FIRE PREVENTIONFIRE PREVENTION

FireFire

Of the many hazards on site or at work, fires are the worst kind. They do a Of the many hazards on site or at work, fires are the worst kind. They do a great deal of damage every year. great deal of damage every year.

All fires, however small should be considered dangerous and reported to All fires, however small should be considered dangerous and reported to your supervisor.your supervisor.

Where there is a fire risk, all necessary precautions must be taken.Where there is a fire risk, all necessary precautions must be taken. Everyone on site or in the work area should be aware of fire drill procedures Everyone on site or in the work area should be aware of fire drill procedures

and regular practices should take place to make sure everyone does know the and regular practices should take place to make sure everyone does know the drill proceduresdrill procedures

All fires must be taken seriously and action taken immediately to prevent harm All fires must be taken seriously and action taken immediately to prevent harm to people and damage to property.to people and damage to property.

If a small fire cannot be controlled quickly, the building must be evacuated.If a small fire cannot be controlled quickly, the building must be evacuated.

Fire depends on three things.Fire depends on three things.

All three elements must be present for the fire to start. But, if you remove one element you will be able to put out the fire.

Fire depends on three thingsFire depends on three things

FUEL :FUEL : can be anything that will burn, wood, can be anything that will burn, wood, furniture. flammable liquid, gas etcfurniture. flammable liquid, gas etc

OXYGEN OXYGEN : or air in normal conditions will allow the : or air in normal conditions will allow the fire to burn.fire to burn.

HEAT :HEAT : a minimum temperature is needed but a minimum temperature is needed but a naked flame, match or spark is a naked flame, match or spark is

sufficient to start a fire especially if in sufficient to start a fire especially if in contact with something which is contact with something which is

flammable.flammable.

Sign to tell people what to do.Sign to tell people what to do.

If you discover a fire what do you If you discover a fire what do you do?do?

raise the alarm.raise the alarm. close doors and windows to prevent close doors and windows to prevent

spreading.spreading. evacuate the area.evacuate the area. fight the fire, if you have been trained to do fight the fire, if you have been trained to do

so, but avoid endangering life.so, but avoid endangering life. Fight fire with fire extinguisher, fire blanket, Fight fire with fire extinguisher, fire blanket,

water or sand.water or sand.

Fire fighting should NOT continue Fire fighting should NOT continue if : if :

The fire becomes to dangerousThe fire becomes to dangerous There is a possibility that any escape route There is a possibility that any escape route

might be cut off.might be cut off. The fire continues to spread and become The fire continues to spread and become

out of control.out of control. There are gas cylinders or other highly There are gas cylinders or other highly

flammable materials in the immediate fire flammable materials in the immediate fire area that cannot be remove or protected.area that cannot be remove or protected.

The following signs will help you to identify:The following signs will help you to identify: The positions of fire extinguishers and The positions of fire extinguishers and

blanketsblankets Where fire alarms are positionedWhere fire alarms are positioned Safe routes of exitSafe routes of exit

Flammable materialsFlammable materials

Many materials that contain highly Many materials that contain highly flammable solvents may be found at the flammable solvents may be found at the workplace, also equipment which produces workplace, also equipment which produces sparks.sparks.

The combination of the two can cause a fire The combination of the two can cause a fire unless great care is taken.unless great care is taken.

Possible causes of fires and explosions in Possible causes of fires and explosions in work places and precautions to be taken, work places and precautions to be taken, are set out in the tables below.are set out in the tables below.

SolventsSolvents

At normal temperature of 15At normal temperature of 15C the following solvents C the following solvents produce a vapour that will ignite if exposed to a spark or a produce a vapour that will ignite if exposed to a spark or a flameflame

MaterialMaterial PrecautionsPrecautions

White spiritWhite spiritDo not store near a naked light or electric power tool, which Do not store near a naked light or electric power tool, which may cause a spark.may cause a spark.Do not smoke near solvent.Do not smoke near solvent.Do not store solvents in plastic containers.Do not store solvents in plastic containers.Always replace caps or tops to containers after use.Always replace caps or tops to containers after use.Store solvents in metal lockersStore solvents in metal lockersDisplay “ Highly Flammable “ signs in prominent positions.Display “ Highly Flammable “ signs in prominent positions.

Methylated spiritMethylated spirit

Solvent NapthaSolvent Naptha

Amyl – AcetateAmyl – Acetate

AcetoneAcetone

PaintsPaints

Some paints contain solvents and can produce a vapour at Some paints contain solvents and can produce a vapour at room temperature.room temperature.

MaterialMaterial PrecautionsPrecautions

VarnishesVarnishes

The danger of ignition from these materials is not The danger of ignition from these materials is not as great as with solvents.as great as with solvents.If the correct precautions are carried out the If the correct precautions are carried out the danger of fire and explosion will be greatly danger of fire and explosion will be greatly reduced.reduced.

Oil based paintsOil based paints

CreosoteCreosote

Cellulose paintCellulose paint

Epoxy resinEpoxy resin

Fire ExtinguishersFire Extinguishers

When using flammable materials a suitable fire When using flammable materials a suitable fire extinguisher must always be kept handy and extinguisher must always be kept handy and ready for use.ready for use.

Make sure that the extinguisher is the right Make sure that the extinguisher is the right type for the fire that may occur.type for the fire that may occur.

Use of the wrong type can be disastrousUse of the wrong type can be disastrous.. Before starting work on any job, make sure Before starting work on any job, make sure

that the extinguisher operating instructions are that the extinguisher operating instructions are fully understood.fully understood.

Fire ExtinguishersFire ExtinguishersExits and Oxygen:Exits and Oxygen: Never work in a position where a fire may block the exit.Never work in a position where a fire may block the exit. All fires need an ample supply of oxygen, if a fire does break out endeavour to close all All fires need an ample supply of oxygen, if a fire does break out endeavour to close all

windows and doors.windows and doors.Asbestos Blanket:Asbestos Blanket: An asbestos blanket is useful for wrapping around a person whose clothing is on fire.An asbestos blanket is useful for wrapping around a person whose clothing is on fire.

It may also be used to smother a small isolated fire.It may also be used to smother a small isolated fire.SandSand:: Sand is also useful for dealing with small isolated fires, such as burning paint droppings.Sand is also useful for dealing with small isolated fires, such as burning paint droppings.Fire HoseFire Hose Some work areas have insitu fire hoses that connect to a pressurized water supply.Some work areas have insitu fire hoses that connect to a pressurized water supply.

Unless you have been trained in the use of these type of appliances do NOT attempt to Unless you have been trained in the use of these type of appliances do NOT attempt to use the to control a fire.use the to control a fire.These appliances are pressurized and can cause injuries to someone who does not These appliances are pressurized and can cause injuries to someone who does not know how to use them correctly.know how to use them correctly.

Fire ExtinguishersFire Extinguishers

The following chart shows which The following chart shows which extinguisher should be used for different extinguisher should be used for different types of fires.types of fires.

Each extinguisher is colour coded for easy Each extinguisher is colour coded for easy recognition and you should familiarise recognition and you should familiarise yourself with the colour codes and their yourself with the colour codes and their usesuses

CO2 WATER FOAM POWDER