2

THEME

• What is important from the point of view of fire safety is how one interprets these properties. Thorough knowledge is essential to understand such properties, and their practical implications.

• In view of the large number of flammable/explosive chemicals being handled and used by a wide spectrum of industries, this knowledge is a basic safety requirement today.

3

WHAT IS FIRE

• A FIRE is voluntarily advancing process:

combustion of one or more inflammable materials & releasing energy

• Fire is a chemical reaction between oxygen and carbon (or even hydrogen and carbon) in which heat and light energies are also released.

• combination which may be defined as a chemical reaction of rapid oxidation accompanied with evolution of light & heat.

FUEL + HEAT ENERGY + OXYGEN/ AIR = FIRE

4

FIRE TRIANGLE

• THREE BASIC ELEMENTS - PRODUCTING FIRE:

• Presence of FUEL VAPOUR

• Presence of OXYGEN

• Presence of HEAT/ SOURCE OF IGNITION

• THIS COMBINATION CAUSING COMBUSTION IS REFERRED AS FIRE TRIANGLE AND ILLUSTRATED IN ADJOINING FIGURE.

FIRE TRIANGLE

AIR/OXYGEN FUEL

IGNITION SOURCE / TEMPERATURE /HEAT

CHEMISTRY OF FIRECHEMISTRY OF FIRE

5

HOW TO EXTINGUISH A FIRE

• There are three fire extinguishing methods :

• Starvation :- by removing fuel from fire.

- By cutting of fuel supply [ Most effective for gas fire ]

• Smothering :- blanketing of fuel by coating material, - by inserting of gas, steam/vaporizing liquid

• Cooling : -natural cooling ( water spray is the most commonly used)

[ effective for oxidizing chemicals, tank fires, etc.,]

• Breaking chain reaction – fourth method

6

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRECLASSIFICATION OF FIRE

• Class A Fires. Fires in ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper,

rubber, and many plastics.

• Class B Fires. Fires in flammable liquids, combustible liquids, petroleum greases, oils,

oil-based paints, solvents, and

flammable gases.

7

• Class C Fires. Fires that involve GAS & energized electrical equipment where the electrical non conductivity of the

extinguishing media is of importance. (When electrical

equipment is de-energized, fire extinguishers for Class A or Class B fires can be used safely.)

• Class D Fires. Fires in combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, sodium,

and potassium.

8

Classes of Fires

9

Classes of Fires

10

CLASSIFICATIONCLASSIFICATION OF FIRES & OF FIRES & SUITABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERSSUITABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Classification Coding Material Extinguisher to be used

Wood, rubber,

cloths, paper etc..

Water type / Soda Acid extinguishers

Flammable liquid & solids

Foam, CO2, DCP

Flammable

Gases & EElectric Fire

CO2 & DCP

Metal fire (Mg. Na)

Special DCP

11

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Types of Fire Extinguisher:1) DCP Extinguisher• DCP Extinguisher is of 5 kg & 10 kg capacity gas

cartridge type, and of 25 & 50 kg capacity trolley mounted type.

• This type of Extinguisher is suitable for Class B,C &D

• DCP Extinguisher contains sodium bi carbonate as extinguisher media. (white colour)

• Duration time is around 1 min.

12

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

2) C02 Extinguisher

• CO2 Extinguisher is of 2.0 kg, 4.5 kg & 9 kg capacity and of 22.5 kg capacity trolley mounted type.

• This type of Extinguisher is suitable for Class B & C

• CO2 Extinguisher contains Carbon Di-oxide as extinguisher media.

• Duration time is around 25 to 60 sec..

13

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

3) ABC Extinguisher

• Generally available in 5Kg• This type of Extinguisher is suitable for

Class A, B & C

• Nitrogen Gas is filled at 15 kg/cm2

pressure on Light Yellow DCP.

• Duration time is around 45 to 60 sec..

14

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

4) Mechanical Foam Type

• Generally available in 9 lit & 50 lit• This type of Extinguisher is suitable for

Class B. Synthetic Foam is filled in it.

• CO2 Gas Cartridge is fitted for operation.

15

16

HOW TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Pull the pin

This will allow you to squeeze the handle in order

to discharge the extinguisher

17

HOW TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Aim at the base of the fire

Aiming at the middle will do no good.

The agent will pass through the flames.

18

HOW TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Squeeze the handle

This will release the pressurized

extinguishing agent

19

HOW TO USE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Sweep side to side

Cover the entire area that is on fire. Continue

until fire is extinguished. Keep an

eye on the area for

re-lighting.

20

KEY POINTS

FLASH POINT :• Flash point is the minimum temperature at which

sufficient vapor given a momentary flash in presence of air

AUTO IGNITION TEMPERATURE:• It the lowest temperature at which material begins to

burn with out heat in presence of air

21

Fire Hazards at our Plant

• FO Storage Tank• Melting Furnace & Molten Metal• Welding Operation• Gas Cutting Operation• Short-Circuits• Diesel Drums• Oil Spillage• LPG Cylinder

22

We have total 123 Fire Extinguishers

•Water / CO2 Type – (9 lit) : 02

•Mechanical Foam Type (9 lit) : 04

•Mechanical Foam Type(50 lit) : 03

•CO2 Type (2 Kg) : 06

•CO2 Type (4.5 Kg) : 27

•DCP Type (5 Kg) : 73

•DCP Type (10 Kg) : 04

•ABC Type (5 Kg) : 04

Fire protection & prevention

23

Precaution at the time of Fire Fighting

• Extinguishing agent eliminates one of the vital elements of the fire

• Many types of extinguishers available

• Know location of extinguishers

• Alarm has been sounded

• Building has been evacuated

• Fire is small and confined

• You can fight the fire with your back toward an escape route

• The extinguisher matches the fire type

• The extinguisher works effectively

• You are properly trained in the use of the extinguisher

• You are confident you can put the fire out

24

Personal hazards

• Smoke and noxious fumes

• Smoke and fumes cause unconsciousness

• Death may result

25