Basic fire & electrical safety

Saman Rajapakse Assistant Manager-Technical Training Rotax Ltd

Chemistry of fire
For fire to exist, the following four elements must be present: Enough oxygen to sustain combustion

Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature

Some sort of

fuel or combustible material, and reaction that is fire.

The chemical

Take away any of these and the fire will be extinguished

How fire spreads

1. Direct burning chemical reaction 2. Convection 3. Radiation 4. Conduction
Fire Creep Burning material falling onto other combustible materials Flashover

Ways of fighting fire:

1. Leave it to the experts!
2. Cooling

3. Suffocating

4. Removing the fuel (Starving)

Classes of fire
Fires are classified according to the type of fuel that is burning. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher on a fire may make matters worse. The five different fire (fuel) classes
Solids class A fire paper, wood, textiles etc Liquids or liquefiable solids class B fire - petrol, diesel, hydrocarbons Gases class C fire flammable gases Metals class D fire Magnesium, Titanium Cooking oil fires class F deep fat fryers, commercial kitchens etc

What about fires in electrical equipment?

How an extinguisher works

Portable fire extinguishers apply an extinguishing agent that will either: cool burning fuel displace or remove oxygen, or stop the chemical reaction so a fire cannot continue to burn. When the handle of an extinguisher is compressed, it opens an inner canister of high-pressure gas that forces the extinguishing agent from the main cylinder through a siphon tube and out the nozzle. A fire extinguisher works much like a can of hair spray.

How an extinguisher works

Portable fire extinguishers apply an extinguishing agent that will either: cool burning fuel displace or remove oxygen, or stop the chemical reaction so a fire cannot continue to burn. When the handle of an extinguisher is compressed, it opens an inner canister of high-pressure gas that forces the extinguishing agent from the main cylinder through a siphon tube and out the nozzle. A fire extinguisher works much like a can of hair spray.

How to use an extinguisher 1

Always raise the alarm first

1. Pull the safety tag and pin 2. Aim at the base of the fire 3. Squeeze the handle levers 4. Sweep the jet from side to side
If you have the slightest doubt about your ability to fight a fire.... EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY!

How to use an extinguisher 2

1. Use the right type of extinguisher 2. Keep your escape route clear and your back to it 3. Get within effective range but stay safe

4. Always be prepared to abandon the fight - if you dont think its safe, escape!
5. Speed is important

Samples of Instructions

6. Beware - Noise, visibility, steam!

Ways of fighting fire:

1. Leave it to the experts!
2. Cooling

3. Suffocating

4. Removing the fuel (Starving)

Carbon dioxide [CO2] extinguishers

Black body (Old type) or red body with black label (New type). Best on Class B and C fires but safe to use on any type of fire; Safe to use on fires involving electricity; Extinguishes by reducing oxygen levels and cooling.

Powder extinguishers

Blue body (Old type) or Red body with blue label. Best on Class B fires but safe to use on any type of fire. Works by chemically interfering with the combustion reaction

Foam extinguishers

Cream body (Old type) or Red Body with Cream label. Suitable for Class A and B Fires. Not suitable for use on fires involving electricity; Extinguishes by cooling and sealing the surface of a burning liquid.

Water extinguishers

Red body Suitable for use on Class A Fires, wood and paper etc. Not suitable for combustible liquids, cooking fats etc. Not safe to use on fires involving electricity; Extinguishes by cooling

electric shock

Direct contact

Indirect contact

Severity of the electric shock

Severity of the electric shock depends on three factors Current path taken through the body

Amount of current flowing through the body

Duration of current flowing through the body

Bodys Resistance

Skin offers most of the bodys electrical resistance

Increased resistance

Thick and callused skin (foot or hand) Dry skin Thin skin (inner forearm) Wet or sweaty skin

Decreased resistance

Broken or abraded skin (scratches)

Effect of electricity on human body

Burns

Surface (due to arc flash) Deep tissue (due to arc blast )

Effect of electricity on human body

Electric Shock

Muscular Contraction Asphyxia (difficulty to breath ) Respiratory Arrest Ventricular Fibrillation (heart failure )

Ventricular Fibrillation

Factors are Current / Time & Physiological Structure of body Can occur at 30mA (0.03 A) Causes heart to flutter Muscle cannot open / close properly Does not pump Lack of oxygen to brain - DEATH

Electric Shock - Treatment

Isolate supply immediately If you cannot isolate DO NOT attempt to touch casualty Physically remove victim using nonconducting implements Check for pulse / breathing, give artificial respiration/CPR if necessary

Residual current circuit breakers

For human protection maximum designed tripping current is 30 mille amperes When 30 mille amp leakage current is flowing it should trip within 300 mille seconds When 150 mille amp leakage current is flowing it should trip within 40 mille seconds

Work on Electrical Equipment

Always ISOLATE supply

Switch off using a device that will create an air gap that should not fail Lock off where possible to prevent inadvertent switching ON whilst work taking place Always test conductors in a reliable way before touching (ie. test the test device before and after use!) Use appropriate safety equipment

Permit to work may be required for higher voltage or complex installations

Electrical safety equipment

Insulated boots

Insulated combination plier

Insulated sticks

Insulated ladders

Insulate gloves

Insulated mats

Arc flash wear

Double Insulation

Lots of portable equipment is Double Insulated Extra layer of insulating material over live conductors to prevent exposure of conductors Can mean that an earth conductor is not required risk reduced by additional insulation.(two pin plug top connected )

Maintenance of Portable Electrical Equipment

Many accidents result from 230 volt portable equipment All exposed metal parts of equipment shall be properly earthed Proper colour code for wiring shall be followed Proper plug tops (two pin type only for double insulated appliances ) shall be used

Step potential

Step potential

Just 500 mm between the feet = high voltage between the feet

Step potential

Severity of electric shock will be more for the cow with comparison to the man

The Law

Factory ordinance Electricity act Requirements for electrical installations -17 th edition (Iee regulations )

Require

Safe construction, maintenance & work systems Capability,Environments,Insulation, Earthing, Connections, Fusing, Isolation, Making dead, Live working, Working Space, Competence. Covers ALL aspects at ALL voltages.

Any Clarifications or Questions ?