1. Basic Fire Safety for RU Fire Marshals
last update: 15 April 2018

2. Oops!

3. 1. CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF FIRE
1.1 Chemistry of fire and spread
Triangle of combustion:
to start & keep burning …
a fire needs heat + fuel + oxygen
The heat of a fire spreads through:
Direct flame – e.g. burning match or wind-driven firebrand from bush fire.
Conduction – movement of heat through solid matter, e.g. steel.
Radiation – heat given off by an object without direct contact, e.g. electric heater.
Convection – movement of heat through the air

4. Flashover Heat moves through air by convection
build-up of smoke & heat
superheated thermal layer spreads
(heating the air in the whole building)
Building bursts into flame in
3 or 4 minutes!
A fire fighter’s greatest fear!!

5. 1. CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF FIRE
1.2 Knowing the type of fire
CLASS A: solid organic materials – e.g. wood, paper, coal, plastic and fabrics.
CLASS B: flammable liquid/gas – e.g. oil, petrol, paraffin, spirits, benzene.
CLASS C: fire involving contact with live electrical installations – e.g. short- circuiting machinery and overloaded electrical cables
CLASS D: fire involving combustible metals – e.g. magnesium, titanium (in lightweight equipment), aluminium (cooking pots, etc), metal filings (in workshops) – often reacting with sawdust, machine shavings, etc.

6. 1. CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF FIRE
1.3 Links between causes and prevention of fire

7. 1. CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF FIRE
1.3 Links between causes and prevention of fire

8. 1. CAUSES AND PREVENTION OF FIRE

9. 2. ACTION IN THE EVENT OF FIRE
2.1 Response to fire:
Four Golden Rules
Alarm
Emergency Services
Extinguish
Evacuate

10. 2. ACTION IN THE EVENT OF FIRE
2.2 Extinguishing fire
Starvation: removes fuel from the fire – not possible in most cases.
Smothering: eliminates oxygen supply (air) to the fire – use dry powder, fire blanket or sand.
Cooling: eliminates the heat, so ignition temperature cannot be reached – use water or remove the source of heat (if safe).

11. 2. ACTION IN THE EVENT OF FIRE
2.2 Extinguishing fire

12. 2. ACTION IN THE EVENT OF FIRE
Pull the pin
2.2 Extinguishing fire
Aim the nozzle at base of fire
 Only attempt to extinguish a fire if:
It is small and not spreading;
You know how to use the fire extinguisher;
You have your back to a known SAFE EXIT.
Squeeze the trigger
Sweep the nozzle from side to side

13. 2. ACTION IN THE EVENT OF FIRE
Alarm
Emergency Services
Extinguish
Evacuate
Best: Prevent Fire

14. 3. PLANNING FOR BETTER FIRE SAFETY
3.1 Safety inspections
Adopt the CARE principle:
C – check: Do regular checks in the workplace for fire hazards.
A – act: Ensure action is taken as soon as possible to address hazards.
R – report: Communicate findings, recommendations and actions to health and safety rep
E – educate: Alert your colleagues to fire safety.

15. 3. PLANNING FOR BETTER FIRE SAFETY
3.2 Fire-related resources
Fire alarm: distinctive signal to employees to evacuate
Manual: ref’s whistle, bell, megaphone with siren, air horn, break-glass box
Automatic: fire/smoke detector system
Fire-fighting equipment: check once a month
Escape routes: clearly marked (signage) & kept clear
Fire exits: signage, kept clear, open in single movement

16. 3. PLANNING FOR BETTER FIRE SAFETY
3.3 Emergency action plan
Emergency team
Emergency coordinator (Director/HOD/Manager)
Fire marshals (fire wardens/floor monitors/incident officers)
Health & Safety Representative(s)
First Aider(s)
Planning

17. 3. PLANNING FOR BETTER FIRE SAFETY
Emergency planning – key points
How to report & how to alert occupants
When to evacuate, procedures and routes (incl. floor plans)
Emergency assembly points ± 50 m away: role call
Contact details: emergency services + internal role-players
Emergency team procedures – who does what
Shut down critical systems/machinery – who.

18. 3. PLANNING FOR BETTER FIRE SAFETY
/fire/evacuation
Open MS word doc - enter details specific to your area

19. Everybody shares responsibility for safety, health and environment
delegates responsibility (not accountability)
16(1) Vice-Chancellor
GMR 2
16(2) Registrar
SHE Officer
16(2) Director
8(2) Manager / Head of Dept
Employees / Other
16(2) Other / Deans
16(2) Deputy VC
GAR 6 Union
17(1) H&S Reps
GSR 3 First Aiders
GSR 2 Fire Marshals
through the various lines of management
Everybody shares responsibility for
safety, health and environment

20. 4. FIRE MARSHAL ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
4.1 Fire prevention
Promoting fire awareness in workplace
Know how to use fire-fighting equipment
Monthly check: fire-fighting equipment
Regular checks: fire exits & escape routes clear
Regular checks: workplace fire hazards  report for action
Fire drill once a year – practice emergency plan

21. 4. FIRE MARSHAL ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
4.2 Emergency action
In emergency: ensure Emergency Coordinator is advised immediately.
Help identify fire – solid, liquid/gas, or electrical
Assist with evacuation procedures
Assist in ensuring that occupants re-enter only when instructed

22. 4. FIRE MARSHAL ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Fire marshal may also:
raise the alarm;
call emergency services;
if safe, use fire extinguisher;
direct staff to safe available exit routes;
if safe, check areas such as toilets and storerooms to ensure all are evacuating.
assist disabled people.
close windows & doors.
ensure hazardous processes or machinery have been shut down or isolated
assist with roll call at the assembly point.
report to the fire service on their arrival

23. 4. FIRE MARSHAL ROLE & RESPONSIBILITIES
Practical tips:
Keep checklist of building occupants on clipboard + pen + reflective bib/band
If alarm sounds: pick up clipboard + pen + bib  check each room to ensure occupants are evacuating.
Go the assembly point: tick off those who are present (on checklist).
Note date, time, any observations (useful to investigator).
Report results of roll call to Emergency Coordinator.
If possible, find out where absentees are – do not go back into building

24. MORE INFO  www.ru.ac.za/safety/fire  www.ru.ac.za/safety/checklists
Evacuation Plan of Action GENERIC
and other downloads   
RU x7205 or
Last update: 30 April 2018