FIRE SAFETY PRINCIPLES

FIRE is a rapid oxidation process accompanied by the evolution of heat,

light, flame and the emission of sound
The Fire Triangle: (3) Three Elements – The oxidation process will not be
possible w/o any one of these elements.
FUEL, OXYGEN & HEAT – are required to start a fire
1) Fire Avoidance – Fire Zoning, Material Choice & Performance,
Knowledge on Fire Load
2) Fire Detection – Visual (Door Peepholes, etc.) & Mechanical
(Electronic, Manual, or Automatic Methods) Fire Detection

STAGES OF FIRE GROWTH 3) Fire Growth Restriction – Fire Extinguisher (Types & Ratings),
Stage 1 – Pre–Flash / Growth Phase Water Supply, Fire Blanket, Bucket of Sand, &
Stage 2 – Flashover Mechanical Means (Sprinklers)
Stage 3 – Fully Developed Fire / Stable Phase
Stage 4 – Decay / Cooling Phase 4) Fire Containment – Fire Cladding, Fire–Rated Walls & Slabs,
1–Meter Ledge (to prevent fire creeping up), Extend CHB
CLASSES OF FIRE Walls up to the Slab, Fire Compartmentation, Fire Rating
Const’n Syst. (Masonry Walls, Gypsum Walls, Ceiling, &
CLASS Fire Involving How to Suppress Doors), Load Bearing Capacity, Integrity & Insulation
Ordinary combustible
materials such as
A Use WATER
wood, cloth, paper,
rubber and plastics, etc.
Flammable or
Exclude AIR
B combustible Liquids,
from Burning Materials
flammable Gases
5) Fire Control – Devices & Systems w/c aid Firefighters
NO WATER;
Energized Use Electrically Non-Conductive 6) Smoke Control – (3) Techniques: Smoke Containment Barrier,
C
Electrical Equipment extinguishing agents such as Smoke Dispersal, & Pressurization
gaseous systems
7) Escape Provisions – Corridor Syst., Fire Escape,
Combustible Metals Escape Routes to Place of Safety, Fire-Resisting Door Design
such as potassium, Heat-Absorbing Medium w/c is
D
sodium, magnesium & not reactive w/ Burning Metals
Other Reactive Metals

(7) BASIC PRINCIPLES

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(4) FIRE EXTINGUISHER RATINGS
Class A Extinguishers ORDINARY COMBUSTIBLES,
Will put out fires such as wood and paper. The numerical
rating for this class refers to the amount of water the fire
extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish
Class B Extinguishers for fires involving FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS,
Such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical rating for
this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate number
of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that a non-expert
person can expect to extinguish
Class C Extinguishers for ELECTRICALLY ENERGIZED FIRES
This class of fire extinguishers does not have a numerical
rating. The presence of the letter “C” indicates that the
extinguishing agent is non-conductive
Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and
are often specific for the type of metal in question. Generally
have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for
use on other types of fires
Mechanical Means of Restricting Fire Growth
SPRINKLER SPECIFICATIONS
Spaced from 3.6 to 6.0 meters apart
Rated to 175 psi
Categories: General Use, Institutional, Resid’l, Attics,
Special Hazards, Storage
3 HEADS:
1) UPRIGHT
2) PENDENT
3) SIDEWALL
FIRE SAFETY PRINCIPLES
TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
DRY CHEMICAL Extinguishers
 Rated for Multiple Purpose Use
 They contain an extinguishing agent
 & use a compressed, non-flammable gas as a propellant
HALON Extinguishers
 Contain a gas that interrupts the chemical reaction that takes
place when fuels burn
 Often used to protect valuable electrical equipment since they
leave no residue to clean up
 Limited range, usually 1.2 to 1.8 meters range
 Initial application at the base of the fire, even after the flames
have been extinguished
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) Extinguishers
 Most effective on Class B and C (Liquids & Electrical) Fires
 Gas disperses quickly
 Effective only from 1.0 to 2.4 feet
 The carbon dioxide is stored as a compressed liquid in the
extinguisher; as it expands, it cools the surrounding air. The
cooling will often cause ice to form around the “horn” where the
gas is expelled from the extinguisher
 Since the fire could re-ignite, continue to apply the agent even
after the fire appears to be out
Notes:
 (Fire Compartmentation) COMPARTMENT SIZES – The more combustible
the contents of a bldg, the smaller the compartment should be.
 (Fire Control) FIREFIGHTING SHAFT – Access for Fire Brigades,
Fully–Equipped w/ firefighting tools, Service Elevator, Stair & Lobby
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 FIRE SAFETY PRINCIPLES
FIRE RATING OF CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS
CEILING SYSTEMS
CONCRETE 4 ” CHB 2–Hour Fire Rating
MASONRY WALL 6 ” CHB 4–Hour Fire Rating 12mm gypsum wallboard applied to drywall
1–Hour resilient furring channels 600mm O.C. and
GYPSUM WALLS Fire Rating nailed to wood joists 400mm O.C.
Wood joists supporting 25mm T&G finish floor
WOOD
One layer 12mm type X veneer base
nailed to each side of 12mm gypsum wallboard applied to drywall
50mm x 100mm Wood Studs 400mm O.C. furring channels. Furring channels 600mm
2–Hour O.C., attached with 18 gauge wire ties open
1–Hour Fire Rating web steel joists 600mm O.C. supporting rib
Fire Rating metal lath on 28 gauge corrugated steel and
STEEL
One layer 16mm type X gypsum wallboard or 62mm concrete slab.
veneer base applied to each side of
40mm Metal Studs 600mm O.C.

WOOD
Two layers 16mm type X gypsum wallboard
or veneer base applied to each side of
50mm x 100mm Wood Studs 600mm O.C. (Three) 3–Hour
Fire Rating
2–Hour
Fire Rating
STEEL
Two layers 16mm type X gypsum wallboard
or veneer base applied to each side of
62mm Metal Studs 400mm O.C.

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 FIRE SAFETY PRINCIPLES

DOOR OPENINGS SITE ACCESS FOR FIRE CONTROL

SINGLE HOLLOW METAL DOORS (ga.20 steel face),

 1.2m X 3.0m with labeled single-point or 3-point latching hardware,
 steel hinges or pivots

Maximum Glass Area:

0.83 sq.m

1–Hour For openings in walls or

Fire Rating partitions between rooms &
corridors having a fire
resistance rating of
1 hour or less

Maximum Glass Area

0.063 sq.m

6mm THK Wire glass

in a steel frame AERIAL APPARATUS SPECIFICATIONS
2–Hour
Fire Rating
For openings in enclosures
of vertical communications
through bldgs. & in 2-hour
rated partitions providing
horizontal fire separations

FLUSH METAL DOOR – No Glass Permitted

 3mm clearance at jambs
3–Hour
 10mm clearance at non-combustible floor
Fire Rating
 For openings in fire walls or walls that divide a single
building into fire areas

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 FIRE SAFETY PRINCIPLES
(3) SMOKE CONTROL TECHNIQUES

1) SMOKE CONTAINMENT/ BARRIER – technique of restricting the

movement of smoke by the provision of
Fire resisting elements.

2) SMOKE DISPERSAL – technique of clearing smoke locally by provision

of natural cross-ventilation or mechanical venting.

3) PRESSURIZATION – technique whereby air is blown into spaces which

are designed to be kept clear of smoke.

 Uses barriers including walls, floors & doors, to contain pressurized

air generated by mechanical means to keep smoke away from
protected areas such as escape staircases and corridors.

ESCAPE PROVISIONS
 Cover a range of passive or active syst. which permit the occupants to
move or be moved to a place of safety w/in or to the outside of a bldg.
 Routes must be properly protected from the effects of fire and smoke for
an acceptable time period, usually a minimum of 60 minutes

CORRIDOR SYSTEM
 Direct, Not Tortuous, Simple Lay-Out
 No Barriers, Cul-De-Sacs, Bottlenecks
 Doors Open Out, Not In
 Easily Detectible, Not Hidden From View

FIRE ESCAPE STAIRS

 Designed to be used daily for familiarity of escape route
 Well-maintained (not used as storage of junk)

This Can Be Achieved By:

 Compartmentation
 Fire Resistance Of Escape Route Structure
 Use Of Smoke Control Systems To Keep Smoke Out Of Escape Routes

ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF ESCAPE

ACCESS THROUGH COURTYARDS
FIRE–RESISTING DOOR DESIGN – Addtl. Width for 90 deg. Swing

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