Basic Occupational Safety and

Health
Engr. Shan Michael A. Adrias
CE, RMP, SE, ME-1
 Fire
Fire a state, process, or instance of combustion
in which fuel or other material is ignited and
combined with oxygen, giving off light, heat, and
flame.

Other by-products of fire include light, smoke

and other gases. Many of these gases such as
carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, are toxic to
humans.
 The Fire Triangle
• The fire triangle illustrates the elements necessary
for fire to start and the methods of extinguishment.
Each side represents an essential ingredient for fire.
The three elements are Fuel, Oxygen, and Heat.
 UNDERSTANDING THE FIRE TRIANGLE
• Fuel: Any material that will burn is classified as
fuel. Examples of combustible materials include:
paper, oil, woods, gases, fabrics, liquid, plastics,
and rubbers.

• Oxygen: We need oxygen which combines with

fuel while burning. Oxygen supports the chemical
processes that occur during fire. The process is
known as oxidation. This is when fuel burns and
reacts with oxygen from the surrounding air,
releasing heat and generating combustion product
such as gas, smoke and embers.
UNDERSTANDING THE FIRE TRIANGLE

• Heat: Completes the chemistry of fire

even if found together, fuel and oxygen
will not burn. An example is a piece of
paper. This fuel is exposed to oxygen in
the air but will not burn.
 How to extinguish a fire?
The fire triangle demonstrates the principles of
extinguishing fire. If we remove any of the three
legs of the triangle, we will be able to extinguish
the fire.
 Interrupting the chain reaction

• In order for fire to propagate continuously, there

must be uninhibited and continuous chain
reaction.

• Interrupt the chain reaction by inhibiting the

oxidation process and the production of
flammable vapors that react with oxygen, then
we extinguish the fire.
 SUMMARY

In summary, control of fires can be

accomplished by removing one of the sides
of the triangle and/or inhibiting the chain
reaction.
 Classification of fires
• There are classes of fires, categorized
according to the kind of material that is
burning. There are sets of color-coded
icons commonly used. One or both
kinds of icons appear on most fire
extinguishers to indicate the kind of fire
against which the unit is intended to be
used.
 Class A (Ash)
Class A fires are those fueled by materials that
when they burn, leave a residue in the form of
ash. Such as paper, wood, cloth, rubber, and
certain plastics.
 Class B (Barrel)
Class B fires involve flammable liquids and
gasses, such as gasoline, paint thinner, kitchen
grease, propane, and acetylene.
 Class C (Current)
• Fires that involve energized electrical wiring or
equipment (motors, computers, panel boxes)
are Class C fires. Note that if the electricity to
the equipment is cut, a Class C fire becomes
one of the other three types of fires.
 Class D
Class D fires involve combustible metals such as
magnesium, sodium, titanium, etc.
 Class K
Class K Fire that involves combustible cooking
fuels such as vegetable or animal oils and fats.
 Portable Fire Extinguishers

These are used extensively to lessen the danger

from fire. Portable fire extinguishers are also called
first-aid fire extinguishers since they are intended
to be used for incipient fires. They contain a limited
supply of an extinguishing medium. These
appliances are designed for use on fires of specific
classes.
THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
 WATER-BASED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• Water-based fire extinguishers act by

bringing down temperature below the
ignition point.

• They are designed to protect areas

involving Class A fires (combustible
solids).
 FOAM-BASED FIRE EXTINGUISHERS (WATER AND AFFF)

• In addition to bringing down temperature,

foam-based fire extinguishers isolate the
fuel from oxygen.

• They are designed to protect areas

involving Class A fires (combustible solids)
and Class B fires (liquid fuels).
 CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• They remove oxygen, thus creating an inert

atmosphere and bringing heat down.

• CO2 fire extinguishers must only be used to

suppress Class B or Class C fires
 DRY CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• They inhibit the chemical chain reaction in

fire.

• ABC chemical powder is the most frequently

used extinguishing agent today, and it is
effective to suppress Class A, B and C fires.
PARTS
 Operating the extinguisher

• Always carefully read the instructions on the side of

the extinguisher, and make everyone staying in the
house aware of where it is and how to use it.
• Most extinguishers require a safety pin or clip to be
removed before a trigger can be operated.
 Operating the extinguisher
• Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire,
keeping yourself low, and work the
extinguisher in a sweeping motion from left to
right.
• Don't start too close to the fire ( most
extinguishers are designed to be operated
from about 2 - 3 meters away).
 Remember the PASS – word:

• P - pull the pin

• A - aim low
• S - squeeze the lever above the handle
• S - sweep from side to side
Attempt to use a fire extinguisher
if and only if:

• The fire is small and contained.

• You know your escape route and can fight the
fire with your back to the exit.
• You know what kind of extinguisher is required.
• The correct extinguisher is immediately at hand.
• You have been trained in how to use the
extinguisher.
Where should I install the fire extinguisher?

• Fire Extinguishers should be wall mounted above

the normal reach of children, and in or near the
kitchen.

• If it is in the kitchen, don't put it to close to the stove

or cooking surfaces.

• Ideally have another extinguisher in the garage and

one in the car.
 Maintenance
• As distinguished from inspection means a complete
and thorough examination of each extinguisher

• Extinguishers should be subjected to maintenance

not more than one year apart or when specifically
indicated by an inspection

• The three basic items to be checked are:

- mechanical parts
- extinguishing agent
- expelling means
In the absence of modern fire extinguishers, the
following can be used to stop fire in its initial stage.
(REVIEW)

• For A fire - water is the best.

• For B fire – a 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.
ALWAYS 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.
Prevent the outbreak of fire

We prevent fire by preventing the combination of

the three elements at the right proportion.
Ordinarily, oxygen is the most difficult of the three
factors to control, since it is in the air and is a
necessity of life. But fuel and heat can be
controlled. Therefore the simplest control
measures will have to do with fuel and heat.

It will be good to examine the hazards from which

most fires originate. These are sometimes
described as causes of fire.
Common causes of fires ***
 Electricity
Hazards of electricity involve electrocution and fire. Usually,
fire is caused by overheating and sparks. Overheating
happens when there is overloading of system and short
circuit. These are caused by improper wiring
connection/practice and old and poorly maintained electrical
installation.

Control:

Conduct regular inspection and maintenance of electrical

installation.
Open flames
Carelessly discarded cigarettes, pipe embers,
and cigars are a major source of fire. Prohibit
smoking, especially in places where flammable
liquids or combustible products are
manufactured, stored or used.

Control:
Providing a "No Smoking Area" at specified
times where supervision can be maintained.
 Accelerants
Accelerants are substances that increase the
speed at which a fire spreads. All accelerants are
highly flammable or combustible. Accelerants
must be stored in approved containers and
properly labeled.

Common accelerants include:

• Gasoline
• Kerosene
• Oil
 Ignition Sources
An ignition source is something that can cause an accelerant
or flammable material to ignite.

Examples of ignition sources are:

• Cigarettes and matches

• Sparks from welding machines and machinery (trucks,
tractors, mowers)
• Motors and Heaters
• Electrical appliances
• Electrical fixtures and wires
• Batteries
 Provide for early detection of fire

Except for explosions, most fires start out

as small ones. At the initial stage,
extinguishing a fire seldom presents much
of a problem. Fire can be more easily
controlled if detected early. It is critical
that fire be extinguished in the first five
minutes.
Detection serves to:

• Warn the fire brigade to start extinguishing procedure

• Warn occupants to escape

Means of detection include:

• Human observer
• Automatic sprinklers
• Smoke, flame and heat detectors.
General fire safety precautions

• Exit doors should be clearly marked.

• Aisles should be raked or swept clean at all

times. Weeds, twigs, and other trash should
be kept mowed or picked up from around the
outside of the building.

• Paper storage should not be near lights, fans,

electrical boxes, heaters or outlets.
General fire safety precautions
• Flammable substances should be kept
elsewhere outside the building.

• A fire hose and buckets should be available and

kept for the purpose of extinguishing class A
fires rapidly.

• Practice fire drills should be held so employees

and boarders are familiar with their
responsibilities should a real fire occur.
Exit requirements for life safety
in case of fire:

• At least two ways out remote from each other

• Evacuation drills well planned, frequently
practiced (at least twice a year)
• Exits are well-marked, clear, unobstructed and
well lighted
• Regular exit drills
• Makeshift fire escapes are often dangerous
General note on fire safety
If a Fire Starts:

• Remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and call your

local emergency phone number.
• Yell "Fire!" several times and go outside right
away. If you live in a building with elevators, use
the stairs.
• If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke
blocks your primary escape route, use your
second way out. Never open doors that are warm
to the touch.
• If you must escape through smoke, get low
and go under the smoke to your exit. Close
doors behind you.
• If smoke, heat or flames block your exit
routes, stay in the room with doors closed.
Place a wet towel under the door and call the
fire department. Open a window and wave a
brightly colored cloth or flashlight to signal for
help.
• Once you are outside, go to your meeting
place and then send one person to call the
fire department
If your clothes catches fire…
 When should you fight a fire?

In the event of a fire, your personal safety is

your most important concern. You are not
required to fight a fire. If you have slightest
doubt about your personal safety, do not fight
the fire.
NCR FIRE INCIDENTS
1. KENTEX FACTORY

https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/93879-kentex-death-trap-economy
https://www.rappler.com/move-ph/ispeak/93879-kentex-death-trap-economy
May 13, 2015 over 70 Filipino workers died in
the Kentex factory fire in Valenzuela.

Investigation:

• Flammable chemicals used in manufacturing

slippers have no proper storage, which, some
suggest, may be the reason why an explosion was
triggered when the chemicals were ignited by
sparks from welding activities to fix the door of
the main entrance.
• Footwear factory had no fire exits (Locked)
• Windows where the workers could have
escaped were covered with wires.
• Workers were unaware of fire safety standards
and have not attended fire drills before.
• The accident could have been prevented if
occupational health and safety standards were
met and prioritized. The initial investigation
suggests negligence on the part of the company
for failing to comply with the safety standards
and to provide a conducive work environment
for its employees.
2. MANOR HOTEL

http://www.geocities.ws/filipinoculture/fire.html
http://www.geocities.ws/filipinoculture/fire.html
https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2001/08/19/130574/qc-hot
el-fire-kills-75
Manor Hotel Fire in Quezon City, on August 18, 2001,
killed 75 guest.

Investigation:

• The fire, believed to have been caused by an

electrical fault: overheating of an air conditioning
system.

• Inadequate fire safety: The hotel lacked safety

measures such as water sprinklers, as well as fire
alarms, emergency lights and fire exits.
• Although some of the corpses had burns, virtually
all of the victims died of suffocation or smoke
inhalation. The only marks on their bodies were
black patches of soot around their mouths and
nostrils.
• Many of the victims are thought to have suffocated
in their rooms after finding windows and fire
escapes sealed.
• Firemen said the victims were trapped in their
rooms by the anti-burglar iron bars, while many of
the fire exits were blocked or locked.
• There would have been more people rescued if
there had been no iron grills on the windows.
THE ESCAPE PLAN
THE ESCAPE PLAN
THE ESCAPE PLAN
THE ESCAPE PLAN
THE ESCAPE PLAN
THE ESCAPE PLAN
FIRE PREVENTION MONTH: MARCH
 FIRE PREVENTION MONTH:
MARCH

March is fire prevention month where the

government is taking initiatives to inform the
public of the real dangers from possible fire
incidents looming every summer season. With
information dissemination campaigns, public
fire drills and talks, raising public awareness on
the issue of fire prevention is a good way to
keep everyone vigilant.
 Summary and Conclusions
• The Fire Triangle demonstrates how fire starts and how
it could be extinguished.

• The principle of fire prevention and control programs

involves prevention, prompt action to extinguish the
fire, and safe evacuation of occupants.

• With these principles in mind you can help: prevent fire

in your workplace, safeguard your property and
protect many lives.