FIRE SAFETY

ENGR. MICHAEL D. MARANTAL

DOLE-RO5/LABOR INSPECTOR
REGISTERED MECHANICAL ENGINEER
ACCREDITED OSH PRACTITIONER
FIRE SAFETY PRACTITIONER
SAFETY PROGRAM AUDITOR
TECHNICAL SAFETY INSPECTOR

1
Occupational Safety
Fire and
Safety
Health Center
 Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, the

participants will be able to:
• describe the chemistry and behavior of fire
• enumerate and explain the principles of fire
prevention and control

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Fire Safety
 What is fire?

• Fire is a chemical reaction between a

flammable or combustible material and
oxygen.
• It is frequently referred to as “rapid
oxidation with the evolution of light
and heat.”

3
Fire Safety
 Triangle of Fire

Any material that will burn is classified as fuel

4
Fire Safety
 Fuel
Flash point - is the lowest temperature at w/c fuel gives off
flammable vapors.

Flammable material – a material having a flashpoint below

100F (37.8C).

Flammable Substances Flashpoint

F C
Gasoline -45 -42.8
Ether -49 -45
Acetone 0 -17.8
Alcohol 55 12.8
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Fire Safety
 Fuel

Combustible material – a material having a flashpoint at or

above 100F (37.8C).

Combustible Substances Flashpoint

F C
Fuel Oil 100 37.8
Kerosene 100 37.8
Quenching Oil 365 185.0
Mineral Oil 380 193.3

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Fire Safety
 Which is more dangerous

A substance with low flashpoint or a

substance with a high flashpoint?

Answer: The lower the flashpoint, the more

dangerous a substance is.

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Fire Safety
 Oxygen

Normally, air is 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen.

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Fire Safety
 Oxygen

When oxygen content of air drops below

16%, the fire will normally go out for lack of
oxygen. In an atmosphere of pure oxygen,
many substances not normally considered
combustible will burn rapidly. Atmosphere of
pure oxygen or even oxygen enriched air will
produce fire of great intensity.

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Fire Safety
 Heat

HEAT

Most fuel and oxygen will not burn

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Fire Safety
 Extinguishments of Fire

• Removal of Fuel
• Excluding or Limiting Oxygen
• Cooling
• By Interrupting the Chain Reaction

11
Fire Safety
Pyramid of Fire

12
Fire Safety
 Classes of Fire

Fires can be classified according to the fuel it

consumes.

• Class A - Ordinary Combustibles

Examples: wood, paper, dried grass, etc.

• Class B - Surface Fire

Examples: oil, gasoline, kerosene, paints,
thinners, etc.

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Fire Safety
 Classes of Fire

• Class C - Electrical Fire

Examples: faulty wiring, motors
Remember: as it spreads, fire feeds on class AB
materials

• Class D - Combustible Metals

Examples: magnesium, sodium, potassium, etc.

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Fire Safety
 Stopping fire in its initial stage

• For A fire - water is the best extinguisher

• For B fire - a metal cover, wet sack, towel, cloth,

or blanket will do. Sand and soil are very useful

• For C fire - the main switch is the first

consideration. Pull it down to cut off the current.
What is useful on A & B can also be useful here

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Fire Safety
 Principles of Fire Prevention
and Control
• Prevent the Outbreak of Fire

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Fire Safety
 Fire Statistics
(BFP 1996-1998)

• Electrical
• Combustible/heat, bonfire
• Open flames/cook
• Cigarette butts/smoking
• Fire works, explosive
• Flammable liquids
• LPG (tanks, stove)
• Unknown, others
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Fire Safety
 Fire Statistics
(Factory Mutual)

• Electrical 22 %
• Incendiarism 10 %
• Smoking 9%
• Hot Surfaces 9%
• Friction 7%
• Welding & Cutting 7%
• Spontaneous Ignition 5%
• Static Electricity 2%

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Fire Safety
 Sources of Heat

• Electrical Heat Energy

• Resistance Heating
• Arcing

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Fire Safety
Sources of Heat

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Fire Safety
 Sources of Heat

• Mechanical Heat (friction heat)

– Slipping belt against pulley
• Friction Spark
– Dropping steel tools on a concrete floor

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Fire Safety
 Sources of Heat

• Open Flames
– Cigarettes, matches, welding torch, internal
combustion engines

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Fire Safety
 Sources of Heat

• Spontaneous Heat (auto-ignition)

– Use of ingredients sensitive to shock, heat or
moisture. (Pottasium Chlorate)
– Improper use of chemicals
– Improper storage of chemicals

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Fire Safety
 Sources of Heat

• Welding and Cutting Sparks

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Fire Safety
Sample of Hot Work Permit

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Fire Safety
Generation of Static Charge

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Fire Safety
Prevention of Static Charge

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Fire Safety
 Principles of Fire Prevention
and Control
• Prevent the Outbreak of Fire
• Provide for Early Detection

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Fire Safety
 Fire Detection

• Smoke Detectors
• Monitor changes within the area
• Provide early warning
• Changing stages in the development of fire
• When smoke is produced

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Fire Safety
 Fire Detection
• Heat Detectors
• Fixed temperature types
- Which respond when the detection element reaches a
predetermined temperature

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Fire Safety
 Fire Detection

• Heat Detectors
• Rate-of-rise type
- Which respond to an increase in heat at a rate greater than
some predetermined value.

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Fire Safety
 Fire Detection
• Flame Detectors
• Infra-red
- sensing elements responsive to radiant energy outside the
range of human vision.
- useful in detecting fire in large areas.
e.g. storage areas
• Ultra-violet
sensing elements responsive to radiant energy outside the
range of human vision.

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Fire Safety
 Principles of Fire Prevention
and Control
• Prevent the Outbreak of Fire
• Provide for Early Detection
• Prevent the Spread of Fire

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Fire Safety
 Heat Transfer

• Conduction – transfer of heat from

molecule to molecule

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Fire Safety
 Heat Transfer

• Convection – caused by movement of heat

gasses produced by any burning material

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Fire Safety
 Heat Transfer

• Radiation – transfer of heat rays in straight

rays

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Fire Safety
Control of Smoke

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Fire Safety
 Principles of Fire Prevention
and Control
• Prevent the Outbreak of Fire
• Provide for Early Detection
• Prevent the Spread of Fire
• Provide for Prompt Extinguishment

38
Fire Safety
Permanent Fire Extinguishers
• Standpipe and Hose

39
Fire Safety
Permanent Fire Extinguishers
• Automatic Sprinkler System

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Fire Safety
Permanent Fire Extinguishers
• Automatic Sprinkler System

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Fire Safety
Permanent Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Hydrant

42
Fire Safety
Permanent Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Pump

43
Fire Safety
Permanent Fire Extinguishers
• Fire Truck

44
Fire Safety
Permanent Fire Extinguishers
• Automatic extinguishing system

45
Fire Safety
Portable Fire Extinguishers

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Fire Safety
 Fire Extinguisher Requirements

• Of the Approved Type

• The Right Type for the Class of Fire
• Sufficient Quantity
• Accessibly Located
• Maintained in Operating Condition
• Operable by Trained Personnel

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Fire Safety
 PASS - Word

Pull
Aim
Squeeze
Sweep

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Fire Safety
 Principles of Fire Prevention
and Control
• Prevent the Outbreak of Fire
• Provide for Early Detection
• Prevent the Spread of Fire
• Provide for Prompt Extinguishment
• Provide for Prompt and Orderly Evacuation

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Fire Safety
 Exit Safety

Travel
Distance
Clear,
Unobstructed &
Lighted
At least 2
ways out

Correct Exit
Design
Regular
Exit Drills

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Fire Safety
 Summary and Conclusion

HEAT
“Better understanding of fire will lead us to a
prompt and correct extinguishments of fire.”
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Fire Safety