FIRE SAFETY

DARWIN M. ANDRES, R.N.

OSHP No. 1033-160517-D-0131
OSHC No. 1030-061419-OSHC-197
 OBJECTIVES
After this module, you should be able to:
• KNOW what is fire and its classification
• IDENTIFY causes of fires and how to prevent it
• RECOGNIZE the types of portable fire
extinguishers and its importance
• BE FAMILIAR on parts of portable fire
extinguishers
• APPLY the “P.A.S.S.” method to operate your
portable extinguishers, and;
• MAKE the “right” decision in fighting fire.
 Occupational Safety and
Health Standards

• Rule 1412.05: Fire Protection

• Rule 1944.05: Portable Extinguisher
What is Fire?
A rapid chemical reaction.

The self-sustaining
process of rapid
oxidation of a fuel,
which produces
heat and light.
 Components of Fire

• Fuel
• Heat
• Oxygen
• Chain reaction
Commonly referred to
as the "fire tetrahedron"
 Components of Fire

• Fuel
❖ Any material that will burn

Flammable Substances
vs.
Combustible Substances
 Components of Fire
• Flammable Substances
❖ Substance having a flashpoint below 100 ˚F (37.8 ˚C)
and vapor pressure not exceeding 20psia at 100 ˚F .

• Combustible Substances
❖ Substance having a flashpoint at or above 100 ˚F
(37.8 ˚C).

• Flashpoint
❖ The lowest temperature at which fuel begins to give
off flammable vapors and form an ignitable mixture
in air.
 QUESTION
• Which is more dangerous:
a) A substance with low flashpoint
b) A substance with a high flashpoint

ANSWER:
(a) The lower the flashpoint, the more
dangerous a substance is.
 The Spread of Fire
• Direct contact - in their early stage, fires
spread most entirely by contact of flame to
combustible object.
• Conduction – transferred of heat through
solid.
• Convection – transferred of heat by air
movement, hot air rises due to reduced
density.
• Radiation – heat transferred from one surface
to another across the space.
The Spread of Fire
 Eliminating Fire
• Cooling – by
lowering the
temperature COOLING

• Smothering – by
depriving of
Oxygen
• Starvation – by
removing the
source of fuel
 Fire Fighting Equipment
⚫ Fire Extinguishers
⚫ Fire Hoses
⚫ Fire Hydrants
⚫ Fire Blanket
⚫ Fire Nozzles
⚫ Sprinklers
⚫ Etc…
Fire Fighting Equipment

• Heat Detector

• Smoke Detector

• Flame Detector
COMMON FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS
“Ordinary” combustibles
Paper, wood, rubber, plastics and textiles.

“Flammable liquids”
Gasoline, solvents

“Energized circuits”
Electrical equipment and computers

“Combustible metals”
Magnesium, lithium and titanium

“Cooking media”
Vegetable or animal oils and fats
 Some Causes of Fires
• Electricity • Improper Storage
• Housekeeping • Space Heaters
• Cleaning Supplies • Construction
• Flammable Liquids • Combustible Liquids
• Machinery • Unattended Cooking
• Careless smoking

Prevention is the best way to

fight a fire!
IMPORTANCE OF PORTABLE
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

YOUR FIRST LINE

OF DEFENSE!
TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
 Extinguisher
Common features
• Locking pin
• Carrying handle / operating lever
• Pressure gauge
• Label :
– Type (Water, C02, Dry Chemical)
– Classification (A, B, C)
– NFPA capacity Rating
– Instructions
• Discharge nozzle or hose
CHARACTERISTICS OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
Water extinguisher 30-40 ft. 60 sec.

Dry chemical 5-20 ft. 8-25 sec.

CO2 extinguisher 3-8 ft. 8-30 sec.

Halon (clean agent) 3-6 ft. 5-10 sec.

EXTINGUISHER INSPECTION
• Unobstructed access
• Protective cover, safety pin
• Gauge - in the GREEN zone
• Inspect discharge hose
and nozzle for cracks, damage
• No corrosion on valve or tank
• Bracket, securely mounted
• Check inspection tag date
Remember the PASS word
 PULL the pin
This will
allow you to
discharge
the
extinguisher
 AIM
LOW at the base of the fire

Hit the fuel

If you aim at
the flames. . .
… the extinguishing agent will fly
right through and do no good.
 SQUEEZE
the lever
This depresses
a pin that
releases the
pressurized
extinguishing
agent
 SWEEP
from side to side
.. until the fire is
completely out
Start using the extinguisher
from a safe distance away,
then slowly move forward

Once the fire is out,

keep an eye on the area
in case it re-ignites
 RULES FOR FIGHTING FIRE
... before deciding to fight the
fire, keep these things in mind:
1. Know WHAT is burning. If you don’t know
what is burning, you won’t know what kind
of extinguisher to use.
2. Risk of toxic fumes, explosion hazards

Chances are you will know what is burning, or

at least have a pretty good idea, but if you
don’t, let the fire department handle it.
 RULES FOR FIGHTING FIRE
... before deciding to fight the
fire, keep these things in mind:

3. Is the fire spreading rapidly beyond the

point where it started? The time to use an
extinguisher is at the beginning stages of
the fire.
4. If the fire is already spreading quickly,
evacuate the area.
 RULES FOR FIGHTING FIRE
Do not fight the fire if:
✓ You don’t have adequate or appropriate equipment. If
you don’t have the correct type or large enough
extinguisher, it is best not to try fighting the fire.
✓ You might inhale toxic smoke. When synthetic
materials such as the nylon in carpeting or foam padding
in a sofa burn, they can produce hydrogen cyanide and
ammonia in additional to carbon monoxide. These gases
can be fatal in very small amount.
✓ Your instincts tell you not to. If you are uncomfortable
with the situation for any reason, just let the fire
department do their job.
 RULES FOR FIGHTING FIRE
The final rule is to always position yourself with
an exit or means of escape at your back before
you attempt to use an extinguisher to put out a
fire.

In case the extinguisher

malfunctions, or
something unexpected
happens, you need to be
able to get out quickly.
You don’t want to
become trapped.
OK, It’s out…
Now What?
• WATCH the fire area
– If the fire flares up again repeat!
– If you can’t control the fire, LEAVE immediately!
• Call the fire department to inspect the area!
• Recharge or replace any used fire extinguisher!
 REMEMBER
Use a portable fire
extinguisher only if the fire
is small. Don’t try to
suppress a large fire.
Stand with an exit at your
back.

Your personal safety

You are not expected
to be firefighters!
is always the priority.
Do not take unnecessary
risks!
DON’TS (during fire emergencies)
➢ Don’t try to use the elevators or lifter.
➢ Don’t attempt to leave your place in line
until you return to the building.
➢ Don’t attempt to leave the building
except in accordance with exit drill
regulations.
➢ Don’t fail to assist in carrying out
instructions.
➢ All exit doors must be kept unbolted and
unlocked during working hours.
 2 Rules in Fire Emergencies
RULE 1

DON’T PANIC!
RULE 2

IF YOU PANIC, SEE RULE NO. 1!

 QUESTION
• What will you do if your
clothing catches fire?

ANSWER:
STOP, DROP and ROLL on the ground to
extinguish the flames. Cover your face with
your hands to protect your face and lungs.
DON’T run because it will just fan the flames
and increase potential for serious injury.
END
THANK YOU!

DMA