Fire protection

FIRE PROTECTION: An Introduction

 A fire prevention program is an important activity of any installation, and this

consists of the elimination of fire hazards, the provision of fire-safety education,
and the training of fireguards, fire watchers, and fire brigade fighters. Due to the
nature of their job, security guards, in addition to their regular work, bear the brunt
of being also fire observers and fire brigade members. When guards are on duty,
they maintain the physical security of the complex, protect the lives of the
installation personnel, and watch for the outbreak of fires within the compound.
The participation of security guards in the early stages of fires is legion. Hand in
hand with the security, employees are also trained to spot, report and finally to
extinguish local fires. Safety education, more than anything else, contributes greatly
to the fire protection program. A lighted cigarette butt thrown into a basket of
papers, electrical wirings not inspected for years, or an improperly supervised
canteen kitchen can cause a conflagration at any time. Fire safety is a continuing
program to be observed throughout the year. Evacuation of people in a building
threatened by fire may be a management responsibility, but security will supervise,
and even help train the personnel properly.
 AUTOMATIC SPRINKLING SYSTEM

 The sprinkler is an integral part of the building and it is like a fire

department in a facility making a 24-hour watch. Attached and
distributed in the ceilings of the rooms, these sprinklers will go
into action once a fire starts. The automatic sprinklers that open
are those directly above the fire and water is delivered right
where it is needed. This system also eliminates human delay and
mistakes in attacking a blaze, thus, it reduces the chances for a
major blaze to result. There are some instances when automatic
sprinklers do not work and this is due to poor maintenance, for
like any other facility, this system has to be regularly checked and
tested. Sometimes, negligence is the reason for failure, for
someone may have closed a valve, or water pressure is low.
 LOCATION OF SPRINKLER SYSTEM

The selection of areas where sprinkler system should be located in a

facility is the work of the fire safety engineer. However, it is
imperative that security knows the types of areas that should be
protected by sprinklers. A list of such locations are:
 Non-combustible building
 Buildings with combustible floors
 Concealed spaces like attics
 Spaces under first floors of building
 Offices, closets, stock rooms
 Under-storage shelves, cutting tables, or ducts over 4-feet wide in
diameter
 Unprotected interior constructions
 Types of sprinkler heads

 The important part of the sprinkler is the nozzle, which consists of

a releasing device and a reflector. Most releasing devices contain a
soldered link element, while others use a quartz bulb containing a
liquid that expands when heated causing it to burst. A third type
operates with a low-fuse chemical that liquifies at the rated
temperature, allowing a strut to collapse. Temperature ratings
should be suited to the location. When corrosive atmosphere
exists, wax-coated head should be used. This is true in chemical
manufacturing plants. Special side-wall sprinklers are also
available when the appearance of regular ceiling type will mar
decoration.
Here are some examples of sprinkler heads:
 Types of sprinkler system

 Wet pipe system – A common type of sprinkler system found in

many buildings. The piping has water with pressure, and the water
sprinkler will operate when the head is opened and water will
continue to flow until shut off.
 Dry pipe system – Pipes are filled with air under pressure which
holds the water at the valve located in a room.
 Sprinkler head – There is no fusible element. When activated,
water is delivered to all the heads deluging the room.
 Window and cornice – Also known as “open sprinklers”, may be
used to protect the combustible portions of the building.
WET PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM DRY PIPE SPRINKLER SYSTEM

SPRINKLER HEAD OPEN SPRINKLER

 Water supply of sprinklers

Public water system may be the ordinary source, but pressure may not be
suited to the sprinkler system. In such cases, water pumps may be used or
a depository be constructed atop the high-rise building. Study should also
be made of other sources like deep well as auxilliary or even primary
source for the system. Deep well may yield salt water and may corrode
sprinkler heads. Elevated gravity tanks as a water reservoir are suggested
for certain facilities. The size and location of these reservoirs should be
studied to afford maximum utilization. Here are some of the possible water
sources:

 Fire pumps
 Stand pipes
 Fire hydrants
 Portable hand extinguishers
 FIRE PUMPS STAND PIPE

FIRE HYDRANTS PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

 Classes of Fire
 Class A fires – This results from the burning of wood, paper, textiles, and
other carbonaceous materials. Extinguishment of this type is by quenching
and cooling. Extinguishers which have water, sand, acid, foam, and the
special solution of alkali methyl dust as found in the load-stream
extinguishers, should be used for this type of fire.
 Class B fires – Are those caused by flammable liquids like kerosene, gasoline,
benzene, oil products, alcohol, and other hydrocarbon derivations. This type
is put out and controlled by foam, loaded-stream, carbon dioxide, dry-
chemical, and vaporizing liquid. If water is used here, it might even spread
the flame, or explosion may ensue.
 Class C fires – Are those which start in live electrical wires, equipment,
motors, electrical appliances, and telephone switchboards. In this case,
source of electricity should be shut off.
 Class D fires – The result of the combustion of certain metals in finely
divided forms. These metals can be magnesium, potassium, powdered
aluminum, zinc, sodium, titanium, lithium, and zirconium. This type of fire
can be put out by GI type, meth LX, Lith X, meth L KYL, dry sand, and dry
talc.
 EQUIPMENT INSPECTIONS

 The fire-fighting equipment whether portable hand extinguishers,

water pumps, automatic sprinklers, hydrants, or charts should be
regularly inspected. The authorized inspector, who is an expert in
the line, will be accompanied by security so that findings can be
recorded. A regular schedule should be established for all fire-
fighting equipment in the facility. The inspector must also be
familiar with the fire protection system of the plant, and must be
able to detect abnormal conditions quickly. The inspector will be
accompanied by a trustworthy guard, preferably one who’s a
member of the fire brigade. The fire alarm system should be
checked for its wiring and operations. Hoses and fire hydrants, fire
closets, and elevator hatches should be checked. Waterproof
covers should be in the proper places, especially in kitchen and
critical fire-prone areas.
 FIRE ALARMS

 Although fire alarms can be a part of electronic or communication

protective devices, they still are part of the fire protection system. Fire
alarms, whether manual or automatic, will have to be installed
strategically in the industrial complex. Manual fire alarms are
strategically located and can be activated several ways. It can activate
a bell, a blinking red light, or may alert the company fire-fighting unit
as well as security. In automatic fire alarms like the sprinkler, when
heat reaches a certain temperature, the sprinkler operates, at the
same time activating the “water-flow” alarm. Another alarm is the
“rate-of-rise” alarm, which activates the alarm either visually or
manually due to the rapid rise of temperature caused by the fire. Next
type is the “fixed temperature” alarm which operates when a certain
temperature is reached, thereby activating the sprinkler and the alarm
at the control center at security.
EXAMPLES OF FIRE ALARMS
 FIRE-SAFETY TRAINING PROGRAM

One of the fundamental responsibilities of management and those charged

with fire safety is the safeguarding of lives and property against fire. One
way to accomplish this responsibility is the establishment of a well-
organized and thorough fire-safety training program. This program should
include:
1. Training of each individual in the prevention and fighting of fires.
2. The instructions of operators, engineers, and supervisors on how to
safeguard their offices or units against special fires and explosion
hazards.
3. The training of fire brigades in the skills required to handle fire-fighting
equipment.
 THE FIRE BRIGADE

 Fire brigades are composed of full-time employees who do this

job as additional work. Each brigade is available and complete for
each work shift and in each area of responsibility. Brigade
members are trained to operate fire equipment and to recognize
special hazards during a fire and how to cope with them. Some
members of the brigade are taught good housekeeping methods
to eliminate or reduce fire hazards. Fire drills should be done to
evacuate the employees smoothly in case of fire and other
disasters. These fire drills if realistically conducted with will result
in automatic response and will materially increase efficiency.
 PRIMERS WHEN FIRE STRIKES
 A plant must have a fire brigade, the manual and automatic alarms, the
automatic sprinklers, a reliable water supply, fire extinguishers, and
other fire equipment, and security is alert and well-disciplined when a
fire breaks out.
 The first few minutes of a fire are the most crucial. Delay in decision and
bungling can be very costly.
 The first ting to do is to turn on the alarm. Evacuate all personnel not
involved in the fire fighting.
 After the alarm has been sounded, fire should be fought with
extinguishers, available hoses, water buckets, and all available means.
 If there’s a fire pump, use it, and all ventilation system should be shut
down.
 If sprinkler would not operate, sprinkler valves should be opened.
 All doors leading to the fire area should be shut.
 Members of fire brigades who are not busy should be stationed in
peripheral areas to arrest the spread of fire.
 If fires occur at night, light should be on as long as it is safe.
 All gas or other fuel lines leading to area should be shut off.
 The fire area should be ventilated by lowering windows from the top and
by raising windows from the bottom. This action releases the smoke and
hot gases and helps prevent the spread of fire; the door should be
opened.
 As soon as possible, after fire fighting has been started, exposed stocks
and equipment in areas as well as on the floors below should be covered
with waterproof sheets, or should be moved to prevent damage.
 Do not hurry to shut off sprinklers. Keep sprinklers operating as long as
there is fire or smoke.
 As soon as fire is out, all fire-fighting equipment should be returned in a
state of readines..
 SECURITY EDUCATION PROGRAM

 Security consciousness is not inherent in an individual. It is a state

of mind that will have to be taught and learned like the many
disciplines. People are by nature trusting, complacent, naive, and
are prone to accept things at face value. These traits are not bad
at all, but in the development of security consciousness, they are
not conducive to vigilance and protective awareness. As had been
mentioned, protective barriers as well as electronic alarms in an
establishment can be ineffective without the human component.
Hardwares are valueless without the trained and dedicated men
to use them properly. Every employee must be made deeply
aware of his individual responsibility of reporting breaches of
physical security. This reporting will expose, prevent, or thwart any
violations of security; if unchecked, it will be inimical to the
interest of the industrial organization.
 Objectives of Security Education Program
1. Guidance for all supervisory and executive levels of the organization;
2. A mandatory indoctrination on security for all new personnel before their
assignment to their respective jobs;
3. Development of a high degree of security consciousness among the
selected supervisors and other key personnel in a program that should be
continuing and supported by top management;
4. A down-the-line security program aimed at instilling consciousness and
dedication through demonstrations, lectures, motivations, and suggestions.
This dialogue should be done as often as practicable when work will allow
and when enthusiasm is rife and the mind receptive;
5. To let all the employee force be informed that they all belong to the
organization and that non-awareness and non-concern to the security
program is tantamount to disloyalty. This may in the end affect them if
anything happens to their place of work as a result of breach of security
measures seen by them but no report made; and
6. That the program is also to develop discipline, loyalty, and belongingness.
These attributes when fully imbued will result in effectiveness and
efficiency.
 The basic goal of the security education program is to acquaint all the
employees the rationale behind the security measures and to insure their
cooperation at all times. The common notion that employees not with
security forces or not handling classified documents or not working in
restricted areas are not concerned with security must be removed. It
must be ingrained among the employees that protective lighting,
padlocks, electronic hardwares are not the ultimate security but only
elements in the overall plan. Easy as the objectives may look, they are
quite difficult to implement due to human naivete, complacency, and fear
of involvement. This is, in a small way, similar to indoctrinating the
members of a community to be crime prevention-conscious by reporting
all incidents however seemingly insignificant to the local police
authorities. The security program will be instituted by the training officer
or director and chief of security. This program of instruction(POI) will be
mostly effective if ranking executives and supervisors will participate as
resource speakers or observers. A newly-assigned personnel in a firm
should be briefed before assuming any duty. He may even be given a tour
of the plant areas to acquaint him with the operation and other related
activities. Included in this indoctrination program and usually conducted
by the security staff officer or the chief of security is that of security-
consciousness and vigilance. Known as security indoctrination, this
consists in explaining the security regulations and company rules.
“FOLLOW-THROUGH” SECURITY TRAINING PROGRAM

 The indoctrination of an employee is just the beginning of the

continuing security education program for the individual
employee. Depending on the type of work the individual handles,
this education program aims to stimulate growth as long as he is
with the organization. Separation of personnel according to their
responsibility levels will enable the instructor to adjust the type of
approach in the follow-through education program. This is natural
as in the higher level of position; there is usually a higher level of
education. The relation of the job with the plant’s security
program on the desired level can then be made.
The level of grouping in the security education process can be as
follows:
1. Executives, supervisors of classified activities should be
instructed on the security responsibilities of their positions, the
available physical aids available as safeguards, and the
enforcement policies and procedures in the installation;
2. Technical groups like lab aides, mechanics, repairmen,
technicians, craftsmen, and other having access to classified
information or materials should be instructed on “need-to-
know” and “chain of custody”;
3. All personnel whose normal duties do not require access to
classified documents or work should be reminded constantly of
the dangers or unrestrained talk about the duties they perform
or on the materials they handle. “Rumor-mongering”,
speculations on policies, and plain loose-talk should be avoided.