FIRE & SAFETY

By anand

 Building/ School in Fire

 A structure in fire

Match Fire

Burning wood

What is Fire
Fire is a Chemical reaction between combustible material and oxygen in the presence of heat, i.e. three factors are essential for combustion, namely:
Combustible material or fuel Air or Oxygen Ignition temperature or heat

It may also be noted that, if anyone or more of the above is/are removed from the scene of fire, it will be extinguished automatically.

Fire & Flame

Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products.[ The flame is the visible portion of the fire. If hot enough, the gases may become ionized to produce plasma.[2] Depending on the substances a light, and any impurities outside, the colour of the flame and the fire's intensity will be different.

The Fire Triangle

For fire to exist, the following three elements must be present at the same time: Enough oxygen to sustain combustion, Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature, Some sort of fuel or combustible material.

Method of removing the above factors:

The following methods can be used to remove the above three factors, essential for combustion. Combustible material or fuel - By starvation or isolation Air or Oxygen - By smothering or blanketing Heat - By cooling With any of these methods, the spread of fire can be checked as well as it can be extinguished.

Fundamental principles:
Fire is no respecter of person, rank place or time. Nothing in this universe is fire proof/fire resistant Each major fire starts as small one and develops into a major one The causes of 99% of fires are carelessness, negligence or ignorance. No two fires are alike Nobody in this Universe knows all about fires. Every type of fire can be extinguished by using earth or sand

If the percentage of Oxygen can be reduced to 15 or below, fire will die (Percentage of Oxygen in air is 20.93)

Behaviour of Fuel
Solids In bulk it is difficult to ignite. Finely divided burn quickly and very finely divided may explode. Liquids Are the vapors that burn liquids. Petrol vaporize at ordinary temp. Gasses Are already vaporize and ignite quickly. Air Air when just right intensifies fire. Fire may put off if air is too much or too less

 SMOULDERING - This is also a type pf burning which is flameless due to slow rate of burning. It take long time to detect. FLASH POINT -The flash point of a volatile material is the lowest temperature at which it can vaporize to form an ignitable mixture in air.

IGNITION TEMPERATURE -The lowest temperature at which combustion begins and continues in a substance when it is heated in air.

Types of Fires:
For the purpose of efficient fire fighting, fires can be classified into the following categories: (a) Class A fires: Ordinary combustible materials e.g. wood, paper, cotton, dry leaves etc. (b) Class 'B' fires: Flammable liquids e.g. all Oils, Petrol, Grease, Wax etc. (c) Class 'C' fires: Gas fires, e.g. Acetylene, Hydrogen, Cooking gases, Carbon Monoxide etc. (d) Class 'D' fires: Metallic fires of Metallic dusts, e.g. Aluminum, Magnesium etc. (e) Class 'E fires: Live electrical fires.

Causes of fires:
The causes of fires are many. As far as our factories are concerned, fire hazards can be broadly narrowed down to the following: Non-removal of dry grass and vegetation Stacking straw and loose packing material and combustible goods lying at random in the vicinity of Plant and equipments. Cotton/ Jute waste soaked in oil and grease and other combustible materials lying at random in the premises. .

Causes of fires:
Sparks from Steel Locomotives Smoke material- Careless throwing of Cigarette/Bidi ends. This may cause burning of waste materials like oily cotton wastes, paper wastes, dry leaves and wooden scrap. Electricity - Spark and Short circuits cause fire to the surrounding areas/materials Spontaneous ignition-Hay stacks, especially in bulk, coal, oily cotton waste etc may burn spontaneously.

Causes of fires:
Unquenched sparks during welding/cutting operation Faulty/Careless operation of equipment. Source of static electricity. Incendiarism- Due to enemy attacks, arson, violence etc.

Devastating fire-reasons for:

Devastating fire-reasons for:

Spread of fire in devastating form can be attributed to the following:
Lack of prompt action in containing the fire immediately on its occurrence. Inadequate number of and faulty fire fighting equipments Obstruction due to accumulation/dumping of scraps/waste materials on the approaches to the static water tanks or hydrants. Lack of coordination in gearing up and pressing into operation of all available fire fighting sources at the station in shortest possible time.

Fire Prevention and Control

As per Section 38 of the Factories Act, 1948, in every factory, all practicable measures are to be taken to prevent the outbreak of fire and its spread, both internally and externally, and to provide and maintain. (a) safe means of escape for ell persons in the event of fire, and (b) the necessary equipment and facilities for extinguishing fire Effective measures shall also be taken to ensure that in every factory all workers are familiar with the means of escape in case of fire and have been adequately trained in the routine to be followed in such cases.

Extinguishing Agent in Fire fighting.

Extinguishment involves four major mechanism: Cooling Heat is absorved by water, control vapour formation. Fire goes out if the temperature falls to an extent to reduce vapour formation. Dilution Water vapour may mix with the flammable gasses and weaken it. Smothering Water when vapourised expand1700 times. If sufficient steam is generated , oxygen displaced. Emulsification When water is sprayed, heavy oil agitates the surface to produce emulsion which makes the surface of oil incombustible.

Water
ADVATAGES:1. Cheap 2. Readily available. 3. Non Toxic. 4. High heat absorption capacity.

Disadvantages:1. Can not be used in cold region due to high freezing point. 2. Weighty. 3. Can not be used against all material i.e. water sensitive materials, Flammable liquids and Electrical fire.

Fire Extinguishers
Sl. Type of Extinguisher No. Type of Fire How to recognize

1
2. 3. 4. 5.

Soda acid Extin.

Foam Extin. Dry powder Extin. CO2 Extin. Dry Asbestos Powder.

General fire, Carbon material.

Oil fire, liquid fire. Any fire. Ordinary or computer. Electric fire. Magnesium fire.

Red Brass Cap

Choclet coca cola colour. Red colour long pipe. Red cylinder Horn type. White earthy powder.

Soda Acid

Foam

Dry Powder

CO2 Extin.

LPG SAFETY

LPG SAFETY
Always keep the cylinders in a vertical position with the valve on top. If cylinder is placed in any other position, liquid LPG may gush out of the open valve creating a dangerous situation. Cylinders must be installed at ground level and never below ground level or in cellars or basements etc. Not more than two cylinders should be stored in a room. To keep two cylinders, the kitchen should have minimum floor area of 10 sq. meters. If cylinders are placed in cupboards, these cupboards should be provided with ventilation openings.

LPG SAFETY
Cylinders must not be installed in any position in which they may become overheated, e.g. alongside a sigree or any other heating appliance. Avoid storing combustible articles close to cylinder and LPG installation. No other heating device such as an electric oven, kerosene stove, etc, should be placed within a metre of your gas appliance. Do not keep cylinder exposed to sun, rain, dust and heat.

LPG SAFETY
Do not keep any vessel/ utensil / cloth etc. on the top of cylinder. Always keep the safety/ security cap tied with the top ring stay plate, so that in the event of leakage through valve spindle the cap can be fixed The installation should be kept at convenient place so that cylinder, Pressure Regulators knob and rubber tube is easily accessible. Do not keep empty or full cylinders without cap fitted on the valve.

LPG SAFETY
For operating the pressure regulator always follow the instruction given at the top sign plate of pressure regulators. Always use BIS approved rubber tube, check for BIS mark on the rubber tube. The length of tube should be between 1 to 1.5 mtrs. Please ensure that rubber tube is replaced after 24 months of use. Dont conceal any part of rubber tube by any type of shut or cover, which obstructs the visual check along the total length of tube. Always use BIS marked hot plate/ appliances. Avoid keeping pooja lamp and Refrigerator in Kitchen.

LPG SAFETY
Get your cylinder checked by deliveryman at the time of receipt of refill. Do not install the cooking appliance on the floor. The appliance should always be on a table or slab placed at a convenient height so that cooking is possible in a standing position. Do not use a wooden top table. Do not place the appliance directly in front of the window. There is a chance that a strong breeze may put off the flame causing accumulation of LPG in the room.

LPG SAFETY
The appliance should be on a table or slab with one side touching a plain wall. The backside of your appliance should be facing towards this wall. The room/ kitchen where LPG is used should be well ventilated and should have cross - ventilation. LPG should never be used in a room with windows and doors shut. The appliance must be at least one metre away from electric wiring, switch or plug points. Keep the kitchen clean as far as practicable to avoid rats, cockroaches etc.

Fire Prevention in Libraries, Record Rooms etc.

Fire Prevention in Libraries, Record Rooms etc.

Smoking should be prohibited throughout the libraries! Use of naked lights and other sources of ignition, such as electric heaters should be prohibited, except in offices. Use of portable electric table lamps should be restricted to offices only, fixed adjustable lights should be provided for reading rooms. Use of open fire for heating office rooms during winters should be avoided. Waste paper should be discarded in waste bins (baskets) only and not littered on the floor.

Fire Prevention in Libraries, Record Rooms etc.

Where considerable quantities of records are stored in open racks, seating within that area should be avoided or strictly supervised to ensure that it does not pose a fire hazard. All books / records and loose papers should be locked in the almirahs at the close of the days work. Temporary wiring should not be permitted under any circumstances anywhere in the libraries / archives or in the rooms / compartments used solely for the storage of books / records.

Fire Prevention in Libraries, Record Rooms etc.

At the end of each days work, just before the premises are closed for the night, a careful inspection should be made of each room / compartments where books, periodicals, records and other library / archives materials are kept stored to ensure that no loose records papers are lying around and there is no unusual smell / sign of smoke anywhere. All electrical switches, except those for security lights, should be put in the OFF position and all doors properly secured before locking up.

Fire Safety Rules

Rule 1: Use personal safety equipment (sometimes called PPE, for "personal protective equipment") to protect yourself. The basic personal safety equipment that members wear in a disaster includes: Gloves Goggles Dust mask Helmet Sturdy shoes or boots

Fire Safety Rules

Rule 2: Don't try to fight a fire alone. In a disaster, there is safety in numbers, so be sure that you have help. Work with a buddy. Your buddy covers your back, looks around for danger, and protects your safety. Have a backup team whenever possible. Having a backup team covering you and your buddy just makes good sense. The backup team can support your fire suppression efforts and can provide help if you need it. Always keep in mind that your first priority is your personal safety. Don't put yourself at risk!

Fire Safety Rules

Rule 3: Check before entering. This involves doing a sizeup of the situation. Sizeup is a process of gathering facts and analyzing the situation to determine if it's safe for you to help, and, if so, how you can best be of assistance.

Fire Safety Rules

Rule 4: Plan your exit. Always have two ways to exit the fire area. A backup escape plan is necessary in case your main escape route becomes blocked. Whenever possible, as you leave the area, shut doors behind you to confine the fire.

Fire Safety Rules

Rule 5: Maintain a safe distance and position in relation to the fire. Don't get too close. If you try to put out a small fire, know the effective range of your fire extinguisher. Stay near the outer boundary of that range. If you feel the heat before discharging the extinguisher, you're too close. Move up on the fire as it gets smaller to the point of extinguishment. Stay low to the ground. Smoke will naturally rise. Keeping low to the ground will provide you with fresher air to breathe. Remember: If smoke is filling up a room, confine the fire, if possible, and leave the building.

Fire Safety Rules

Rule 6: Suppress only small fires. Rule 7: Use the correct equipment in the correct manner. First, select the right equipment. Select a fire extinguisher that: is rated for the class of fire to be extinguished Has the capacity for the size of fire to be extinguished Is of a size and weight that you can effectively hold and operate

Fire Safety Rules

Rule 8: Overhaul the fire. Overhauling is the process of locating any potential sources of re-ignition, such as hidden burning material, and extinguishing them. Always overhaul fires to make sure that they're really and truly out before you move on! CAUTION: Safe fire suppression requires training and practice! You can get hands-on instruction in the how-to's for operating a fire extinguisher properly and putting out small fires safely in the classroombased training.

CLASS BY LAKSHMAN SINGH Ex. JWM/OFILKN