Fire Safety

Fire Safety

Chemistry of Fire

Combustion occurs when THREE elements in

proportional ratio are present:-

HEAT OXYGEN

FUEL
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Chemistry of Fire

When the elements are present but unconnected,

combustion does not occur

HEAT OXYGEN

FUEL
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Chemistry of Fire

As there are THREE elements that cause

combustion, so there are THREE ways to extinguish
fire.
1. Cooling

Removing the HEAT element

Fire Safety

Chemistry of Fire

As there are THREE elements that cause

combustion, so there are THREE ways to extinguish
fire.
2. Smothering

Removing the OXYGEN element

Fire Safety

Chemistry of Fire

As there are THREE elements that cause combustion, so there are

THREE ways to extinguish fire.

3. Starvation ON OFF

Removing the FUEL element

GAS LINE
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FIRE SPREAD

As there are THREE elements that cause combustion, so there are THREE
methods of Fire Spread.

1. Conduction
Sketch showing how a fire
is spread through a building
by conduction of HEAT along
an unprotected steel girder.
The transfer of heat
from one solid object to another.
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FIRE SPREAD

2. Convection
Sketch showing how a fire
on a lower floor of a building
can spread to an upper floor
by convection.The transfer
of heat through air.
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FIRE SPREAD
3. Radiation
Sketch showing how clothing
may be ignited by radiation
when placed too close to a
source of heat The transfer
of heat through rays.
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Classification of Fire
Fires are classified into FOUR groups:-

CLASS “A” CLASS “B”

CLASS “C” CLASS “D

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Classification of Fire
CLASS “A” FIRES
Are the most common and the fuel is any
SOLID COMBUSTIBLES
e. g. :-

Timber Paper Textiles

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Classification of Fire

CLASS “B” FIRES

Fuel is Flammable Liquids

e. g. :-

PETROL GLUE

Petroleum Paints
Solvents
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Classification of Fire

CLASS “C” FIRES

Fuel is Flammable Gases

e. g. :-

Propane Gas Butane Gas

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Classification of Fire

CLASS “D” FIRES

Fuel is Metals
e. g. :-

Magnesium Pyraphoric Metals

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Classification of Fire

CLASS “E” ELECTRICAL FIRES

Are not classified as a type as they generally evolve
into one of the other Classes.
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Classification of Fire
CAR FIRES

Are not classified as a type

as they generally evolve
into one of the other Classes.
The recommended fire fighting
agents are Carbon Dioxide
and/or Dry Powder.
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Extinguishers

Standard (Jan 1996) of Extinguisher recognition to BS EN 3

Water Carbon Dioxide Foam Dry Powder

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Extinguishers
Pre-1996 Standard before BS EN 3

Water Carbon Dioxide Foam Dry Powder

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Fire Extinguishers
USE OF FIRE FIGHTING AGENTS

WATER - Must be delivered all over the burning

material
- User should concentrate on hot spots.
- An all - over cooling effect is required.
Fire Safety
Fire Extinguishers
USE OF FIRE FIGHTING AGENTS
- This agent, though very rapid and thorough,
requires the user to be up close to the
burning material.
- In Class “B” and “C” this may not
CO 2 be possible due to the over-powering heat
from the source.
- Excellent use indoors, questionable in a
windy outdoors.
- Carbon Dioxide is noisy in application
because of its contained pressure and can
apply Frost Burns to the User if not handled
correctly.
Fire Safety

Fire Extinguishers
USE OF FIRE FIGHTING AGENTS

- This agent requires a rapid hand action

during delivery. The idea is to cover the
DRY POWDER burning material with a blanket as soon as
possible.
- If used in the exterior, the user must be
sited upwind of the fire.
- Dry Powder is a very rapid action agent
but unfortunately is very untidy. Once
used , for the internal small fire, many
hours must be spent cleaning up the agent.
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Fire Extinguishers
USE OF FIRE FIGHTING AGENTS
FOAM - Finished foam must be delivered towards
the sides or back wall of the container of
the burning material.
- The film of foam should flow towards the
deliverer.
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Extinguishing Agents

Fire Fighting Agents for each Class of Fire

Class “A” Water

Class “B” Foam / Dry Powder / Vaporizing Gas

(CO2)

Class “C” Dry Powder

Class “D” Dry Powder or Sand

Electrical Vaporizing Gas - NEVER WATER !

Fire Safety

Fire Alarm Response

On hearing the alarm,YOU MUST :-

- Recognize the alarm
- Stop what you are doing
- Proceed to Assembly Point
(Outside the building) by
safest, nearest means of
escape.
- Close doors behind you
- Never use lifts
- Wait for further
instructions at the
Assembly Point
Fire Extinguishers

• Remember this easy acronym when using an

extinguisher - P.A.S.S.
• Pull the pin.
• Aim the nozzle.
• Squeeze the handle.
• Sweep side to side at the base of the
fire.
• NOTE: If, when using a fire extinguisher, the fire is
physically larger than you can safely handle, evacuate the
area and notify others by activating the emergency pull
station and call 911.