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Introduction
Fire is the third leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, yet most people ignore it. More than 150 workplace fires occur every day.
Do you know...
If you answered yes to all those quetions, are you willing to take a quiz
to prove it?
How Fires Start
Fire is achemical reaction involving rapid oxidation
or burning of a fuel. It needs three elements to occur:
FUEL - Fuel can be any combustible material - solid, liquid or
gas. Most solids and liquids become a vapor or gas before they will burn.
OXYGEN - The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. fire only needs an atmosphere
with at least 16 percent oxygen.
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.
CHEMICAL REACTION - A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire
are present in the proper conditions and proportions. Fire occurs when this
rapid oxidation, or burning takes place.
Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannot occur or will be extinguished
if it was already burning.
How Fires Are Classified
CLASS A: Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood,
paper, cloth, rubber and some plastics.
CLASS B: Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene,
paint, paint thinners and propane
CLASS C: Energized electrical equipment, such as appliances,
switches, panel boxes and power tools
CLASS D: Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium,
potassium and sodium. These metals burn at high temperatures and give off sufficient
oxygen to support combustion. They may react violently with water or other chemicals,
and must be handled with care.
How to Prevent Fires
From Occurring
Class A Ordinary combustibles:
Keep storage and working areas free of trash Place oily rags in covered containers.
Class B - Flammable liquids or gases:
Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space, especially in the
presence of an open flame such as a furnace or water heater.
Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment while it's hot.
Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly closed, self-closing, spill-proof containers.
Pour from storage drums only what you'll need.
Store flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources.
Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas.
Class C - Electrical equipment:
Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings. Report
any hazardous condition to your supervisor.
Prevent motors from overheating by keeping them clean and in good working order.
A spark from a rough-running motor can ignite the oil and dust in it.
Utility lights should always have some type of wire guard over them. Heat from
an uncovered light bulb can easily ignite ordinary combustibles.
Don't misuse fuses. Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for the
circuit.
Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells strange. Unusual
odors can be the first sign of fire.
Don't overload wall outlets. Two outlets should have no more than two plugs.
Class D - Flammable metals:
Flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium generally take a very hot heat
source to ignite; however, once ignited are difficult to extinguish as the buring
reaction produces sufficient oxygen to support combusion, even under water.
In some cases, covering the burning metal with sand can help contain the heat
and sparks from the reaction. Class D exinguishing agents are available (generally
as a dry powder in a bucket or box) which can be quite effective, but these
agents are rare on the campus.
If you are planning a research project using a large amount of flammable metals
you should consider purchasing a five or ten pound container of Class-D extinguishing
agent as a precaution.
Pure metals such as potassium and sodium react violently (even explosively)
with water and some other chemicals, and must be handled with care. Generally
these metals are stored in sealed containers in a non-reactive liquid to prevent
decay (surface oxidation) from contact with moisture in the air.
White phosphorus is air-reactive and will burn/explode on contact with room
air. It must be kept in a sealed container with a non-reactive solution to prevent
contact with air.
All of these metals are not uncommon in labs on the campus, but are generally
only found in small quantities and accidental fires/reactions can be controlled
or avoided completely through knowledge of the properties of the metals and
using good judgement and common sense.
When Not To Fight A Fire
Never fight a fire:
- If the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started
- If you can't fight the fire with your back to an escape exit
- If the fire can block your only escape
- If you don't have adequate fire-fighting equipment
In any of these situations,Don't Fight the Fire Yourself,
Call for Help
How to Extinguish Small Fires
Class A - Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material below
its ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition. Use
pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose(ABC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers.
DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers
on Class A fires.
Class B - Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or gases by removing
the oxygen, preventing the vapors from reaching the ignition source or inhibiting
the chemical chain reaction. Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated)
dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical, and halon extinguishers may be used
to fight Class B fires.
Class C - Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an extinguishing
agent that is not capable of conducting electrical currents. Carbon dioxide,
ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical and halon*
fire extinguishers may be used to fight Class C fires. DO NOT USE water extinguishers
on energized electrical equipment.
* Even though halon is widely used, EPA legislation is phasing it out of
use in favor of agents less harmful to the environment.
Class D - Extinguish combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium,
potassium and sodium with dry powder extinguishing agents specially designated
for the material involved. In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material,
cooling it below its ignition temperature.
NOTE: Multipurpose (ABC-rated)chemical extinguishers leave a residue
that can harm sensitive equipment, such as computers and other electronic equipment.
Because of this, carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are preferred in these
instances because they leave very little residue. ABC dry powder residue is
mildly corrosive to many metals. For example, residue left over from the use
of an ABC dry powder extinguisher in the same room with a piano can seriously
corrode piano wires. Carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are provided for
most labs and computer areas on campus.
How to Identify the Proper Fire Extinguisher
All ratings are shown on the extinguisher faceplate. Some extinguishers
are marked with multiple ratings such as AB, BC and ABC. These extinguishers
are capable of putting out more than one class of fire.
Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicates how large
a fire an experienced person can safely put out with that extinguisher.
Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the extinguishing
agent will not conduct electrical current. Class C extinguishers must also carry
a Class A or B rating.
Class D extinguishers carry only a letter rating indicating their effectiveness
on certain amounts of specific metals.
| How to Use A Portable Fire Extinguisher |
| Remember the acronym, "P.A.S.S.;"--; |
| P |
......Pull the Pin. |
|
| A |
......Aim extinguisher nozzle
at the base of the flames. |
| S |
......Squeeze trigger while
holding the extinguisher upright. |
| S |
......Sweep the extinguisher from
side to side, covering the
area of the fire with
the extinguishing agent. |
Remember:
- Should your path of escape be threatened
- Should the extinguisher run out of agent
- Should the extinguisher prove to be ineffective
- Should you no longer be able to safely fight the fire
...Then Leave the Area Immediately!
How to Inspect Your Fire Extinguishers
Know the locations of the fire extinguishers in your work area.
Make sure the class of the extinguisher is safe to use on fires likely to occur
in the immediate area.
Check the plastic seal holding the pin in the extinguisher handle. Has the extinguisher
been tampered with or used before? Report any broken/missing seals/pins to Maintenance
at 618-5551.
Look at the gauge and feel the weight. Is the extinguisher full? Does it need
to be recharged?
- Water, some foam, and dry chemical extinguishers have gauges indicating
the pressure inside the extinguisher. The pressure needle should be in the
"green;" area (generally 100-175 lbs., depending on the type of
agent).
- CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are high pressure cylinders
with pressures ranging from 1500 lb to 2150 lb. These extinguishers DO NOT
have gauges and must be weighed by Maintenance staff to determine the amount
of contents remaining.
Make sure the pin, nozzle and nameplate are intact.
The Maintenance Department inspects and services all fire extinguishers on a
year-round basis, but we would still encourage you to be aware of the condition
of your area's extinguishers by visual inspection on a frequent basis to ensure
you have a working extinguisher there when you need one.
Report any missing, empty or damaged fire extinguishers to the Police whenever
you notice any discrepancies.
The Appearance of Different Types of Extinguishers:
Generally, you can tell with a glance which type an extinguisher is hanging
on the wall, or in the cabinet, just by looking at its shape. Check the labels
of the extinguishers in your area and note the color and shape/size of the extinguisher.
This may help if someone runs in to help you fight a fire with the WRONG extinguisher
(i.e. water on an electrical fire) - you can STOP them before they are
injured or make matters worse!
ABC-rated multipurpose dry powder extinguishers are the most common on
campus, particularly in the corridors of academic buildings. They are almost
always RED in color and have either a long narrow hose or no hose (just a
short nozzle). These extinguishers are very light (5-25 lbs total weight)
Halon extinguishers look virtually identical to ABC multipurpose dry chemical
extinguishers.
Water extinguishers are generally only found in the dormitories and are usually
SILVER (crome-metal) in color, have a flat bottom, have a long narrow
hose, are quite large (2-1/2 gallons). Foam extinguishers (rare on
the campus, nowadays) look similar and the type without gauges have a handle
inset in the flat bottom (you turn the extinquisher upside down to start
it and use it)
CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are generally red (often
yellow around aircraft or on military sites), have a LARGE "tapered;"
nozzle (horn), are VERY HEAVY (15-85 lbs.) -some CO2 extinguishers
for aircraft hangers or special industrial use are so large as to require roll-around
carts to move them. These are all high-pressure cylinders.
Care should be used NOT TO DROP a CO2 cylinder; if it is damaged it can punch
a hold through the nearest wall(s) and end up on the other side of campus!
(The containers are quite sturdy, but don't abuse them.) CO2 cylinders
do not have a pressure gauge - they must be weighed to determine the amount
of contents.
"Where; Can I Find a Fire Extinguisher
on Campus?"
- In the corridors of academic and office buildings, and inside very large
rooms.
- In or immediately outside all laboratories where chemicals are stored
and used.
- In or immediately outside mechanical spaces where where motorized or other
equipment is present which might reasonably cause a fire.
- In campus airpark hangers, storage buildings, and mounted inside certain
college vehicles.
If you can't find the fire extinguisher in your area, or feel you need a different
type/size of extinquisher for your work area or research, contact the Police
at 618-5611.
Wherever possible, ALL campus extinguishers are either mounted IN a marked cabinet
or mounted on a RED backing board to make their location easy to identify.
"If; I just use a little, do I have to report the extinguisher as USED?"
YES! We want FULL extinguishers at all campus locations.
While CO2 and halon extinguishers will generally hold their pressure after a
slight discharge, BC and ABC rated DRY CHEMICAL extinguishers will usually NOT
hold a charge after partial use. While the gauge may hold steady in the green
immediately after a slight use, check it the next day and you'll find the gauge
on EMPTY! This is because upon use the dry powder gets inside the seals and
allows the nitrogen carrier to escape over a period of time. After ANY use a
BC or ABC extinguisher MUST be serviced and recharged. This is very important
for home extinguishers also; YOU MUST HAVE THE EXTINGUISHER REFILLED AFTERANY
USE.
You can't "test;" an extinguisher and put it back in the cabinet!
If you want to try out an extinguisher and learn how it feels to use one, contact
the Police and we'll arrange for you to attend one of our fire extinguisher
classes where you can actually put out a test fire!
Warning to thieves and vandals: Fire extinguishers and types
of fire equipment on the campus are traceable and theft of or damage to emergency
equipment is a serious crime.
How to Use an Emergency Action Plan
A written, up-to-date Emergency Action Plan for your workplace
is essential in case of emergency. Make sure you read and understand your department's/dorm's
Emergency Action Plan.
The plan should contain information about evacuation from the facility, including
who is in charge of the evacuation.
Primary and secondary escape routes should be outlined for every area of the
building. Since stairways are the primary escape route in multiple story buildings
(elevators should NEVER be used in fire emergencies), they should not
be used for any kind of storage.
Emergency Action Leaders should be assigned specific duties, such as verifying
that all students/faculty/staff have evacuated.
Pre-fire planning must clearly show the locations of the workstations of the
disabled workers. (See Information on Emergency Evacuation
of Persons with Disabilities -campus policy for more information.)
Disabled workers and those with known medical problems such as heart disease
or epilepsy, should EACH be assigned an Emergency Action Leader to guide them
to safety.
All workers who might need assistance during a fire should be identified during
planning.
Fire drills should be scheduled to test the Emergency Action Plan. Let the drill
be used to find problems before a fire happens, then make the necessary changes.
If your department does not have an Emergency Action Plan, contact your department
head and get one! If your department needs assistance in creating an Emergency
Action Plan, contact the Police (443-5555) for assistance.
How to Evacuate a Burning Building
- The last one out of the room should not lock the door, just close it.
Locking the door hinders the fire department's search and rescue efforts.
- Proceed to the exit as outlined in the Emergency Action Plan.
- NEVER, NEVER use elevators under any circumstances.
- Stay low to avoid smoke and toxic gases. The best air is close to the
floor, so crawl if necessary.
- If possible, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth to help you breathe.
- If you work in a building with multiple stories, a stairway will be your
primary escape route. Most enclosed stairwells in buildings over two stories
are "rated;" enclosures and will provide you a safe means of exit;
don't panic descend stairs slowly and carefully.
- Once in the stairwell, proceed down to the first floor. Never go up.
- Once outside the building, report to a predetermined area so that a head
count can be taken.
What to Do If Trapped in a Burning
Building
If you're trying to escape a fire, never open a closed door without
feeling it first. Use the back of your hand to prevent burning your palm. If
the door is hot, try another exit. If none exists, seal the cracks around the
doors and vents with anything available. If in a room, use wet towels to seal
the space under the door and prevent the entry of smoke. Cracks around the door
can be sealed with masking tape if necessary.
If trapped, look for a nearby phone and call the fire department, giving them
your exact location.
If breathing is difficult, try to ventilate the room, but don't wait for an
emergency to discover that window can't be opened. If on an upper floor and
your window is of a type that CANNOT be opened, DON'T break it out- you'll be
raining glass down on rescuers and people exiting the building. If you can't
contact the fire department by phone, wave for attention at the window. Don't
panic.
What to Do if Someone Catches on Fire
If you should catch on fire:
STOP - where you are
DROP - to the floor
ROLL - around on the floor
This will smother the flames, possibly saving your life.
Just remember toSTOP, DROP and ROLL.
If a co-worker catches on fire, smother flames by grabbing a blanket or rug
and wrapping them up in it. That could save them from serious burns or even
death.
Summary: Knowledge_Awareness_Preparation
These are your keys to preventing and surviving fires wherever they occur.
Quiz
Can you correctlyanswer TRUE or FALSE for each question below?
1. Fire requires fuel, oxygen and heat for ignition to occur. Taken any one
away and the fire cannot occur.
2. Fire needs an atmosphere of 21 percent oxygen - the same as the air we breathe
- to sustain ignition.
3. Class A fires are fueled by ordinary combustible or fibrous material, such
as wood, paper, cloth and some plastics.
4. Class B fires include flammable or combustible liquids, greases and gases,
such as gasoline, paint and propane.
5. Class C fires include electrical equipment, such as motors and heaters that
are not connected to a power source.
6. Combustible metals (Class D) are difficult to extinguish, because once ignited,
they give off sufficient oxygen to support combustion.
7. Class D fires can be extinguished with water.
8. Keeping the work area free of litter is one way to help prevent Class A fires.
9. Gasoline-powered equipment can be refueled while hot if refueling is done
in a well-ventilated area.
10. You may use a higher-amp fuse than is specified for an electrical circuit
if you first tag the fuse box to mark the change.
11. Unusual odors from electrical equipment can be the first sign of a potential
fire.
12. If the fire you are fighting begins to spread, leave the area and call for
help.
13. Do not use carbon dioxide or ordinary dry chemical extinguishers on Class
A fires.
14. Do not use water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment.
15. An Emergency Action Plan should designate one person to evacuate all disabled
people in the building.
16. Fire drills are necessary to test the Emergency Action Plan.
17. The last person to evacuate a room should lock the door to prevent vandalism
or theft of equipment.
18. Elevators may be used to evacuate a building as long as they remain operable.
19. You should occasionally pull the pin and briefly squirt all fire extinguishers
to ensure they are properly charged and in good working order.
20. As soon as you evacuate a burning building, go home. No need to hang around.
Answers:
1-T, 2-F, 3-T, 4-T, 5-T, 6-T, 7-F, 8-T, 9-F, 10-F, 11-T, 12-T, 13-T, 14-T, 15-F,
16-T, 17-F, 18-F, 19-F, 20-F
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