Fire Watch

Objectives:
Regulations and BFF
Describe the duties for a fire watch
Recognize how to prevent and extinguish fires
Explain the steps for monitoring hot work
Describe fire fighting procedures
Outline personal protective equipment
Review training of a fire watch
 Fire Watch Regulations
1910.252(a)(2)(iii)Fire watch.
1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(A)
Fire watchers shall be required whenever welding or cutting is performed in locations where
other than a minor fire might develop, or any of the following conditions exist:
1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(A)(1)
Appreciable combustible material, in building construction or contents, closer than 35 feet
(10.7 m) to the point of operation.
1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(A)(2)
Appreciable combustibles are more than 35 feet (10.7 m) away but are easily ignited by
sparks.
1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(A)(3)
Wall or floor openings within a 35-foot (10.7 m) radius expose combustible material in
adjacent areas including concealed spaces in walls or floors.
1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(A)(4)
Combustible materials are adjacent to the opposite side of metal partitions, walls, ceilings, or
roofs and are likely to be ignited by conduction or radiation.
 Fire Watch Regulations
1910.252(a)(2)(iii)(B)
Fire watchers shall have fire extinguishing equipment readily available and be
trained in its use. They shall be familiar with facilities for sounding an alarm in the
event of a fire. They shall watch for fires in all exposed areas, try to extinguish
them only when obviously within the capacity of the equipment available, or
otherwise sound the alarm. A fire watch shall be maintained for at least a half hour
after completion of welding or cutting operations to detect and extinguish possible
smoldering fires.
1910.252(a)(2)(iv)
Authorization. Before cutting or welding is permitted, the area shall be inspected
by the individual responsible for authorizing cutting and welding operations. He
shall designate precautions to be followed in granting authorization to proceed
preferably in the form of a written permit.
1910.252(a)(2)(v)
Floors. Where combustible materials such as paper clippings, wood shavings, or
textile fibers are on the floor, the floor shall be swept clean for a radius of 35 feet
(10.7 m). Combustible floors shall be kept wet, covered with damp sand, or
protected by fire-resistant shields. Where floors have been wet down, personnel
operating arc welding or cutting equipment shall be protected from possible shock.
FIRE SAFETY -
Aims to minimise consequences of fires
PREVENTION
make sure fires don’t start

PRECAUTIONS
minimise the damage from fire

PROCEDURES
action to take in the event of fire
HAZARDS OF FIRE
flames and heat

toxic/combustible smoke and gases

structural failure of buildings

oxygen depletion
FIRE TRIANGLE -
principles of combustion
How Fires Start ?
Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation
or burning of a fuel. It needs three elements to
occur:

Oxygen

Heat
Fuel
Source
 How
FUEL
Fires Start ?
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.
How Fires Start ?
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.
Fire Classification
Do you know the different types of fire?
Do you know the US Classification?
Do you know the EU Classification?
Fire Classification
 Solids Class A (US, EU)  Electrical Equipment Class C
 Tires (US) or E (EU)
 Wood  Appliances
 Paper  Switches

 Material…  Panel boxes...

 Liquids Class B (US, EU)  Metals Class D (US, EU)

 Diesel  Aluminium
 Oil  Sodium

 Solvents  Magnesium...
 Paints...
 Grease
Remember that it is the vapors of these fuels which burn.
Heat Source
 Anything which has enough energy to initiate combustion.
 Electricity: Defective wiring, motors, switches, circuit
breakers...
 Friction: Bearing running dry, grinding, chiselling, drilling...
 Naked flames: Torch, matches...
 Impact: Steel against steel,steel against concrete...
 Spontaneous combustion: organic oil/fiber slowly oxide and
heat...
 Cutting and Welding.

Most dangerous ignition source is static electricity!

Fire Prevention
Keep Fuel and heat source isolated

Oxygen
Heat
Fuel
Source
Oxygen
Oxygen Oxygen
Fire Prevention
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.
 Fire Prevention
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.
Fire Prevention
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 burning reaction produces
sufficient oxygen to support combustion, even under water.
 In some cases, covering the burning metal with sand can help
contain the heat and sparks from the reaction. Class D
extinguishing agents are available (generally as a dry powder
in a bucket or box) which can be quite effective.
We are not a fire brigade !
Fire Fighting
Procedure
 Raise the alarm.
 Select the suitable fire extinguisher close to you and try it before
going close to fire.
 Check wind direction (use the wind to protect yourself).
 Fight fire at flames base.
 Do not waste fire extinguisher.
 Never turn back after extinguishing a fire.
 Cool the area with water.

Ask your self: Can I handle it? Where can fire extend?
Fire Fighting
Starvation
 Prevents more fuel from feeding it

Smothering
 Stops oxygen to reach fire

Chemistry
 Interrupts combustion process

After fire always cool down the area!

How to Extinguish a Small Fire ?
Class A - Ordinary combustibles:
 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.
 How to Extinguish a Small Fire ?
Class B - Flammable liquids or gases:
 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.
How to Extinguish a Small Fire ?
Class C (or E) - Electrical equipment:
 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.
How to Extinguish a Small Fire ?
Class D - Flammable metals:
 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.
Fire Extinguishers
Extinguishing agent :
Product which is contained in the extinguisher and which
creates the action of fire extinction.
Capacity :
Mass or volume of extinguishing agent for which the
extinguisher is certified.
Load :
Mass or volume of extinguishing agent effectively contained in
the extinguisher.
Servicing
All fire extinguishers must be regularly serviced.
Fire Extinguishers
Effective range :
Portable extinguishers :
 Pulverized water : 2 to 3 m
 Foam, powders : 3 to 4 m.

 CO : around 1m
2

Wheel extinguishers :
 Pulverized water : 5 to 10 m.
 CO2 : 1 to 2 m

Opacity :
 Powders should not be used when panic factor is to dread.
Fire Extinguishers
Carbon dioxide CO2 extinguishers
 For class “B” “C” fires
 Have a LARGE "tapered" nozzle (horn)
 Are VERY HEAVY (15-85 lbs.)
 These are all high-pressure cylinders.

Function : Extinguishes small fires in an enclosed space by excluding air.

Ventilate any space in which CO2 has been used!

Fire Extinguishers
ABC multi purpose dry powder extinguishers
 For class “A” “B” “C” fires.
 Almost always RED in color.
 Have either a long narrow hose or no hose (just a short
nozzle).
 Are very light (5-25 lbs total weight)
 Halon extinguishers look virtually identical to ABC
multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers.

Function : Interferes with the chemistry of the fire.

Do not direct straight at the fire, the pressure will scatter burning fuel.
Fire Extinguishers
Water extinguishers
 For class “A” fires.
 Usually SILVER (crome-metal) in color.
 Have a flat bottom.
 Have a long narrow hose, are quite large (2-1/2 gallons).

Function : Cool the burning material below its ignition temperature. Cool tanks &
pipes to prevent the fire from affecting them.

Water is not efficient and can be lethal (conduct electricity) for B & C fires!
Fire Extinguishers
Foam extinguishers

 For class “B” and sometimes “A” fires.

Function : Float a continuous blanket over the surface of fire to

prevent the inflammable vapors from escaping.

Foam blanket must completely cover the fuel.

Fire Extinguishers
FM 200 extinguishers

 For Class “A” “B” fires

 Replaces Halon

Used on some offshore barges.

How to Use Fire
Extinguishers ?
Remember the acronym, "P.A.S.S."
 P......Pull the Pin.
 A......Aim the 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!
Fire

Extinction
Techniques
 Running fires
 Start at the base of the flames & sweep upward
 Wide fires
 Each man with a fire extinguisher cover 8 feet

 Car engine fire

 Open the bonnet slightly

 Fire at fill hatch

 Close the hatch or use dry powder

 Man in fire
 Use dry powder & roll him into a blanket
Fire Extinction
To be efficient fire extinguishers must:
Sit on a hook, 1.5 m from ground level.
Be accessible and visible.
Have a seal, a pictograph and a checking sticker.
Fire Fighting Rules
Fire Fighting Rules
Panic :
 Sudden overpowering terror, often affecting many people.
 Product of the imagination makes you feel lost.
 Contagious, and it may spread to you.
 Often irreversible and seems to grow.
 Make you do things that can kill you & others.
 People are in such state that they are rarely able to save
themselves.
To avoid panic, you have to understand :
 What is going on.
 What to do.
 Where to go & how to get there.
Fire Fighting Rules
To avoid panic :
 Each employee should be familiar with :
 Alarms, emergency exits, as well as the position of
extinguishers.
 All the procedures.

Emergency exit should be free of obstruction.

Fire Fighting Rules
Fire Fighting Rules
Where there is smoke there is not necessarily fire !

Panic & smoke will kill you more surely than fire.
Fire Fighting Rules
Smoke
 Where there is smoke there is not necessarily fire
 Smoldering mattress produces great amount of smoke
 Airducts may pick up smoke from other rooms & carry it to

yours
 Smoke will start to accumulate at the ceiling
 Fresh air is at or near the floor

 Smoke strongly irritates the eyes to the point where you

cannot open them.

Panic & smoke will kill you more surely than fire.
Fire Fighting Rules
Checking the EXITS
 Go to your room & drop your luggage
 Locate EXIT door in corridor
 Open EXIT & check what’s is behind
 Return to your room counting doors
 Take a good mental picture
 Place keys always in same place

Checking your room

 Check if the bathroom has vent
 Have a good look at the window
 Practice opening/closing the window
Fire Fighting Rules
Waking up with smoke in the room
 Roll off the bed & grab the keys
 Go to the door on hands & knees
 Feel the door with palm of hand
 Open the door & judge the situation
 Get in the corridor & shut your door
 Make your way to EXIT against wall
 Go down, hands on the rail

If blocked by smoke

 Turn around & go to roof prop door open
 Stay windward side of building
Fire

Fighting Rules
Waking up with smoke in the room
 Door is too hot! Stay in your room.
 Same when corridor is charged with smoke.
 Open window if no smoke outside.
 Let some one know you are in.
 Flip on bathroom vent.
 Fill tub with water.
 Wet sheets & towels stuff the cracks of door.
 Bail water on door & walls.
 Put mattress against door.
 Wet towel around your nose/swing towel around room.
 If fire outside pull down curtains.
Fire Fighting Rules

Avoid elevators like

plague
Definition:
Define the look out responsibilities
Identify the signs of fire
State methods to extinguishing fires quickly
Indicate how to be focused on areas of fire watches
Outline the duties of the fire watch
Fire watches are an important stage of hot work operations.

Figure 1 Fire watch keeping area damp to prevent flare ups

Generally the cutter is focused on removing the section and
maybe not observing their surroundings.

Figure 2 Applying water to maintain safety of workers in the

compartment
The fire watch monitors the area for fires that are in the incipient
stage. Stopping fires in the beginning reduces large scale fires.

Figure 3 Fire watch on bank keeping bank wet with

water
Watches prevent, shield, and alert the workers of impending fires
or hazards.

Figure 4 Cutters waiting for hot work above to be

completed
The fire watch should be the given only assigned duty to prevent
distractions.

Figure 5 Fire watch on lower compartment

standing by
The fire watch needs to be briefed on the operations by the
supervisor prior to starting any hot work.

Figure 6 Hot work inside compartment

All fire watch personnel shall be in direct communications with
each other in adjacent spaces.

Figure 7 Fire team communicating with entry team

They must have clear view of the space and access to all other
areas.

Figure 8 Team leader checking around external area

Combustible materials need to be removed prior to hot work
or shielded from the radiation to prevent ignition.

Figure 9 Fire suppression water being applied

Insulation needs to be removed from adjacent spaces.

Figure 10 Insulation in a freezer compartment

Heat radiation can be conducted through piping, wiring, decks,
and ventilation ducks.

Figure 11 Molten steel from hot work inside compartment

The authority must rest with the fire watch to stop any conditions
deemed hazardous or at risk for the safety of all workers.

Figure 12 Double fire watch during hot work on beam

After all hot work has been concluded the watch shall remain in
the area for an additional 30 minutes to ensure that there are no
fire hazards.

Figure 13 Cutting cargo compartment with torches

They have to be physically capable of the duties of the fire watch.

Figure 14 Fire crews dressing out

If a fire is beyond the beginning stage, the alarm must be
activated to alert the workers of a fire danger.

Figure 15 Gasoline fire in test condition

Appropriate personnel protection equipment needs to be issued
for the conditions of the operations.

Figure 16 Slag hitting ground from hot work

Training Fire Watches
The following are duties that the fire watch shall be trained:

Figure 17 Hot work on propeller

Must understand the basic fire behavior and how fires begin.

Figure 18 Close up view of slag flying from torch

Define the classes of fire A, B, C, and D.

Figure 19 Fire extinguisher test

The extinguishing agents to put out the various classes of fires.

Figure 20 Two personnel are training with fire extinguishers

Recognize the health hazards of fire and the need for protection
from smoke, heat, and toxins…

Figure 21 Fire watch watching cutter and hoses

Describe the duties of the fire watch and hazards.

Figure 22 Trained fire watch crew monitoring hot work in compartment

Demonstrate the application of fire hoses, extinguishers, and
other associated equipment.

Figure 23 Fire watch with charged fire hose

Define barriers and how they are useful in preventing
fires spreading.

Figure 24 Shows the barriers between compartments

Communicating with the workers by voice, radio, or other means .

Figure 25 Surveying below decks prior to hot work

Knowledge of the fire and evacuation plans.

Figure 26 Personnel exiting the vessel

Annual training must be documented and employer retains
records for one year after training is completed.

Figure 27 Water application on bank to reduce fires

Action Discussion

Do you feel the Fire Watch is more

important than the cutters?

Explain your answer.

Action Discussion

Describe the duties of the Fire Watch.

Worker safety is a priority.