Everything You Need To Know About Fire Safety
(in a nutshell)

INTRODUCTION
Fire is the third leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, yet most people ignore it. More than 150 workplace fires occur every day.

Do you know...

• How fires start?
• How fires are classified?
• How to prevent fires?
• When not to fight a fire?
• How to identify the proper fire extinguisher?
• How to use a portable fire extinguisher?
• How to extinguish small fires?
• How to inspect your fire extinguishers?
• How to evacuate a burning building?
• What to do if trapped in a burning building?
• What to do if someone catches on fire?
  
  

Fire Saftey quiz .

HOW FIRES START
Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of a fuel. It needs three elements to occur:

FUEL - Fuel can be any combustible material - solid, liquid or gas. Most solids and liquids become a vapor or gas before they will burn.

OXYGEN - The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. fire only needs an atmosphere with at least 16 percent oxygen.

HEAT - Heat is the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to a point where sufficient vapors are given off for ignition to occur.

CHEMICAL REACTION - A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire are present in the proper conditions and proportions. Fire occurs when this rapid oxidation, or burning takes place.

Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannot occur or will be extinguished if it was already burning.

HOW TO PREVENT FIRES FROM OCCURRING

Class A Ordinary combustibles:
Keep storage and working areas free of trash Place oily rags in covered containers.

Class B - Flammable liquids or gases:
Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space, especially in the presence of an open flame such as a furnace or water heater.

Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment while it's hot.

Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly closed, self-closing, spill-proof containers. Pour from storage drums only what you'll need.

Store flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources.

Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas.

Class C - Electrical equipment:
Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings. Report any hazardous condition to your supervisor.

Prevent motors from overheating by keeping them clean and in good working order. A spark from a rough-running motor can ignite the oil and dust in it.

Utility lights should always have some type of wire guard over them. Heat from an uncovered light bulb can easily ignite ordinary combustibles.

Don't misuse fuses. Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for the circuit.

Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells strange. Unusual odors can be the first sign of fire.

Don't overload wall outlets. Two outlets should have no more than two plugs.

Class D - Flammable metals:
Flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium generally take a very hot heat source to ignite; however, once ignited are difficult to extinguish as the burning reaction produces sufficient oxygen to support combustion, even under water.

In some cases, covering the burning metal with sand can help contain the heat and sparks from the reaction. Class D extinguishing agents are available (generally as a dry powder in a bucket or box) which can be quite effective, but these agents are rare on the campus.

If you are planning a research project using a large amount of flammable metals you should consider purchasing a five or ten pound container of Class-D extinguishing agent as a precaution.

Pure metals such as potassium and sodium react violently (even explosively) with water and some other chemicals, and must be handled with care. Generally these metals are stored in sealed containers in a non-reactive liquid to prevent decay (surface oxidation) from contact with moisture in the air.

White phosphorus is air-reactive and will burn/explode on contact with room air. It must be kept in a sealed container with a non-reactive solution to prevent contact with air.

All of these metals are not uncommon in labs such as on UF campus, but are generally only found in small quantities and accidental fires/reactions can be controlled or avoided completely through knowledge of the properties of the metals and using good judgment and common sense.

WHEN NOT TO FIGHT A FIRE

Never fight a fire:

• If the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started

• If you can't fire the fire with your back to an escape exit

• If the fire can block your only escape

• If you don't have adequate fire-fighting equipment
  
  

In any of these situations,

DON'T FIGHT THE FIRE YOURSELF.
CALL FOR HELP.

HOW TO EXTINGUISH SMALL FIRES

Class A - Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material below its ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition. Use pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose(ABC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers. DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers on Class A fires.

Class B - Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or gases by removing the oxygen, preventing the vapors from reaching the ignition source or inhibiting the chemical chain reaction. Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical, and halon extinguishers may be used to fight Class B fires.

Class C - Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting electrical currents. Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical and halon* fire extinguishers may be used to fight Class C fires. DO NOT USE water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment.

* Even though halon is widely used, EPA legislation is phasing it out of use in favor of agents less harmful to the environment.

Class D - Extinguish combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium with dry powder extinguishing agents specially designated for the material involved. In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material, cooling it below its ignition temperature.

NOTE: Multipurpose (ABC-rated)chemical extinguishers leave a residue that can harm sensitive equipment, such as computers and other electronic equipment. Because of this, carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are preferred in these instances because they leave very little residue. ABC dry powder residue is mildly corrosive to many metals. For example, residue left over from the use of an ABC dry powder extinguisher in the same room with a piano can seriously corrode piano wires. Carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are provided for most labs and computer areas on campus.

HOW TO IDENTIFY THE PROPER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
All ratings are shows on the extinguisher faceplate. Some extinguishers are marked with multiple ratings such as AB, BC and ABC. These extinguishers are capable of putting out more than one class of fire.

Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicates how large a fire an experienced person can safely put out with that extinguisher.

Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the extinguishing agent will not conduct electrical current. Class C extinguishers must also carry a Class A or B rating.

Class D extinguishers carry only a letter rating indicating their effectiveness on certain amounts of specific metals.

REMEMBER:

• Should your path of escape be threatened

• Should the extinguisher run out of agent

• Should the extinguisher prove to be ineffective

• Should you no longer be able to safely fight the fire

...THEN LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!

HOW TO INSPECT YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Know the locations of the fire extinguishers in your work area.

Make sure the class of the extinguisher is safe to use on fires likely to occur in the immediate area.

Check the plastic seal holding the pin in the extinguisher handle. Has the extinguisher been tampered with or used before?

Look at the gauge and feel the weight. Is the extinguisher full? Does it need to be recharged?

• Water, some foam, and dry chemical extinguishers have gauges indicating the pressure inside the extinguisher. The pressure needle should be in the "green" area (generally 100-175 lbs., depending on the type of agent).
  
  CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are high pressure cylinders with pressures ranging from 1500 lb. to 2150 lb. These extinguishers DO NOT have gauges and must be weighed to determine the amount of contents remaining.
  
  

Make sure the pin, nozzle and nameplate are intact.

The APPEARENCE of different types of extinguishers:

Generally, you can tell with a glance which type an extinguisher is hanging on the wall, or in the cabinet, just by looking at its shape. Check the labels of the extinguishers in your area and note the color and shape/size of the extinguisher. This may help if someone runs in to help you fight a fire with the WRONG extinguisher (i.e. water on an electrical fire) - you can STOP them before they are injured or make matters worse!


ABC-rated multipurpose dry powder extinguishers are the most common, particularly in the corridors of commercial and academic buildings. They are almost always RED in color and have either a long narrow hose or no hose (just a short nozzle). These extinguishers are very light (5-25 lbs total weight) Halon extinguishers look virtually identical to ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers.

Water extinguishers are not often used in a commercial setting and are usually SILVER (crome-metal) in color, have a flat bottom, have a long narrow hose, are quite large (2-1/2 gallons). Foam extinguishers look similar and the type without gauges have a handle inset in the flat bottom (you turn the extinguisher upside down to start it and use it)



CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are generally red (often yellow around aircraft or on military sites), have a LARGE "tapered" nozzle (horn), are VERY HEAVY (15-85 lbs.) -some CO2 extinguishers for aircraft hangers or special industrial use are so large as to require roll-around carts to move them. These are all high-pressure cylinders.

Care should be used NOT TO DROP a CO2 cylinder; if it is damaged it can punch a hold through the nearest wall(s) and end up on the other side of campus! (The containers are quite sturdy, but don't abuse them.) CO2 cylinders do not have a pressure gauge - they must be weighed to determine the amount of contents.

HOW TO EVACUATE A BURNING BUILDING

• The last one out of the room should not lock the door, just close it. Locking the door hinders the fire department's search and rescue efforts.
  
  

• Proceed to the exit as outlined in the Emergency Action Plan.
  
  

• NEVER, NEVER use elevators under any circumstances.
  
  

• Stay low to avoid smoke and toxic gases. The best air is close to the floor, so crawl if necessary.
  
  

• If possible, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth to help you breathe.
  
  

• If you work in a building with multiple stories, a stairway will be your primary escape route. Most enclosed stairwells in buildings over two stories are "rated" enclosures and will provide you a safe means of exit; don't panic descend stairs slowly and carefully.
  
  

• Once in the stairwell, proceed down to the first floor. Never go up.
  
  

• Once outside the building, report to a predetermined area so that a head count can be taken.

• WHAT TO DO IF TRAPPED IN A BURNING BUILDING
  If you're trying to escape a fire, never open a closed door without feeling it first. Use the back of your hand to prevent burning your palm. If the door is hot, try another exit. If none exists, seal the cracks around the doors and vents with anything available. If in a dorm room, use wet towels to seal the space under the door and prevent the entry of smoke. Cracks around the door can be sealed with masking tape if necessary.
  
  If trapped, look for a nearby phone and call the fire department, giving them your exact location.
  
  If breathing is difficult, try to ventilate the room, but don't wait for an emergency to discover that window can't be opened. If on an upper floor and your window is of a type that CANNOT be opened, DON'T break it out- you'll be raining glass down on rescuers and people exiting the building. If you can't contact the fire department by phone, wave for attention at the window. Don't panic.

• WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE CATCHES ON FIRE
  
  If you should catch on fire:
  STOP - where you are
  DROP - to the floor
  ROLL - around on the floor
  This will smother the flames, possibly saving your life.
  Just remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL.
  
  If a co-worker catches on fire, smother flames by grabbing a blanket or rug and wrapping them up in it. That could save them from serious burns or even death.
  
  

SUMMARY

KNOWLEDGE - AWARENESS - PREPARATION

These are your keys to preventing and surviving fires wherever they occur.

QUIZ

Can you correctly answer TRUE or FALSE for each question below?


1. Fire requires fuel, oxygen and heat for ignition to occur. Taken any one away and the fire cannot occur.

2. Fire needs an atmosphere of 21 percent oxygen - the same as the air we breathe - to sustain ignition.

3. Class A fires are fueled by ordinary combustible or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth and some plastics.

4. Class B fires include flammable or combustible liquids, greases and gases, such as gasoline, paint and propane.

5. Class C fires include electrical equipment, such as motors and heaters that are not connected to a power source.

6. Combustible metals (Class D) are difficult to extinguish, because once ignited, they give off sufficient oxygen to support combustion.

7. Class D fires can be extinguished with water.

8. Keeping the work area free of litter is one way to help prevent Class A fires.

9. Gasoline-powered equipment can be refueled while hot if refueling is done in a well-ventilated area.

10. You may use a higher-amp fuse than is specified for an electrical circuit if you first tag the fuse box to mark the change.

11. Unusual odors from electrical equipment can be the first sign of a potential fire.

12. If the fire you are fighting begins to spread, leave the area and call for help.

13. Do not use carbon dioxide or ordinary dry chemical extinguishers on Class A fires.

14. Do not use water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment.

15. An Emergency Action Plan should designate one person to evacuate all disabled people in the building.

16. Fire drills are necessary to test the Emergency Action Plan.

17. The last person to evacuate a room should lock the door to prevent vandalism or theft of equipment.

18. Elevators may be used to evacuate a building as long as they remain operable.

19. You should occasionally pull the pin and briefly squirt all fire extinguishers to ensure they are properly charged and in good working order.

20. As soon as you evacuate a burning building, go home. No need to hang around.

• Answers:
  1-T,2-F,3-T,4-T,5-T,6-T,7-F,8-T,9-F,10-F,
  11-T,12-T,13-T,14-T,15-F,16-T,17-F,18-F,19-F,20-F