Fire and Combustible Hazards

By Senthil Kumaran

Lead Consultant, Jai Maaruthi Consultaant

Content

Introduction

Fire Accidents

Fire Triangle

Types of Fire

Fire Hazards

Fire Prevention

Introduction – Jai Maaruthi Consultaant

Business and Management System Consultancy

3rd Party product inspection agency

Training Provider – QEHS, Management and Systems

Professionally managed by experienced technocrats

Consultants with average experience of more than 25 years.

Trainer Credential

QEHS Professional with 24+ years of industrial experience

International exposure – ASEAN / China / Europe

Lead Auditor – QMS / EMS / OHSAS (IRCA Registered ) / EnMS

Six Sigma Black Belt

Singapore government registered Safety Officer / FSM / ECO

Singapore government approved Safety Trainer

Safety Auditor / NMO / NCO / LS / WAH Sup / Rigger / Signalman

Conduced more than 150 safety audits internationally

Have more than 1000 hrs of training experience

Fire Accidents

Construction site of Tanjong Pagar Centre, Anson Road,

Singapore

Evening rush hour on Thursday (March 3) 

Columns of black smoke rising taller than the 290m building, as

well as underground into parts of Tanjong Pagar MRT station

Cause : Small sparks that fell onto the steel cutting

Location : Construction materials occupying an area of about

10m by 10m

Taken from http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/fire-outside-international-plaza on 26.05.2016

Fire Triangle

Fuel

Oxygen Heat

Energy necessary to ignite the fuel

Oxygen in air : 21%Fire needs 16% only

Any combustible material

Energy required to increase the temp of fuel to its flash

point

Fuel - Combustible Materials Gases and Vapors

Acetylene

LPG (Propane, Butane, Pentane)

LNG (Methane)

Paint Vapors

Gases given off from crude petroleum, sludge, etc

Fuel - Combustible Materials Solid Fuel

Wood

Plastic

Paper

Rubber, etc

Fuel - Combustible Materials Liquid Fuel

Crude Oil

Lubricating Oil

Hydraulic Oil

Paint Solvent, etc

Heat – Ignition Source

Types of FireClass AOrdinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and some plastics.

Types of Fire

Class BFlammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane.

Types of Fire

Class C

Class D

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

Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium, and sodium.

Fire Hazards

Under the Fire Safety Act, of Singapore, Fire Hazard means any matter or circumstance which materially increases

the likelihood of fire or

the danger to life or property

that would result from the outbreak of fire

Fire Hazards

a. any alteration to any building in contravention of any law relating to

building works or fire safety works such as might render escape in the

event of fire more difficult;

b. the overcrowding of any public building or any building used occasionally

or regularly for public worship or religious ceremonies such as might

render escape in the event of fire more difficult;

c. any removal from any building of any fire safety measure which was

provided in such building in accordance with plans approved by the

Commissioner under section 23;

Fire Hazards

d. the presence in any building of any fire safety measure which from lack of

proper maintenance or for any other reason is not in efficient working

order;

e. the obstruction of escape routes, passageways , common property or

limited common property of any building such as might render escape in

the event of fire more difficult; and

f. any other matter or circumstance which would materially hamper the Force

in the discharge of its duties in the event of fire;

Fire Hazards Fuel (Combustible material)

Cardboard / papers

Heat (ignition source) Electrical panel

Fire Hazards Fuel (Combustible material)

Paint Materials

Heat (ignition source) Electrical panel

Fire Hazards Fuel (Combustible material)

Cardboard / papers

Heat (ignition source) Electrical motors

Fire Hazards Fuel (Combustible material)

Polythene papers

Heat (ignition source) Flame hardening

Fire Hazards Exit way blocked

Fire Hazards Obstruction of means of escape

Fire Hazards Storage of combustible materials without FE

Fire Hazards Wrong storage of gas cylinders

Fire Prevention Programs

Purpose : to eliminate, if not, reduce the causes of fire and prevent loss of

life and property. Cause of fires is often a result of human action bringing fuel and an

ignition source together. Hence, fire prevention inevitable means changing human behaviour

through fire safety training and education and most importantly the

support from top management. A fire prevention program does not need to be sophisticated.

Fire Prevention Programs

Basic Elements:

1. Identification of potential fire hazards

2. Maintenance of the fire protection equipment/system

3. Proper handling and storage procedures

4. Maintenance of equipment and machinery

5. Periodic inspection

6. Housekeeping

7. Proper waste management

8. Training

Types of Fire Extinguishers

CLASS A only

CLASS B & C

CLASSA, B & C

Water CO2 Dry Chemical

Danger of electric shock if used on live conductor

Disperse Quickly – Continue applying after the fire is out

Good for general use & reduce risk of regeneration

Fire Fighting with Fire Extinguishers

Aim at

the Base

Allow to squeeze the handle in order to discharge theextinguisher

If not aiming base then the agent will pass through the flames

1.

2.

Fire Fighting with Fire Extinguishers

Release the pressurized extinguishing agent

Cover the entire area that is on fire Continue until fire is extinguished

3.

4.

Safe Fire Fighting

Never Fight a Fire if you don't know what is burning If you don't know what is burning, you don't know what type of extinguisher to

use. Even if you have an ABC extinguisher, there may be something in the fire

which is going to explode or produce highly toxic smoke

Never Fight a fire if you don't have adequate or appropriate

equipment If you don't have the correct type or large enough extinguisher, it is best not to

try to fight the fire

Safe Fire Fighting

Never Fight a Fire if the fire is spreading rapidly beyond the spot

where it started The time to use an extinguisher is in the incipient, or beginning, stages of a

fire.

If the fire is already spreading quickly, it is best to simply evacuate the building,

closing doors and windows behind you as you leave.

Never fight a fire if you might inhale toxic smoke If the fire is producing large amounts of smoke that you would have to breathe

in order to fight it, it is best not to try. Gases from man made materials can be fatal in very small amounts.

Safe Fire Fighting

The final rule is to always position yourself with an exit or means of

escape at your back before you attempt to use an extinguisher to put

out a fire. In case the extinguisher malfunctions, or something unexpected happens, you

need to be able to get out quickly, and you don't want to become trapped. Just

remember, always keep an exit at your back.

Q & A

Thank you YOU’VE BEEN A WONDERFUL AUDIENCE