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GROUP SERVICE HSE

Fire Prevention & Protection

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Key Objectives

Awareness on fire hazards

Basic understanding on different types or classes of fires
Guidance on different types of fire extinguishes and how to use them.
Awareness on safe evacuation and accountability.

March 28, 2020 Slide 2

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Introduction

 ABB’s responsibility is to identify fuel and

ignition sources

 The criteria required for designation as a

high risk fire hazard area exists.

 This module sets out the requirements that

shall be followed when concerning fire
prevention and protection in service
facilities and at customers’ sites.

 These requirements will apply to all ABB

workers and any subcontractors who may
be working on ABB’s behalf.

March 28, 2020 Slide 3

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What causes a Fire ?
Fire Triangle

Each of these three elements must be present at the same time to have a fire.
A fire will burn until one or more of the elements are removed.

Oxygen Heat
The air we breathe Excessive heat,
is about 21% flame, ember, or
oxygen – fire needs spark to ignite the
only fuel source
16% oxygen
Fuel

Fuel
Any combustible material –
solid, liquid or gas

March 28, 2020 Slide 4

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Sources of Ignition

Possible sources of ignition might include any of the following:

 Open sources such as cigarettes, open fires or space heaters;
 Sparks from grinding or hot metal splashes from hot work processes;
 High temperatures such as hot surfaces or overheating equipment;
 Electrical overload or short circuits leading to heat build-up or sparking;
 Spontaneous combustion;
 Chemical reactions between materials;
 Electrostatic ignition arising from processing of powders and liquids;
 Arson.
The risk assessment or job hazard assessment (JHA) and/or site safety plan shall include an evaluation to determine
where potential fuel and ignition sources may be located.

March 28, 2020 Slide 5

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Fuel Sources or Fire Loading

Fire Loading includes:

 Combustible building materials, wood, plastic, etc.;
 Stored material, internally, and
(especially when close to buildings);
 Storage and use of flammable liquids atmospheres;
 Storage and use of cellular plastic (foam);
 Storage and use of certain chemical substances such as oxidizing agents;
 Dust particles in suspension in air ignited electrostatically;
 Bulk storage of flammable liquids, solids and gasses including oxygen;
 Storage and use of compressed flammable gases e.g. propane, butane, hydrogen, acetylene etc;
 Waste materials stored internally or externally close to buildings e.g. wooden pallets, waste flammable oils,
solvents etc.

March 28, 2020 Slide 6

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International Classifications of Fires
Fires involving organics solids such as wood, paper, cloth, trash,
Class A
plastics & solids that are not metals.

Fires involving flammable liquids. Class B1 involve fires where the

Class B flammable liquid is soluble in water e.g. methanol, and class B2
where it is not soluble in water such as petrol and oil.

Class C Fires involving flammable gases

Class D Fires involving metals such as potassium, sodium, aluminum,

magnesium.

Class F Fires involving cooking oil and fat

Electrical fires are fires involving any electrical apparatus or equipment.

March 28, 2020 Slide 7

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Risk Control - Fire Fighting

 In all ABB owned assets, there will be in many cases fixed fire extinguishing systems or
sprinklers usually as a requirement of ABB’s insurers.
 In addition, portable fire extinguishers shall be provided at suitable locations around the
premises so that they are readily accessible every (15-20m) or (50 feet) when required.
 It is the responsibility of a supervisor or site lead person to conduct a monthly, visual
inspection of all portable fire extinguishers and document this on the inspection card
 Portable extinguishers shall also be inspected by a third party on an annual basis.
 ABB employees and contractors shall be suitably trained in the use of fire extinguishers and
only trained personnel shall operate a fire extinguisher.
 It is recommended that practical, hands on training be conducted every 3 years

March 28, 2020 Slide 8

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Types of Fire Extinguishers

Different types of fire extinguishers

are designed to fight different classes
of fire.

The 3 most common types of fire

extinguishers are:

2 Carbon
1 Water (APW) Dioxide (CO2) 3 Dry Chemical

March 28, 2020 Slide 9

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1. Water Fire Extinguishers (APW)

Air Air

11 kilo-
gram

March 28, 2020 Slide 10

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1. Water Fire Extinguishers (AWP)

Fuel

March 28, 2020 Slide 11

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2. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers

CO2

45 kilo-
2.5 kilo- gram
gram

March 28, 2020 Slide 12

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2. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers

Fuel

March 28, 2020 Slide 13

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3. Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers

9 kilo-
2.5 kilo- gram
gram

March 28, 2020 Slide 14

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3. Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers

Fuel

March 28, 2020 Slide 15

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All Types of Extinguishers for all Classes of Fires

ABC Dry Dry Special Wet

Water Foam CO2 Gas
Power Power Chemical

Fires involving freely burning materials.

A For example wood, paper, textiles and
other carbonaceous materials.

Fires involving flammable liquids. E.g.

B petrol & spirits. But not ALCOHOL or
COOKING OIL.

Fires involving flammable gasses e.g.

C propane and butane.

Fires involving flammable metals e.g.

D magnesium and lithium.

Fires involving electrical equipment should

be treated as normal i.e. class A, but they
E must be isolated first. If this cannot be done
then use dry powder or CO2.

Fires involving cooking oil and fat e.g.

F olive oil, maize oil, lard and butter.

March 28, 2020 Slide 16

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How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

It’s easy to remember how to use a fire extinguisher if you remember the acronym PASS:

Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep

March 28, 2020 Slide 17

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How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

Pull the pin

Aim
Squeeze
Sweep

This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

March 28, 2020 Slide 18

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How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Pull
Aim at the base of the fire
Squeeze
Sweep

Hit the fuel.

If you aim at the flames the extinguishing agent
will fly right through and do no good.

March 28, 2020 Slide 19

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How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Pull
Aim
Squeeze the top handle
Sweep

This depresses a button that releases the pressurized extinguishing agent.

March 28, 2020 Slide 20

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How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep from side to side

Sweep from side to side until the fire is completely out.

March 28, 2020 Slide 21

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Rules for Fighting Fires

March 28, 2020 Slide 22

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Rules for Fighting Fires

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, acrolein, and ammonia in addition to carbon monoxide. These gases can be fatal in very small
amounts.
Your instincts tell you not to.
If you are uncomfortable with the situation for any reason, just let the fire department do their job.

March 28, 2020 Slide 23

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Rules for Fighting Fires

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.
Exit

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.

March 28, 2020 Slide 24

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Warning and Evacuation System

Warning and Evacuation System

 Know what type of evacuation and what your role is
 Grave emergencies - total and immediate evacuation
 Other emergencies - a partial evacuation of nonessential workers with a delayed
evacuation of others
 In some cases, only those workers in the immediate area of the fire may be
expected to evacuate
 Know what is expected of you in all emergency situations.

March 28, 2020 Slide 25

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Jobsite or Work Location Evacuation Categories

Jobsite or Work Location Evacuation Categories

 The complete evacuation of all workers from the work location.
 The evacuation of all workers from the appropriate jobsite and surrounding jobsites
of the affected area in the case of a chemical spill, release or other safety and
health concerns.
 Notification of jobsite only evacuation.

March 28, 2020 Slide 26

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Evacuation Guidelines

Evacuation Guidelines
 Don’t panic. If you're calm, it will help others.
 Move quickly in the opposite direction of known hazards towards the nearest unobstructed exit and notify co-workers along
the way.
 Once outside, relocate to the service facility or customer’s mustering point. The exterior refuge or muster areas may include
parking lots, open fields or streets.
 Report to your supervisor or site lead person
 Supervisor or site lead person will begin roll call immediately.
 Notify senior management of missing, injured or deceased persons.
 Don't forget site visitors.
 Refer media representatives to the service LBU or PGU Manager.

March 28, 2020 Slide 27