Fire Safety

Fire Safety
Safety and Health Officer

Certificate Course
1
OBJECTIVES
• State the definition of fire
• State 3 element of the fire triangle
• Explain 3 characteristics of flammables

that influences fire
• Explain 2 ignition phenomena
2 © 2014 NIOSH Malaysia. All rights reserved. No part of this document shall be
reproduced without written consent of NIOSH Malaysia.
OBJECTIVES
• Identify the classes of fire
• Discuss safety in the context of controlling

fire hazards
• Identify the statutory requirements related

to fire safety
SCOPE
1. Introduction
2. Basics of Fire
3. Classes of Fire
4. Control of Fire Hazards
– Plant Safety Plan
– Fire Control Methods
– Fire Protection Methods
– Fire Prevention and Protection Equipment
5. Statutory requirements
6. Conclusion
INTRODUCTION
• The incidence of fire involves:
– Equipment
– Raw materials
– Process
INTRODUCTION
• Location of Fire
– Process
– In confined spaces
– In buildings
– Equipment in buildings
– External equipments
– Storage areas / warehouses
INTRODUCTION
• Causes of Fire
– Short circuit
– Equipment failure
– Welding and metal cutting activities
– Spill/overflow of flammable liquid/gas
– Overheating
– Contact with hot surfaces
– Pipe leakages/damage
– Intentional burning
INTRODUCTION
• Contributing Factors
– Failure/damage of sprinkler system
– Insufficient water supply for spray
system
– No spray system
– Human/operator error
– Existence of flammable materials
– Breakage of equipment or container
BASICS OF FIRE
Definition
• A chemical reaction that occurs when

a flammable material and oxygen
comes into contact with a heat source
or ignition
BASICS OF FIRE
FIRE TRIANGLE
HEAT
 Fire will not occur in the absence of one element
 Fire will cease to exist if one of the elements is
eliminated
BASICS OF FIRE
• Gas or vapours
– May ignite by sparks or small flames
• Liquids or solids
– Requires more heat to ignite
– Requires more oxygen to ignite (2–5%)
BASICS OF FIRE
• Ignition of flammables
– Small spark/flames or
– Heated to self-ignition temperature
BASICS OF FIRE
Characteristics of fire
• Will continue with positive heat*

• The edges of the fire are the weakest points
• Elimination requires reducing a small
percentage of oxygen content
– Example: In the burning of liquid or gas,
evaporation of oxygen content is less than 12-
16%
* Clean heat content
BASICS OF FIRE
• Fire spreads through:
– Direct burning
– Transfer of heat
– Movement of flammables
SPREADING OF FIRE
• Transfer of heat happens through:

– Flow
• Spreads through solid barriers
– Convection
• Spreads upwards
– Radiation
• Spreads directly to other objects
• Spreads through open spaces
SPREADING OF FIRE
• Movement of burning materials
– Burning liquid
– Flammable vapour that is produced by

the heat of burning solid materials.
BASICS OF FIRE
Upper Flammability Limit

Saturated Vapour-
flammable vapour
Concentration of
Air Mixture Line
Flammable mixture
Self ignition
Lower Flammability Limit
Flash Point Self-ignition temperature
Temperature
BASICS OF FIRE
• Flammability limit of gas and
vapour
– Levels at which gas and vapour may
ignite and burn in an environment
within the range of its flammable limit
• Lower Flammability Limit – LFL

• Upper Flammability Limit – UFL
FLAMMABILITY LIMIT FOR
GAS AND VAPOUR
• Flammable Limit (FL) of gas and
vapour
– FL is the mid concentration required for
stoichiometry reaction
– A mixture is too diluted if its
concentration is below the Lower
Flammability Limit (LFL)
GAS AND VAPOUR
• UFL is two times the concentration
that is required for stoichiometry
reaction:
– The mixture is too concentrated if is

concentration is above the Upper
Flammable Limit (UFL)
GAS AND VAPOUR
Factors that influence LFL and UFL
• Environmental factors
• Temperature
• Gravity
• Pressure
• Direction of fire
FLAMMABILITY LIMITS
LFL and UFL of selected flammables
FLAMMABLES LFL (%ip/ip) UFL (%ip/ip)
Ammonia 15 28
Acetylene 2.6 100
Benzene 1.4 8.0
Butane 1.8 8.4
Ethanol 3.0 12.4
Methane 5.0 15.0
Toluene 1.3 7.0
SELF-IGNITION
TEMPERATURE
• The minimum temperature at which
the self-heating properties of a
material lead to ignition.
SELF-IGNITION TEMPERATURE
Self Ignition Temperature for selected flammables
Flammables Self Ignition Flammables Self Ignition
Temperature Temperature
(C) (C)
Methane 537 n-Hexane 223
Ethanol 515 n-Heptane 223
Propane 466 n-Octane 220
n-Butane 405 n-Nonane 206
n-Pentane 258 n-Decane 208

SPEED OF FIRE
• Fire is directed back towards the
material or source
– Depending on the pressure and
temperature
• The maximum speed of fire is

determined by the pressure and
ambient temperature is called
maximum speed of fire
FIRE BASICS
SPEED OF FIRE FOR SELECTED FLAMMABLES
Flammable Maximum Speed of Fire (cm/s)
Hydrogen 320
Acetylene 173
Ethylene 68.8
Propane 45
Benzene 40.7
Butane 40.5
Ethane 40.1
Methane 36.4
FIRE BASICS
• Ignition Phenomena
– Self-ignition
– Local ignition
• Ignition due to sparks
• Ignition due to hot surfaces
• Ignition due to abrasion and force
• Ignition due to hot gas jets
• Ignition due to hot particles
• Ignition due to jet fire
• Ignition due to compression
SOURCES OF IGNITION
– Fire
• Open burning
• Fire in oven, boiler, and fire tower
• Small fires
– Hot works
• Welding, cutting
– Hot surfaces
• Oven
• Machines with excessive workings such as
motors and pumps
SOURCES OF IGNITION
• Hot particles
• Abrasion and force
– Generation of sparks due to hotspots
on the surface
– Example:
• Falling of objects on the floor
• Abrasion of steel and aluminum, concrete
and steel
SOURCES OF IGNITION
• Chemical energy
– Thermal reaction
• Instable and receptive materials
– Instrumentations that have stimulants
• Hot gas and material
• Diesel engines – high exhaust
temperature
• Vehicle
• Lightning
SOURCES OF IGNITION
• Radio frequency signals

• Smoking
• Intentional burning or arson
• Self ignition
• Ignition compression (compression
of mixtures to reach self ignition
temperature)
SOURCES OF IGNITION
• Self heating
– Due to slow heat oxidisation reactions
– Materials in processes, storage or
transportation
– Example:
• Charcoal loads, waste from nuts
ELECTROSTATIC
• Generated when there is abrasion of
two surfaces that when separated,
will produce two surfaces of
different charges
– Charges will remain if the surface is not
a conductor
– Charges will disintegrate if surfaces are
good conductors
• Low current, high voltage
ELECTROSTATIC
• Electrostatic hazards exist in:

– Human body
– Spraying equipment/activities
– Transport machinery
– Handling of liquids
– Handling of materials in powder form
ELECTROSTATIC
• Spraying activities • Liquid handling
– Steam – Filling of tanks
– Steam leakage – Flows in pipes
• Transport machinery – Mixing of materials
– Lifting vehicles in container
• Handling of
powder
– Grinding activities
– Sifting activities
– Pneumatic
processes
ELECTROSTATIC
Flow of liquid Charges generated

(non-conductive) in 10-9-10-6 A
pipes
Powder from grinder Electric charges at
the rate of 10-8-10-4 A
CLASSES OF FIRE
• Code BS EN2 : 1992
CLASS TYPE OF FIRE

A Solids that cause fire
B Liquid or solid that becomes liquid
C Gas / vapour
D Metals
CLASSES OF FIRE
• NFPA 10: 1984 Code
CLASS TYPE OF FIRE
A Wood, material, paper, rubber
and plastic
B Flammable liquid, oil, grease, tar,
paint and gas
C Electrical equipments with
connected electrical supply
D Metals
CLASSES OF FIRE
• Requirements for Fire Fighting Equipment
TYPE OF FIRE NO OF EQUIPMENT
Extremely big > 20 jet
Big 8-19 jet
Moderate 3-7 jet
Small 1-2 jet/3 hose
Extremely small 1-2 hose/ fire extinguisher
CLASSES OF FIRE
• According to industrial processes
– Pool fire (liquid) / moving liquid
– Fireball
– Steam cloud fire
• Type 1 Fire without explosion
• Type 2 Fire due to explosion
• Type 3 Fire causing explosion
– Jet fire (steam)
CLASSES OF FIRE
– Burning of solids
•Burning of solid materials
•Burning of powders
– Warehouse fire
– Fire involving oxygen
FIRE HAZARD CONTROLS
• Fire Prevention
– Avoid release of flammable into the

atmosphere
– Release of heat
– Control of heat sources (ref: fire
triangle)
FIRE HAZARD CONTROLS
• Fire Prevention (during incidence of

fire)
– Release heat
– Close/stop supply of flammable
– Close/stop supply of oxygen
ACTION TO REDUCE
HAZARD
IDENTIFIED HAZARD
NATURALLY SAFE
TECHNOLOGY
SELECTION OF
TECHNOLOGY
SAFETY PREVENTION
SYSTEM
INITIAL HAZARDOUS
INCIDENT SAFETY PROTECTION
SYSTEM
HAZARDOUS INCIDENT
EMERGENCY RESPONSE
PLAN
EXPOSURE OF HAZARD
TO HUMAN
MEDICAL TREATMENT
RESULT OF EXPOSURE
SAFETY PLAN
• Hazards identification through:
– HAZOP – Hazards and Operability

Studies
– Hazard checklist
– Fire and explosion index (Dow Index)
– Chemical exposure index
SAFETY PLAN
• Safety Plan
– Selection of safe technology
– Safety prevention system at starting and
ending points
– Safety protection system
– Emergency response plan
– Medical treatment
SAFETY PLAN
SELECTION OF SAFE TECHNOLOGY
• Usage
• Equipment/machinery
• Process/material
SAFETY PLAN
SELECTION OF SAFE TECHNOLOGY
USER-FRIENDLY PLANT
Characteristic User-friendly
Substitution of chemicals Avoid fire
Weakening of hazardous De-fridge rate atmospheric

chemicals temperature dilution
Design of equipment Reaction may be handled and

controlled strong and suitable
Plant layout Breaks spread of fire and isolate

between equipment
SAFETY PLAN
ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE TECHNOLOGY
• Safe storage
HUMP HUMP
Storage tank
SAFETY PLAN
ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE TECHNOLOGY
Safe storage
Fire wall Storage tank
Hump
Slope to hole
Fire hole
SAFETY PLAN
SAFETY PREVENTION SYSTEM
• Prevent initial incident
– System for detection and control

– Safe handling methods
– Use of engineering controls
SAFETY PLAN
ADMINISTRATIVE & ENGINEERING CONTROLS
Administrative controls Engineering controls
On the job training programme Better equipment
Instructions and written procedures Improved layout to minimise work
Signages hazards
Labeling of equipment Location of valve, switch and instruments
Suitability of person to job Design of equipment – more user-friendly
Testing Better manual handling methods
Classroom teaching Decentralised computer controls
Warning Design of equipment – able to
Incentive and punishments prevent/control mistakes
Persuasion methods to promote safe Online analysis
work practices Online parameter assessment
Inspection
Review
SAFETY PLAN
• Stop/control the source of the

hazard as soon as the incident
happens
– Eliminate fire
SAFETY PLAN
• Eliminate fire through:
– Cooling
– Reduce flammables through cooling,
dilution, emulsion and liquid
– Reduce oxygen content
– Disrupt fire reactions
SAFETY PLAN
FIRE FIGHTING AGENTS
Fire class Material type Example Agent
A Normal Wood, paper, Water, dry
flammable fabric, plastic chemical, foam
B Flammable liquid Gasoline, oil, CO2, foam, dry

and gas grease, LPG chemical, halon
C Working electrical Electric motor CO2, dry

item chemical, halon
D Flammable metal Magnesium, Dry chemical

sodium, powder
potassium
SAFETY PLAN
SAFETY PROTECTION SYSTEM
• Protection during fire
– Stop spread of fire
SAFETY PLAN
SAFETY PROTECTION SYSTEM
• Stop spread of fire
– Fire wall / barrier to air flow

– Fire resistant isolator – isolate fire
– Trap fire to prevent explosion
– Layout of tank and equipment
SAFETY PLAN
EMERGENCY RESPONSE PLAN
• Hazard identification and risk
assessment
• Control methods
• Communications – Incident
Command System (ICS)
• Announce and update emergency
• Cooperation of external parties
• Public relations
SAFETY PLAN
MEDICAL TREATMENT
• Medical surveillance and treatment
system
• Sending victims to medical center if
exposed to:
– Toxic materials from fire
– Heat
• Ensure procedures for:
– Transportation of victims
– Appointment of officer in charge
FIRE SAFETY
STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS
FIRE SERVICES ACT 1988
• Provisions for administrative controls and
elimination of fire hazards
OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
ACT 1994
• Provisions on duty of employers
UNIFORM BUILDING BY-LAWS 1984
• Detailed provisions on construction of
buildings, roads and drains
CONCLUSION
1. Fire basics
2. Classes of fire
3. Fire hazard controls
– Safety planning
– Fire prevention methods
– Fire protection methods
– Fire prevention and protection
equipment
4. Statutory requirements related to
Fire Safety

Fire Safety

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Fire Safety

Safety and Health Officer

• State the definition of fire

• State 3 element of the fire triangle

• Explain 3 characteristics of flammables

• Explain 2 ignition phenomena

• Identify the classes of fire

• Discuss safety in the context of controlling

• Identify the statutory requirements related

• The incidence of fire involves:

• A chemical reaction that occurs when

• Will continue with positive heat*

• Fire spreads through:

• Transfer of heat happens through:

• Movement of burning materials

– Flammable vapour that is produced by

Upper Flammability Limit

Air Mixture Line

Lower Flammability Limit

Flash Point Self-ignition temperature

• Lower Flammability Limit – LFL

– The mixture is too concentrated if is

Ethanol 515 n-Heptane 223

Propane 466 n-Octane 220

n-Butane 405 n-Nonane 206

n-Pentane 258 n-Decane 208

• The maximum speed of fire is

• Radio frequency signals

• Electrostatic hazards exist in:

Flow of liquid Charges generated

CLASS TYPE OF FIRE

– Avoid release of flammable into the

• Fire Prevention (during incidence of

– HAZOP – Hazards and Operability

Weakening of hazardous De-fridge rate atmospheric

Design of equipment Reaction may be handled and

Plant layout Breaks spread of fire and isolate

• Prevent initial incident

– System for detection and control

• Stop/control the source of the

B Flammable liquid Gasoline, oil, CO2, foam, dry

C Working electrical Electric motor CO2, dry

D Flammable metal Magnesium, Dry chemical

• Protection during fire

– Stop spread of fire

• Stop spread of fire

– Fire wall / barrier to air flow

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