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

STAGES OF FIRE GROWTH

Stage 1 – Pre–Flash / Growth Phase
Stage 2 – Flashover
Stage 3 – Fully Developed Fire / Stable Phase
Stage 4 – Decay / Cooling Phase

CLASSES OF FIRE
CLASS Fire Involving How to Suppress
Ordinary combustible
materials such as
A wood, cloth, paper, Use WATER
rubber and plastics,
etc.
Flammable or
Exclude AIR
B combustible Liquids,
from Burning Materials
flammable Gases
NO WATER;
Use Electrically Non-
Energized
C Conductive extinguishing
Electrical Equipment
agents such as gaseous
systems
Combustible Metals
Heat-Absorbing Medium w/c
such as potassium,
D is not reactive w/ Burning
sodium, magnesium &
Metals
Other Reactive Metals

(7) BASIC PRINCIPLES

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

3) Fire Growth Restriction – Fire Extinguisher (Types & Ratings), Water Supply,
Fire Blanket, Bucket of Sand, & Mechanical Means (Sprinklers)

4) Fire Containment – Fire Cladding, Fire–Rated Walls & Slabs,

1–Meter Ledge (to prevent fire creeping up), Extend CHB Walls up to the Slab,
Fire Compartmentation, Fire Rating Const’n Syst. (Masonry Walls, Gypsum Walls,
Ceiling, & Doors), Load Bearing Capacity, Integrity & Insulation
 5) Fire Control – Devices & Systems w/c aid Firefighters

6) Smoke Control – (3) Techniques: Smoke Containment Barrier, Smoke

Dispersal, & Pressurization

7) Escape Provisions – Corridor Syst., Fire Escape,

Escape Routes to Place of Safety, Fire-Resisting Door Design

(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

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
Notes:
➢ The carbon dioxide is stored as a compressed liquid in the extinguisher; as it expands, it
➢ (Fire Compartmentation) COMPARTMENT
cools the surrounding air. The cooling will often cause ice to form around the “horn” where
SIZES – The more combustible
the gas is expelled from the extinguisher
the contents of a bldg, the smaller th
➢ Since the fire could re-ignite, continue to apply the agent even after the fire appears to be
compartment should be.
out
➢ (Fire Control) FIREFIGHTING SHAFT –
Access for Fire Brigades,
Fully–Equipped w/ firefighting tools, Service
Elevator, Stair & Lobby

FIRE RATING OF CONSTRUCTION SYSTEMS

CONCRETE 4 ” CHB 2–Hour Fire Rating
MASONRY WALL 6 ” CHB 4–Hour Fire Rating

GYPSUM WALLS

WOOD
One layer 12mm type X veneer base
1–Hour
nailed to each side of
Fire Rating
50mm x 100mm Wood Studs 400mm O.C.

STEEL
One layer 16mm type X gypsum wallboard
or veneer base applied to each side of
40mm Metal Studs 600mm O.C.

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

CEILING SYSTEMS

12mm gypsum wallboard applied to drywall

resilient furring channels 600mm O.C. and
1–Hour
nailed to wood joists 400mm O.C.
Fire Rating
Wood joists supporting 25mm T&G finish
floor

12mm gypsum wallboard applied to drywall

furring channels. Furring channels 600mm
2–Hour O.C., attached with 18 gauge wire ties open
Fire Rating web steel joists 600mm O.C. supporting rib
metal lath on 28 gauge corrugated steel and
62mm concrete slab.

(Three) 3–Hour
Fire Rating

DOOR OPENINGS

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
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

SITE ACCESS FOR FIRE CONTROL

AERIAL APPARATUS SPECIFICATIONS

(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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