Aim of firefighting is, to save lives, properties, environment and operations.

Haseen Habib Trading’s

FIREFIGHTING BOOKLET

Basic need with basic fire safety information for office and family

Golden rule for fire fighting

Fire may not occur, if occur may not spread, if spreads losses should be minimum

Fire is ever present risk, where flammable material is stored, transport or processed including at a
place where electrical generation and distribution is being done.

Fire Safety Contents

Fire and its elements Firefighting methods What to do on finding fire
Classes of fire Fire ignition Causes Home Fire Alarm System
Fire spread methods Fire prevention practices Types of occupancies
Firefighting mediums Portable Fire extinguishers Family fire safety kit

1. What is Fire?
Fire is chemical reaction between fuel and oxygen at ignition temperature of fuel, it releases flame,
heat, smoke and toxic gases as per combination of fuel. Fire produces heat energy, so it is man’s the
best friend but when it is under control and the worst enemy when it is out of control. Combustion (fire)
process is as under and we can control it at various stages:
Fuel Heated Decomposed Oxidized Vaporized Fire
Fire is a self-sustained process in the presence of fuel and ignition temperature, burning fire increases
the temperature of remaining adjacent fuel and keep it burning.

2. ELEMENTS OF FIRE (Fire Triangle)

. Three elements are essential for a fire to start, these are called fire triangle.
a. Fuel (solid/ liquid/ gas as wood, cloth, oil, diesel, methane etc.)
b. Oxygen (forms a combustible mixture with fuel vapors)

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 c. Heat (raises the temperature of fuel to ignition point)

3. CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE
Fire is classified according to the nature of fuel involved as solid, liquid or gas thus most suitable
extinguishing agent can be decided as well as avoiding unwanted side-effects. For example non-
conductive extinguishing agents are rated for electrical fires so to avoid electrocuting the firefighter.
Fire is classified as Class A fire, Class B fire, Class C fire d, Class D fire and Class K fire.
a. CLASS ‘A’ FIRE:
Fire of general combustible solid fuels as wood, cloth, paper or some plastics. This class of fire
is simple to fight and contain by removing heat or fuel by cooling or starvation methods, it is deep
seated and consumes whole fuel starting from one point to another. It gives white smoke and
leave ash after extinguishing. Primary extinguishing media is water and secondary is DCP.

b. CLASS ‘B’ FIRE:

Fire of flammable liquids or flammable gases as petrol, diesel, kerosene oil, paint, and methane,
butane, propane, acetylene gases etc. A solid stream of water should never be used against
liquid fire because it can cause the fuel to scatter and spreading the fire. Liquids fire burns on
upper layer of liquid while remaining fuel will be unburned. This fire gives dense black smoke,
AFFF will form a blanket and will isolate the oxygen by smothering process. It can be
extinguished by Dry Chemical Powder (DCP).
Gaseous fire never gives smoke, exposed gas completely burns and has uniform flame. DCP is
the best extinguishing media and close its supply valve so that fire will be extinguished.
c. CLASS ‘C’ FIRE:
Fires involving energized electrical equipment is class C fire. It may be caused by electrical
short-circuiting, overloaded electrical cables or faulty electrical equipment or high voltage. These
fires can be a severe hazard to firefighters using water or other conductive agents. After removal
of electricity the fire will be dealt as class a fire.
d. CLASS D FIRE:
The light metals like sodium, magnesium, potassium, calcium, titanium, uranium and lithium etc.
fire is called class D fire and aircraft bodies are also made up of light metals. Generally, metal
fire risks exist when sawdust, machine shavings and other metal 'fines' are present. It produced
immense temperature with glaring flame. Never use water on class D fire only use special DCP.

e. CLASS K FIRE:
Fires that involve cooking oils or fats are known as class K fire. Saponification can be used to
extinguish such fires. Wet chemical agent fire extinguisher is recommended fire kitchen fires,
fire blanket is also essential for kitchen and cooking areas.
4. FIRE SPREAD METHODS:
Fire can spread in any direction by Conduction, convection and radiation of heat.
a. Conduction:
Heat travels from atom to atom and ignites the next adjacent fuel. Atoms vibrate or revolve under
the influence of heat depending upon conductivity of material/ fuel. Metals are the best
conductors of heat than liquids, touching of sofa with curtains is best example of conduction.

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 b. Convection:
Heat released in combustion process rushing upwards and causes fire spread, convection
currents are set up and all the surroundings are heated up. Convection mostly takes place in
liquid heating process.
c. Radiation:
Heat is transferred from one place to another place by means of heat waves. Amount of heat
energy due to radiation decreases with distance between source and target. Sun light and
traveling of heat from heater are best examples of radiation.
5. FIRE EXTINGUISHING METHODS
The basic principle of firefighting is to knock down the fire tetrahedron by eliminating any one of its
components (heat, fuel, oxygen or chain reaction) through one of the following methods;
a. Smothering b. Cooling c. Starvation d. Inhibition
a. SMOTHERING:
It implies either completely shut off oxygen supply or reduce to the level so that it can no longer
support the combustion process. It can be done by covering of burning material with inert gases
or by AFFF.
b. COOLING:
The lowering down of temperature of burning material below the ignition temperature by water
or AFFF. This in fact also slows down the chain reaction.
c. STARVATION:
Removal of unburned material from scene of fire in case of class A fire and shutting of gas,
petrol, diesel supply valve in case of class B fire is called starvation.
d. INHIBITION (Breaking Chain Reaction):
Some substances have the unique effect of interrupting the combustion process between the
oxygen and flammable vapors of the fuel. Substances have such qualities are called inhibitors
e.g. halogens). This process is called inhibition or breaking of chain reaction by using DCP.

6. FIRE EXTINGUISHING MEDIUMS

Firefighting mediums are as under:
a. 1. WATER Cooling agent
b. 2. AFFF Smothering and cooling agent
c. 3. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Smothering and cooling agent
d. 4. Dry Chemical Powders Inhibition (Breaking chain reaction)
e. 5. Wet chemical agent Smothering

a. WATER
It is cooling agent, it has high thermal capacity and when it is converted into steam, its
smothering characteristic comes into action and dilutes oxygen around the fire zone. Water is
primary extinguishing agent for class A fire and never use on class B and C fires.

b. AQUEOUS FILM FORMING FOAM (AFFF)

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) is foam forming liquid based wetting agents designed for
use with fresh water or seawater. It produces an aqueous film (layer) to float out over the surface
of a burning fuel, forming a vapor seal which extinguishes fire and prevents re-flash. It is as
effective against liquid and solid fuel fires.

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 c. CARBON DIOXIDE GAS (CO2)
It extinguishes fire mainly by smothering. It dilutes air surrounding the fire until oxygen content
in it become too low to support combustion. It is most suitable for energized electrical and
electronics equipment fires. It is also effective on fires of Class ‘A’ & ‘B’ fires.

d. DRY CHEMICAL POWDERS

Dry chemical powders (DCP) extinguish the fire by inhibition or smothering, however, some
powders provide cooling effect as well. Special DCP can be developed to extinguish metal fires
(Class D fire’).

7. CAUSES OF FIRE IGNITION

Accidents never occurs they develop so everybody should know the common and special causes of
fire ignition, following are main causes of fire:

a. Common causes of fire as open flame, fire work, burning candle, Cigarette, match flame, cooking
operations and hot work as Welding, Gas cutting, Grinding
b. Special causes of fire as Dust explosion, Chemical reaction, Gas compression, Spontaneous
ignition

8. Causes and safety precautions of electrical short circuit

Short Circuit can occur due to low resistance, weak insulation, loose connection, over load of circuit,
placing or dropping of steel tools on energized circuit and negligence. Safety precautions of electrical
short circuit are as under:

a. Personnel who are working on alive circuits, they should have thorough knowledge.
b. They should use proper and insulated tools and must wear rubber gloves.
c. CO2 fire extinguisher should be placed at or near where working.
d. Rubber mat must be placed on the working place.
e. Personnel should have thorough knowledge about first aid in case of electrical shock.

9. FIRE PREVENTION MEASURES

Fire prevention is equally important as firefighting, it may called passive firefighting. Following points
are essentials with respect to fire prevention of home and at work place:

a. Electric irons and stove should be switched off when not in use and are to be allowed to cool
before being stowed away. These appliances must not be left unattended when they are switched
on.

b. All paints and painting materials/ sprit are to be secured properly.

c. All other highly flammable materials, such as solvents, aerosols and liquids as petrol are to be
used in accordance with the manufactures’ instructions and when not required for immediate use,
are to be kept in containers.

d. All rags, especially wet oily ones, wood chips, etc. are to be safely disposed of daily.

e. When any room is vacated all unnecessary lighting and other electrical circuits are to be switched
off. The door to any empty compartment should be kept shut.

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 f. Only safety matches are to be used and use steel ash tray with water at bottom. Candle must be
placed in steel plate with water at bottom if needed.

g. The use of single action cigarette lighters and the stowage of lighter fuels (petrol or butane gas)
are not good fire prevention practice, and are to be discouraged.

h. When not in use, TV sets, radios, electric fans and other similar appliances are to be switched off
and disconnected from the power source.

j. Good housekeeping, cleanliness and layout of sofas, curtains and cupboards are essential fire
prevention practice.

10. PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Portable fire extinguisher is hand held, first line of defense against fire at initial stage. It is not intended
for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user or
otherwise requires the expertise of a fire department. These are rechargeable and SPE which Stored
Pressured Extinguisher. Following are different types of portable fire extinguishers as per class of fire.

a. Water type fire extinguishers red colour

b. CO2 fire extinguisher black colour.
c. DCP fire extinguisher blue colour
d. 9 litrs AFFF fire extinguisher yellow color
e. Wet chemical agent fire extinguisher yellow color

It is important to know their type, duration, range, identification and effects upon using. It is also
necessary to know the duration, rang as per type of extinguisher. . Everyone must know:
Where to find? How to use? Which is suitable according to fire?

a. 9 LTRS AFFF SPE:

9-liters AFFF extinguisher is used against liquid fuel fire and has smothering, cooling and sealing
action. Foam blanket also give protection against re-ignition and cool the liquid fuel. Foam is
heavy than air and lighter than liquid. It is charged with dry air 7-10 bar, its effective range is 6.5
to 7.5 meters. Its duration is 40-50 seconds. The colour of delivery hose is yellow. Delivery hose
is fitted with shroud instead of jet nozzle.

b. 9 LTERS WATER SPE:

9-liers water type extinguisher is used against solid fuel fire and has cooling effect. It contains 9
liters of water charged at 07-10-bar air pressure. Effective range up to 6 meters, duration is 40-
50 seconds, colour of delivers hose is red and hose is fitted with jet nozzle.

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 c. 2 Kg/ 6 Kg/ 10 Kg DRY CHEMICAL POWDER (DCP) SPE:
10 Kg Dry Chemical Powder extinguisher is used against A,B and C class fires and has
smothering effect. Extinguishers are available in 1, 2 kg and 10 kg, charged at 7-10 bar air
pressure. Its effective range is 6 to 7 meters and duration is 2 sec/kg so 10 kg DCP extinguisher
is 20 second. Colour of delivery hose is blue and fitted with aspirator type nozzle.

d. 2 Kg/ 5Kg CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) SPE:

CO2 fire extinguisher is used against class C fire and has cooling and smothering effect.
Extinguishers are available in 2 Kg and 5 Kg CO2 charged at 850PSI working pressure. Effective
range is 2 meters, duration is 7 second/Kg. Colour of delivery hose is black horn fitted with
thermal grip.

e. WET CHEMICAL AGENT SPE

It is used against kitchen fire, special DCP is used and has sealing effect. Available in 3 Kg and
6 Kg for domestic use. Range and duration is as per manufacturer instructions.

USE OF PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:

When using an extinguisher, use the PASS system – Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.
a. P = Pull the safety pin
b. A = Aim on fire
c. S = Squeeze the top handle
d. S = Sweep on fire in case of class A fire, use at one point in case of class B fire, hold CO 2
extinguisher from thermal grip.
11. FIRE DETECTION AND ALARM SYSTEM.

Fire detection and alarm system is designed to discover fires early in their development when time will
still be available for the safe evacuation of occupants. It also plays a significant role in protecting the
building by emergency response personnel. Property loss can be reduced and downtime for the
operation minimized through early detection because control efforts are started while the fire is still
small. Most alarm systems provide information to emergency responders on the location of the fire,
speeding the process of fire control. Main components of fire detection and alarm system are as under:
1. Fire alarm control panel
2. Fire detectors (Smoke, Heat, Flame detector, (battery operated standalone smoke detector)
3. Manual call point (MCP)
4. Hooter with or without flasher
5. Modules and Electrical wiring and fittings

12. TYPES OF OCCUPANCIES:

A place where man spend time and leads his life is called occupancy. Every occupancy has its own
specific fire safety requirement. Some occupancies has only portable fire extinguishers as fire safety
requirement, some are needed fire hydrant system too, while some are required fire detection and
alarm system, fire sprinkler of fire suppression as clean agent fire suppression system. There are
different types of occupancies which are as under:

 Residential, Educational, Health care, Commercial, Industrial, Storage, Assembly

and Temporary occupancies

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13. WHAT TO DO ON FINDING A FIRE
Following steps should be taken on finding a fire:
 Step one: raise loud vocal alarm
 Step two: inform fire department
 Step three: fight the fire
 Step four: if fire is out of control then close the door and escape from scene of fire

14. MAN ON FIRE

S Class Symb Fuel Examples Fire Extinguishing Extinguishing

ol Extinguishers Media Method
General Wood, cloth, papers, Water, DCP Cooling
1 combustible hay, plastics
solids

Flammable Petrol, diesel, oils, AFFF, DCP Smothering

2 liquids and paints and methane,
gases butane, acetylene,
hydrogen etc.

Energized Industrial equipment CO2 and DCP Cooling and

3 electrical and home appliances Smothering
Equipment
fire
Metal fire Sodium, magnesium, Special DCP Smothering
4 potassium,
magnesium etc.

5 Kitchen fire Deep fryer, fat fire Wet Chemical Cooling

and cooking oils agent

HASEEN HABIB TRADING PVT. LTD. MANAGEMENT AND INTRODUCTION

We as the leading ISO 9001:2008 Certified Fire Safety Equipment and Systems Company in Pakistan. Being
second generation in the field of Fire Protection & Safety for last fifty (50) years, we are the largest Importer,
stockiest and installer of Fire Fighting and Safety Equipment in the country.

We claim to be the flag bearer of Fire Detection, Life Safety, Fire Suppression and Firefighting Systems in
Pakistan. We are providing nationwide services to our esteemed strategic defense organizations, government
and multinational clients with highly professional, experienced and skilled staff. Haseen Habib is operating with
its Head Office in Karachi, Branch Offices, Display Centers and Training Center in Karachi, Lahore and
Rawalpindi / Islamabad.

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OUR MANAGEMENT

Ateeq Ur Rahman Barry

(Late)
Founder HASEEN HABIB

Jawad Ateeq Barry Fawad Ateeq Barry

Executive Officer Chief Executive Officer

OUR VISION
We believe in ethical business practices only and strive to be the leading and the most dependable
company in Pakistan in the Fire Protection and Safety. We know that every Fire Safety decision is
potentially the matter of life and death, thus we ensure to provide only the best quality equipment and
services. Our vision of a Fire Safe and Corruption Free Pakistan is reflected in all our values and
actions.

OUR MISSION
Protection of Lives & Property, by providing appropriate, efficient and cost effective solutions and
quality equipment in the field of firefighting & Safety to our customers supported by installation of
equipment & training.

Haseen Habib House

65-C, Street-7, Main Jami Commercial, HAD Phase-IIV, Karachi, Ph: 021-35806241-7, Fax: 021-35806240,
Email: [email protected]
Karachi Office: Shams Chambers
Shahrah-e-Liaquat, Main Jami, P.O Box: 4468, Karachi, Ph: 021-32424957, 32428803
Fax: 021-32410294, Email: [email protected]
Lachore Office:
163 Commercial Broadway Sector-D, Phase-VIII DHA Lahore, Ph: 042-35700855
Fax: 042-35700856, Email: [email protected]
Rawalpindi Office: 27, First Floor, Services Plaza, The Mail, Rawalpindi, Ph: 051-5523696
Fax: 051-5512476, Cell No. 0333-1327459, Email: [email protected]

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Firefighting is responsibility of every person, take especial care of children, never compromised on fire
safety. Always keep in mind that theft is a personal loss while burning is national loss, a fire extinguisher
in hand is better than two fire tenders on the way.

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