surface of the oil.

It

content

A blanket of bubbles that extinguishes

fire mainly by smothering.

any

surrounding the fire until the oxygen

2. Foam extinguishing agent

leaving

A colorless and odorless gas will not

smothering.

extinguishing

Water provides a smothering action.

without

Dioxide

burning

agents.

dissipates

Extinguishing

materials more effectively than any of

the

It

valuable items.

good distance if sufficient pressure is

Extinguishing Capabilities of Water

and

damage clothing, equipment and other

The water stream can be thrown a fairly

available.

oxygen

contamination or corrosive residue.

by forcing it through a restricted nozzle

reducing

suffocating the fire.

pressure.

It delivers a quick smothering action to

It has a cooling effect which gives foam

its Class A extinguishing capability.

It does not conduct electricity and can

be used on live electrical equipment.

Limitations on the Use of Carbon Dioxide

Effectiveness
- It is not effective on substances that

contain their own oxygen.

- It is not effective on combustible

water, it generates white foam with a

metals such as sodium, potassium,

remarkable ability to make a water float

magnesium, and zirconium.

on flammable liquid which are lighter

than water.

Possibility of re ignition
- It has a very limited cooling capacity.

film

necessary for extinguishments.

would

been ignited so they are secured and are

suffer

Light water.

dizziness

and

not readily ignited.

synthetic

conventional foam.
foam-forming

liquid

5. BCF-HALON 1211

When proportionally mixed with water

It

stands

for

Bromochlorodifluoromethane

and applied with conventional foam or

One of the modern and effective fire-

extinguishing

Chemicals in powder form.

It should not be confused with dry

agents

available

for

general risk.
It is a vaporizing liquid, which will

powders which are intended only for

chemically interrupt the chain reaction

combustible materials.

taking place in the flames.

Extinguishing Effects of Dry Chemical

It has the ability to minimize the

possibility to re flash after the fire has

small amount of cooling takes place

A colorless, non-corrosive liquefied gas

simply because the dry chemical is at

that leaves no messy residue.

Highly

recommended

for

use

lower temperature than the burning

in

material. Heat is transferred from the

industrial factory, home computers and

hooter fuel to the cooler dry chemical

electronic companies, motor vehicles,

etc.
6. DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT

Cooling. No dry chemicals exhibit any

great capacity for cooling. However, a

been extinguished.

Light water can extinguish a liquid fire

in less than half the time when used in

designed for use with fresh water.

This action also takes place on spilled

or leaking liquid fuels, which have not

of

person exposed to this concentration

4. AFFF Aqueous Film Forming Foam

extinguishments

reflash.

unconsciousness.

enhances

flammable liquids fires and prevent

Hazards
- It is suffocating in the concentration

This double action foam and aqueous

when the latter is introduced to the fire.

Smothering. When dry chemical react

with the heat and burning material,
some carbon dioxide and

water vapor are produced. These dilute

molecules, which then recombine and

the fuel vapors and the air surrounding

gives off still more heat. The fire thus

the fire.

builds, or at least sustains itself, through

The result is a limited

smothering effect.

reactions that liberate enough heat to set

Shielding of Radiant Heat.

off other reactions.

Dry

chemical produces an opaque cloud in

the combustion area.

This cloud

reduces the amount of heat that is

radiated back to the heart of fire, i.e.,

extinguish fires involving

the opaque cloud absorbs some of the

Flammable oils and greases

radiation feedback that is required to

Electrical equipment

Hoods, ducts and cooking ranges in

sustain the fire. Less vapor is produced,

and the fire becomes less intense.

All dry chemical agents may be used to

Chain Breaking. Chain reactions are

necessary for continued combustion. In
these, chain reactions, fuel and oxygen

galleys and diet kitchens.

The surfaces of bated textiles.

Certain combustible solid such as pitch,

naphthalene and plastics (except those

molecules are broken down by heat;

they recombine into the new molecules
giving off additional heat.

This

additional heat breaks down more

that contain their own oxygen)

Machinery spaces, engine rooms and

paint and tool locker