FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS

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INTRODUCTION

Fire is a chemical reaction involving three elements i.e Fuel, Heat and Oxygen.

CAUSES OF FIRE

1. Careless use of flammable liquids.

2. Careless use of heating appliances.

3. Faulty or Careless use of electrical equipment.

4. Cigarettes or other smoking materials.

5. Children playing with matches or fire.

6. Burning bushes.

7. Arsonists

Fires pose the following dangers:

Asphyxiation: Asphyxiation is the leading cause of death in a fire, by a three-to-one ratio

over burns.

Heat: A fully developed room fire has temperatures over 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit.

Smoke: Fire generates black, impenetrable smoke that blocks the vision, stings the eyes, and

clogs the lungs. It may be impossible to navigate through such smoke.

Roughly 85 percent of all fire deaths occur where people sleep, such as in homes, dormitories,

barracks, or hotels. The majority of fatal fires occur when people are less likely to be alert, such

as during nighttime sleeping hours.

Nearly all home and other building fires are preventable, even arson fires. The majority of arson

fires are caused by juveniles like the many school fires reported in many schools. These

arsonists often respond to counseling, and the rest can be deterred in a number of ways. No

fire is inevitable.


HOW FIRE CAN START

• Direct ignition- throwing a cigarette butt on dry grass, lighting a stove/jiko using a

match stick

• Spontaneous-heaped material i.e. saw dust, damp vegetable matter impregnated over a

long period of time

• Prolonged heat –stove pipes, UPS, electrical appliances etc (careless use of heat

producing appliances)

• Explosion –gas, ignited petrol vapour

• Chemical reaction-lime, acids

• Friction-shafts heating against each other (welding activities)

• Natural causes- thunder, earthquake etc


THREE COMPONENTS

OY

HEAT

FUEL

ALL THE THREE MUST BE PRESENT IN SUFFICIENT PROPORTIONS FOR A FIRE TO START

COMPONENTS OF FIRE

I. OXYGEN: THE AIR THAT SUPPORTS COMBUSTION

II. HEAT: THE MINIMUM TEMPERATURE AT WHICH A SUBSTANCE WILL IGNITE.

III. FUEL: ANYTHING WHICH CAN BURN; EITHER IN SOLID, GASEOUS OR LIQUID FORM


HOW FIRE SPREADS

Once fire has started, unless it is extinguished the next step is to spread and can do so in the

following ways:

1. Convection: circulation of super heated gases e.g. liquids, smoke.

2. Radiation: Heat transmission through space e.g. from sun to earth

3. Conduction: heat energy traveling through solid materials e.g. through metals.

EXTINCTION OF FIRE

Combustion will continue as long as oxygen, fuel and ignition temperature are present.

Removal of any one of them leads to collapse of the triangle of combustion.

To suppress fire just remove any one of the 3 components

Heat Oxygen

Cooling (water) Smothering

Fuel

Starvation (physical removal)

Fire prevention at its most basic is keeping fuel away from heat sources

• SMOTHERING/BLANKETING- Eliminating oxygen

• STARVATION- Removing the fuel (starving)

• COOLING- Removing heat by lowering temperature

Extinction is achieved by breaking the chain reaction between the bond of fuel, heat and oxygen.

Portable fire extinguishers and fixed installation systems use various extinguishing agents to

attack and break the chemical reaction of combustion directly and hence extinguish the fire


HOW TO IDENTIFY FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

WATER………………..…RED

FOAM……………………CREAM

CO2……………………….BLACK

DRY POWDER…………... BLUE


FAMILY FIRE PLAN

The key to fire preparedness is a family fire plan. Every family fire plan should include:

Smoke alarms on every level of the home and near all sleeping areas.

Two escape routes from every room in the home. Escape ladders should be a consideration

for sleeping areas on upper floors. These ladders should be stored near windows and should

be assessed not to pose security threats.

Practice the escape plan at least twice each year. Practice getting out both day and night.

Practice escapes should include low-crawl escapes, ensuring that all family members’ heads

are one to two feet above the floor. As part of escape planning, select a safe area outside the

home for the family to gather after escaping the fire. Ensure that all know to meet at that

place so, when firefighters arrive, they can be notified quickly of family status. This is the

Family Fire assembly point.

Practice alerting family members by Shout ―Fire!‖ several times. In a real fire, this alert may

help family members escape.

Learn the fire department’s emergency number search us County Fire brigade, G4S, ICT Fire

and Rescue and ensure that all the family members knows and access these numbers.

It is very important to discuss with the entire family what to do in a fire. Every family member

needs to know what to do in case the entire family is not together when a fire occurs. Also,

awareness helps to reduce fear and ensures that all family members know what to do.

ACTION INCASE OF FIRE

If you see a fire or hear the smoke alarm, you should:

Shout ―Fire!‖ several times and exit quickly. Never use an elevator when escaping a fire.

Other points to remember include:

If escaping through smoke, crawl low, under the smoke.

If escaping through a closed door, look first at the door. If air is being sucked under the

door or smoke is seeping out the top of the door or the door knob is hot, do not open the

door.


If there is no sucking air or escaping smoke, feel the door with the back of the hand, as

well as the space between the door and its frame and the doorknob before opening the

door. Never open a door that feels hot.

Go to the agreed upon meeting place, then send one person to call the fire department. Gathering

at the meeting place first will quickly indicate who is outside and allow family members to

advice firefighters immediately when they arrive.

If smoke, heat, or flames block all exit routes, you should stay in the room with the door closed.

Stop up areas where smoke could come in using wet towels, sheets, or clothes under doors

and in vents.

Call the fire department and tell them where you are—even if the fire department has already

been called.

Open windows slightly at top and bottom to allow smoke to exit and fresh air to enter the

room.

Stay low and near a window to breathe fresh air.

Hang or wave a bright-colored or white cloth at the window to signal the fire department when

they arrive.

To help prevent fires in your home:

Conduct a home hazard hunt. Many items and conditions around the home can present fire

hazards. Taking time to look for and eliminate hazards will reduce the risk.

Inspect LPGs, stoves and chimneys annually. Burning wood leaves creosote deposits which

are flammable in the firebox, flue, and chimney. These buildups must be removed to

minimize the risk of fire.

Purchase heaters only if they have been laboratory tested and approved. Follow the

manufacturer’s directions for use. Keep blankets, clothing, curtains, furniture, and any other

flammable items at least 3 feet away from heat sources. Plug heaters directly into a wall

socket, and unplug them when they are not in use.


Keep matches and lighters away from children. Children are fascinated by fire and will play

with matches and lighters if they are available.

Check electrical wiring, and replace frayed extension cords, exposed wires, or loose plugs.

Ensure that all outlets have cover plates, and avoid overloading outlets or extension cords.

Keep combustible materials away from the stove, including towels, clothing, curtains, bags,

boxes, and other appliances. Combustible materials near stoves can catch fire quickly while

the cook’s attention is elsewhere.

In case of fire black out, disconnect all electrical appliances including water heaters and iron

box.

NB, Fire prevention is better than Fire Fighting. Take a personal responsibility to prevent fire

incidents at your level of influence.

WILDFIRES

There are three classes of wildfires:

A surface fire is the most common type of fire and burns along the floor of a forest, moving

slowly and killing or damaging trees, wheat, maize or sugar cane plantation.

A ground fire is usually started by lightning and burns on or below the forest floor in the

humus layer down to the mineral soil.

Crown fires spread rapidly by wind and move quickly by jumping along the tops of trees.

Wildfires often begin unnoticed and many fires can spread quickly, igniting brush, trees, and

homes.


Because more people are choosing to make their homes in woodland settings in or near forests,

conservancies, estates like Muthaiga, Runda, Gigiri, rural areas, or remote mountain sites, a

greater percentage of the population is becoming vulnerable to the hazards of wildfire.

More than four out of every five forest fires are started by people. Negligent human behavior,

such as smoking in forested areas or improperly extinguishing campfires, charcoal burning, is

the cause of many forest fires.

Improper design, combustible materials and landscaping, and lack of attention to weed

abatement in woodland residential areas, contribute to the hazard to humans and animals.

Some of the strategies for wildfire preparedness are the same as for fires in the home, and

developing a family fire escape plan will be helpful for wildfires as well as fires in the home. In

the case of wildfires, some additional strategies are required.

To prepare for a possible wildfire, you should:

Keep a garden hose that is long enough to reach any area of the home and other structures.

Buy a ladder that is high enough to reach the roof.

If a pool, lake, or stream is available, consider obtaining a portable fuel-powered water

pump.

Equip chimneys and stovepipes with spark arresters.

Keep fire tools handy. Fire tools include shovels, rakes, axes, fire hose reel, fire beaters,

water sprinklers, chain or handsaws, buckets, and one or more fire extinguishers.

Use proper building and landscape design. Fire experts recommend that flammable vegetation

be cleared to a distance of at least 30 feet around the home. This is commonly referred to as a

―defensible space‖ or ―safety zone.‖ Experts also recommend the use of fireproof or fire

resistant roofing in areas where wildfires are a hazard.


Additional strategies for wildfire preparedness include:

Marking all driveway entrances so that firefighters are aware that the home is there and can

find it quickly during a fire.

Never burn during dry weather or within 75 feet of a structure or combustibles. Never leave

a fire unattended, not even a cigarette.

Sometimes, Despite best efforts, wildfires will still occur more so during the dry spells.

There are several measures that you should take inside the home to prevent damage from

wildfire:

Listen for emergency information on radio or television stations or the Emergency Services.

If advised to evacuate, do so immediately. Delay increases the risk of being trapped by the

fire and can interfere with fire department response.

Only attempt to fight the fire if it is safe to do so or to clear the only exit route.

Confine pets to one room or arrange for them to stay with a friend or relative.

Move flammable furniture to the center of the home, away from windows and sliding glass

doors.

Remove flammable drapes and curtains. Close venetian blinds and noncombustible window

treatments.

Close all doors and windows to reduce air flow.


If trapped by a wildfire, you should try to find a body of water to crouch in. If possible, cover

the head and upper body with wet clothing. If a body of water is not accessible, look for shelter

in a cleared area or within a rock bed. Breathe the air close to the ground, preferably through a

dry cloth.

Use caution when reentering the area after a wildfire. Hazards may still exist, including hot

spots, which can flare up without warning.

Inspect the roof immediately and extinguish sparks or embers that could reignite the fire.

Check the stability of trees around the home. They may have lost stability as a result of fire

damage. Also, identify and mark ash pits (created by burned trees and stumps). Falling into

a hot ash pit can cause serious burns.

If there is no power, check the main breaker. Fires may cause breakers to trip. If the

breakers are on and power is still not available, call the electricity company.


BURNS ANDSCALDS

ASSESSING BURNS

Cause - was it Electrical, Chemical.. e.t.c.

Location - which part of the body?

Extent - how large is the burn?

Depth - How deep into the skin is the burn?

TREATMENT OF BURN

Check for DRABC

Cool for at least 10 minutes and 20 minutes, if it is a Chemical Burn

Cover the burn with a sterile dressing


Take to hospital, all call an ambulance

DO NOT use lotions, ointments and creams

DO NOT break blisters

DO NOT Use fluffy material to cover the burn

DO NOT remove any clothing stuck on the burn

CLOTHES ON FIRE

STOP the casualty panicking or running

DROP the casualty to the ground.

WRAP the casualty tightly in a coat, blanket rug or other heavy-duty fabric.

ROLL him along the ground to smother the flames.

Fire kills, you can prevent it. Fire prevention is your responsibility.


EFFECTIVE USE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• P = Pull the pin.

• A = Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.

• S = Squeeze the handle.

• S = Sweep from side to side.

The PASS Method will work on all types of extinguishers.

Always position yourself with an exit or means of escape at your back before you attempt to use

an extinguisher to put out a fire.


• Stay upwind of the fire.

• Stay low, never try to work over top of the fire.

• Spray the extinguisher at the base of the fire.


• Never go into a unknown area to fight a fire.

MAKE SURE YOUR EXTINGUISHER CAN BE USED IN AN EMERGENCY

• The extinguisher should be mounted on the wall.

• The area in front of the extinguisher shall be clear of any obstructions

• The pressure gauge should be in the green zone

• The inspection tag should show that the extinguisher has been inspected within the last 6

months.

• Fix an extinguisher where you can reach it quickly. The best place is on an escape route,

that is near an outside door, or on the route from the living areas to an outside door, or

adjacent to a specific risk. It should be properly fixed to the wall at a height where it can

be reached. Keep it out of the reach of children.

• Fire extinguishers should be fixed where they can be easily seen. Fixing them inside

cupboards or behind doors will only waste valuable time if a fire breaks out. Do not place

them over cookers or heaters or in places of extreme temperatures.

• The manufacturers instructions will tell you what you need to do to keep your

extinguisher in good working order. After an extinguisher has been used, even if only


partially, it must be recharged according to the manufacturers instructions.

The extinguisher should be serviced annually.

• You should always use an accredited company for the supply and maintenance of your

fire equipment.

• The extinguishers should be mounted on the wall (our fire extinguishers come with a

ready to mount bracket) or on a stand with the handle approximately 1m from the ground;

they should have the corresponding Identification Sign mounted above. The fire

extinguishers should always be situated in a conspicuous position where they can readily

be seen by persons following the escape routes. They should be located near room exits,

in corridors, on stairway lobbies and landings on each floor.

• If you are unsure or require further advise please feel free to contact us.

How Many Fire Extinguishers Do I Require ?

The amount required is calculated by the size of your premises and the risk involved.

Guidelines when calculating (Please note that these are guidelines and are based on low risk

premises):

* The standards stipulate that no person should be more than 30 meters from a fire extinguisher

* The general guideline is 1 x 9L Water or Foam per 200sq Meters plus an extinguisher for

special risk such as a Co2 for electrical or liquid fires

If you have special circumstances or feel unsure please contact your local fire services or

approved Fire advisors.

Fire Extinguisher:

Technical Calculations

1. If your premises are single occupancy and not larger than 100sq Meters with an upper

floor area of not more than 100 sq Meters then you will require a minimum fire test rating

of 13A (which is the equivalent to 1 x 9L Water or greater than a 4Kg powder or greater


than a 2Litre Foam) plus you should also have a fire extinguisher to cover any specific

risks (i.e. Co2 for electrical risks or possibility of liquid fires)

2. If your building is larger than 400sq Meters then there should be a minimum of 2 fire

extinguishers per floor and each floor should not have less than a fire test rating of 26 A

(2 x 9 L Water or 2 x greater than a 4Kg powder or 2 x greater than a 2 Litre Foam) plus

you should also have a fire extinguisher to cover any specific risks (i.e. Co2 for electrical

risks or possibility of liquid fires). The formula is 0.065 x floor area (in Square meters)

and that will give you the Class A fire test rating that you need as a minimum.

3. If you have special circumstances, feel unsure or feel that you may be a high risk please

contact your local fire services or Fire inspectors.

Office

The most common combination and safest cover is 1 x 9L Water or 9L Foam and 1 x 2Kg Co2.

The water or foam covers all Flammable solids like paper, carpet, curtains etc and the Co2

covers all electrical risk such as computers etc. Dry Powder is also very good as it can deal with

all classes of fires ,but, it messes up the office.

Industrial Premises

The most common are Powder and Foam extinguishers coupled with Co2 for electrical risk. The

Powder covers all risks and especially fires which react with water or foam, Foam is ideal for

flammable liquid fires. Please note that this is for general circumstances, it may vary depending

on what machinery is used and what is being stored.

Industrial Kitchens

This will depend mainly on the methods of cooking, but the most common are Co2 for electrical

fires, Dry Powder for Flammable Gas (Gas Ovens) and Wet Chemical for Deep Fat Fires. There

should also be a fire blanket installed.


Residential

A 2 Kg powder should be sufficient to cover all normal risks and this should be supplemented

with a fire blanket. This should always be situated in the kitchen

Vehicle

A 1kg or 2 Kg powder extinguisher should always be situated near the front seats.

NB, this is just basic fire safety information but every person should visit an approved Fire

Safety training for a training and the nearest county fire department for advice on appropriate fire

installations and inspections.

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FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS