GC2-Element 6 Fire Hazard EAC
GC2-Element 6 Fire Hazard EAC
GC2-Element 6 Fire Hazard EAC
Week 2 Element 6
Fire Hazards and Control
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Learning outcomes
On completion of this element, candidates should be able to:
• Describe the principles of fire initiation, classification and spread
• Outline the principles of fire risk assessment
• Describe the basic principles of fire prevention and the prevention
of fire spread in buildings
• Identify the appropriate fire alarm system and fire fighting equipment
for a simple workplace
• Outline the factors which should be considered when implementing
a successful evacuation of a workplace in the event of a fire
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3
The Triangle of Fire
Oxygen Heat
Source of ignition
Smothering
Cooling
Fuel 127 4
Starving
THE FIRE TRIANGLE
Extinguishing Fire
• Cooling the fire by removing the heat
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Sources of ignition
• Naked flames
• Electricity (overheating/arcing)
• Smoking materials
• Hot work (welding, burning)
• Chemical reactions (giving off heat)
• Heating appliances (hot surfaces)
• Friction (inadequate lubrication)
• Static electricity
• Lightning
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Fire Related Terminologies:
Flashpoint
The minimum liquid temperature at which sufficient
vapours are produced that when mixed with air will
ignite (flash) in the presence of an ignition source.
Flammable
Liquids with a flashpoint between 55° and 32° degree C
Highly flammable
Liquids with a flash point below 32° degree C
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Flash Fire and Auto-ignition
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Principal Causes of the spread of fire
Conduction Convection
Movement of heat through Movement of hotter gases
materials up through the air
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Principal Causes of the spread of fire
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Bradford City Fire
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Risks to persons from fire
Main effects
• Being burnt
• Inhaling toxic fumes
• Effects of smoke inhalation
• Depletion of oxygen supply
Other effects
• Collapse of building
• Crush or other injury sustained
while escaping
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Classes of Fire
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Extinguishing Agent
Class Type of Extinguisher
A Water, Dry powder, CO2, Foam
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Kitchen Oil Fire
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Causes Of Fire
• Deliberate (Arson)
• Electrical faults
• Misuse of electrical equipment
• Smokers materials
• Smoking in prohibited areas
• Loss of control burning rubbish
• Heating equipment
• Unsafe storage of materials
• Flammable liquids/gases
• Welding/hot work
• Mechanical heat (Friction)
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Fire Risk Assessment
5 Steps to take when undertaking a Fire Risk Assessment:
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Factors To Consider In Fire Risk Assessment
• Construction and use of building
• Flammable materials
• Sources of ignition
• Work activities generating heat
• Methods of control
• Means of fire detection
• Means of raising the alarm
• Means of fighting fire/maintenance of equipment
• Evacuation routes/Protection of routes
• Numbers of persons at risk
• Fire prevention training/fire drills
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Fire prevention, protection and precaution
When dealing with fire risk management the three areas to consider
are:-
1) Fire Prevention - Control measure to prevent a fire starting
2) Fire Protection - Structural precautions to prevent fire spreading
3) Fire Precautions - Measures taken to reduce the risks to the
occupants, contents and building, in the
event of a fire.
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1) Fire Prevention
Aim to keep the three sides of the fire triangle apart:
• Good housekeeping
• Cont………
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1) Fire Prevention
Aim to keep the three sides of the fire triangle apart:
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Fire/Smoke Detection
Smoke detection
Heat/Flame detection
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Fire Alarms
• Break glass points
• Automatic systems - Continuous detection,
Alarm sounding, call fire brigade, indicate
where the fire is and trigger extinguishers
• Gongs, bells – suitable for small building
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Means of escape – main requirements
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Suitability of a means of escape
Factors to consider:
• Number of employees
• People with special needs
• Fire resistance of structure
• Position and number of escape routes
• Contents which are combustible
• Open wells, open staircases
• Use of building
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Fixed fire fighting equipment
• Cont….
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Other measures for a successful fire evacuation:
• Means of raising the alarm
• Clear and adequate fire evacuation routes
• Fire evacuation signs
• Identifying who are and the role of fire marshals
• Suitable Assembly points/place of safety/role call
• Prevention of return
• Disabled evacuation procedure
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Emergency evacuation procedures
Training programme should include:
• Means of raising the alarm - 999
• Contact emergency services
• Fire evacuation routes
• Fire evacuation signs
• Names and roles of fire marshals
• Assembly points - role call
• When not to tackle a fire
• Types of extinguishers
• Prevent spread of fire - close fire doors and windows
• Prevent use of lifts
• Evacuate in an orderly fashion
• Prevent returning
• Procedure to assist disabled to evacuate
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Practice Drills
Practice drills should be undertaken to:
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Fire Training in Turkey
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QUESTIONS ?
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(a) Identify four types of ignition source that could cause a fire in the workplace. (4)
Naked flame from cigarette lighter, sparks from welding, portable heater,
overloaded electrical outlet, Arson
(b) Outline control measures for each of the ignition sources identified in (a). (4)
Naked flame : Ban smoking in the workplace and introduce a no smoking policy.
Sparks from welding : Introduce a permit to work system and enforce usage of
the system, accompanied by supervision of welding activities.
Portable heater : ban the use of portable heaters in the workplace. Install
reverse cycle cooling and heating central system in the workplace
Overloaded electrical outlet: Disconnect all overloaded electrical outlet.
Arrange for electrician to install additional outlets to all offices to meet the
requirements of users. Procedures for safe use of electrical equipment to be
implemented.
Arson (deliberate): Security to prevent the Arson
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Identify EIGHT common causes of fires in the workplace. (8)
• Deliberate (Arson)
• Electrical faults
• Misuse of electrical equipment
• Smokers materials
• Smoking in prohibited areas
• Heating equipment
• Unsafe storage of materials
• Flammable liquids/gases
• Welding/hot work
• Mechanical heat (Friction)
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Identify FOUR methods of heat transfer AND explain how EACH
method contributes to the spread of fire. (4)
Conduction Convection
Movement of heat through Movement of hotter gases
materials up through the air
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Question
In relation to the classification of fires, give an example of a material (fuel) that falls
within EACH of the classes A, B, C, D, E and F. (4)
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Identify the key components of the ‘fire triangle’. (3)
Oxygen, Fuel, heat (ignition source)
Identify sources of ignition that may cause a fire to occur,
AND give a typical workplace example of EACH.(5)
Smoking materials – smoking of cigarette where flammables
are kept
Hot work (welding, burning)
Heating appliances (Hot surfaces such as machines and hot
plates to keep food warm)
Friction (Inadequate lubrication of pedestal drilling machines)
Overloaded electrical circuit – (excessive current in electrical
wires causes them to heat up and catch fire)
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Identify the principle of the fire triangle in health and safety
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Outline the measures that should be in place for a successful evacuation of a
workplace in the event of a fire. (8)
Measures for a successful evacuation of a workplace in the event of fire would include:
Conducting practice drills to:
Test the effectiveness of the evacuation procedure
Familiarize employees with the alarms etc.
Give opportunity for fire wardens to practice their roles
Checking alarm can be heard throughout the premises
Other measures:
Means of raising the alarm
Clear and adequate fire evacuation routes
Fire evacuation signs
Identifying who are and the role of fire marshals
Suitable Assembly points/place of safety/role call
Prevention of return
Disabled evacuation procedure
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