1. What Library Staff Should Know About Fire Safety

2. Preventing Fires
Educate all staff on a regular basis with a fire safety awareness and education plan
Document an emergency evacuation plan
Emergency evacuation exercises should be conducted on a regular basis
Provide staff with hands-on fire extinguisher training

3. Fire Alarms and Suppression
An electronic fire alarm system should be monitored 24-hours a day by a UL-approved central monitoring station.
All fire alarm detection, annunciation and suppression systems should be regularly inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with state and local life safety codes.

4. A pull station protector with a high decibel audible alarm (Stopper II) should be installed over each fire alarm pull station
An automatic sprinkler fire suppression system should be installed in the library

5. Stairwell and mechanical fire doors should be regularly inspected for proper operation
Easily accessible fire extinguishers should be located on each floor

6. What To Do If You Discover a Fire
Activate the nearest fire alarm
If it can be done quickly and safely, telephone the fire department with details
Do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher unless:
The building fire alarm has been activated to alert others
 The fire department has been notified
 You have received specific training in the use of a fire extinguisher

7. Evacuate the building immediately by the nearest safe exit
You know what is burning and what type of fire extinguisher to use
 It is a small fire – perhaps no larger than a wastebasket
 The fire is not spreading rapidly
 There is no toxic smoke present
 You know the fire extinguisher is fully charged
   There is an escape exit or route behind you
Evacuate the building immediately by the nearest safe exit

8. Evacuation Procedures
Whenever an alarm sounds, evacuate the building immediately
If you can do so safely, close windows and doors
Leave lighting on or in an “as is” position
Do not use elevators
Evacuate in a calm manner
Do not re-enter the building unless an authorized person (fireman, law enforcement officer) tells you to do so.

9. Fire Extinguishers and Their Use
The Fire Triangle: Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of fuel. It needs three elements to occur:

10. Fuel – can be any combustible material – solid, liquid or gas
Fuel – can be any combustible material – solid, liquid or gas. In a library this may be periodicals, books, furniture, etc.
 Oxygen – There must be enough oxygen present to sustain combustion.
 Heat – Heat is the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to a point where sufficient vapors are given off for ignition to occur.

11. Classification of Fires and Fuels
Class A:Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and some plastics.

12. Class B: Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane.

13. Class C: Fire involving electrical wiring or electrical equipment such as appliances, switches, or panel boxes.

14. Class D: Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. This type of fire would most likely not occur in a library.

15. Types of Fire Extinguishers
The three most common types of fire extinguishers are:
Water (APW)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Dry Chemical (ABC, BC, DC)

16. Air-Pressured Water Extinguisher - designed for Class A (wood, paper, cloth) fires only

17. Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher – designed for Class B (flammable liquid and Class C (electrical) fires only

18. Dry Chemical Extinguisher – with the letters “ABC” are designed to extinguish Class A, B, and C fires

19. How To Use a Fire Extinguisher
The easiest way to remember how to fight a fire with a fire extinguisher is to remember the acronym, PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep.
P A S S -- Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep

20. Pull - the pin at the top of the extinguisher
Pull - the pin at the top of the extinguisher. This allows the handle to be compressed and the extinguisher discharged

21. Aim – the nozzle of the extinguisher toward the base of the fire
Aim – the nozzle of the extinguisher toward the base of the fire. You should be 6-8 feet from the fire.

22. Squeeze – the handle to discharge the fire extinguisher
Squeeze – the handle to discharge the fire extinguisher. Be prepared for a powerful discharge. Releasing the handle causes the discharge to stop

23. Sweep – from side to side, beginning from a safe distance from the fire and slowly moving forward