INDUSTRIAL SAFETY MANAGEMENT
UNIT-2 MODULE-6
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q 6. 1. Outline EIGHT common causes of fires in the workplace.
Ans- The eight common causes of fire are:
Electrical equipment- faulty, overloaded, misused, etc
Deliberate ignition- by unhappy employee
Hot work- any work involved naked flames
Smoking- carelessly discarded smoking materials
Cooking appliances- fat pans left unattended
Heating appliances- heating fan and space heater when left unattended
Unsafe use and storage of flammable liquids and gases- petrol, gas, etc.
Mechanical heat- generated by friction between moving parts
Chemical reactions- oxidisers
Q 6. 2. Identify FOUR types of ignition source that could cause a fire in the
workplace.
Ans- The ignition sources at workplace are:
Electrical equipment
Hot work
Smoking
Cooking and heating appliances
Mechanical heat
Deliberate ignition
Q 6. 3. Identify extinguishing agents that can be used on fires that involve flammable
solvents and give their mode of operation.
Ans- The extinguishing agents with mode of action are includes: D F C F
Dry chemical powder (DCP) fire extinguisher- works by smothering the fire.
Foam type fire extinguisher- works by smothering the fire
Carbon dioxide (CO2) fire extinguisher- works by smothering the fire, by
removal of oxygen from fire.
Fire blanket- rapidly excludes oxygen from by smothering the fire.
Q 6. 4. Identify the principle of Fire triangle.
Ans- The principle of fire is that for fire exist, three things must be present
Heat
Fuel
Oxygen
Q 6. 5. Identify methods of heat transfer and explain how each method contributes to
the spread of fire.
Ans- The methods of heat transfer with explanation are as follows:
Direct burning- where a flames front moves through the burning materials. For
example if piece of paper catches fire the flame front will spread across the paper.
Conduction- the transfer of heat through solid materials from hotter to cooler parts
Convection- hot air rises and cold air sinks. Hot gases generated by the fire rise
straight up from the fire.
Radiation- heat energy can be radiated through air in the form of infrared heat waves
which can pass through transparent surfaces
Q 6. 6. Identify TWO types of emergency warning system that can be installed in the
building to help ensure that all workers are made aware of the need to evacuate the
building.
Ans- The two types of emergency warning system are:
Manually operated fire alarm
Automatic fire alam
Air horn
Q 6. 7. Outline structural measures that can help to prevent the spread of fire and
smoke.
Ans- The structural measures that can help to prevent the spread of fire and smoke are:
(1) Concrete-usually performs well in fire
(2) Steel –encasing steel in concrete with instrument point
(3) Brick-usually very fire resistant and mostly used
(4) Thick timber-thick timber will survive for longer
(5) Compartmentation -with all the fire resistance walls floors textiles door etc
(6) Control of oxygen or ventilation by placing glass
(7) Wall covering by fire retardant material
Q 6. 8. Describe the consequences of fire in a workplace
Ans- Fire cause enormous damage to buildings and building contents; human harm, such
as serious workplace injury and ill health; environmental effects, such as atmospheric
pollution by smoke; huge financial loss to organization; legal claims and development of
new legislation.
Q 6. 9. Outline classification of fires
Ans- The classification of fire are as follows:
CLASS A- involves solid materials, such as paper, wood, coal, etc.
CLASS B- involves flammable liquids, such as petrol, solvents, etc.
CLASS C- Involve gases, such as methane, propane and acetylene.
CLASS D- involves metals, such as aluminium or magnesium.
CLASS F- involves high temperature fats and oils, such as cooking fats.
Q 6. 10. Outline factors to be considered when carrying out fire risk assessment of a
workplace.
Ans- The factors that should be considered are as follows:
Identify the hazards - Hazards include:
• Anything that can start a fire, such as naked flames, heaters or commercial processes
such as cookers or hot-air dryers
• Anything that can burn in a fire, including piles of waste, display materials, textiles or other
flammable products
• Oxygen sources such as air conditioning, medical products or commercial oxygen
supplies which might intensify a fire
Identify people at risk, these include:
• People who work close to or with fire hazards
• People who work alone, or in isolated areas such as storerooms
• Children or parents with babies
• Elderly people
• Disabled people
• Vulnerable people (e.g. hospitals – delivery rooms, ICU, etc)
Evaluate, remove or reduce the risk.
• Where possible, get rid of the fire hazards you identified – e.g. remove build-ups of waste
- and reduce any hazards you can't remove entirely
• Replace highly flammable materials with less flammable ones
• Keep anything that can start a fire away from flammable materials
• Have a safe-smoking policy for employees or customers who want to smoke in a
designated area near your premises (smoking in enclosed spaces is banned)
Once you have reduced the risk as is far as practical, you need to look at any risk that can't
be removed and decide what fire safety measures to provide.
Q 6. 11. Outline the hazards to which workers in the fire and rescue service could be
exposed while attending emergencies.
Ans- The hazards which workers may expose at the time of fire and rescue are:
Exposure to fire, heat, smoke, fumes or toxic gases
Falls from heights
The collapse of structures or being struck by falling objects
Contact with electricity
Explosion of gas cylinders
Exposure to chemicals, radiation or biohazards such as discarded syringes
Being struck by moving road traffic
Being attacked by members of the public or even by animals
Stress arising from the very nature of the work they have to carry out.
Q 6. 12. Outline the ways of reducing the risk of fire starting in a workplace.
Ans- The ways are: F I TA F E V E S U T
Flammable materials are removed from the work area
Item that cannot be removed are covered with fire retardant blankets
The floor is swept clean
Any wooden floor is damped down
Fire watcher –a fire watcher is present in the area
Extinguisher – a suitable fire extinguisher is at hand
Ventilation- ensure that workplace is well ventilated
Equipment vents- ensure equipment vents are not covered
Store and use required minimum volume only
Use away from ignition sources
The work area is inspected routinely after the work to check for smoldering
Q 6. 13. Outline the requirement for the safe evacuation of persons from a
building in the event of fire.
.
Ans- The requirements for the safe evacuation are: M E T W A R E A
Means of escape- there should be a means of escape available to every person in a
workplace, whether they are in an office, workroom, plant room, basement etc
Emergency lighting- emergency lighting should be provided where necessary (in case the
mains power supply fails)
Travel distance- travel distance must be as short as possible to reach available exit
Width- the width of corridors, passageways and door should be sufficient to allow the
free and fast movement of the number of people
Appointment of fire marshals help people to evacuate safely and give special assistance
to the disabled and infirm
Route- two or more separates routes may have to be provided so that if one route is
blocked there is another available and should be free from any obstruction
Exit and direction signs should be clearly indicate the emergency routes
Assembly points-should be marked, based upon the worker population and out of the way
of fire fighters
Q 6. 14. Indentify Role of fire marshal
Ans:- The role of fire marshal are: S H E S H E R B C M
Searching all areas to ensure that escape routes are kept open and clear at all time.
Help people to leave by nearest designated escape route.
Ensuring that all extinguishers are in well condition
Shutdown all dangerous and vital equipment
Help people who required special assistance such as vulnerable workers.
Ensuring all doors and windows are closed on leaving the area.
Report incident to incident controller.
Be the last person to leave the premises.
Conducting the roll call at the assembly point.
Meeting the fire services on arrival and informing them of all relevant details.
Q 6. 15. Outline suitable control measures for the safe storage and use of
highly flammable liquids in the workplace. OR safe storage of solvent.
Ans- The suitable control measures may include: SULTU UER
Store liquid in purpose built container
Use the minimum volume of liquid required
Liquid should be in a properly lebelled container.
The container will be metal with a self closing lid
Use a metal tray to catch spills and have absorbent material available
Use the liquid away from heat and ignition sources
Ensure that the workplace is well ventilated
Return containers to safe storage after use