Fire

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the

exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing
heat, light, and various reaction products.

Explosive

is a reactive substance that contains a great
amount of potential energy that can produce an explosion if
released suddenly, usually accompanied by the production
of light, heat, sound, and pressure.

FEHM (Fire and Explosives Hazard
Management)

A formalized approach to establish a sie-specific,
rationalized, relevant and cost-effective policy to reduce
potential fire and explosion consequences.
The Fire Triangle

Legislator Concerns:

Personnel safety
Societal safety
Enviroment
National Interest

Operator Concerns:

Asset loss
Bussiness Interrupion
Public image


Supervisor Roles

Complee fire & explosion training; ensure co-
workers have done he same.
Implemet Hazard idenification and controls.
Challenge hose no working safely.
Encourage reporting of unsafe work.

Worker Roles

Complete fire & explosion training.
Cary out fire & explosion prevention plans,
procedure, and controls.
Report fire & explosion hazards.
Assist inexperienced co-workers.
Challenge hose not working safely.
Report unsafe work.
Training Requirements

Basic-level training: (workers)

Expanded fire triangle and critical
risk facors
Controls
Communications

Advanced: (designers, supervisors, and
management)

Addiional detail on fuels, oxygen
sources, energy sources
Fire & explosion precention plan
development
Management of change
Stages of a Fire and Explosive Hazard
Management Process
A fire extinguisher, flame extinguisher, or
simply an extinguisher, is an active fire
protection device used to extinguish or control
small fires, often in emergency situations. It is
not intended for use on an out-of-control fire,
such as one which has reached the ceiling,
endangers the user (i.e., no escape route,
smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), or otherwise
requires the expertise of a fire department.
Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a
hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel
containing an agent which can be discharged
to extinguish a fire.
Water Fire
Extinguishers
Suitability
Wood, Cloth, Paper, some Plastics, Coal, People.
Fires involving solids

Dangers
Not to be used on burning fat or oil or on
electrical appliances

Method of Use
Point the jet at the base of the flames and keep it
moving across the area of the fire. Ensure that
all areas of the fire are out.

Theory
The water takes away the heat of the fire by
cooling the burning material
Dry Powder Fire
Extinguishers
Suitability
Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal, Liquids such as grease, fats,
oil, paint, petrol.

Dangers
The powder is not good at getting into tiny spaces in electrical
equipment easily so the the fire may re-ignite.
Not to be used on chip pan fires.

Method of Use
Point the nozzle at the base of the flames and, with a quick
sweeping motion, drive the fire away from you until all the
flames are out.

Theory
As well as knocking down flames, on burning solids it melts to
form a layer or skin that smothers the fire.
Spray Foam Fire
Extinguishers
Suitability
Limited number of liquid fires.

Dangers
Do not use on chip pan fires. Check manufacturer's instructions
for suitability of use on other fires involving liquids.
These extinguishers are not recommended for home use.

Method of Use
Do not aim jet straight into the liquid. Where the liquid on fire is
in a container, point the jet at a surface nearby the burning liquid.
Allow the foam to build up and run across the liquid.

Theory
Forms a fire extinguishing film on the surface of a burning liquid.
Has a cooling action with a wider extinguishing application than
water on solid combustible materials.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Fire Extinguishers
Suitability
Liquids such as grease, fats, oil paint, petrol etc. but not on chip
pan fires.

Dangers
Do not use on chip pan fires.
This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and you
need to watch that the fire does not start up again.
Fumes from CO2 extinguishers can be harmful if used in confined
spaces: ventilate the area as soon as the fire has been
controlled.
These extinguishers are generally not recommended for home
use.

Method of Use
The discharge horn should be directed at the base of the flames
and the jet kept moving across the area of the fire.

Theory
Vaporizing liquid gas which smothers the flames by displacing
oxygen in the air.
Fire Blankets
Suitability
Fires involving solids & liquids. Excellent for small
fires on clothing and for chip and fat pan fires

Dangers
The blanket must completely cover the fire or it will
not be extinguished.

Method of Use
Place carefully over the fire. Keep your hands away
from the fire. Place the blanket down away from you.

Theory
Smothers the fire
SOURCES:

http://www.wct-ohse.com/pdf/fire_explosion_hazard_management.pdf
http://www.resprotint.co.uk/Fire_and_Explosion_Hazard_Management.pdf
http://www.firesandexplosions.ca/pdf/IRP-18-Presentation.pdf
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_extinguisher
http://personal-protective-safety-equipment.co.uk/Safety-Advice/fire-
extinguishers-codes.asp
http://www.county-fire.com/fire-extinguishers.shtml