Fire Protection
Fundamentals of fire
• Combustion : the process of oxidation of a substance that is accompanied by
evolution of heat.
• Types of combustion:-
Slow combustion : a chemical reaction accompanied by slow evolution of heat (not
light) e.g cotton wastes burned in ill ventilated space
Rapid combustion : a chemical reaction accompanied by rapid evolution of heat
e.g. petroleum products.
Spontaneous combustion: it a combustion that occurs as a result of heat by the
absorption of atmospheric oxygen at normal temperatures without the application
of external heat e.g. paint scraps
Flash point : is the lowest temperature at which a liquid produces enough vapor to
form an ignitable mixture. E.g., Diethyl ether (-45 O C) Methyl alcohol (11.1 O C)
Lower the flash point of a flammable liquid, greater the hazard.
Fundamentals of fire
During a fire heat transfer occurs by
• Conduction - transfer of heat within the material itself.
• Convection - transfer of heat by the physical movement of hot masses of
air.
• Radiation - refers to the emission of heat in the form of electromagnetic
waves.
Fundamentals of fire
• A fire must have three things to ignite and maintain
combustion:
• Fuel
• Heat
• Oxygen
The basic strategy of fire prevention is to control or
isolate sources of fuel and heat in order to prevent
combustion.
• Insulating materials
Sources of Fuel
• Chemicals - acetone, ether, methanol, etc
• Gases - hydrogen, natural gas
• Plastics - PCs, cable insulation, research equipment
• Paper and cardboard - packaging
• Wood - desks, benches
• Fabrics - chairs, blinds, clothing
• Paints
• Oils
• Acetylene gas for welding
• You…
Sources of Heat/ Hot spot
• Heating appliances
• Research and computer equipment
• Electrical equipment
• Smoking materials
• Welding sparks
• Cigarette butts
• Exhaust from furnaces
• Induced currents
• Open flames
• Lightening strokes
• Overheating
Hazards and Risks
• Smoke & fumes
➢ Breathing difficulties, asphyxiation, poisoning
• Heat & flames - up to 1250°C
➢ Burns
• Building debris (falling hot objects)
➢ injuries, burns
• Injury while escaping fire
➢ Trips, falls, trampling
Classification of fires
• "Class A fire" - involves ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cloth, and some
rubber and plastic materials.
• "Class B fire" - involves flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases, greases and
similar materials, and some rubber and plastic materials.
• "Class C fire" – involves energized electrical equipment where safety to the employee requires
the use of electrically nonconductive extinguishing media.
• “Class D fire” – fire involving combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium,
sodium, lithium, and potassium.
• “Class K fire “ involves cooking oils and grease, such as plant oil and animals fat.
Emergency Procedures
Building Evacuation
• Proceed to nearest exit in an orderly fashion
• Assemble at least 100 meters from building
• Provide emergency crews with information about people still in the
building
• Provide information to emergency crews about the reason for evacuation
• Never re-enter a building until instructed to by the police department, fire
department.
Fire fighting procedures
A- To extinguish fire it is necessary to eliminate at least one of the three
factors causing fire:
1- Heat ….eliminated by cooling (water is a good heat absorber)
2- Oxygen …eliminated by smothering and exclusion of air
3- Fuel …eliminated by segregation, cooling or smothering
B- Precautions shall be taken to prevent spread of fire to adjacent
areas.
C- Ventilation shall be arranged to let smoke out and firefighters in.
D- Hoses and fire extinguishers shall be directed on the fire base not on
the smoke.
Fire extinguishing Techniques
• Starvation the fire by removing the fuel.(e.g., stopping gas flow during a
pipeline fire).
• Smothering by cutting off oxygen supply (e.g., by applying foam, carbon
dioxide).
• Inhibition by stopping the chain reaction.(e.g., by applying dry chemical
powder).
• Cooling the fuel by removing heat (e.g., by applying water).
Active fire protection techniques
• Hydrant system (internal/external).
Active fire protection techniques
• Water spray systems.
Active fire protection techniques
• Foam system
• Portable fire Extinguishers
Extinguisher
Common features
• Locking pin
• Carrying handle / operating lever
• Pressure gauge
• Label :
• Type (Water, C02, Dry Chemical)
• Classification (A, B, C)
• Instructions
• Discharge nozzle or horn
Different Kinds of Extinguishers
The 4 most common fire extinguishers:
• All Purpose Water
• Carbon Dioxide
• Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical
• Dry Powder
Each kind of extinguisher has a specific use
All Purpose Water
• Use on CLASS A fires
• Pressurized water
• Pressure gauge present
Carbon Dioxide
• Use on CLASS B and
CLASS C fires
• Hard, plastic nozzle
• No pressure gauge
Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical
• Use on CLASS A, CLASS
B, and CLASS C fires
• Fine powder under
pressure
• Pressure gauge present
Fire distinguishers
Always know where they are located.
To use one:
* P: Pull the pin
* A: Aim low
*S: Squeeze the lever
*S: Sweep the fire
P.A.S.S. Method
Pull the pin
This will allow you to
squeeze the handle in
order to discharge the
extinguisher
P.A.S.S. Method
Aim at the base of
the fire
Aiming at the middle will
do no good.
The agent will pass
through the flames.
P.A.S.S. Method
Squeeze the
handle
This will release the
pressurized
extinguishing agent
P.A.S.S. Method
Sweep side to side
Cover the entire area that is on
fire. Continue until fire is
extinguished. Keep an eye on
the area for
re-lighting.
How to Survive a Fire
Don’t get trapped
Cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth (when possible)
Keep low to the floor
Don’t hide
Be determined to survive
If clothes catch fire: Stop, Drop and Roll
Once out of the building NEVER RETURN!
Fires due to electrical reasons
• Electric Arcs
• Loose connection resulting in sparks
• Hot resistors
• Discharge of static charges
• Bursting of capacitor cans
• Overloading
• Insulation failures
• Conductors fractures
Methods for Protection and Prevention
• Civil Works
• Use inflammable materials in construction.
• Ventilation ducts and AC ducts should have barriers so smoke does not
transfer from one section to another
• Provisions of fire fighting systems must be made during design
• Buildings should have passages and staircases for emergency escape.
Methods for Protection and Prevention
• Electrical works
• Temperatures of current carrying paths should not exceed specified limits.
• Automatic overload protection should be applied.
• Temperature monitoring and gas leakage monitoring systems.
• Automatic start of fans.
• Fire protection systems.
Methods for Prevention
• Heat and/or smoke detectors.
• Automatic fire sprinkler systems.
• Kitchen hood systems.