Practicing Fire Safety Ahmad Assad

8/8/2019 Practicing Fire Safety Ahmad Assad

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PRACTICING FIRE SAFETY

Ahmad Assad


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HOW FIRES START

Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of fuel. It needs three elements to occur.

-Fuel: Fuel cam be any combustible material- solid, liquidor gas. Most solids and liquids become a vapor or gasbefore they will burn.-O xygen: The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen.Fire only needs an atmosphere with at least 16% percentoxygen.-H eat: H eat is the energy necessary to increase thetemperature of the fuel to a point where sufficient vapors aregiven off for ignition to occur.


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A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire are

present in the proper conditions and proportion. Fire occurswhen this rapid oxidation, or burning takes place.

-Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannotoccur or will be extinguished if it was already burning.

CH EMICAL REACTIO N


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TETRAH EDRO N

THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON

The process we know as fire is a chemical reaction which involves

rapid oxidation or burning of a combustible material. In the past,we learned that three elements, fuel, heat, and oxygen were necessaryfor fire to start and continue burning, hence the fire triangle concept.

In recent years this concept has been expanded to include a fourthelement, that of the chemical reaction, thus creating the fire tetrahedron.


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Cont.

The following is a brief description of each element and their interaction:

Fuel - May be any combustible material. Can be a solid, liquid, or gas.Typically solids and liquids must be heated to the point where they areconverted into a vapor or gas before they will burn.

Oxygen - There must be at least 16% oxygen present for a fire toburn. This is usually not a problem since the air we breath is about21% oxygen.


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Cont.Heat - H eat is the energy needed to increase the fuel s temperature to

the point where sufficient vapors are produced for ignition to occur.

Chemical Reaction - The chemical chain reaction know as fire occurs whenfuel, oxygen and heat are present in the right conditions and amounts.


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HOW FIRES ARE CLASSIFIED

CLASS A:

O rdinary combustibles or fibrous material such asW ood, paper, cloth, rubber and some plastics.

CLASS B:

Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline,kerosene, paint, paint thinner and propane.


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Cont.

CLASS C:

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

CLASS D:Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium,Titanium, potassium and sodium. These metals burnat high temperatures and give off sufficient oxygento support combustion. They may react violentlywith water or other chemicals, and must be handledwith care.


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Residence LifeSafety Regulations for

Residential Living

Candies, Incense, and Combustible Materials

Candles and incense are a fire hazard and are not permitted in the residence halls orapartments. Combustible materials such as gasoline, paint thinner, and oil lamps are notpermitted within the residential facilities. Fire safety codes require strict compliance withthis regulation. Propane grills are prohibited.


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Cont.Fire Alarms, Fire Drills, and Residential Safety

Each residence hall has at least two fire drills per semester. These drills will not beannounced and you must evacuate the building immediately each time the fire alarmsounds. Disciplinary action will be taken if a student does not evacuate the building.

The misuse of fire alarms, fire detection devices, or fire extinguishers constitutes aserious offense. Any resident who misuses such equipment or devices will be subject toprosecution and disciplinary action. Residents are responsible for any damage to thesystem and they will be held financially accountable. Fire and safety regulations strictlyprohibit the use or storage within residential facilities of explosives, fireworks, liveChristmas trees, flammable liquids, fire-arms, ammunition, and combustible engines of any kind.


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WH EN NO T TO FIGH T A FIRE

NEVER FIGH T 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 situation,

DO N T FIGH T TH E FIRE YOU RSELF.CALL FO R H ELP.


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HOW TO EXTINGU ISH SMALL FIRES

CLASS A- Extinguish ordinary combustibles bycooling the material below its ignition temperature andsoaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition.

U se pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose (ABCrated) dry chemical extinguisher. D O NO T U SEcarbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemicalextinguisher on Class A fires.


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Cont. CLASS B: Extinguish flammable liquids, greases byremoving the oxygen, preventing the vapors fromreaching the ignition source or inhibiting the chemicalchain reaction.

Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) drychemical, multi-purpose dry chemical, and halonextinguishers may be used to fight Class B fires.

CLASS C Extinguish energized electricalequipment by using an extinguishing agent that is notcapable of conducting electrical current.

Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical,multi-purpose dry chemical and halon* fireextinguishers may be used to fight Class C fires. D O NO T U SE W ATER EXTINGU ISH ERSO NENERGIZED ELECTRICAL EQ U IPMENT.


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Cont.CLASS D: Extinguish combustible metals such as

magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium withdry powder extinguishing agents specially designatedfor the material involved.

In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material,cooling it below its ignition temperature.

NO TE: Multipurpose (ABC-rated) chemical extinguisher leave a

residue that can harm sensitive equipment, such as computers andother electronic equipment. Because of this, carbon dioxide or halonextinguishers are preferred in these instances because they leave verylittle residue.


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Cont.

ABC dry powder residue is mildly corrosive to many metals. Forexample, reside left over from the use of an ABC dry powderextinguisher in the same room with a piano can seriously corrodepiano wires.


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HOW TO IDENTIFY TH E PRO PER

FIRE EXTINGU

ISH

ERAll ratings are showed on the extinguisher faceplate.

Some extinguishers are marked with multiple ratings such as AB,BC and ABC. These extinguishers are capable of putting out more

than one class of fire.

Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicateshow large a fire an experienced person can safely put out with thatextinguisher.

Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that theextinguishing agent will not conduct electrical current. Class Cextinguisher must also carry a B rating.


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HOW TO U SE A PO RTABLE FIREEXTINGU ISH ER

Class D extinguishers carry only a letter rating indicating theireffectiveness on certain amounts of specific metals.

REMEMBER TH E ACRO NYM, P.A.S.S.

P .Pull the Pin

A ..Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flame.

S Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher upright.

S Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering thearea of the fire with the extinguishing agent.

NO TE: PU LL A FIRE ALARM BO X AND ALERTO TH ERS BEFO RE YOU ATTEMPT TO U SE A FIRE EXTINGU ISH ER.


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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.

Close the door on your way out of the area.

TH EN LEAVE TH E AREA IMMEDIATELY!!!!


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HOW TO INSPECT YOU R FIRE

EXTINGU

ISH

ERSKnow the locations of the fire extinguishers in your work area.Make sure the class of the extinguisher is safe to use on fires likelyto occur in the immediate area.

Check the plastic seal holding the pin in the extinguisher handle. H asthe extinguisher been tampered with or used before? Report anybroken/missing seals/pins to the Public Safety O ffice 256-4922.

W ater, some foam, and dry chemical extinguishers have gaugesindicating the pressure inside the extinguisher. The pressureneedle should be in the green area (generally 100-175 lbs.,depending on the type of agent).


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Cont.CO 2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are high pressure cylinders

with pressures ranging from 1500 lb to 2150 lb. Theseextinguishers D O NO T have gauges and must be weighed byFire Safety U nit staff to determine the amount of contentsremaining.

Make sure the pin, nozzle and nameplate are intact.

O ne is encouraged to be aware of the condition of your area sextinguishers by visual inspection on a frequent basis to ensureyou have a working extinguisher there when you need one.

Report any missing, empty or damaged fire extinguishers to thePublic Safety O ffice (256-4922) whenever you notice anydiscrepancies.


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The Appearance of Different typesof extinguishers

Generally, you can tell with a glance which type an extinguisher ishanging on the wall, or in the cabinet, just by looking at its shape.Check the labels of the extinguishers in your area and note thecolor and shape/size of the extinguisher. This may help if someoneruns in to help you fight a fire with the W RO NG extinguisher (i.e.water on an electrical fire) you can ST O P them before they areinjured or make matters worse!

ABC-rated multipurpose dry powder extinguishers are the mostcommon on campus, particularly in the corridors fo academicbuildings. They are almost always RED in color and have eithera long narrow hose or no hose(just a short nozzle). Theseextinguishers are very light (5-25lbs) H alon extinguishers lookvirtually identical to ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers


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Cont.W ater extinguisher are generally found in the dormitories and are

usually SILVER (crome-metal) in color, have a flat bottom, have along narrow hose, are quite large (2-1/2 gallons).

CO 2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are generally red, havea LARGE tapered nozzle (horn), are VERY H EAVY (15-85 lbs). They are high-pressure cylinders.

Care should be used N O T TO DRO P a co2 cylinder, if itis damaged it can punch a hole through the nearest wall(s)and end up on the other side of campus! (The containersare quite sturdy, but don t abuse them.) C O 2 cylinders donot have a pressure gauge-they must be weighed toDetermine the amount of contents.


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W here can I find a fire extinguisheron campus

In the corridors of academic and office buildings, and inside verylarge rooms.In or immediately outside all laboratories where chemicals are

stored and used.In or immediately outside mechanical spaces where motorized or

other equipment is present which might reasonably cause a fire.In campus storage buildings, and mounted inside

certain university vehicles.

If you can t find the fire extinguisher in your area, or feel you needa different type/size or extinguisher for you area, contact The

Public Safety O ffice 256-4922.


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RESIDENCEH ALL FIRE SU RVIVALPRO CEDU RE

Locate at least two emergency exits from your floor andmake sure they are free of obstruction

Note location of fire alarms, extinguishers or any otheremergency equipment available.

Note location of landmarks which may aid egress whenvisibility is reduced by smoke.


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Refamiliarize yourself with standard fire drill procedures.

Become familiar with U niversity fire and general safetyregulations.

Make sure the fire doors in halls and stair wells are closedat all times.

Extinguish all cigarettes and matches and empty wastebasketsoften.

Close door to your room when you retire. Exit when firealarm sounds!!!!

ALW

AYS:


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Smoke in bed.

Burn candles.

Allow an open flame (cigarette, candle, torch, etc.)or cooking appliance (coffee pot, hot plate, etc.) nearcommon combustible material, i.e., wood, paper, textiles, orflammable liquid.

Ignore fire alarm.

NEVER:


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Remain calm. Act quickly, not rashly. Your objective issurvive. If you can exit safely, do so. If not, you must workquickly to defend yourself against smoke and flame.

Never open your door without first checking for heat orsmoke. Close doors behind you.

Do not allow doors to lock behind you. You may be forcedto return.

IN TH E EVENTO F A FIRE:


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If smoke is encountered during egress, do not walk uprightcrawl. The air is cooler and less toxic nearer the floor.

Never use an elevator.

If smoke is present in a stairwell, avoid it. Choose another

route

If your clothes catch fire stop, drop, and roll to extinguishthe flames.

If you are in a room where fire starts, try to extinguish the fireif small. If the fire is too large, leave quickly. Close the doorand/ or call the Fire Department, dail 9, 9-1-1.

Cont.


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Seal door/window cracks and ventilation grills with tape(preferably duct tape) or towels and/or clothing (preferablywet) to keep smoke out. If there is smoke in the room, openthe window to let it out. H ang out an article of cloth, largeenough for rescuers to see, out of a corner of the window.Close the window again and seal cracks. Keep window closedto prevent outside smoke from entering.

Do not break the window unless the room has been heavilyinvaded by smoke and you must get air to survive. Remember;stay close to the floor for air. Call the Public Safety O ffice (4911),report the fire location and your situation. Tie a towel or

clothing (preferably wet) around your nose and mouth if necessary to filter smoke. Do not jump!!

W ith best regards A H MAD ASSAD

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Practicing Fire Safety Ahmad Assad

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