Element 10 - Fire

NEBOSH International General Certificate
in Occupational Health & Safety
Element 10: Fire
10.1 Fire Initiation, Classification and Spread.
10.2 Preventing Fire and Fire Spread
10.4 Fire Alarms and Fire-Fighting
10.5 Fire Evacuation
10.1 Fire principles
Fire, or combustion, is a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen and
heat is released. Fire occurs usually when a source of heat comes in contact with a
combustible material with the presence of oxygen in an uninhibited chain reaction; but
without a chain of reaction, a deep-seated, surface glowing fire can be produced.
Thus, there are three conditions essential for fire: fuel, oxygen, and heat (or ignition source).
These three conditions are often represented as the fire triangle. If one of these conditions
is missing, fire does not occur; and if one of them is removed, fire is extinguished.
Essentially there are three components necessary for a fire

(combustion) to start:
• An ignition source above a minimum temperature,
energy and duration;
• A fuel (gas, vapor, mist or dust) within certain limits
of concentration with oxygen; and
• A supply of oxygen, generally from air, above a
certain minimum concentration with fuel, in some
cases oxygen may derive from an oxidizing agent;
Fire Triangle
In essence an explosion is combustion, requiring the presence of the three sides of the fire
triangle, which goes ‘bang’ and causes a pressure, or blast, wave.
Once a fire has started, it will produce heat, a flame (the zone where oxygen and flammable
vapours are chemically combining in the combustion process) and smoke. The exact
composition of the smoke will vary, but typically, smoke is made up of hot combustion gases,
such as carbon monoxide (CO) and carbon dioxide (CO2), and small particles (soot).
UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-1

The fire triangle is useful for two reasons:

• Fire prevention – keeping the three elements apart means the fire cannot start.
• Fire-fighting – by removing one of the elements, the fire will go out.
Sources of Ignition
• Discarded smokers’ materials
• Naked flames
• Fixed or portable heaters
• Hot processes
• Burning vegetation or rubbish
• Lighting
• Cooking
• Electrical equipment
• Machinery
• Static electricity
Sources of Fuel
• Flammable liquids
• Flammable gases
• Flammable chemicals
• Wood
• Plastics, rubber and foam
• Paper and card
• Insulating materials
• Waste materials
Sources of Oxygen
• In the air around, us
• Ventilation systems
- Natural airflow through doors, windows and other
openings
- Mechanical air conditioning systems and air
handling systems
• Leaks from oxygen supplies
- Cylinders or piped supply which, combined with
poor ventilation can lead to an oxygen enriched
atmosphere
- Materials that ordinarily will burn only slowly will
burn very vigorously in oxygen enriched
atmosphere

Classification of Fire
Class A Fire involving solids - wood, paper or plastics (usually material of an
organic nature).
Class B Fires involving liquids or liquefiable solids - petrol, oil, paint, fat or wax.
Class C Fires involving gases - liquefied petroleum gas, natural gas, acetylene,
methane, etc.
Class D Fires caused by burning metals that combust easily on contact with air,
such as magnesium and lithium. Such specialised fires require a
specialised metal powder fire extinguisher to deal with them, and will be
required in scientific labs or where manufacturing processes involve the
risk of metal fires. For example, aluminium dust or swarf can catch fire, so
any process involving cutting, drilling or milling aluminium holds potential
risk.
Electrical Though this is not a class of fire in the common classification, electricity is
fires often a source of ignition and the presence of electricity is a very serious
consideration where water is used as the extinguishing medium.
Class F Fires involving cooking oils and fats usually found in commercial kitchens
such as restaurants and fast food outlets.
Fire extinguishers symbols and classification

Class Fires involving
A Ordinary combustibles
B Flammable liquids
C Energised electrical equipment
D Combustible metals
K Cooking oils

Principles of heat transmission and fire spread
Convection:
The principle that hot air rises and cold air sinks. Hot gases generated by the fire rise straight
up from the fire:
Inside a building:
These hot gases will hit the ceiling and then spread out to form a layer underneath the
ceiling. When these hot gases touch any combustible material (such as a wooden curtain
pole) they may heat that material up sufficiently so that it bursts into flame
Outdoors:
These convection currents will contain burning embers that are carried on the currents until
the air cools and the embers are dropped to the ground. This is a common way for forest
fires to travel and jump over obstacles.
Conduction:
The principle that heat can be transmitted through solid materials; some metals, in particular,
conduct heat very efficiently (e.g. running from room to room can act as conduits for heat
and spread the fire.

Radiation:
Heat energy can be radiated through air in the form of infrared heat waves, which travel in
straight lines and can pass through transparent surfaces (such as glass). Radiant heat
generated by a fire shines onto nearby surfaces and is absorbed. If the material heats up
sufficiently it can burst into flames.
Direct Burning:
The simplest method of fire spread, where a flame front moves along or through the burning
material. For example, if the corner of a piece of paper catches fire, the flame front will
spread across the paper.
Common causes and consequences of fires in workplaces.
Careless actions and accidents

• ‘Hot works’ such as welding, cutting and grinding
• Discarded lighted cigarette end or match
• Smouldering waste
• Unattended burning of waste materials
• Poor electrical connections

Misusing equipment
• Overloading electrical circuits and/or using fuses of too
high a rating
• Failure to follow servicing instructions
• Failure to repair faulty machinery/equipment promptly
Defective machinery or equipment

• Electrical short circuits
• Electrical earth fault can cause local overheating
• Electrical insulation failure may occur when affected by heat, damp or chemicals
Deliberate ignition (arson)

• Deliberate ignition is the crime of maliciously and
intentionally, or recklessly, starting a fire or causing an
explosion
• For example, insurance fraud, aggrieved persons,
concealment of another crime, political activists or
vandalism
Consequences of Fire
Fire causes enormous damage to buildings and building contents. Items that are not directly
destroyed by the fire will often be severely affected by smoke damage. These losses will
usually be covered by insurance, although the loss of business and premises are difficult to
recover, leaving many people without jobs and a place of work.
Perhaps of more concern are the consequences to the people. Most of the people killed in
workplace fires are not killed by the flames directly, but indirectly, by smoke inhalation.
Serious burns may also result.
Fire and firefighting can also do significant damage to the environment. Forest fires (though
not a significant risk in many parts of the world) do huge damage. Firefighting can cause
pollution because of the large volumes of contaminated water that run off the fire site into
watercourses.

10.2 Preventing fire and fire spread
Control measures to minimise the risk of fire starting in a workplace
Elimination and reduction of flammable and combustible materials
• Where possible employers should seek to eliminate the use of flammable materials
in the workplace
• Where this is not possible the amount used should be reduced and kept to the
minimum
• Stored in suitable containers
• Flammable materials not in use should be removed to a purpose designed store in a
well-ventilated area
• Dispose of in a controlled manner
• Control delivery and storage
Control of Ignition Control of Fuel sources Control of Oxygen sources

sources
Substituting open fires or Levels of flammable material Store additional sources of
gas burners with safer kept to a minimum oxygen safely, e.g.,
alternatives cylinders of oxygen
Extra care should be given to
Correct selection and materials that give out Ensure cylinders are not
maintenance of equipment particularly toxic smoke leaking, cannot be easily
damaged and are not stored
Controls on hot work, e.g., Store flammable materials or used near sources of
welding safely ignition
Restrictions on smoking
Control of ignition sources

• Hot work
• Welding
• Smoking
• Arson
- External security
- Internal security
Control arson by external security/Control arson by internal security

System of work
1. A safe place
2. Safe person
3. Safe materials
4. Safe equipment
Good Housekeeping
Housekeeping and its effect on fire safety

- Poor housekeeping can also lead to:
- Blocked fire exits
- Obstructed escape routes
- Difficult access to fire alarm call points/extinguishers/hose reels
- Obstruction of vital signs and notices
- A reduction in the effectiveness of automatic fire detectors and sprinklers
Control measures for storage in the workplace include:

• In a suitable sealed container
• In a suitable cabinet, bin or other store container
• In a designated area of the workplace
• Away from ignition sources, working or process areas
• Capable of containing any spillage
• In a 30 min fire resistant structure
• Provided with hazard warning signs
• Prohibition signs for smoking and naked flame
• Not contain other substances or items
Storage in outdoor locations

• Formal storage area on a concrete pad
• Bunded all around
• Away from other buildings
• Secure fence and gate 2m high
• Marked by signs warning of flammability
• Signs prohibiting smoking or other naked flames
• Protection from sunlight
• Flameproof lighting
• Provision for spill containment materials
• Fire extinguishers located nearby
• Full and empty containers separated

• Clear identification of contents
Outdoor storage of flammable liquids/secure LPG storage
Source: UK, HSE.

Liquefied petroleum and other gases in cylinders Storage
• Storage area should be in a clear open area outside
• Stored in a secure compound - 2m high fence
• Safe distance from hazardous materials, liquids or general waste
• Stored safe distance from any building
• If stored inside building, kept away from exit routes
• Well ventilated area
• Oxygen cylinders at least 3m away from flammable gas cylinders
• Acetylene may be stored with LPG
• Controlled access to stores
• More than one exit may need to be available
- Lock storage compound when not in use
- Protection from sunlight
- Flameproof lighting
- Empty containers stored separate from full
- Fire extinguishers located nearby - consider powder and water types
Structural measures to prevent the spread of fire and smoke
Structural measures to prevent spread

• Fire resisting structures
• Compartmentalization
• Fire stopping of ducts, flues and holes
• Fire resisting doors

• Smoke seals and intumescent materials on doors
• Early and rapid detection of a fire by use of 'intelligent' fire alarm systems
• Sprinklers in large compartments
• Control of smoke and toxic fumes by ventilation systems
Structural Measures to Prevent Spread of Fire and Smoke
Compartmentation:
• Keeping fire and smoke IN or OUT of area of building
• Creating enclosed/sealed boxes
• Fire-resistant floors and walls
• Fire-resistant doors (self-closing)
• Automatic shutters for ventilation shafts
• Intumescent sealants for gaps (‘fire-stopping’)
• Cold smoke seals
Properties of common building materials

Fire affects different building materials in different ways. The use of building materials,
therefore, has to be tightly controlled to ensure that appropriate materials are used in a
structure. For example, fire compartments must be robust enough to withstand the spread
of fire for their design time, and structural elements in a building should not fail quickly when
they are heated in a fire. Again, building regulations contain many requirements that relate
directly to this fire safety issue:
Concrete – usually very resistant to fire and does not collapse catastrophically. It may ‘spall’
(throw off small
chunks).
Steel – severely affected by high temperatures. Expansion may occur, pushing structural
elements apart. Steel may
also twist and warp; it can lead to sudden catastrophic building collapse.
Brick – usually very resistant to fire (bricks are made by exposure to very high temperatures
in a kiln). They may ‘spall’.
Timber – thin timber, such as floorboards, will burn, but thick timber, such as structural
beams, may not fully burn in a building fire (a layer on the outside of the timber will char and
protect the inner core). Thick timber is unlikely to fail suddenly but will do so slowly.
To overcome the problems associated with using steel as a structural material, it is usually
encased in concrete or coated with a fire-retardant foam or paint (intumescent paint) that
insulates it from excessive heat.

Other materials can make a difference to fire resistance and the behavior of a fire in a
building, for example:
- Insulation (e.g. wall insulation) can be combustible so fire-retardant versions must be

used.
- Wall coverings (e.g. paint and wallpaper) can make a difference to the way fire
spreads across surfaces, so should also be closely controlled.
Fire Doors
• Able to withstand fire for a set time

• Fitted with self-closing devices
• Fitted with intumescent strip
• Fitted with a cold smoke seal
• Have vision panels of fire-resistant glass
• Clearly labelled

INTUMESCENT STRIP
A strip built into the edge of a fire door that expands when it gets hot (>200oC), sealing the
gap between the door and the door frame.
COLD SMOKE SEAL

A plastic or foam strip that seals the gap between the door and frame at all times to prevent
the spread of smoke.
Protection of openings and voids

Fire doors are used to ensure that door openings are protected in the event of fire. However,
buildings, and the fire compartments that they are made up of, will inevitably have numerous
voids and openings running through them, such as lift shafts, service conduits, air-handling
ducts, voids between floors, roof voids, etc. and all of these need to be protected to ensure
that smoke and flames cannot easily travel from one compartment to another. This
protection can be done in many different ways (e.g. a self-closing shutter held open by a
fusible link (a piece of soft metal that melts at a very low temperature, releasing the shutter)).
It is important that any new openings made in fire break walls are reinstated or protected in
some way (e.g. when cables are run through a hole in a wall, the hole might be filled with
fire-retardant foam).
Use of suitable electrical equipment in flammable atmospheres

Electrical equipment sited in an atmosphere containing a mixture of a dangerous substance
and air could well ignite that explosive atmosphere if it is not built to the correct
specification.
For example, in the UK a standard 230V inspection lamp taken into a storage tank containing
petrol vapours would act as the ignition source for that petrol vapor. Dusts and vapours can
result in flammable or explosive atmospheres.
Legislation, such as the ATEX Directive (ATEX Workplace Directive and ATEX Equipment),
govern the control of flammable atmospheres and the use of electrical equipment in those
atmospheres.
Classification of areas where explosive atmospheres may occur
There are three zones for gases and vapours:

• Zone 0 - Flammable atmosphere highly likely to be present for long periods
• Zone 1 - Flammable atmosphere possible but unlikely
• Zone 2 - Flammable atmosphere unlikely except for short periods of time

There are three zones for dusts:

• Zone 20 - Dust cloud likely to be present continuously or for long periods
• Zone 21 - Dust cloud likely to be present occasionally in normal operation
• Zone 22 - Dust cloud unlikely to occur in normal operation, but if it does, will only
exist for a short period
Selection of equipment and protective systems

• Different forms of electrical equipment will provide a different equipment protection
level (EPL), the types of protection include:
- ‘Intrinsically safe’ - cannot produce a spark with sufficient energy to cause ignition
- ‘Flameproof’ - ingress of explosive atmosphere is controlled and any ignition is
contained in the equipment
- ‘Increased safety’ equipment - do not produce sparks or hot surfaces
10.3 Fire alarms and firefighting
Common fire-detection and alarm systems

Fire detectors are designed to detect one or more of the three characteristics of fire-smoke,
heat and flame. Besides it every fire detection system must include manual call points (break
glass), so that in the event of fire can be of immediate help.
During a fire importance of activation of the occupants through alarm or bell is of at
most vital and this can perform through alarm system.
Why Fire Detection and Alarm System Required?

Fire detection and protection system is required for the following reasons:
- To detect fire in the area during the initial stage.
- To alert occupants, so that they escape the building safely.
- Summon trained personnel to take charge of controlling the fire as quickly as
possible.
- To initiate automatic fire control and suppression system.
- To support and supervise the fire control and suppression system.

Types of Fire Alarms
Voice - Simplest and most effective type, but very limited because it is
dependent upon the size of the workplace and background noise levels.
Hand operated - Rotary gong, hand bell or triangle and sounder, but
limited by the scale of the building.
Call points with sounders - Standard system, operation of one call point sounds alarm
throughout workplace.
Automatic system - System as above, with added fire detection to

initiate the alarm if it is not raised by a person.
The type of automatic fire detector that is used with a fire alarm system
also varies, depending on the situation:
Smoke detectors are very common, and:

• Detect small smoke particles, are usually very sensitive and give
early warning.
• Are of two main types: ionising and optical.
• Can give rise to false alarms if used in a humid, wet, dusty or
smoke-filled atmosphere.
Heat detectors are more suitable for certain applications, and:

• Detect the excess heat generated by a fire, are usually less sensitive and give later
warning.
• Come in two main types: rate of rise and fixed temperature.
• May not detect smouldering fires that are giving off smoke but not much heat.
Portable fire-fighting equipment

Portable fire extinguishers should always be sited:
- On the line of escape routes
- Near, but not too near, to danger points
- Near to room exits inside or outside
- In multi-storey buildings
- In groups forming fire points
- So that no person needs travel more than 45 metres to reach one
- With the carrying handle about one metre from the floor

- Away from excesses of heat, cold, dirt or dust
Fire extinguishers - in floor stand/Fire extinguishers - wall mounted
Maintenance and inspection
Maintenance
- The servicing of a fire extinguisher by a competent person
Inspection of fire extinguishers

v Ensure access to the extinguisher is not obstructed by storage bins, file cabinets
v Make sure the extinguisher is mounted in a location where it is visible and easy to
locate during an emergency
v Check the tamper-seal to verify it is not broken or missing
v Ensure the pull-pin is not missing
v Check the pressure gauge needle should be located in the green portion of the
clogged nozzle
v Check the inspection tag and see the last inspection date
v Read all the warning and symbol before using extinguisher
Fire-fighting equipment training requirements

Training should include:
- Understanding of principles of combustion/classification of fires
- Identification of various types of fire extinguisher available
- Identifying if the extinguisher is appropriate to the fire and ready to use
- Principles of use and limitations of extinguishers
- Considerations for personal safety and the safety of others
- How to attack fires with the appropriate extinguisher(s)
- Any specific considerations

Extinguishing Media
Method Class Class Class Class Electric Class

‘A’ ‘B’ ‘C’ ‘D’ ‘F’
Water Cools Yes No No No No No
Spray Smothers Yes Yes No No No No

foam
Dry Smothers Yes Yes Yes Special Yes - low No

powder and chemical and powders voltage
isolate
Carbon Smothers No Yes - No No Yes No

dioxide small
fires
Wet Chemical No No No No No Yes

chemical
Vaporising Chemical and Special uses

liquids smothers
Advantages and limitations of extinguishers
Class C fires
- Except in very small occurrences, a Class C fire involving gas should not normally be
extinguished
- If a gas fire is to be extinguished, then isolation of the gas supply must also take place
Class D fires

- A specialist type of fire and cannot be extinguished by the use of ordinary

extinguishing media
- Metal fires can be extinguished by smothering them with dry sand
- The sand must be absolutely dry, or an explosion may occur

- Other extinguishing media used are pyro met, graphite, talc or salt
- All operate by the smothering principle
Class F fires (Wet chemical) (Portable extinguisher - Colour code - Yellow)

- New style wet chemical extinguishing media have been designed to specifically deal
with Class F fires, involving cooking oil or fats
- Congeals on top of the oil and excludes the oxygen
It may also be used on Class A fires depending upon the manufacturer’s instructions.
Access for fire and rescue services and vehicles
Fire-fighting Vehicle Access

Fire engines need to be able to get close to the perimeter of a building so they can position
and deploy high-rise equipment such as turntable ladders, hydraulic platforms and pump
appliances with firehoses. The fire regulations in some countries and regions especially in
EU may place a duty on occupiers of premises to maintain such access.
The requirements for vehicle access differ depending on the presence of fire mains, the size
of the building and the type of fire appliance to be used:
• For small buildings without a fire main, access for a pump appliance should be
provided to 15% of the perimeter, or to within 45 meters of every point on the
building surrounds.
• For large, high-rise buildings, the entire perimeter will need to be accessible to fire-
fighting appliances.
Access to buildings for fire-fighting personnel

For high-rise building, a protected fireman’s shaft may be needed, which combines such
facilities as a fire-fighting lift, fire-fighting stairs and fire-fighting lobbies. The requirements
will depend on the size and design of the building and whether it has automatic sprinkler
systems
Fire-fighters require information relating to the contents of the building and any hazardous
material, or processes and facilities that might create a risk to them while they carry out their
duties. The emergency plan that the company has in place should include arrangements for
nominated and competent persons to liaise with the fire service on their arrival.

10.4 Fire evacuation
Means of escape
Travel Distances
The distance people need to go to escape (the travel distance) should be as short as
possible. The travel distance should be measured from the farthest point in a room to the
door to a protected stairway or, if there is no protected stairway, to the final exit from the
building.
If there is only one escape route, the travel distance should not normally be more than 18
meters. This distance should be shorter (12 meters or less) in any parts of the premises where
there is a high chance of a fire starting or spreading quickly. The distance can be longer (up
to about 25 meters) where the chance of a fire starting or spreading quickly is very low.
If there is more than one escape route, the travel distance should not normally be more than
45 meters (around 25 meters in areas where the risk of fire is high and about 60 meters in
areas where the risk of fire is very low.
Escape routes Suggested maximum travel distance
More than one escape route provided High fire risk 25m
Normal fire risk 45m
Lower fire risk 60m
Single escape route provided High fire risk 12m
Normal fire risk 25m
Lower fire risk 45m
Stairs & Passageways

• Fire resistant structure
• Fitted with fire doors
• Doors must not be wedged open
• Wide enough to take the required number of people
• Must lead direct to fresh air
• Non-slip/trip and in good condition
• No combustible storage within staircase
• Route should lead directly to the open air

• Via a protected route where necessary

• Route to be kept unobstructed
Doors
- The width of a door must be at least 0.80m and not exceed 1.23m;
- Emergency exit doors must be non-lockable;
- They must have a system of easy and fast opening accessible on the side from which
an evacuation would occur.
- Emergency exit doors must open in the direction of the evacuation.
Emergency of a workplace
Emergency escape lighting system should cover:
- Each exit door from a work area
- Escape routes & Intersections of corridors
- Outside each final exit and on external escape routes
- Emergency escape signs
- Fire alarm call points and fire-fighting
equipment
- Equipment that would need to be shut down
in an emergency
- Lifts/stairways
- Changes in floor level

Exit and directional signs

- Fire escape signs are provided to guide
escape via a place of relative safety to the
place of ultimate safety
- Fire escape signs are not needed on the main
route into or out of a building
- Alternative escape routes and complicated
escape routes do need to be signed
- Signs directing to the assembly point will also
be needed
Assembly Points
A fire assembly point is a location where staff and visitors can gather
in the event of a fire to ensure everyone is in a designated safe area.
Fire assembly point signs help you make sure that people will know
where to gather following an emergency evacuation.
- Safe distance from building
- Sited in safe position
- Not sited to obstruct the fire brigade
- Must be able to walk away from assembly point back to a public road
- Clearly signed
- Sufficient quantities
- Communication
Emergency evacuation procedures

Every workplace should have arrangements in place to deal with fire emergencies, including
- The employer should establish appropriate procedures, including fire drills, to be
followed in the event of serious and imminent danger
- They should nominate a sufficient number of competent persons to implement
evacuation procedures
- Evacuation procedures need to reflect the type of emergency, the people affected,
and the premises involved
- training staff and providing information to visitors and members of the public; and
- conducting drills to test procedures.

- Emergency procedures must be developed so that staff know what to do in the event
of foreseeable fire emergencies.
- Appropriate procedures should tell people what to do if they discover a fire and what
to do if the alarm sounds.
These procedures are usually quite simple. The emphasis in any procedure must be on
personal safety and the key message must be to sound the alarm, get out and stay out!
Role and appointment of fire marshals

• A person should be nominated to be responsible for coordinating the fire evacuation
plan
• They may appoint persons such as fire marshals to assist
• The way in which they assist will vary between organisations
• Fire marshals’ appointment should be made known to workers
• The appointment of fire marshals helps the employer to meet the general responsibility
to establish competent persons to assist with health and safety
• Check all areas in the building to ensure that everyone knows that an evacuation is in
progress and to help where necessary. This is common practice in buildings where
members of the public may be present.
• Give special assistance to the disabled and infirm. This may require the use of special
evacuation equipment such as an “Evac-chair”.
• Investigate the site for the fire (as indicated by the fire alarm system controls).
Fire Drills
In the event of fire:
• Act in a calm, orderly and efficient manner
- Those designated with specific duties carry them out in an organised and
effective manner
- The means of escape are used in accordance with a predetermined and
practised plan
- An opportunity for management leadership
• Enables practice and identifies what works well or not
• Helps people to respond quickly to the alarm
• Should be carried out at least once a year
Roll Call
• The traditional method of undertaking a roll call is by use of a checklist of names
• Very few workplaces can now operate this system as they do not have such a static
workforce
• Where this system can operate it will provide a speedy and efficient means of
identifying who has arrived at the assembly point and who has not

• This system may not be able to provide an absolute confirmation that everyone has
evacuated as there may be limited opportunity for the fire marshal to check the whole
of the area allocated to them
Provisions for people with disabilities
• When planning a fire

evacuation system, employer
need to consider who may
be in the workplace, their
abilities and capabilities
• Any disability, for example,
hearing, vision, mental or
mobility impairment must be
catered
• Some arrangements may be to provide the person with a nominated assistant(s) to
support their speedy escape
• In some cases, disabled people may need to use a refuge area, a relatively safe
waiting area for short periods
• Some buildings may be equipped with an evacuation lift
Evacuation chair for disabled people/Fire refuge

sign for disabled

Building plans to include record of emergency escape

• Building plans should be drawn up to record emergency escape arrangements and
aid the National emergency services
• These will help identify the quickest and shortest route through the building
• Can also be used to aid search and rescue
• Plans should clearly identify call points, the siting of fire-fighting
equipment/sprinklers (if fitted), fire doors, travel distances, escape routes, refuge
areas for the disabled, assembly points
End of Element 10

Element 10 - Fire

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Element 10 - Fire

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NEBOSH International General Certificate

in Occupational Health & Safety

Element 10: Fire

10.1 Fire Initiation, Classification and Spread.

10.2 Preventing Fire and Fire Spread

10.4 Fire Alarms and Fire-Fighting

10.5 Fire Evacuation

10.1 Fire principles

Essentially there are three components necessary for a fire

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-1

The fire triangle is useful for two reasons:

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-2

Fire extinguishers symbols and classification

C Energised electrical equipment

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-3

Principles of heat transmission and fire spread

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-4

Common causes and consequences of fires in workplaces.

Careless actions and accidents

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-5

Defective machinery or equipment

Deliberate ignition (arson)

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-6

10.2 Preventing fire and fire spread

Control measures to minimise the risk of fire starting in a workplace

Elimination and reduction of flammable and combustible materials

Control of Ignition Control of Fuel sources Control of Oxygen sources

Control of ignition sources

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-7

Housekeeping and its effect on fire safety

Control measures for storage in the workplace include:

Storage in outdoor locations

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-8

• Clear identification of contents

Outdoor storage of flammable liquids/secure LPG storage

Source: UK, HSE.

Structural measures to prevent the spread of fire and smoke

Structural measures to prevent spread

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-9

• Smoke seals and intumescent materials on doors

Structural Measures to Prevent Spread of Fire and Smoke

Properties of common building materials

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-10

- Insulation (e.g. wall insulation) can be combustible so fire-retardant versions must be

• Able to withstand fire for a set time

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-11

COLD SMOKE SEAL

Protection of openings and voids

Use of suitable electrical equipment in flammable atmospheres

Classification of areas where explosive atmospheres may occur

There are three zones for gases and vapours:

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-12

There are three zones for dusts:

Selection of equipment and protective systems

10.3 Fire alarms and firefighting

Common fire-detection and alarm systems

Why Fire Detection and Alarm System Required?

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-13

Types of Fire Alarms

Automatic system - System as above, with added fire detection to

Smoke detectors are very common, and:

Heat detectors are more suitable for certain applications, and:

Portable fire-fighting equipment

UNIT IG2 - Element 10: Fire 10-14