Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 1 of 15 PowerPoint presentation Dealing with fires Unit 102: Fundamental safe working practices

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 2 of 15 Dealing with fires Fire is one of the most destructive elements that exists, but it also one that tradespeople use for roofing, soldering and welding. Combustion is actually a chemical process between a fuel, oxygen and heat.

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 3 of 15 Dealing with fires Three elements of combustion Three elements combine in what is known as the fire triangle. All three elements need to be in place for combustion to happen: Fuel Oxygen Heat

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 4 of 15 Dealing with fires If we remove one of the three elements, the fire will go out. Fuel If we remove the fuel there is nothing to burn. This can be done by physically removing it or by rendering it chemically incombustible. Combustible items should be moved out of the way before a flame is used.

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 5 of 15 Dealing with fires Oxygen If oxygen is removed, the fire will have nothing to react with. This can be done by ‘suffocating’ or covering the fire. A physical fire blanket could be used or the fire could be covered with foam, powder or carbon dioxide.

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 6 of 15 Dealing with fires Heat Without the heat the fire will not start or continue. If we douse the fuel with water, the water will turn to steam, effectively taking the heat away from the fuel.

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 7 of 15 Dealing with fires Classification of fires We need to be able to classify the types of fires and then choose the correct fire extinguisher for that fire. Choosing the wrong fire extinguisher can have fatal consequences. There are six classes of fires and four classes of fire extinguishers.

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 8 of 15 Dealing with fires Class A Solids like wood, paper plastic, curtains, sofas Class B Flammable liquids like paraffin, petrol, oil, paint Class C Flammable gasses like propane, butane, methane Class D Metals like aluminium, magnesium, titanium Class E Electrical fires with cabling, computers, consumer units Class FCooking oil and fats Types of fire

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 9 of 15 Dealing with fires Types of fire extinguisher PowderWater Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) Foam

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 10 of 15 Dealing with fires Using the correct fire extinguisher Class A Solids Class B Liquids Class C Gases Class D Metals Class E Electrical Class F Oil/fat Water Foam Powder CO 2

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 11 of 15 Dealing with fires Hazards It is important to use the correct fire extinguisher. Using the wrong type can be dangerous: Never use water or foam extinguishers on an electrical fire, as water is conductive. Powder extinguishers do cause damage to equipment. CO 2 extinguishers should not be used in confined spaces.

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 12 of 15 Dealing with fires Site housekeeping To prevent fire occurring today, sites are very strict about good housekeeping: The site should be cleaned up during work and after the job has been completed. The storage of flammable substances should be restricted to certain, well-ventilated and signed areas. All waste material should be removed from the workplace into skips located on site. ‘Hot work’ is often restricted to permit holders only.

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 13 of 15 Dealing with fires Tackling fires Small fires can be brought under control with the use of a portable fire extinguisher: Before you tackle any fire, make sure everyone else has left the area and the emergency services have been notified. If there is any immediate danger to yourself, leave the area. Never put yourself at risk.

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 14 of 15 Dealing with fires Tackling fires The following steps could be used when fighting a small fire: 1.Stand about 3m away from the fire, keeping a clear exit route behind you so that you are not trapped. 2.Choose the correct extinguisher. 3.Remove the safety pin from the extinguisher. 4.Aiming low, point the hose/nozzle at the base of the fire and squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent. 5.Slowly move the hose from side to side covering the flames. 6.Continue until the flames are out, the extinguisher runs out or the emergency services arrive.

Level 1 Diploma in Plumbing Studies © 2013 City and Guilds of London Institute. All rights reserved. 15 of 15 Any questions?