INTRODUCTION

Fire is the third leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, yet most people
ignore it. More than 150 workplace fires occur every day.
In this handbook, you'll see:
• How fires start
• How fires are classified
• How to prevent fires
• When not to fight a fire
• How to identify the proper fire extinguisher
• How to use a portable fire extinguisher
• How to extinguish small fires
• How to inspect your fire extinguisher
• How to create an Emergency Action Plan
• How to evacuate a burning building
• What to do if trapped in a burning building.
 QUIZ
1. True False Fire requires fuel, oxygen and heat for ignition to occur.
Take any one away and the fire cannot occur.
2. True False Fire needs an atmosphere of 21 percent oxygen — the same
as the air we breathe — to sustain ignition.
3. True False Class A fires are fueled by ordinary combustible or fibrous
material, such as wood, paper, cloth and some plastics.
4. True False Class В fires include flammable or combustible
liquids, greases and gases, such as gasoline, paint and
propane.
5. True False Class С fires include electrical equipment, such as motors
and heaters that are not connected to a power source.
6. True False Combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium
and sodium are considered Class D.
7. True False Class D fires can be extinguished with water.
8. True False Keeping the work area free of litter is one way to help
prevent Class A fires.
9. True False Gasoline-powered equipment can be refueled while hot if
refueling is done in a well-ventilated area.
10. True False Heat from an uncovered light bulb can easily ignite
ordinary combustibles.
11. True False A spark from a rough-running motor can ignite the oil and
dust in it.
12. True False You may use a higher-amp fuse than is specified for an
electrical circuit if you first tag the fuse box to mark
the change.
CONTENTS
13. True False Unusual odors from electrical equipment can be the first sign
of a potential fire. Introduction ---------------
14. True False If the fire you are fighting begins to spread, leave the area How Fires Start ------------
and call for help.
How Fires Are Classified • • - - -
15. True False Use pressurized water, foam, or multi-purpose extinguishers
on Class A fires. How to Prevent Fires--------
16. True False Do not use water extinguishers on energized electrical
equipment. When Not to Fight a Fire How to
17. True False An Emergency Action Plan should designate one person to Extinguish Small Fires
evacuate all disabled people in the building.
18. True False Fire drills are necessary to test the Emergency Action Plan. How to Identify the Proper Fire
19. True False The last person to evacuate a room should lock the door to Extinguisher -----------
prevent vandalism or theft of equipment.
20. True False Elevators may be used to evacuate a building as long as they How to Use a Portable Fire
remain operable. Extinguisher -----------
How to Inspect Your Fire
Extinguishers ----------
How to Use an
Emergency Action Plan
••••••
How to Evacuate a
Burning Building -----------
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TRAINING
I have read and understand the training handbook, Fire Safety. I have What to Do if Trapped in a
also completed and passed the comprehensive quiz at the conclusion Burning Building -----------
of this handbook.
What to Do if Someone Catches
Employee's Signature Date on Fire ------------
Summary -----------------
Quiz ---------------------

Trainer's Name Date NOTE: This record may be included

in the employee's personnel or training file.

 WHAT TO DO IF SOMtEONE HOW FIRES START
CATCHES ON FIRE Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of a fuel.
It needs four elements to occur:
И you should catch on fire:
• STOP — where you are I Fuel — Fuel can be any
combustible material — solid,
• DROP — to the floor
liquid or gas. Most solids and
• ROLL — around on the floor. liquids become a vapor or gas
This will smother the flames, before they will burn.
possibly saving your life. Just
remember to STOP, DROP and I Oxygen — The air we breathe
ROLL. is about 21 percent oxygen. Fire
only needs an atmosphere with
at least 16 percent oxygen.

I If a co-worker catches
on fire, smother the I Heat — Heat is the energy
flames by grabbing a necessary to increase the
blanket or rug and temperature of the fuel to a point
wrapping them up in it. where sufficient vapors are
That could save them given off for ignition to occur.
from serious burns or
even death.
I Chemical Reaction — A
chain reaction can occur when
the other three elements are
present in the proper conditions
SUMMARY and proportions. Fire occurs
when this rapid oxidation, or
burning takes place.
• Knowledge
• Awareness
• Preparation.
These are your keys to
preventing and surviving fires
wherever they occur.

Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannot occur or will be
extinguished if it was already burning.
 HOW FIRES ARE CLASSIFIED
Class A— Ordinary combustibles or
fibrous material, such as wood,
paper, cloth, rubber and some
plastics.

Class В — Flammable or
combustible liquids such as gasoline,
kerosene, paint, paint thinners and
propane.

Class С — Energized electrical

equipment, such as appliances,
switches, panel boxes and power
tools.

Class D — Certain combustible

metals, such as magnesium, titanium,
potassium and sodium. Explosive
reactions can result from using
common agents on Class D fires.
Therefore, it is important to use the
appropriate extinguishing agent for
the type of metal that is burning.
WHAT TO DO IF TRAPPED
IN A BURNING BUILDING
I K you're trying to
escape a fire, never open
a closed door without
feeling it first. Use the
back of your hand to
prevent burning your
palm. If the door is hot,
try another exit. If none
exists, seal the cracks
around the door and vents
with anything available.
I If trapped, look for a nearby
phone and call the fire
department, giving them your
exact location.

I If breathing is difficult, try to

ventilate the room, but don't
wait for an emergency to
discover that windows can't
be opened.
Class С — Electrical equipment:
• Look for old wiring, worn
insulation and broken electrical
fittings. Report any hazardous
condition to your supervisor.
• Prevent motors from
overheating by keeping them
clean and in good working order.
A spark from a rough-running
motor can ignite the oil and dust
in it.

Utility lights should always have

some type of wire guard over them.
Heat from an uncovered light bulb
can easily ignite ordinary
combustibles. Don't misuse fuses.
Never install a fuse rated higher
than specified for the circuit.

I Investigate any appliance or

electrical equipment that smells
strange. Unusual odors can be
the first sign of fire.
I Don't overload wall outlets.
Two outlets should have no
more than two plugs.
HOW TO USE AN
EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
A written, up-to-date Emergency Action Plan for your workplace is
essential in case of emergency. Make sure you read and understand
your company's Emergency Action
Plan.

• The plan should contain information about evacuation from the

facility, including who is in charge of the evacuation.
• Primary and secondary escape routes should be outlined for every
area of the building. Since stairways are the primary escape route in
multiple story buildings, they should not be used for any kind of
storage.
• Emergency Action Leaders should be assigned specific duties, such
as verifying that all workers have evacuated.
• Pre-fire planning must clearly show the locations of the workstations
of the disabled workers.
• Disabled workers and those with known medical problems
such as heart disease or epilepsy, should each be assigned an
Emergency Action Leader to guide them to safety.
• Any workers who might need assistance during a fire should be
identified during planning.
Fire drills should be scheduled to test the Emergency Action Plan. Let
the drill be used to find problems before a fire happens, then make the
necessary changes.
 HOW TO PREVENT FIRES
Class A— Ordinary combustibles:
• Keep storage and working areas free of trash.
• Place oily rags in covered containers.

Class В — Flammable liquids or gases:

• Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment
in a confined space, especially in the
presence of an open flame such as a
furnace or water heater.
• Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment
while it's hot.
• Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly
closed, self-closing, spill-proof
containers. Pour from storage drums only
what you'll need.
• Store flammable liquids away from spark-
producing sources.
• Use flammable liquids only in well-
ventilated areas.
I The last one out of the room should not lock the door, just close it.
Locking the door hinders the fire department's search and rescue efforts.
I Proceed to the exit as outlined in the Emergency Action Plan.
I Don't use elevators under any circumstances.
I Stay low and avoid smoke and toxic gases. The best air is close to the
floor, so crawl if you have to.
I If possible, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth to help you
breathe.
I K you work in a building with multiple stories, a stairway will be your
primary escape route.
I Once in the stairwell, proceed down to the first floor. Never go up.
I Once outside the building, report to a predetermined area so that a head
count can be taken.
HOW TO USE A PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER
 Pull the pin.

.....Aim extinguisher
nozzle at the base of the
flames.

.Squeeze trigger while

holding the extinguisher
upright.

.Sweep the extinguisher

from side to side, covering
the area of the fire with the
extinguishing agent.
REMEMBER
• Should your path of escape be threatened
• Should the extinguisher run out of agent
• Should the extinguisher prove to be ineffective
• Should you no longer be able to safely fight the fire ...
LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!

HOW TO INSPECT YOUR

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

I Know the locations of your fire extinguishers. I Make sure the class of
the extinguisher is safe to use on fires likely
to occur in the immediate area. I Check the seal. Has the extinguisher
been tampered with or used
before? I Look at the gauge and feel the weight. Is the extinguisher full?
Does it need to be recharged? I Make sure the pin, nozzle and
nameplate are intact. I Report any missing, empty or damaged fire
extinguishers.
WHEN NOT TO FIGHT A FIRE
Never fight a fire:
• If the fire is spreading beyond the
spot where it started
• If you can't fight the fire with
your back to an escape exit
• If the fire can block your only
escape
• If you don't have adequate fire-
fighting equipment.
In any of these situations, DONT
FIGHT THE FIRE YOURSELF.
CALL FOR HELP.
HOW TO EXTINGUISH SMALL FIRES
I Class A — Extinguish ordinary
combustibles by cooling the
material below its ignition
temperature and soaking the
fibers to prevent re-ignition. Use
pressurized water, foam or
multi-purpose dry chemical
extinguishers.
I Class В — Extinguish
flammable liquids, greases or
gases by removing the oxygen,
preventing the vapors from
reaching the ignition source or
inhibiting the chemical chain
reaction. Foam, carbon dioxide,
ordinary dry chemical, multi-
purpose dry chemical and halon
extinguishers may be used to
fight Class В fires.
 HOW TO IDENTIFY THE
PROPER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
All ratings are shown on the
extinguisher faceplate. Some
extinguishers are marked with
multiple ratings such as AB, ВС and
ABC. These extinguishers are
capable of putting out more than one
class of fire.

I Class A and В extinguishers

carry a numerical rating that
indicates how large a fire an
experienced person can safely put
out with that extinguisher.

I Class С extinguishers have only a

letter rating to indicate that the
extinguishing agent will not
conduct electrical current. Class С
extinguishers must also carry a
Class A or В rating.

I Class D extinguishers carry only

a letter rating indicating their
effectiveness on certain amounts
of specific metals.
 • Class С — Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an
extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting electrical currents.
Carbon dioxide, ordinary dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical and
halon fire extinguishers* may be used to fight Class С fires. DO NOT
USE water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment.
" Even though halon is widely used, the EPA hopes to replace it with an agent that is less harmful to the
environment

• Class D — Extinguish combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium,

potassium and sodium with dry power extinguishing agents specially
designated for the material involved. In most cases, they absorb the heat
from the material, cooling it below its ignition temperature.
• Multi-purpose chemical extinguishers leave a residue that can harm
sensitive equipment, such as computers and other electronic equipment.
Carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are preferred in these instances
because they leave very little residue.