There’s No Second Chance!

Introduction There is no second chance when it comes to fire work-related fires have taken the lives of hundreds of people and injured countless others. But fires are tragedies that don’t have to happen. In this presentation you will learn: What is needed to make a fire The classes of fire How to prevent fire How to extinguish a fire What is included in your organization’s Emergency Action Plan What to do if you are involved in a fire

Elements of Fire Fuel – Fuel can be any combustible material – solid, liquid or gas. Oxygen – The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. Fire only needs 16 percent to ignite. Heat – Heat is the energy needed for the fuel to generate sufficient vapors for ignition to occur. Chemical chain reaction – When fuel, oxygen and heat come together in the right amounts and under the right conditions, a chemical chain reaction happens and a fire occurs.

Classes of Fire Fires are classified according to the types of objects being burned. Class A – Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber or certain types of plastic. Class B – Flammable or combustible gases and liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners or propane. Class C – Energized electrical equipment such as appliances, switches or power tools. Class D – Certain combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium potassium or sodium.

How To Prevent Fire Preventing Class A Fires Avoided through simple, routine housekeeping Make sure storage and working areas are free of trash Place oily rags and similar debris in covered metal containers away from ignition sources Empty all trash containers regularly

Preventing a Class B Fire Class B fires can be prevented by taking special precautions when working with flammable liquids or gasses Use flammable liquids in well ventilated areas Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly sealed self-closing spill proof containers Store flammable liquids away from ignition sources or sparks

Preventing Class B Fires cont. Limit portable storage cans to 5 gal maximum Never store more than 25 gal of flammable liquid inside a building unless in an approved storage container Make sure outside storage of flammables is at minimum 20ft away

Preventing Class C Fires Class C fires involving electrical equipment are most common in the workplace Check electrical equipment for old or worn wiring. Prevent electric motors from overheating by maintaining and cleaning equipment Never install a fuse rated higher than its circuit Never overload wall sockets, no more than 2 per plug No more than one heating device per outlet Strange smells are often the first sign of a fire. Investigate! Use utility lights with wire guards to prevent combustion of flammable materials

Preventing Class D Fires Always follow material handling guidelines for combustible metals like: Magnesium Potassium Titanium Sodium

Fire Extinguishers Every extinguisher is rated for the fires it can tackle. AB, BC or ABC rated Class A Extinguishers Effective for ordinary combustibles Cools the temperature of burning material to below ignition point They use pressurized water, foam or dry chemicals Look for the numerical rating to indicate the size fire it will handle

Class B Extinguishers Should be used on flammable liquids or gases May have foam, carbon dioxide, dry-chem, *halon or halon replacements. Look for your numerical rating to indicate the size of the fire it can handle *Halon has been shown to be harmful to the environment and is no longer being produced. If your extinguisher is old, it may use it

Class C Extinguishers Use specifically on electrical fires May contain CO2, *Halon, Halon replacement, or dry-chemical Dry-chem may leave a harmful residue on computers Never use water on a Class C fire! Water conducts electricity *Halon has been shown to be harmful to the environment and is no longer being produced. If your extinguisher is old, it may use it

Class D Extinguishers Use on combustible metals Designed with agents specifically designed for specific materials Most often they absorb heat to cool the reaction Brings temperature below ignition point Look for a letter rating to indicate effectiveness on certain amounts of specific metals

Using a Fire Extinguisher Know how to use it properly. Use the PASS method Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep P: Pull the pin A: Aim the extinguisher at the base of the flames S: Squeeze the trigger wile holding it upright S: Sweep the nozzle from side to side. Cover the area

Emergency Action Plan A written and up-to-date Emergency Action Plan for your workplace is essential. Primary and secondary escape routes should be outlined for every area of the building Maps of escape routes with simple instruction Emergency Action Leaders should be assigned specific duties such as attendance counts during the evacuation Disabled workers or those with medical conditions should be assisted a leader to guide them to safety Stairs should be kept free of materials that could hinder an evacuation Regular fire drills should be conducted to identify problems before a real fire. Treat the drills as if they are real!

How To Evacuate Know the procedures in your Emergency Action Plan Proceed calmly but quickly Never use elevators If you are the last one out, close the door Do not lock it! Proceed to bottom floor and exit the building Keep low to the ground to avoid smoke and toxic gases Cover your nose and mouth with a damp rag to facilitate breathing Once safe, report immediately to a predetermined area so your Evacuation Leaders know you are safe.

If You Are Trapped Don’t panic, clear thinking can save your life If a phone is available, dial 911 and give your exact position Never open a door that feels hot to the back of your hand. Find another way If no way out, try to seal cracks or vents to prevent smoke from coming in Stay low to the ground or stay near an open window to facilitate breathing If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop and roll. Do not run, the fire will burn faster! If a co-worker catches fire, smother the flames by grabbing a jacket, blanket or rug and wrapping it on them.

Summary There is no second chance when it comes to fire! Fire is a killer To be safe, learn the classes of fire Know how to prevent them Know your Emergency Action Plan Familiarize yourself with extinguishers in your area and building so you know where to go and how to react There is no second chance when it comes to fire!

Quiz 1. True False A fire requires four elements for ignition to occur: fuel, oxygen, heat, and the chemical chain reaction. 2. True False Fuel is any combustible material - solid, liquid or gas. 3. True False Fire needs at least 21 percent oxygen -the same as the air we breathe - for ignition. 4. True False Heat is the energy needed for the fuel to generate sufficient vapors for ignition to occur. 5. True False When fuel and oxygen come together in the right amounts and under the right conditions, a chemical chain reaction happens and fire occurs.

Quiz 6. True False There are four different classes of fires based on the type of objects being burned. 7. True False Class-A fires involve ordinary combustibles, such a wood. paper, cloth, rubber, or certain types of plastic. 8. True False Class-B fires include flammable gases and flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners or propane. 9. True False Class-C fires include combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium or sodium. 10. True False Class-D fires include energized electrical equipment. such as appliances, switches or power tools.

Quiz 11. True False One way to prevent Class-A fires is to make sure storage and working areas are free of trash. 12. True False Class-B fires can be prevented by storing flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources. 13. True False The number-one cause of workplace fires involves the use of flammable liquids or gases - a Class-B fire. 14. True False One way to prevent Class-C fires is to check electrical equipment for old or worn wiring or broken, damaged fittings. 15. True False Every fire extinguisher displays a rating on the faceplate showing the class of fire it is, designed to put out.

Quiz 16. True False Always use a fire extinguisher whenever a fire occurs. 17. True False Use the "PASS" method - Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep - to operate your extinguisher properly. 18. True False If you are the last person to evacuate a burning building, make sure you close the door and lock it behind you. 19. True False If you are trapped in a burning building, never use an elevator. 20. True False If you are trapped in a burning building, open the nearest door and run quickly.

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