Fire Safety

The Stats

• Fire death statistics 1986-95 throughout the united states– 2.1 Million Fires Reported Per Year– 5,100 Average Civilian Deaths– 28,500 Injuries– 9.6 Billion Dollars in Losses

Definitions

• Carbon dioxide (co2)

• Combustible

• Combustion

• Conduction

• Convection

Definitions

• Fire cause

• Fire prevention code

• Flammable

• Flash point

• Ignition source

• Ignition temperature

Combustion

• Chemical reaction between– Combustible material (fuel)– Oxygen– Ignition source

• Rapid oxidation of combustible material accompanied by a release of energy in the form of heat and light

Types of Heat Energy

• Chemical – heat of combustion– spontaneous heating– heat of decomposition– heat of solution

• Electrical– Resistance Heating– Dielectric Heating– Induction Heating– Leakage Current Heating– Heat from Arcing– Static Electricity Heating– Heat Generated by Lighting

Types of Heat Energy

• Mechanical – Frictional heat– Frictional sparks– Heat of compression

• Nuclear heat energy– Nuclear Fission and Fusion

Types of Heat Energy

Fire Tetrahedron

• Triangle is out…. Tetrahedron is in…

• Consists of 4 Sides

Oxygen Fuel

Heat Chain of reaction

Three Phases of Fire

• Incipient– Oxygen content in air not reduced

• Hot smoldering – Flame may cease to exist if area is

airtight– Burning reduced to glowing embers– Dense smoke fills the room

• Free-burning

Fire Hazards

• Any –Material– Condition– Or act

• That contributes to the start of a fire, or

• Increases the extent and severity of a fire

2 Types 0f Fire Hazards

• Common– Likely to be found in almost all

occupancies– Not associated with a specific: • Occupancy• Process or activity

• Special– arises from the process or operations

taking place in the space

General Fire Safety

• Housekeeping– Storage & Disposal of Trash & Debris– Containers - selected by waste type• general• smoking materials• oily rags• highly combustible materials

Waste Containers

• Locate away from– Heat sources• Space heaters; Furnaces; Steam pipes

– Flammable & combustible liquids– Directly under combustible objects

• Exterior cans– Locate away from buildings so a trash

fire will not spread to the building

Flammable Trash Cans

• Dispose of flammable waste in:– non-combustible container– with self closing, tight fitting lid

• Oily or Greasy Materials– store in trash can with• airtight lids• supported by legs so the bottom is several

inches off the floor

HousekeepingOutside

• Keep roofs, yards, courts, vacant lots & open spaces– Free of wastepaper–Weeds– Litter– Combustible waste & rubbish

Types Of Fires

• Class A– wood, cloth, paper, cardboard

• Class B– flammable or combustible liquids,

gases

• Class C– energized electrical equipment

• Class D– combustible metal

Fire Extinguishers

• Ratings– based on use by untrained operator– 8 inch deep layer of flammable liquid

• Class A

• Class B

• Class C

• Class D

Placement

• Readily visible– Near points of entry & exit– Protected from vandalism

• Uniformly distributed– No more than 50 feet travel distance to

fire for class B materials– No more than 75 feet travel distance to

fire for class A materials

• Easily accessible– Free from blockage– Near normal paths of travel–Mounted no more than 5 feet off ground– Large extinguishers (+40 pounds)

mounted on wheels

Placement

Fire Extinguishers• Inspect monthly - ensure:– In proper location and it is accessible– Discharge nozzle or horn is not obstructed,

cracked or dirty – Operating instructions on the nameplate are

legible– Lock pins and tamper seals are in place– Extinguisher is full and ready for use– Extinguisher has an inspection tag

Summary

• Statistics

• Definitions

• Combustion principles

• Fire tetrahedron

• 3 phases of fire

• Fire hazards

• General fire safety

• Types of fires

• Portable fire extinguishers