CHAPTER Fire safety This chapter covers the following NEBOSH learning objectives: . Describe the principles of fire initiation, classification and spread Outline the principles of fire risk assessment Describe the basic principles of fire prevention and the prevention of fire spread in buildings Identify the appropriate fire alarm systems and fire-fighting equipment for a simple workplace Outline the factors that should be considered when implementing a suc- cessful evacuation of a workplace in the event of a fire In addition to the NEBOSH learning outcomes, have a basic understanding of some legal and ILO standards for fire prevention en S or 2International Health and Safety at Work 14.1 Principles of fire initiation, classification, spread and some legal standards 308 11.2 Fire risk assessment 316 11.3 Fire prevention and prevention of fire spread 320 11.4 Fire alarm system and fire-fighting equipment 330 11.5 Evacuation of a workplace 335 11.1 Principles of fire initiation, classification, spread and some legal standards 11.1.1 Introduction ‘This chapter covers fire prevention in the workplace and how to ensure that people are properly protected if fre does occur. Fire is stil a major risk in many workplaces (ee Figure 11,1). 11.6 Further information 340 11.7 Practice NEBOSH questions for Chapter 11. 341 Appendix 11.1. Fire risk assessment as recommended in Fire Safety Guides published by the UK Department for Communities and Local Government in 2006 343 Appendix 11.2 Typical fire notice 345 The CTIF (Center of Fire Statistics) based in Mos- cow, analyses the fire statistics of 30-50 countries every year. The combined population of these countries is 1-2000000000 people and their fire services received 25-83000000 emergency calls of which 3-4000000 were fires (10% of all emergency calls). These fires lead to the: deaths of 25-35000 people every year. The average death rates are about thres fire deaths per 100000 people and cone fre death per 100 fires (see Figure 11.2). However, this average conceals a more than 100-fold variation in death rates from country to country. A better indication of typical fire isk is the median fire death rate per 100000 people by country, which was 1.0 in 2003 and 0.9 in 2004. Each year CTIF world fire statistics show that: direct losses to fre average 0.16% of GDP; Indirect losses average 0.013% (or one-tweifth of direct losses); cost of fire service average 0.15%; fire protection of buildings average 0.279%; fire insurance net after payment of claims average. 0.06% of GDP. Figure 11.3 shows how these costs are apportioned between these various cost areas. (On average across the 14 countries, the total ‘cost’ of fires was 0.65 per cent of GDP. Important components that are included in this calculation include monetary equivalents for human loss (deaths and injuries), monetary equivalents for volunteer firefighters and other donated time, and the cost of achieving better fie performance in products, whether mandated by regulation or otherwise. ‘Tne financial costs associated with serious fires are very high including, in many cases (believed to be over 40%), the failure to start up business again. Never underestimate the potential of any fre. What may appear to bea small fre ina waste bin, ifnot dealt with, can quickly spread through ‘a building or a structure, The UK Bradford City Football ‘ground in 1985 or King's Gross Underground station in 1987 are examples of where small fires quickly became raging infemos, resulting in many deaths and serious inju- rigs, The Deep Water Horizon ol platform fire in 2010 could well cost in the order of $40 bition which wil go down as the most costly peace time fre in recent history. we eeeoe emer 7 El 2 ’ 6 = ‘0 Figure 11.2 Average number of fire deaths per 100 fires reise racioete one er) Fe eteton in cost oe se Sontoge ste oe Figure 11.3 Economic-statistical evaluation of ‘costs’ of fie (average for 2000-2002) for 14 countries