Toolbox Talk # 04 : FIRE SAFETY

Fire Safety

Toolbox Talk # 4

FIRE SAFETY

Basic fire safety knowledge is an important skill that can save your life on or off the job. Here we will breakdown basic characteristics of a fire, important fire safety tips, what to do if you find yourself involved with a fire and some discussion points for your group.

Characteristics of Fire

• To support fire, you must have; HEAT, FUEL, OXYGEN, and SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION
• A small fire can grow out of control in as little as 30 seconds.
• A room involved with a fire can have a temperature of 100°C at floor level and 600°C at eye level. In less than 5 minutes a room can flash over.
• Fire starts bright but will quickly turn the room pitch black from releasing smoke and toxic gases. Be familiar with your surroundings and evacuation routes!

Fire Safety Tips

• An important fire safety tip is to look for and eliminate any potential fire hazards before they become a reality!
• Know where pull stations and extinguishers are located.
• Time is the biggest enemy, get out of the building!
• If a fire, pull nearest fire alarm if possible, if not, call for help from a safe location
  outside.
• If smoke, stay as low to the ground as possible.
• If safe, close all doors behind you as you leave the building.
  Don’t use the elevator for evacuation because the shaft can act as a chimney. Elevators also present an entrapment hazard if they fail.
• Never return to a burning building.

Group Discussion Topics

• Identify all “High Risk” areas in your facilities.
• Where are the nearest fire extinguishers, pull stations, and your buildings primary and secondary evacuation routes?
• Can these areas be modified to eliminate or lessen the potential risk?
• Most fires occur between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Brainstorm what causes this and how you could address these issues.
• Identify if anyone has seen any close calls or fires during their tenure. How were those situations handled, good or bad?
• Ask the group to list any unanswered fire safety questions or concerns that they may have and submit to safety department for assistance.

 Visit for Safety Videos:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChREXvbLQ3fPxOLKflPRj_g

Fire Prevention - A Study Hand Book

Fire Prevention  - A Study Hand Book

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Fire is an chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation of combustible  / Flammable materials. Producing intense heat, Smoke and Light.


 
 Types of Fire:

Class A Fire : This types of fire involves ordinary solid combustible materials like wood, paper and cotton etc., These materials are organic in nature.

This type of fire is most common as these materials are widely used. this is known as class A fire.

 

Class B Fire : This type of fire involves solvents, varnishes and petroleum products. This is known as class B fire. 


 



Class C Fire : This type of fire involves gases or liquified gases like LPG, Methane, Ethane, Propane and Acetylene etc., This is known as class C fire.  





Class D Fire : This type of fire involves combustible metals like magnesium, titanium, sodium, zinc, aluminum and their alloys. This is known as class D fire. 

Note: After disconnecting electrical power supply, All electrical installations / equipment's and accessories depending upon the type of combustible materials, it will be classified as class A or class B fire.

 

Fire Extinguishers : 

The types of fire extinguisher is depending upon the types of fire.

1. Water type fire Extinguisher
2. Foam type extinguisher
3. DCP type extinguisher
4.CO2 type extinguisher


Water type fire Extinguisher : 

Water is the extinguishing media for this extinguisher. Fire is extinguished by cooling method. This is suitable for Class A fire.

Foam type fire extinguisher :

Foam is the extinguishing media for this extinguisher. Fire is extinguished by both blanketing and clothing methods. This is suitable for class B fire or flammable liquids.

DCP type fire extinguisher :

Dry chemical powder is the extinguishing media for this extinguisher. Fire is extinguished by blanketing or smothering method. It is suitable for almost any class of fire.

CO2 - Type Fire Extinguisher : 

Co2 - gas is the extinguishing media. Fire is extinguished by cutting oxygen with the helps of co2 gas. this is suitable for electrical fire and oil fire.

The Causes of Fire :

1. Smoking
2. Welding/Cutting without proper fire prevention measures.
3. Improper storing flammable liquids and gases.
4. Using defective electrical equipment's.
5. Keeping oil, grease or any flammable materials nearby electrical installations.
6. Unattended or wrongly using of the heaters.

Preventive Methods :

House Keeping :

1. The work place equipment's and other accessories should be neat and tidy.
2. Removing the wastes of flammable materials.
3. Keep the flammable materials in their places only.
4. Don't block the access for the fire extinguisher point.
5. Don't keep any other materials near extinguishers.



Flammable Liquids : 

1. Gas cylinders should be kept in straight position.
2. Keep away the flammable liquids from hot place.
3. For taking the flammable liquids from one place to other place; Use container in tray.
4. We can avoid the leakage by keeping the containers in tray.
5. While pouring the liquids, use hand pumps, don't pour the liquids directly i.e. without pump.

 

Precautions while welding / Cutting : 

1. Remove all combustible / flammable materials nearby the welding area, if removal of materials is not possible, use fire blanket to cover it.
2. Always keep good serviceable fire extinguisher near the welding area.
3. Avoid welding / Cutting activities without hot work permit.
4. Check the electrical wire and hose.
5. Switch off the welding / Cutting machine after end of the work of  rest times. 

Electrical Equipment's :

1. Don't overload the electrical circuit.
2. Avoid using electrical equipment's with temporary wire joints.
3. Authorized person's only should be allowed for repairing the electrical equipment's / Appliances.

Fire Protection :

1. Fire extinguisher should be placed in visible and accessible manner.
2. Don't play with fire extinguisher by operating it.
3. Maintain the extinguisher in well manner.

Emergency:

1. Extinguishing the fire in initial stage and shout 'Fire 'Fire to alert the persons nearby.
2. Don't use the lift.
3. Don't run in hurry and move fast.
4. Inform to the fire brigade.
5. The 'Fire Exit' should be opened always and signage need to be displayed to identify it.
6. Evacuate the place and assemble in the assembly point.
7. Don't leave the assembly point before the announcements by the authority concerned.

Visit for Safety Videos:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UChREXvbLQ3fPxOLKflPRj_g

Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers

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Fire extinguishers are made to put out only small, confined fires. Anything larger or that has spread from its original location must be handled by the fire department.
 
Common classes of fire extinguishers are:

• Class ABC (all fires except flammable metals)
• Class BC (flammable liquids and electrical fires)
• Class AB (combustibles and flammable liquids—do not use on electrical fires)

Hazards to watch for:

• The fire is too large to handle with one fire extinguisher.
• Your exiting route is blocked.
• You do not have the right type of extinguisher for the fire type.

Safe procedures:
 
Here’s what you do.Before using an extinguisher, make sure:

•  You are properly trained in the use of the extinguisher.
• You are confident you can put the fire out with one3. Your escape path is not threatened.
• The extinguisher matches the fire type.
• Alarm has been sounded (either you have done this or you’ve told another person).
• Smoke and noxious fumes are not accumulating.
• Fire is small and confined.
• Building is being evacuated.

How to use a fire extinguisher (PASS) method:-

• P–Pull the pin that keeps the handle from being pressed (an initial twist will easily break the plastic retainer)
• A–Aim at the base of the fire (where the fuel and the fire meet)
• S–Squeeze the handle
• S–Sweep back and forth at the base of the fire

Do not stop until the fire is completely out. After the fire appears to be out, watch carefully, it may re-ignite. If you can’t put it out with one extinguisher, evacuate and let the fire department take over.
One of the quickest ways to lose a job is allow a fire to start. Sometimes fires do start and it then becomes a matter of putting the fire out as soon as possible. The best way is to use a fire extinguisher.

Care and Use

• Be sure the fire extinguishers are charged, strategically located and ready for use.
• Everyone has a responsibility to check to see that fire extinguishers and fire hoses (as well as other dispensing components) are not blocked.

Common Types of Extinguishers

• Class A Fires: Rubbish, paper, scrap, scrap lumber. Use soda acid and pressurized extinguishers or water through use of a hose or pump type water can.
• Class B Fires: Flammable liquids, oil, grease. Use carbon dioxide, dry chemical or foam extinguishers. Do not use water on these types of fires.
• Class C Fires: Electrical in nature. Use carbon dioxide or dry chemical extinguisher. Do not use foam or water composition extinguishers.

The person responsible to insure fire extinguishers are charged, strategically located and ready for use is Employer.

Our exposure is generally to Class _____ fires. We have Class _____ fire extinguishers available.
Remember: The quickest way to put out a fire may not always be the best way.