NEBOSH General Certificate in

Occupational Safety and Health

Unit GC2
Element 6: Fire Safety
 Learning Outcomes
• 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.
• Outline the appropriate fire alarm system and fire-fighting
arrangements 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.
Fire Initiation, Classification and
Spread
 Principles of Fire
Fuel:
A combustible material or
substance consumed during the
combustion process.

Oxygen:
From the air (which is 21% oxygen).
Or oxygen rich substances
(oxidising agents).

Heat or ignition source:

Energy to start the combustion
process.
 Principles of Fire
Fire is a rapid chemical process in which oxygen combines
with another substance (‘fuel’) in the presence of a source of
heat.

This reaction is called combustion.

During this reaction, heat, flames and smoke are produced.

 Classification of Fire

NB This is the UK/EU classification system - it does

not use Class E. The system is not universal.
Principles of Heat Transmission and
Fire Spread
• Direct burning.

• Convection:
‐ Inside.
‐ Outside.

• Conduction.

• Radiation.
Principles of Heat Transmission and
Convection
Fire Spread

Radiation

Conduction
 Group Discussion Point
Suggest common causes of fire in the workplace.
 Causes
• Electrical equipment.
• Deliberate ignition (arson).
• Hot work.
• Smoking.
• Cooking appliances.
• Heating appliances.
• Unsafe use and storage of flammable liquids and gases.
• Mechanical heat.
• Chemical reactions.
 Consequences

• People killed and injured.

• Damage to buildings and contents including smoke
damage.
• Environmental damage, e.g. water run-off.
 End-of-Section Quiz
1. What three things are needed for a fire to start?

2. What are the methods of fire spread?

3. Suggest common causes of workplace fire in an office.

Fire Risk Assessment
Reasons for Carrying Out a Fire Risk
Assessment
The reasons for carrying out a fire risk assessment:
• Prevent harm to people.
• Comply with the law - see example below.
• Minimise the cost of fire in the workplace.

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (RRFSO)

• Responsible person (employer or controller of premises)
given the duty of carrying out a fire risk assessment.
• Mostly enforced by the fire and rescue authorities.
Factors to be Considered in Carrying
Out the Risk Assessment
Five steps to risk assessment:
1. Identify the fire hazards.
2. Identify the people at risk.
3. Evaluate the risk and identify and implement the fire
precautions that are required.
4. Record findings, plan, instruct and train.
5. Review and revise as necessary.
 Group Exercise

Walk around an area of the building, as directed by your

tutor, and identify sources of:

• Fuel.
• Ignition.
• Oxygen.

(Consider all sources even if well controlled.)

 Step 1: Identify the Fire Hazards
• Fuels:
‐ Paper.
‐ Packaging materials.
‐ Furniture.
‐ Highly flammable liquids and gases.
• Ignition sources:
‐ Hot work.
‐ Electrical equipment.
‐ Portable heaters.
• Oxygen sources:
‐ Oxygen cylinders.
‐ Oxidising substances.
 Step 2: Identify the People Who
Might be at Risk
• Employees.
• Contractors.
• Visitors.
• Members of the public.
• Vulnerable people:
‐ Lone/isolated workers.
‐ Young workers.
‐ Elderly.
‐ Disabled.
 Step 3: Evaluate, Identify and
Implement the Fire Precautions
The risk of fire occurring: Preventive and
precautionary measures:
• Potential fuel, ignition and
oxygen sources. • Fire prevention.
• How the fire might spread. • Prevention of the spread of
• How smoke and flames might smoke and flames.
travel. • Fire detection and alarm.
• Location of people. • Fire-fighting equipment.
• Means of escape.
• Signs and notices.
• Lighting.
 Step 4: Record, Plan, Instruct and
Train
Significant findings:
• Detail dependent on level of risk.
• Might include plans showing fire precautions and means of escape.

Emergency plan:
• Emergency procedures.

Information and instruction:

• Employees, contractors, visitors.
• Fire prevention and emergency procedures.

Training:
• Fire prevention, emergency procedures, fire-fighting, etc.
 Step 5: Review
After significant changes, e.g.:
• Change to fabric of the building.
• New combustible material.
After a fire emergency
• To ensure all precautions worked as intended.
Periodically
• To ensure nothing has been missed.
 Temporary Workplaces and
Changes to Workplaces
The Construction (Design and Management)
Regulations 2015 (CDM) require:

• Consideration of fire safety in the construction phase

plan.

• Appropriate arrangements to be made.

Changes to workplace may require review of fire risk

assessment and/or approval.
 Temporary Workplaces

For construction sites:

• Consideration of fire safety in the construction phase
plan.

• Appropriate arrangements to be made.

Changes to workplace may require review of fire risk

assessment and/or approval.
Fire Prevention and Prevention
of Fire Spread
 Control Measures
Control combustible and flammable materials:
• Solids, liquids, gases.

Control ignition sources:

• Systems of work, smoking, arson.

Systems of work:
• Hot processes.
• Machinery.
• Electrical equipment.

Good housekeeping:
• General tidiness.
• Waste control and disposal.
 Control Combustible and
Flammable Materials

• Eliminate use altogether.

• Substitute for lower risk.

• Minimise quantities:

‐ Stock control, housekeeping, waste

management.

• Safe use and storage in protected, dedicated

buildings.
 Storage of Liquefied Petroleum Gas
(LPG)
• Should be stored outside.

• Storage area should be fenced with secure, lockable gate.

• Warning signs.

• Ignition sources eliminated.

• Bottles chained upright.

• Separate from other buildings.

• Empty and full bottles separated.

• Oxygen bottles not be stored with LPG.

• Return to store immediately after use.

 Control of Ignition Sources
• Electrical equipment.

• Hot work.

• Smoking.

• Cooking activities.

• Mechanical heat.

• Arson.
 Systems of Work
Permit to work for control of hot work:
• Flammable materials removed from the area.
• Cover items that can’t be removed.
• Sweep the floor.
• Damp down wooden floors.
• Provide fire extinguishers.
• ‘Fire-watcher’ present in the area.
• Check area after work has finished.
 Good Housekeeping
• Waste-free.

• Tidy.

• Well-ordered.

• Pedestrian routes clear.

 Storage of Flammable Liquids
The flash point - the lowest temperature at which a liquid can
form an ignitable mixture in air (the vapour can be ignited by
an external ignition source but combustion is not sustained).

The lower the flash point, the easier it is to ignite the

material.

Liquids are classified as:

• Flammable.
• Highly flammable.
• Extremely flammable.
 Storage of Flammable Liquids
Category 3: “Flammable liquid”:
● Flash point 23oC - 60oC.
● Easily ignited with a heat source, e.g. a match.
● Maximum storage in work area: <250 litres.

Category 2: “Highly flammable liquid”:

● Flash point <23°C.
● Boiling point >35°C.
● Maximum storage in work area: <50 litres.

Category 1: “Extremely flammable liquid”:

● Flash point <23°C.
● Boiling point <35°C.
● Very easy to ignite at room temperature.
 Group Exercise
Consider the storage of flammable liquids, e.g. acetone,
petrol, etc.
Discuss safe storage arrangements if such substances were
used at work.
 Safe Use of Flammable Liquids

● Use the minimum volume of liquid required.

● Liquid should be in a properly labelled container.
● Ideally, the container will be metal with a self-closing lid.
● Use a metal tray to catch spills and have absorbent
material available.

● Use away from heat and ignition sources.

● Ensure that workspace is well ventilated.
● Return containers to safe storage after use.
 Safe Storage of Flammable Liquids
Small quantities:

• Use minimal quantities.

• Store sealed (lids on, or self-closing lid).
• Flammable cabinet:
‐ Fire resistant (metal).
‐ Lockable lid/doors.
‐ Clearly signed.
‐ Spill tray.
• Away from ignition sources.
 Safe Storage of Flammable Liquids
Larger quantities:

• Purpose-built, single-storey flammables store.

• Segregate chemicals.

• Built of non-combustible materials.

• Lightweight roof for explosion relief.

• Built outdoors away from other buildings,

‒ or having firewall protection.

• The store suitably fenced in a secure area.

• All electrical systems intrinsically safe.

 Structural Measures to Prevent Spread
of Fire and Smoke
Compartmentation:
• Keeping fire and smoke in or out of area of building.
• Creating enclosed/sealed boxes using fire-resistant
materials.
• Fire is contained in one part of the building.
• Only fully effective if openings in the compartment walls
are sealed.
• Local building regulations play a major part in applying
high standards of compartmentation to workplaces.
Typical Characteristics of Fire Doors
● Able to withstand fire for a set time (e.g. 30 mins).
● Fitted with self-closing devices.
● Fitted with intumescent strip (expands when hot).
● Fitted with a cold smoke seal.
● Have vision panels of fire-resistant glass (typical).
● Clearly labelled.
 Properties of Common Building
Materials
Concrete: Usually performs well in a fire.
Steel: Severely affected by high temperatures.
Brick: Usually very resistant.
Timber: Thin timber will burn quite quickly; thick timber will
survive for longer.

Surface treatment can improve fire performance:

• Encasing steel in concrete.
• Intumescent paint.
• Insulation.
• Wall coverings.
 Properties of Common Building
Materials
Steel:
• Encased in concrete.
• Coated with intumescent (fire-resistant) foam or paint.

Insulation:
• Must be fire retardant.

Wall coverings can be flammable so need to be carefully

selected.
 Protection of Openings and Voids
Openings:
• e.g. service conduits, air handling ducts.

Voids:
• e.g. stairwells, voids between floors, roof voids.

Protection:
• Self-closing shutters.
• Fire break walls.
• Procedure to seal any new openings, e.g. with fire-
retardant foam.
 Use of Electrical Equipment in
Flammable Atmospheres
• Flammable gas/vapour/dust mixed with air can be
explosive.
• Electrical equipment can ignite the mixture.
• National legislation controls use of electrical equipment:
- In EU, the ATEX Directives.
- In UK, transposed as the Dangerous Substances and
Explosive Atmosphere Regulations 2002.
 ATEX and DSEAR Zoning
● Zone 0 - a place in which an explosive atmosphere is
present continuously, or for long periods, or
frequently.
● Zone 1 - a place in which an explosive atmosphere is
likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
● Zone 2 - a place in which an explosive atmosphere is
not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does
occur, will persist for a short period only.

There are corresponding standards for dust explosion

hazards - these are called Zone 20, Zone 21 and
Zone 22.
Electrical Equipment for Use in
Flammable Atmospheres
Electrical Equipment Zone

Category 1 Zone 0 or Zone 20

Category 2 Zone 1 or Zone 21

Category 3 Zone 2 or Zone 22

Fire Alarm Systems and Fire-
Fighting Arrangements
 Fire Detection and
Alarm Systems
• Simplest system:
‐ Someone shouts "Fire!"

• Simple with more noise:

‐ Hand bell, whistle or air horn.

• Manually-operated fire alarm:

‐ Manual call points.

• Automatic fire detection and alarm:

‐ Automatic detectors, manual call points, linked to sounders/lights.
The sophistication will depend on the complexity of workplace.
 Fire Detection
Smoke detectors:
• Detect small smoke particles.
• Very sensitive, early warning.
• Two main types: ionising and optical.
• Can give rise to false alarms.

Heat detectors:
• Detect excess heat generated by a fire.
• Less sensitive, later warning.
• Two main types: rate of rise and fixed temperature.
• May not detect fires that are giving off smoke but not much heat.
 Portable Fire-Fighting Equipment
• Fire extinguisher.
• Fire blankets:
‐ Physically smother fires, e.g. fat fires in kitchens.
• Hose reels:
‐ Used in large buildings for fire teams.
• Sprinkler systems:
‐ Sited in buildings and warehouses.
‐ Automatically dowses the fire.
Portable Fire Extinguishers
 Siting of Extinguishers
• On fire exit routes.
• Close to exit doors.
• Close to specific hazards.
• Fixed to the wall or on stand/trolley.
• Clearly visible.
• Signed.
• Unobstructed access.
 Maintenance of Extinguishers
Inspection:
• Regular and frequent to ensure they are:
‐ In place.
‐ In good working order.

Maintenance:
• Ensure they remain in safe working order.
• Once a year.
• Certificated engineer.
• Inspection, testing, dismantling.
 Training
• Theory training.

• Types of extinguisher.

• Hands-on experience.

• Records kept in line with local regulations.

 Access for Fire and Rescue Services

The requirements for vehicle access differ depending on the:

• Presence of fire mains.
• Size of the building.
• Type of fire appliance to be used.
• For small buildings without a fire main, access for a pump appliance
should be provided to 15% of the perimeter.
• For large, high-rise buildings, the entire perimeter will need to be
accessible.
• Site should have an emergency plan including liaison with fire service.
• Familiarisation visits may be carried out.
 End-of-Section Quiz
1. What are the different ways of detecting fire and
sounding the alarm?

1. Name the different types of fire extinguisher and the

class of fire they can be used on.
Evacuation of a Workplace
 Means of Escape
• Available to every person in the workplace.
• Does not require use of lifts (expect in special cases).
• Must take person to a place of safety.
• Two or more separate routes may be required.
• Travel distance should be short.
• Adequate width.
• Clearly signed.
• Appropriately lit.
• Emergency lighting.
• No obstructions.
 Travel Distances
Depends on:
• Number of people occupying a room.
• Travel distance to nearest available:
‐ Final exit - to a place of total safety.
‐ Storey exit - into protected stairway.
‐ Separate fire compartment - containing final exit.
• Fire risk:
‐ e.g. low risk, low number - 1 exit up to 45m distance.
‐ e.g. high risk, high number - several exits less than 25m
distance.
 Stairs, Passageways and Doors
Stairs and passageways:
• Fire-resistant protection.
• Adequate width:
- Consider wheelchair users.
• Unobstructed.
• No storage of materials or equipment.
Doors:
• Easy to operate.
• Adequate width.
• Open in direction of travel.
• Not locked.
 Emergency (Escape) Lighting
• At night or where there is no natural light.

• To indicate escape routes.

• To indicate call points and fire-fighting equipment.

• Regular maintenance.

• Routine inspection/testing.
 Exit and Directional Signs
Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations
1996
• Standard shape.
• Standard colour.
• Pictogram.
• Easy to interpret.
• Clearly visible.
 Exit and Directional Signs
ISO 7010: International Standard for Safety Signs

• Standard shape.
• Standard colour.
• Pictogram.
• Easy to interpret.
• Clearly visible.
 Assembly Points
• Safe distance from building.
• Safe location.
• Further escape possible if
needed.
• Must not impede fire-fighters.
• Clearly signed.
• 'Refuges' for disabled workers.
 Group Exercise
Under your tutor’s direction, take a tour of an area of the
building you are in.
Note:
• Fire compartment, e.g. stairwells, fire doors, etc.
• Travel distances.
• Fire detection and alarms.
• Fire extinguishers, etc.
• Emergency lighting, signage.
 Emergency Evacuation Procedures
Emphasis is on personal safety:
• Sound the alarm.
• Get out of the building.
• Stay out of the building.

More complex procedures

needed for some workplaces,
e.g. hospitals.
 Fire Marshals
Typical duties:
• Check if alarm is ‘real’.

• Check all areas are evacuated.

• Assist disabled/infirm workers.

• Ensure fire escape routes are kept clear.

• Ensure windows and doors are closed.

• Conduct roll call at assembly point.

 Roll Call
● Ensure all persons accounted for.
● May not be practical, e.g. supermarkets.

Provision for Infirm and Disabled

• Staff with disabilities may need personal evacuation
plans:
- Assist with travel downstairs.
- Alert those with hearing impairment.
• May need to consider temporary disabilities, e.g. use of
crutches.
• Consider also evacuation of young/elderly.
 Fire Plans
Fire plans should include:
• Who is likely to be in premises.
• Action to be taken on discovering fire.
• Escape routes.
• Fire-fighting equipment.
• Action to be taken after evacuation.
• Training.
 Training and Information

Information on fire safety procedures for:

• Employees.
• Contractors.
• Visitors and the public.

Training for staff:

• Who use portable extinguishers.
• Fire marshals.
• Assist disabled people.
• Members of the fire team.
 Fire Drills

● Usually once or twice a year.

● Allows staff to practise procedures.
● Allows for testing of those procedures.
● Records kept.
 End-of-Section Quiz
1. What general principles should be applied when
establishing means of escape?
2. What is the purpose of emergency lighting?
3. What might fire marshals do in the event of an
evacuation?
 Summary
• Outlined some of the basic principles of fire safety, such as: the fire
triangle, the five classes of fire, the methods by which fire can
spread, and some of the common causes of workplace fires.
• Described the reasons for carrying out a fire risk assessment, and
shown fire risk assessment as a five-step process of identifying fire
hazards; identifying the people who might be at risk; evaluating,
identifying and implementing fire precautions required; recording
the findings, planning and training; and reviewing the assessment
as necessary.
• Explained how fire and the spread of fire can be prevented by
controlling potential fuel sources, (e.g. safe use and storage of
flammable liquids) and potential ignition sources, (e.g. hot work).
• Outlined the structural measures that exist to contain fire and
smoke in the event of a fire starting, and the use of self-closing fire
doors to protect door openings.
 Summary
• Described the general principles of fire detection and alarm
systems.
• Discussed the main types of fire extinguisher commonly used,
such as water, carbon dioxide, foam and dry powder, and the
strengths and limitations of each type.
• Outlined the principal characteristics of a means of escape, such
as: travel distances, number of available escape routes, escape
route width, design of any doors in the escape route, assembly
points, signage, and emergency lighting.
• Described basic requirements for evacuation procedures, fire
marshals, training and information, the capabilities of employees,
fire drills and special procedures for the infirm or disabled, and
the inclusion of escape routes in building plans.