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MAIN DANGERS OF FIRE

Fire Spreads Fast

When a fire occurs, there is little time to escape. A fire can spread, sometimes doubling its size, in seconds. In less than 30 seconds, a fire can rage out of control and fill the area with heat and toxic, thick smoke. Remember, when a fire is discovered, it is critical to get out quickly.

Fire Gets Hot

A fire can give off incredible amounts of heat. A room fire can range from 50 degrees at floor level to 1,200 or more degrees at the ceiling. Skin can burn with permanent injuries at 160 degrees. The heat given off from a fire can kill. If super heated air is inhaled, it can scorch lungs.

Fire Is Dark

The thick, black smoke that is given off from a fire can make it extremely difficult to see where one is going. Crawling low may help visibility, and the air is usually cooler towards the floor. It is important to remember, if the smoke is too thick in the hallway to escape, sheltering-in-place may be necessary. Try to find another way out perhaps through a window or another exit. Always plan for at least two ways out. Closing doors can help reduce the spread of smoke and fire.

Fire Is Deadly

Most people who die in fires die from the toxic gases, thick smoke and lack of oxygen. In a fire, breathing even small amounts of these toxic elements can be disorienting, causing some people to pass out. Remember smoke detectors save lives. The time to react to a fire/smoke alarm is when it first goes off. Never ignore an alarm.

TOP FIRE CAUSES click here (NFPA.ORG)

 

 

fire tethraedron

WHAT IS THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON?

All the four elements essentially must be present for the occurrence of fire i.e. oxygen, heat, fuel, and a chemical chain reaction. If you remove any of the essential elements, the fire will be extinguished.

The four elements are oxygen for sustaining combustion, enough heat for raising the material to the ignition temperature, combustible material or fuel, and a subsequent exothermic chain reaction in the material.

All the four sides of the fire tetrahedron symbolise the Heat, Oxygen, Fuel, and Chemical Chain Reaction. Fire extinguishers theoretically put fire out by taking away one or more elements that make up the fire tetrahedron.

The symbol might seem simplistic, but it is a great analogy, how you can theoretically put out fire through the creation of a barrier using foam for example and starving the fire of oxygen.

If you apply water, you lower the temperature below the ignition temperature or in a flammable liquid fire through the diversion or removal of the fuel. Interfering with the chemical chain reaction through the elimination of free radicals using other extinguishers also leads to the creation of an inert gas barrier.

tipo extintor

THE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF FIRES AND EXTINGUISHERS

 

Distinguishing the different classes of fire is incredibly important to fire safety because not all fire extinguishers are suitable for every type of fire. In fact, using a fire extinguisher that isn’t intended for use on a particular class of fire can quickly make the fire worse and pose serious risk to the fire extinguisher’s user and others in the vicinity. Here, we outline the various classes of fire, where they can potentially occur, and which fire extinguishers are suitable for each class of fire.

 

The main classes of fires are categorized by what caused the fire or what the fire uses as fuel, and are as follows:

  • Class A: solid materials such as wood or paper, fabric, and some plastics
  • Class B: liquids or gas such as alcohol, ether, gasoline, or grease
  • Class C: electrical failure from appliances, electronic equipment, and wiring
  • Class D: metallic substances such as sodium, titanium, zirconium, or magnesium
  • Class F (Class K in USA): grease or oil fires specifically from cooking

 

Broadly speaking, there are 5 types of fire extinguishers, namely:

  • Water based
  • Foam based
  • Powder based
  • CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) based
  • Wet Chemical based

 

Each type of fire extinguisher fights against different types of fire, as illustrated in the diagram. Each has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to know which type will best suit your needs.

 

 

firefighting equipment

FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT

In the UCLM buildings there are fire fighting equipment that facilitate evacuation and prevent the fire from spreading once it has started. The most usual are:

 

Fire Extinguishers

You should always be aware of the dangers of the incorrect use of firefighting equipment. This is true for all firefighting equipment, including fire extinguishers.

A fire extinguisher should never be used to prop open a door. It should always be fixed to the wall, and it should be checked monthly by a service technician.

Most modern fire extinguishers are developed to deal with many different fire scenarios. Fire extinguishers can be filled with powder, water additive, foam, or carbon dioxide.

When choosing a fire extinguisher, be sure to pick one that will fight the fires that are most likely to develop in your business or home.

 

Fire Hoses

The fire hose reel lets out a powerful stream of water that extinguishes large fires. The hoses usually come in a fire hose reel, which holds 30 meters of tubing.

This makes the hose easy to unravel so a fire can be fought quickly. Fire brigades can also attach different nozzles to the end of the hose to fight a variety of fire situations.

A fire hose is one of the standard types of firefighting equipment, and it is effective against even the largest fires.

 

Fire and Welding Blankets

Fire blankets are used to smother small fires that start in the workplace or at home. Economy fire blankets or white kitchen blankets are a good choice for a small kitchen or for a caravan.

A larger workshop or restaurant kitchen should have a 1.2m x 1.2m blanket in case of emergencies.

If you work in a commercial kitchen or in a place that stores flammable liquids, you’ll want the large 1.8m x 1.75m fire blanket. These blankets have a special pull tab that allows you to open them quickly.

Welding blankets are used to protect welders from sparks and splatter. These blankets come in three different weights and sizes.

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