INTRODUCTION TO

FIRE SAFETY AND

EMERGENCY
RESPONSE
Department: E&I
 CHEMISTRY OF FIRE
FIRE BURNS BECAUSE THERE ARE
THREE ELEMENTS PRESENT...

 Fuel
 Heat
 Oxygen

By removing any one element a fire can

not occur, or a fire will not be able to
sustain combustion.
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 SOURCES OF IGNITION
 Smoking
 Electrical equipment
 Chemicals
 Flameable fluids
 CLASSES OF FIRE

Ordinary Flammable Involving Combustible

Combustibles Liquids Electricity Metals

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Class A —
Ordinary combustibles:
Keep storage and working areas
free of trash Place oily rags in
covered containers.

HOW TO PREVENT FIRES

Class B —
 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.

HOW TO PREVENT FIRES

 Class C —
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.
 Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that
smells strange. Unusual odors can be the first sign of fire.
 Don't overload wall outlets. Two outlets should
have no more than two plugs.

HOW TO PREVENT FIRES

Class D — Flammable metals:
 Flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium
generally
take a very hot heat source to ignite; however, once ignited
are
difficult to extinguish as the buring reaction produces
sufficient
oxygen to support combustion, even under water.
 In some cases, covering the burning metal with sand can
help
contain the heat and sparks from the reaction.
Class D extinguishing agents are available
(generally as a dry powder in a bucket or box)
which can be quite effective

HOW TO PREVENT FIRES

 Class D — Flammable metals:
 Pure metals such as potassium and sodium react violently
(even explosively) with water and some other chemicals, and must
be handled with care. Generally these metals are stored in sealed
containers in a non-reactive liquid to prevent decay (surface oxidation)
from contact with moisture in the air.
 White phosphorus is air-reactive and will burn/explode on contact
with room air. It must be kept in a sealed container with a non-reactive
solution to prevent contact with air.
 All of these metals are not uncommon but are generally only found in
small quantities and accidental fires/reactions can be controlled or
avoided completely through knowledge of the properties of the metals
and using good judgment and common sense.

HOW TO PREVENT FIRES

 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - WATER

 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
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - FOAM

 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
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - POWDER

 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
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS -CARBON DIOXIDE

 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
 PRE-FIRE
PRACTICES...

 Keep passage ways and exits clear

 Ensure fire extinguishers and fire alarm pull stations are accessible
at all times
 Place trash in proper receptacles
 Ensure that fire doors are not blocked open

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 PLAN FOR FIRE
EMERGENCIES...

 Read & understand the fire evacuation plan for your area
 Know the location of at least two (2) emergency exits
 Know the location of fire alarm pull stations and fire extinguishers
 Take part in fire drills

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WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE
CATCHES ON FIRE
 If you should catch on fire:
STOP - where you are
DROP - to the floor
ROLL - around on the floor
This will smother the flames, possibly saving your life.
Just remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL.
If a co-worker catches on fire, smother flames by grabbing a
blanket or rug and wrapping them up in it. That could save
them from serious burns or even death.
FIRE PROCEDURE - FINDING A FIRE

 Sound the fire alarm

 Fight the fire if you are competent
and you consider it safe to do so
 Evacuate as per normal fire
procedure
 Inform the Fire Warden
 FIGHTING A FIRE -
DO NOT FIGHT THE
FIRE IF : -
 It is bigger than a waste paper bin
 One extinguisher is not enough
 Smoke is affecting your breathing
 You cannot see the way out
 Gas cylinders or chemicals are involved
 Your efforts are not reducing the size of the fire
 IN CASE OF
FIRE...
 Remain calm. Don’t panic or cause confusion. NEVER shout fire.
 Proceed safely to nearest fire exit
 Feel surfaces of doors before opening
 Crawl to exit if smoke is present in area
 Follow instructions of Fire Department
 Remember R.A.C.E. and P.A.S.S.

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 R.A.C.E. FOR
FIRE SAFETY...

 Rescue anyone in immediate danger.

 Activate the fire alarm pull station
 Contain the fire
 Extinguish the fire, if your safety can be
assured
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 HOW TO USE A PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER
 HOW TO USE A PORTABLE FIRE
EXTINGUISHER
Remember the acronym, "P.A.S.S."—
P......Pull the Pin.
A......Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the
base of the flames.
S......Squeeze trigger while holding the
extinguisher upright.
S......Sweep the extinguisher from side to
side, covering the
area of the fire with
the extinguishing agent.
 POINTS TO REMEMBER

 Just to recap,fire requires three elements. Heat source, fuel and

oxygen. When one is absent, there can be no fire.
 It is important to take an active part in fire drills so that you are
aware of what your role is in the event of a fire.
 Remember R.A.C.E. and P.A.S.S.

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THANK YOU