Basic fire training course

• Identify fire hazards

• Conduct a comprehensive baseline fire
survey
• Develop standards
• Implement control systems which should
coincide with your Emergency
Preparedness Process
 COURSE CONTENT:
• Fire statistics and trends
• Principles in fire protection and prevention
• Chemistry of fire
• Growth and spread of fire
• Fire extinguishers and systems
• Establishing an emergency preparedness process
• Fire inspections
• Legal liabilities and requirements
• Section 5 applicable WBP/ RISKMAP Elements
• Manual fire fighting decision tree
• Practical work and case studies
 Introduction:
• Fire needs three elements to exist--fuel, oxygen and heat.

The most important thing to remember about fire extinguishers is that you must
use the correct type for each kind of fire
 Fire classification
• Class A - Wood, paper, cloth, trash, plastics
Solid combustible materials that are not metals.
• Class B - Flammable liquids: gasoline, oil,
grease, acetone
any non-metal in a liquid state, on fire.
• Class C - Electrical: energised electrical
equipment
As long as it's "plugged in," it would be
considered a class C fire.
• Class D - Metals: potassium, sodium,
aluminium, and magnesium
 Types of fire extinguishers
• foam, carbon dioxide, and soda acid, pump
tank, gas cartridge, multipurpose dry
chemical and ordinary dry chemical.
• Most extinguishers have labels that list the type
of fires that they can be used for.
• The most common extinguisher is the
multipurpose dry chemical type. It can be used
for any class of fire. However, if the tag on the
extinguisher is not labelled ABC, you must know
the type of fire the extinguisher can be used on.
Which fire extinguisher to use
• Class A fire:
• Foam
• Soda Acid
• Pump Tank (contains plain water)
• Gas Cartridge (water expelled by carbon dioxide gas)
• Class B fires:
• Foam
• Carbon Dioxide
• Multipurpose Dry Chemical
• Ordinary Dry Chemical
• Class C fires:
• Carbon Dioxide
• Multipurpose Dry Chemical
• Ordinary Dry Chemical
• Class D fires:
• Special dry-compound powders, such as powdered graphite and sodium
chloride, powdered talc, soda ash and limestone, are made to extinguish these
fires. In cases of emergency dry sand can be used.
 HOW TO DEPLOY AN
EXTINGUISHER
• It's easy to remember how to use a fire
extinguisher if you can remember the
acronym PASS, which stands for Pull,
Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep.
Pull the pin.
 Aim at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the top handle or lever.

 Sweep from side to side

Precautions
Fires can be very dangerous and you should always be certain
that you would not endanger yourself or others when
attempting to put out a fire. For this reason, when a fire is
discovered:
Assist any person in immediate danger to safety, if it can be
accomplished without risk to you.
Activate the building fire alarm system or notify the fire
department (or designating someone else to notify them for
you). Only after having done these two things, if the fire is
small, you may attempt to use an extinguisher to put it out.
However, before deciding to fight the fire, keep these rules in
 Never fight a fire if:
• You don't know what is burning. If you don't know what is burning,
you don't know what type of extinguisher to use. Even if you have an
ABC extinguisher, there may be something in the fire that is going to
explode or produce highly toxic smoke. Chances are, you will know
what's burning, or at least have a pretty good idea, but if you don't,
let the fire department handle it.
• The fire is spreading rapidly beyond the spot where it started.
The time to use an extinguisher is in the incipient, or beginning,
stages of a fire. If the fire is already spreading quickly, it is best to
simply evacuate the building, closing doors and windows behind you
as you leave.
• You don't have adequate or appropriate equipment. If you don't
have the correct type or large enough extinguisher, it is best not to
try to fight the fire.
• You might inhale toxic smoke. If the fire is producing large
amounts of smoke that you would have to breathe in order to fight it,
it is best not to try. Any sort of combustion will produce some amount
of carbon monoxide, but when synthetic materials such as the nylon
in carpeting or foam padding in a sofa burn, they can produce highly
toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide, acrolein, and ammonia in
addition to carbon monoxide. These gases can be fatal in very small
amounts.
• Your instincts tell you not to. If you are uncomfortable with the
situation for any reason, just let the fire department do their job.
• The final rule is to 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. In case the extinguisher
malfunctions, or something unexpected happens, you need to be
able to get out quickly, and you don't want to become trapped. Just
remember; always keep an exit at your back.
 Automatic sprinkler systems
• Automatic sprinkler systems have enjoyed an enviable record of
protecting life and property for over 100 years. Yet, there are still
common misunderstandings about the operation and effectiveness
of automatic fire sprinkler systems:
• Myth:
• "Water damage from a sprinkler system will be more
extensive than fire damage."
• Fact:
• Water damage from a home sprinkler system will be
much less severe than the damage caused by water
from fire-fighting hose lines or smoke and fire damage if
the fire goes unabated.
 Automatic sprinkler systems
• Myth:
• "When a fire occurs, every sprinkler head goes off."
• Fact:
• Sprinkler heads are individually activated by fire. Residential fires are usually
controlled with one sprinkler head. 90% of all fires are controlled with six or fewer
heads and a study conducted in Australia and New Zealand covering 82 years of
automatic sprinkler use found that 82% of the fires which occurred were controlled by
two or fewer sprinklers.
• Myth:
• "A smoke detector provides enough protection."
• Fact:
• Smoke detectors save lives by providing a warning system but can do nothing to
extinguish a growing fire or protect those physically unable to escape on their own.
• Myth:
• "Sprinklers are designed to protect property, but are not effective for life safety."
• Fact:
• Sprinklers provide a high level of life safety. Statistics demonstrate that there has
never been any multiple loss of life in a fully sprinkled building. Property losses are
85% less in buildings with fire sprinklers compared to those without sprinklers. The
combination of automatic sprinklers and early warning systems in all buildings could
reduce overall injuries, loss of life and property damage by at least 50%.
 HOUSEKEEPING PREVENTIVE
TECHNIQUES
• The following are housekeeping techniques and procedures to prevent
occurrences of fire.
• Keep storage and working areas free of waste.
• Place oily rags in covered containers and dispose of daily.
• Do not use fuel or other flammable solvent or finish to clean floors.
• Use non-combustible oil-absorptive materials for sweeping floors consisting
of sawdust or some other combustible material treated with oil.
• Dispose of materials in non-combustible containers that are emptied daily.
• Remove accumulation of combustible dust.
• Don't refuel equipment in a confined space, especially in the presence of
equipment such as furnaces or water heaters.
• Don't refuel equipment while it is hot.
• Follow proper storage and handling procedures.
• Ensure combustible materials are present only in areas in quantities
required for the work operation.
 HOUSEKEEPING PREVENTIVE
TECHNIQUES
• Clean up any spill of flammable liquids immediately.
• Ensure that if a worker's clothing becomes contaminated with flammable
liquids, these individuals change their clothing before continuing to work.
• Post "No Smoking" caution signs near the storage areas.
• Report any hazardous condition, such as old wiring, worn insulation and
broken electrical equipment, to the supervisor.
• Keep motors clean and in good working order.
• Don't overload electrical outlets.
• Ensure all equipment is turned off at the end of the workday.
• Maintain the right type of fire extinguisher available for use.
• Use the safest cleaning solvents (non-flammable and non-toxic) when
cleaning electrical equipment.
• Ensure that all passageways and fire doors are unobstructed. Stairwell
doors shall never be propped open, and materials shall not be stored in
stairwells.
• Periodically removes overspray residue from walls, floors, and ceilings of
spray booths and ventilation ducts.
 HOUSEKEEPING PREVENTIVE
TECHNIQUES
• Remove contaminated spray booth filters
from the building as soon as replaced, or
keep immersed in water until disposed.
• Don't allow materials to block automatic
sprinkler systems, or to be piled around
fire extinguisher locations.
 TRAINING:
A training program should emphasise the following:

• Use and disposal of smoking materials

• The importance of electrical safety
• Proper use of electrical appliances and
equipment
• Unplugging heat-producing equipment and
appliances at the end of each work day
• Correct storage of combustible and flammable
materials
• Safe handling of compressed gases and
flammable liquids (where appropriate)
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD INCLUDE
THE FOLLOWING;

• Electrical equipment
• No makeshift wiring
• Fuse and control boxes clean and closed
• Extension cords serviceable
• Circuits properly fused or otherwise protected
• Motors and tools free of dirt and grease
• Equipment approved for use in hazardous areas (if
required)
• Lights clear of combustible materials
• Ground connections clean and tight and have electrical
continuity
• Safest cleaning solvents used
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Friction
• Machinery properly lubricated
• Machinery properly adjusted and/or
aligned
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST HOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Special fire-hazard materials

• Storage of special flammables isolated

• Non-metal stock free of tramp metal

 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Welding and cutting

• Area surveyed for fire safety
• Combustibles removed or covered
• Permit issued
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Open flames
• Kept away from spray rooms and booths

• Portable torches clear of flammable

surfaces
• No gas leaks
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Portable heaters
• Set up with ample horizontal and overhead
clearances
• Safely mounted on non-combustible surface
• Secured against tipping or upset

• Use of steel drums prohibited

• Combustibles removed or covered

• Not used as rubbish burners

 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Hot surfaces
• Hot pipes clear of combustible materials

• Soldering irons kept off combustible

surfaces
• Ample clearance around boilers and
furnaces
• Ashes in metal containers
ASH
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Smoking and matches

• "No smoking" and "smoking" areas
clearly marked
• No discarded smoking materials
in prohibited areas
• Butt containers available and serviceable
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Spontaneous ignition
• Flammable waste material in closed,
metal containers
• Piled material, cool, dry, and well
ventilated
• Flammable waste material containers
emptied frequently
• Trash receptacles emptied daily
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Static electricity
• Flammable liquid dispensing vessels
grounded and bonded
• Proper humidity maintained
• Moving machinery grounded
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Housekeeping
• No accumulations of rubbish
• Premises free of unnecessary combustible
materials
• Safe storage of flammables
• No leaks or dripping of flammables and floor
free of spills
• Passageways clear of obstacles
• Fire doors unblocked and operating freely with
fusible links intact
• Automatic sprinklers unobstructed
 A FIRE PREVENTION CHECKLIST SHOULD
INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING; (continued)

• Fire protection
• Proper type of fire extinguisher
• Extinguishing system in working order
• Fire extinguisher in proper location
• Service date current
• Access to fire extinguishers unobstructed
• Personnel trained in use of equipment
• Access to fire extinguishers clearly marked
• Personnel exits unobstructed and maintained
• Fire protection equipment turned on
 DEFINITIONS
• After-flame. The time a test specimen continues
to flame after the flame source has been
removed.
• Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF). A
fluorinated surfactant with a foam stabiliser
which is diluted with water to act as a temporary
barrier to exclude air from mixing with the fuel
vapour by developing an aqueous film on the
fuel surface of some hydrocarbons which is
capable of suppressing the generation of fuel
vapours
 DEFINITIONS
• Approved.
• if it is accepted, or certified, or listed, or labelled or otherwise determined to be safe by a nationally
recognised testing laboratory; or
• with respect to an installation or equipment of a kind which no nationally recognised testing
laboratory accepts, certifies, lists, labels or determines to be safe, if it is inspected or tested by
another recognised agency and found in compliance with the provisions of the applicable Fire
Code; or
• With respect to custom-made equipment or related installations which are designed, fabricated for,
and intended for use by its manufacturer on the basis of test data which the employer keeps and
makes available for inspection to a government agency.
• For the purposes of this definition:
• Equipment is listed if it is of a kind mentioned in a list which is published by a nationally
recognised testing laboratory which makes periodic inspections of the production of such
equipment and which states that such equipment meets nationally recognised standards or has
been tested and found safe for use in a specified manner;
• Equipment is labelled if there is attached to it a label, symbol or other identifying mark of a
nationally recognised testing laboratory which makes periodic inspections of the production of
such equipment, and whose labelling indicates compliance with nationally recognised standards
or tests to determine safe use in a specified manner;
• Equipment is accepted if it has been inspected and found by a nationally recognised testing
laboratory to conform to specified plans or to procedures of applicable codes; and
• Equipment is certified if it has been tested and found by a nationally recognised testing
laboratory, that it meets nationally recognised standards.
 DEFINITIONS
• Automatic fire detection device. A
device designed to automatically detect
the presence of fire by heat, flame, light,
smoke or other products of combustion.
• Buddy-breathing device. An accessory
for self-contained breathing apparatus,
which permits a second person to share
the same air supply as that of the wearer
of the apparatus.
 DEFINITIONS
• Carbon dioxide. A colourless, odourless, electrically
non-conductive inert gas (chemical formula CO2) that is
a medium for extinguishing fires by reducing the
concentration of oxygen or fuel vapour in the air to the
point where combustion is impossible.
• Class A fire. A fire involving ordinary combustible
materials such as paper, wood, cloth, and some rubber
and plastic materials.
• Class B fire. A fire involving flammable or combustible
liquids, flammable gases greases and similar materials,
and some rubber and plastic materials.
 DEFINITIONS
• Class C fire. A fire involving energised electrical
equipment where safety to the employee requires the
use of electrically non-conductive extinguishing media.
• Class D fire. A fire involving combustible metals such as
magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and
potassium.
• Dry chemical. An extinguishing agent composed of very
small particles of chemicals such as, but not limited to,
sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, urea-based
potassium bicarbonate, potassium chloride, or mono-
ammonium phosphate supplemented by special
treatment to provide resistance to packing and moisture
absorption (caking) as well as to provide proper flow
capabilities. Dry chemical does not include dry powders.
 DEFINITIONS
• Dry powder. A compound used to extinguish or control Class D fires.
• Enclosed structure. A structure with a roof or ceiling and at least two walls
which may present fire hazards to employees, such as accumulations of
smoke, toxic gases and heat, similar to those found in buildings.
• Extinguisher classification. The letter classification given an extinguisher
to designate the class or classes of fire, on which an extinguisher will be
effective. [An A-B-C extinguisher can be used on, Class A, B and C fires.]
• Extinguisher rating. The numerical rating given to an extinguisher which
indicates the extinguishing potential of the unit based on standardised tests
developed by Underwriters' Laboratories, Inc.
• Fire brigade. An organised group of employees, who are knowledgeable,
trained and skilled in at least basic fires fighting operations.
• Fixed extinguishing system. A permanently installed system that either
extinguishes or controls a fire at the location of the system.
 DEFINITIONS
• Flame resistance. The property of materials, or combinations of
component materials, to retard ignition and restrict the spread of flame.
• Foam. A stable aggregation of small bubbles, which flow freely over a
burning liquid surface and form a coherent blanket which seals combustible
vapours and thereby extinguishes the fire.
• Gaseous agent. A fire extinguishing agent which is in the gaseous state at
normal room temperature and pressure. It has low viscosity, can expand or
contract with changes in pressure and temperature, and has the ability to
diffuse readily and to distribute itself uniformly throughout an enclosure.
• Halon 1211. A colourless, faintly sweet smelling, electrically non-conductive
liquefied gas (chemical formula CBrC1F2) which is a medium for
extinguishing fires by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of fuel and
oxygen. It is also known as bromochlorodifluoromethane.
• Halon 1301. A colourless, odourless, electrically non-conductive gas
(chemical formula CBrF3) which is a medium for extinguishing fires by
inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of fuel and oxygen. It is also known as
bromotrifluoromethane.
 DEFINITIONS
• Helmet. A head protective device consisting of a rigid shell, energy
absorption system and chin strap intended to be worn to provide protection
for the head or portions thereof, against impact, flying or falling objects,
electric shock, penetration, heat and flame.
• Incipient stage fire. A fire which is in the initial or beginning stage and
which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class
II standpipe or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing
or breathing apparatus.
• Inspection. A visual check of fire protection systems and equipment to
ensure that they are in place, charged and ready for use in the event of a
fire.
• Interior structural fire fighting. The physical activity of fire suppression,
rescue or both, inside of buildings or enclosed structures, which are
involved in a fire situation, beyond the incipient stage.
• Lining. A material permanently attached to the inside of the outer shell of a
garment for the purpose of thermal protection and padding.
 DEFINITIONS
• Local application system. A fixed fire suppression system, which has a supply of
extinguishing agent, with nozzles, arranged to automatically discharge extinguishing
agent directly on the burning material to extinguish or control a fire.
• Maintenance. The performance of services on fire protection equipment and systems
to assure that they will perform as expected in the event of a fire. Maintenance differs
from inspection in that maintenance requires the checking of internal fittings, devices
and agent supplies.
• Multipurpose dry chemical. A dry chemical, which is approved for use on Class A,
Class B and Class C fires.
• Outer shell. The exterior layer of material on the fire coat and protective trousers,
which forms the outermost barrier between the fire fighter and the environment. It is
attached to the vapour barrier and liner and is usually constructed with a storm flap,
suitable closures, and pockets.
• Positive-pressure breathing apparatus. Self-contained breathing apparatus in
which the pressures in the breathing zone is positive in relation to the immediate
environment during inhalation and exhalation.
• Pre-discharge employee alarm. An alarm, which will sound at a set time prior to
actual discharge of an extinguishing system so that employee, may evacuate the
discharge area prior to system discharge.
 DEFINITIONS
• Quick- disconnects valve. A device, which starts the flow of air by insertion of the
hose (which leads from the face-piece) into the regulator of self-contained breathing
apparatus, and stops the flow of air, by disconnection of the hose from the regulator.
• Sprinkler alarm. An approved device installed so that any water flow from a sprinkler
system equal to or greater than that from a single automatic sprinkler will result in an
audible alarm signal on the premises.
• Sprinkler system. A system of piping designed in accordance with fire protection
engineering standards and installed to control or extinguishes fires. The system
includes an adequate and reliable water supply and a network of specially sized
piping and sprinklers, which are interconnected. The system also includes a control
valve and a device for actuating an alarm when the system is in operation.
• Total flooding system. A fixed suppression system that is arranged to automatically
discharges a predetermined concentration of agent into an enclosed space for the
purpose of fire extinguishment or control.
• Training. The process of making proficient through instruction and hands-on practice
in the operation of equipment, including respiratory protection equipment, to be used
in the performance of assigned duties.
• Vapour barrier. That material used to prevent or substantially inhibit the transfer of
water, corrosive liquids and steam or other hot vapours from the outside of a garment
to the wearer's body.
 Section 5
• FIRE PREVENTION AND PROTECTION
• 5.10 Fire prevention programme
• 5.11 Fire extinguishing equipment and
locations
• 5.12 Automatic fire control and
maintenance
• 5.13 Fire fighting drill and instruction
• 5.2 Flammables and explosives
• 5.3 Alarm systems

Based on WBP elements

 [Link] PREVENTION AND
PROTECTION
• Element 5.10 Fire Prevention Programme
• Keep in mind that the primary purpose of fire prevention and
protection programme is the prevention of fires - to keep them
from starting in the first place. The management programme
must provide for both preventing fires and for minimising
losses when fires do occur. The following are seven important
elements of such a fire prevention programme:
• Hazard inventory and fire risk surveys.
• Written fire plan.
• Training programme.
• Inspection programme.
• Regular fire drills.
• Fixed responsibility and accountability.
• Management involvement.
 [Link] PREVENTION AND
PROTECTION
• Element 5.11- Fire extinguishing equipment and
locations
• To ensure that extinguishing equipment is readily
assessable at all times, a “keep clear” area should be
demarcated or maintained beneath the equipment.
• Locations uniformly and clearly marked.
• Visible above possible obstructions.
• Free from obstruction, accessibility of equipment.
• Quantity mapped on a plan, numbers and type.
• Placement of fire protecting equipment.
• Standardised types.
• Quality, reliability and integrity of equipment
 [Link] PREVENTION AND
PROTECTION
• Element 5.12- Automatic fire control and
maintenance
• There should be a systematic plan for servicing,
repairing and recharging fire-extinguishing
equipment. For control purposes, dates of
inspections and maintenance should be recorded in
the register and on the equipment.
• Regular checks and inspections of equipment.
• Register.
• Identification, signage and demarcation.
• Maintenance and testing.
 [Link] PREVENTION AND
PROTECTION
• Element 5.13 Fire Fighting Drills and Instructions
• Fire drills, conducted at frequent intervals, demonstrate
management's concern and sincere interest in all fire prevention
activities. The drills should serve as a reminder to employees and
supervisors that all fire prevention practices are important. Emergency
fire drills also serve, as a valuable check on the adequacy and
condition of fire exists and the alarm system. Immediately and
permanently correct any deficiencies.
• Regular fire drills and simulations
• Establish of fire brigades or fire teams
• Training of employees
• Communications
• Chemistry of fire
• Cooling a fire
• Removing fuel from a fire
• Using of extinguishing agent
 [Link] PREVENTION AND
PROTECTION
• Element 5.20- Flammables and explosives
• Flammable liquid store, flame proofing,
bunt and bonding.
• Usage and neat storage.
• Obstruction-free.
• Explosives magazine should meet legal
requirements and standards.
• Usage: charging-up, carrier bags,
transports, blasting procedure, etc.
 [Link] PREVENTION AND
PROTECTION
• Element 5.30 - Alarm Systems
• Type of alarms and employee knowledge of
alarm system.
• Quantity and frequency of testing.
• Response adequacy.
• Back-up systems.
• Critical tasks/processes evaluations.
• Critical alarm, control and shutdown
equipment should be identified, tested and
regularly undergo preventative
maintenance.