Lamorinda Community Emergency Response Team Unit 2 - Fire Safety Part I 04/11/2017 Lamorinda Community Emergency Response Team Unit 2: Fire Safety, Part I Released: 11 April 2017 Lamorinda CERT

Community Emergency Response Team Personal safety is ALWAYS the number one priority Work as a team Wear personal protective equipment…gloves, helmet, goggles, N95 mask and boots The CERT goal is to do the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number Hope for the best but plan for the worst Visual 2a.1 Lamorinda CERT

Unit Objectives As a CERT member where should you start? Start in your home ! Assess for fire danger Don’t burn down the house ! Know your house Where is the … ? The Mad Scientist Household Chemicals Visual 2a.2 Lamorinda CERT

Basic Fire Chemistry Fire safety, at its most basic, is based upon the principle of keeping fuel sources and ignition sources separate Visual 2a.3 Lamorinda CERT

The Fire Triangle Three things must be present at the same time to produce fire: Oxygen to sustain combustion Heat to reach ignition temperature Fuel or combustible material Together, they produce the chemical reaction that is fire Take away any one of these things and the fire will be extinguished Visual 2a.4 Lamorinda CERT

Fire Chemistry There are three main classifications of fuels Two more for commercial environments Fuels are things that will burn Visual 2a.5 Lamorinda CERT

Fire Classes Cooking K Oils Visual 2a.6 Lamorinda CERT

Flashover Video Visual 2a.7 Lamorinda CERT

Reduce Fire Hazards Never leave a pan unattended If things go wrong, don’t panic ! Turn off the heat if it is safe to do Visual 2a.8 Lamorinda CERT

Reduce Fire Hazards NEVER use water on oil or grease Use a cookie sheet to smother flames Put a lid or slide the cookie sheet over the top of the pot Visual 2a.9 Lamorinda CERT

Reduce Fire Hazards Don’t be a “pack rat” Stuff = fuel for a fire Visual 2a.10 Lamorinda CERT

Keep combustible curtains and drapes at least 3 feet from heat sources Reduce Fire Hazards Keep combustible curtains and drapes at least 3 feet from heat sources Visual 2a.11 Lamorinda CERT

Avoid the “electrical octopus” Reduce Fire Hazards Avoid the “electrical octopus” Visual 2a.12 Lamorinda CERT

Reduce Fire Hazards Power strip A surge protector with at least 2400 Joules is recommended. Visual 2a.13 Lamorinda CERT

Reduce Fire Hazards Don’t run cords under carpets or other combustible materials Replace frayed or broken cords Visual 2a.14 Lamorinda CERT

Reduce Fire Hazards Visual 2a.15 Lamorinda CERT

Be “firewise” around your home Reduce Fire Hazards Be “firewise” around your home www.firewise.org Visual 2a.16 Lamorinda CERT

Smoke and CO Detectors Most victims die from smoke or toxic gases Install carbon monoxide detector in home CA State Law effective July 1, 2011 CO results from incomplete burning of organic matter including all petroleum products Gasoline Natural gas Propane Test batteries for natural gas and carbon monoxide detectors every month Change batteries every 6 months Visual 2a.17 Lamorinda CERT

Fire Detection - Smoke Detectors Is one enough? Visual 2a.18 Lamorinda CERT

Fire Detection - Smoke Detectors For extra protection: Hallways Dining rooms Furnace rooms Utility rooms Do not install in these areas: Kitchens Bathrooms Garages Visual 2a.19 Lamorinda CERT

Smoke Detectors … Maintenance Replace batteries every 6 months or when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. Many new alarms have 10 year batteries. Don’t paint over them ! Visual 2a.20 Lamorinda CERT

Fire Safety Plan and practice 2 fire escape routes Once you’re out, stay out ! Don’t go back in Use the back of your hand to feel for heat. Visual 2a.21 Lamorinda CERT

Fire Safety What do you do if you are on the second floor, there is a fire, and you can’t use the stairs to get out? Visual 2a.22 Lamorinda CERT

Fire Safety Stay calm Stay where you are Close the door Put towels at the bottom of the door Open a window Place a signal sheet or towel out the window Stay low, under any smoke Visual 2a.23 Lamorinda CERT

Locate and label gas, electricity and water shutoffs Utilities Locate and label gas, electricity and water shutoffs Visual 2a.24 Lamorinda CERT

Natural Gas and Propane Install natural gas or propane detector Natural gas is lighter than Air Accumulates near the ceiling Propane is heavier than Air Accumulates near the floor Locate and label gas shutoffs Have proper non-sparking tool Visual 2a.25 Lamorinda CERT

Utilities Keep a gas shutoff wrench or crescent wrench near, but not on the gas shutoff valve 12” minimum Visual 2a.26 Lamorinda CERT

Utilities Turn off gas if: you smell it, hear it leaking, there is major damage and the meter wheels are spinning or there is a fire DON’T turn it back on Call PG&E after the incident DON’T attempt to extinguish fire at or near the meter Visual 2a.27 Lamorinda CERT

Automatic Gas Shutoff Valve Utilities Automatic Gas Shutoff Valve Two types: Excess flow Quake triggered, approximate magnitude 5.5 Installed by a licensed plumber Visual 2a.28 Lamorinda CERT

Appliance Gas Excess Flow Shutoff Valve Utilities Appliance Gas Excess Flow Shutoff Valve Placed between line valve and flex line to appliance Sized based on BTU per hour of appliance One valve for each appliance Installed by homeowner or a licensed plumber Visual 2a.29 Lamorinda CERT

Christy Box – Water Shutoff Visual 2a.30 Lamorinda CERT

House Water Shutoff Recommended water shutoff for home owner Use in case of broken sprinkler or construction work Visual 2a.31 Lamorinda CERT

House Electrical Service Drop A Service Drop is an electrical line that carries energy from the power pole to the house. Visual 2a.32 Lamorinda CERT

Electrical Panel Closed panel with meter Open panel with breakers Visual 2a.33 Lamorinda CERT

Electrical Sub-Panel Sub-Panels Sub-panel acts as a waypoint between the main service panel and branch circuits down the line Saves money during construction Often found in closets, add-ons, laundry rooms Electrical Sub-Panel Visual 2a.34 Lamorinda CERT

Home Chemistry When storing chemicals, use the acronym L.I.E.S. Limit, Isolate, Eliminate, Separate Store gasoline safely Visual 2a.35 Lamorinda CERT

Reduce Fire Hazards L.I.E.S. Limit, Isolate, Eliminate, Separate These chemicals should never be stored together or combined: Drain Cleaner + a different Drain Cleaner Baking Soda + Vinegar Hydrogen Peroxide + Vinegar Bleach + Vinegar Bleach + Ammonia Bleach + Rubbing Alcohol Any acid with any base Visual 2a.36 Lamorinda CERT

The Household Chemist Chemical Classifications Danger Warning Caution If the danger is not avoided, it will cause death or serious injury Warning If the warning is not heeded, it can cause death or serious injury Caution If the precaution is not taken, it may cause minor or moderate injury Visual 2a.37 Lamorinda CERT

Getting Rid of Chemicals Need to get rid of ‘stuff’ ? Household hazardous waste disposal is possible for residents AT NO CHARGE at three places in Contra Costa County. The closest is: Household Hazardous Waste Disposal Central County Facility 4797 Imhoff Place, Martinez (800) 646-1431 Open Monday – Saturday 9-4 Visual 2a.38 Lamorinda CERT

Should I Eat / Drink That ? Poison Control Toddler, dog or you eat pills? People – (800) 222-1222 (free) Poison.org Animals – (888) 426-4435 (not free, $65.00) Disposal of unused medications / old pills Lamorinda disposal locations: Lafayette Police Department Moraga Police Department Orinda Police Department Visual 2a.39 Lamorinda CERT

Unit Summary Role of CERTs Fire Chemistry and the Fire Triangle Classes of Fires Fire Hazard Reduction Fire Detection Fire Safety Utilities Home Chemistry Visual 2a.40 Lamorinda CERT