Fire

Hazard
C
What Is A Fire Hazard?
• Conditions that favor fire development or growth
•Oxygen, fuel, and heat
• Fire hazards usually involve the mishandling of fuel or heat
• Fire or combustion is a chemical reaction between oxygen and a
combustible fuel
• Source of ignition= Spark, flame and high temperature are needed
Fire Triangle
• The triangle illustrates the three elements a fire needs to ignite: heat, fuel,
and an oxygen
• The fire extinguishes by removing any one of the elements in the fire
triangle
Fire Triangle
Types of Fires
• Class A Fires
• Class B Fires
• Class C Fires
• Class D Fires
• Class K Fires
Types of Fires
Class A Fires
•Class A fires involve solid materials of an organic nature such
as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and plastics that do not melt.
Class B Fires
• Class B fires involves liquids. They include petrol, diesel, thinners, oils,
paints, wax, cooking fat and plastics that melt.
Class C Fires
•Class C fires involve electricity.
Class D Fires
Class D fires involve flammable metals such as magnesium,
aluminium, titanium, sodium and potassium.
Class K Fires
• Class K fires are fires with substances such as the animal and vegetable
fats present in commercial cooking oils and greases.
• It is vital for businesses to have the proper firefighting equipment on
hand in order to have success when encountering dangerous fires that
can occur in the commercial kitchen
 Types of
Extinguishers
Water Extinguishers
• Water extinguishers are one of the most cost-effective ways to
fight Class A fires, those fueled by solid materials such as paper,
wood and textiles.
• There are four different types of water extinguishers: water jet,
water spray, water with additives and water mist or fog.  
• All water extinguishers have a red label.
Foam Extinguishers
• Foam fire extinguishers can be used on Class A and B fires. They are
most suited to extinguishing liquid fires such as petrol or diesel and are
more versatile than water jet extinguishers because they can also be
used on solids such as wood and paper. The foam extinguishes liquid
fires by sealing the surface of the liquid, preventing flammable vapour
reaching the air and starving the fire of fuel. They are not suitable for
use on free flowing liquid fires.
• Foam extinguishers have a cream label.
Powder
Extinguishers
• Powder extinguishers are a good multi-purpose fire extinguisher because they can
be used on Class A, B and C fires. They can also be used on fires involving
electrical equipment however, they do not cool the fire so it can re-ignite. Powder
extinguishers can also create a loss of visibility and may create breathing problems.
They are not generally recommended for use inside buildings unless there is
absolutely no alternative.
• Powder extinguishers have a blue label.
Carbon Dioxide
Extinguishers (CO2)
• CO2 extinguishers are ideal for places with a lot of electrical equipment such as
offices or server rooms because they are safe to use on fires involving electrical
apparatus. Carbon dioxide extinguishers do not leave any residue, unlike a foam
extinguisher. They can also be used on Class B fires, those involving flammable
liquids such paraffin or petrol. CO2 extinguishers work by smothering the fire and
cutting off the supply of air.
• Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers (CO2) have a black label.
Wet Chemical
Extinguishers
• Wet chemical extinguishers are suitable for use on Class F fires involving cooking
oils and fats, such as lard, olive oil, sunflower oil, maize oil and butter. They are
extremely effective, when used correctly. The wet chemical rapidly knocks the
flames out, cools the burning oil and chemically reacts to form a soap-like
solution, sealing the surface and preventing re-ignition. Although they are
primarily designed for use on Class F fires, cooking oils and deep fat fryers. They
can also be used on Class A fires (wood, paper and fabrics) and Class B fires
(flammable liquids).
• Wet chemical extinguishers have a yellow label.
Fire Blankets
• Fire blankets are primarily for use on hot oil fires such as frying pans
or small deep fat fryers. They can also be used on someone whose
clothing has caught fire. They work by smothering the fire, stopping
access to the oxygen fueling it and extinguishing it.
Fire Safety Do’s
• Keep smoke detectors in good working order. Check your Smoke
detectors at least twice a year. A good way to remember is by checking
them when the time changes due to daylight savings.
• Have an escape plan and have multiple escape routes. Practice multiple
times a year, especially with young children.
• Teach children about the dangers of playing with lighters and matches.
Seek to enroll them in a fire safety class. There are several available
free of charge or for a minimal fee. Your local fire station is a wonderful
place to bring your children to learn about fire safety, meet some of the
local firefighters, and get to see the trucks.
• If you notice any electrical malfunctions in your home, have them
examined immediately by a certified electrician. If you wait, it could be
too late. With this in mind, if you own an older home with an outdated
electrical system, have it updated ASAP. The old knob and tube
electrical systems are unable to handle the electrical load of today’s
• Have at least one fire extinguisher in your home. Keep it in an area
where it is easily accessible. Make sure all family members are familiar
with how to use them. Small fires cause less damage but grow quickly
so be cautious while using a fire extinguisher. If the fire does not go out
quickly, EVACUATE!!
• Stay below the smoke. The chemical make-up of smoke does serious
damage to your brain and lungs. First disorientation will set in, then you
go unresponsive. Eventually, your breathing will stop. It’s important to
remember that the smoke will kill you before the fire does.
• Tell arriving firefighters the location of the fire or trapped family
members. This will drastically increase the odds of the fire going out
quickly and drastically shorten the time for the firefighters to find your
Fire Safety Don’ts
• Don’t try to extinguish the fire yourself and then call Fire Department.
Fires double in size every minute.
• Don’t try to be a hero. If the fire is too large EVACUATE!! If you have
practiced your escape plans everyone will make it out safely.
•Don’t re-enter your home once you have evacuated.
•Don’t put space heaters within 3 feet of combustibles.
Typical combustibles include bedding, curtains, clothes,
books, and furniture. Never leave space heaters
unattended or left on in the room where you are sleeping.
• Don’t leave cooking food unattended and DO NOT use water on a
cooking fire. If you are cooking with oil or grease, smother the fire with
a lid or use an extinguisher specifically designed for cooking materials.
DO NOT smack at the fire with a dishtowel, this will cause oil or grease
to splash around and cause the fire to spread!
 • When it comes to fires, knowledge can the
difference between life and death so don’t
hesitate to ask. If you have questions about
these fire safety tips, home evacuation plans, or
other fire prevention tips contact your local fire
department.
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