NEBOSH International General Certificate

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

• Starving the fire of fuel

• Smothering the fire by limiting the oxygen

supply

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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

Radiation Direct Burning

Transfer of heat Combustible materials in
through the air contact with naked flame

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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

B Foam, CO2 , Dry powder

C Dry Powder, water mist, Foam
D Sand, Soda ash, Talc
F The foam congeals on the top of the oil

Electrical CO2, Dry Powder

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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:

1.Identify hazards: The three elements of the triangle of fire

2.Identify who could be harmed: Persons at risk particularly
the disabled etc.
3.Evaluate the risks and adequacy of existing precautions:-
considering prevention, protection and precautions
4.Record findings: Prepare an emergency plan
5.Review: If no longer valid

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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:

• Eliminate or reduce the storage of flammable materials

• Control ignition sources

• Control smoking materials

• Good housekeeping

• Lubrication of machinery to prevent friction

• No overloading of electrical systems

• Cont………

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1) Fire Prevention
Aim to keep the three sides of the fire triangle apart:

• Regular inspections of electrical systems

• Ventilation outlets not obstructed

• Controlling hot work with PTW

• Proper storage of flammable materials

• Segregation of incompatible chemicals

• Security to prevent arson

• Regular Inspection and supervision

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2) Fire Protection
Compartmentation
• Splitting a building into separate
sealed areas made of fire-resisting
materials
• Restricts the spread of fire and
smoke

Fire Resistant Materials

• Bricks
• Concrete
• Structural steel
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 3) Fire Precautions
• Fire or smoke detection
• Fire alarms
• Means of escape
• Means of fighting the fire
• Emergency evacuation procedures

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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

• Multiple exits • Exit free of obstructions

• Fire resistance of structure • Final exit door – open outwards
• Adequate size for numbers • Unlocked opening outwards
• Travel distance • Fire smoke doors self closing

• Clearly marked exits • Fixed stairs to upper floors

• Emergency lighting • Exit to assembly point

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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

Hose Reel Sprinkler

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Measures for successful fire evacuation
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

• 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:

• Test effectiveness of evacuation procedure

• Familiarize employees with alarms and procedures

• Give opportunity for fire wardens to practice their roles

• Satisfy a legal requirement

• Checking that alarm can be heard throughout the premises

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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

Radiation Direct Burning

Transfer of heat Combustible materials in contact
through the air with naked flame

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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

The principle of the fire triangle is to show that a fire can be

prevented or stopped by removing one of the three elements.

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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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