150 Chapter Two – Lesson Seven

Lesson 7: Dealing with Fire Emergencies

The five classes of fire

There are five classes of fires, each with its type of fuel and appropriate extinguisher.

1. Class A fires: These fires involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and plastics. To extinguish them, use water or a multi-purpose fire extinguisher. If the fire is small, you can smother it with a blanket or towel.

2. Class B fires: These fires involve flammable liquids and gases such as gasoline, propane, and oil-based paint. To extinguish them, use a foam fire extinguisher or carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher. Do NOT use water because it can spread the fire.

3. Class C fires: These fires involve electrical equipment such as appliances, wiring, and circuit breakers. The key to extinguishing these fires is to cut off the electricity. Use a CO2 fire extinguisher or dry chemical fire extinguisher that is designed for electrical fires.

4. Class D fires: These fires involve combustible metals such as magnesium, potassium, and titanium. Use a special class D fire extinguisher such as metal powders or sand to smother the flames. Do NOT use water or foam as this can cause the fire to spread.

5. Class K: grease or oil fires specifically from cooking

In summary, it’s essential to understand the fire type and use the corresponding extinguisher and procedures to prevent the situation from becoming more severe. Remember, always prioritize safety and evacuation measures.

The different kinds of fires

Understanding different kinds of fires is important because it helps to determine the appropriate fire safety practices and firefighting techniques to use in a specific situation. Different types of fires require different methods of extinguishing, and using the wrong method could potentially cause more harm than good. For example, using water to extinguish an electrical fire could create a serious hazard due to the potential for electrocution.

Additionally, different types of fires can be caused by different sources, such as cooking, electrical, and chemical. Understanding the causes of different types of fires can help individuals and organizations take proactive measures to prevent fires from occurring in the first place.

Lastly, understanding different types of fires can help individuals and organizations to develop emergency plans and procedures for dealing with fires. In the event of a fire, having a well-developed plan that is specific to the type of fire can help to minimize damage, injuries, and loss of life.

What is the most common type of fire?

The most frequent kind of fire is Class A, which originates from combustible materials such as rubber, paper, plastic, wood, and fabric. These fires have low ignition temperatures and will stop burning when the fuel or oxygen is gone. A garb-age fire is an instance of a Class A fire, and if ash remains after the fire, it’s most likely a Class A Fire.

The key components of a emergency action plan when dealing with a fire

1. Communication and notification: Establish a clear method of communication, such as calling 911 or activating the fire alarm system. Ensure that all employees and visitors are alerted to the emergency and directed to evacuate the premises.

2. Evacuation procedures: Develop evacuation plans, including designated escape routes, procedures for assisting individuals with disabilities, and assembly areas for safe and orderly evacuation.

3. Emergency response team: Appoint and train a team of employees to respond to emergencies. Assign specific roles and responsibilities, and clearly communicate procedures to team members.

4. Fire suppression equipment: Install and maintain fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems, smoke detectors or other fire suppression equipment.

5. Post-incident accountability: Develop a system for accounting for all employees and visitors after an emergency. Verify that everyone is accounted for and safe.

6. Regular drills and maintenance: Conduct regular emergency evacuation drills and update procedures as needed. Inspect and maintain all fire suppression equipment.

7. Emergency contact list: Maintain a current list of emergency contacts, including local fire departments, emergency services, and building owners or managers.

8. Training and education: Provide regular training to employees and visitors on fire safety procedures, including how to use fire suppression equipment and how to evacuate the building quickly and safely.

A comprehensive plan for fire safety is a detailed document that pertains to a particular building or property. The plan should address various aspects of fire safety, such as safe evacuation procedures for occupants, proper maintenance and housekeeping practices to prevent fires, and strategies to control the damage caused by fires. The content of the plan should be tailored according to the specific features and requirements of the property or business. To this end, an audit or review of the site must be conducted to identify factors that may affect fire safety. The audit includes an assessment of the layout of the site, points of entry and exit, roadways, use of the building, storage and usage of items, connections to water or fire department, alarm and sprinkler systems, and other considerations.

The fire safety plan should include emergency procedures to be followed in case of fire. These procedures should cover how to sound the alarm, notify the fire department, building officials, or designated staff, evacuate occupants, facilitate the evacuation of individuals who require assistance, and confine, control, and extinguish the fire if feasible. The plan should also specify the frequency and manner of fire drills, provide information to staff assigned with fire safety duties and responsibilities, offer organizational and educational support for staff with fire safety duties, outline strategies to prevent or control fire hazards, and describe maintenance procedures for fire protection systems. The plan should also include diagrams and instructions for any fire or emergency systems at the site, identify alternative fire safety measures, and allow for fire department access to the building and to the fire location within the building.

Procedures for fires

1. Prevention: The first and foremost aspect of fire safety is prevention. Regular inspections and maintenance of electrical equipment, heating and cooling systems, and flammable materials storage is essential.

2. Smoke detectors: Smoke detectors should be installed in all areas of the building. They should be tested regularly to ensure proper functioning.

3. Fire extinguishers: Fire extinguishers should be properly installed in strategic locations within the building. They should be regularly inspected and maintained.

4. Evacuation plan: An evacuation plan should be in place and drills should be conducted regularly to ensure that all occupants of the building are aware of the procedure and are able to evacuate quickly and safely in case of a fire.

5. Communication: Proper communication procedures should be in place to alert occupants of the building in case of a fire. This includes alerting the fire department and any other relevant authorities in a timely manner.

6. Training: Regular training should be provided to all occupants of the building on fire safety procedures, including how to use fire extinguishers and evacuate the building.

7. Clear exits and paths: All exits and evacuation paths should be kept clear and easily accessible at all times. Any obstructions should be removed immediately.

To ensure employee safety, fire safety plans should provide clear instructions for evacuation in the event of a fire. These instructions may include steps such as leaving the area immediately, activating the fire alarm, assisting others in immediate danger if safe, confining the fire by closing doors, using exit stairwells to evacuate, shutting down equipment if applicable, and following pre-planned procedures if designated with fire emergency duties. It is important to emphasize the importance of not using elevators and waiting for an announcement from the fire marshal or supervisory staff before re-entering the building.