SDC 171Unit II (c)

Understanding Initial Actions in the Event of Fire

In the event of a fire, it's crucial to stay calm and take immediate action to
ensure your safety and the safety of others. Here are the initial steps you
should take:

1. Activate the Fire Alarm

● If you discover a fire, pull the nearest fire alarm or use a manual call
point to alert others in the building.

● Many buildings have automatic fire detection systems that will

trigger alarms, but manual activation ensures a faster response.

2. Call Emergency Services

● Dial the emergency number in your area (e.g., 911 in the U.S., 112
in Europe) to report the fire.

● Provide the operator with your location, the nature of the fire, and
any other relevant information.

3. Evacuate the Building

● Evacuate immediately using the nearest safe exit. Do not use

elevators, as they may become inoperable or lead to danger.

● Follow the designated evacuation routes and exit signs. If there is

smoke, stay low to the ground to avoid inhaling it.

4. Assist Others if Possible

● Help others, especially those who are vulnerable, such as the

elderly, children, or people with disabilities.

● If safe to do so, close doors behind you as you leave to help contain
the fire.

5. Use Fire Extinguishers (If Trained)

● If the fire is small and you are trained, use a fire extinguisher to try
to put it out.

● Remember the acronym PASS: Pull the pin, Aim low at the base of
the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep from side to side.

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6. Proceed to Assembly Point

● Once outside, go to the designated assembly point for your building

or area.

● Do not re-enter the building until it is declared safe by fire officials.

7. Account for Others

● At the assembly point, check to see if everyone is accounted for,

and inform emergency personnel if anyone is missing.

8. Follow Instructions from Authorities

● Listen to and follow all instructions given by fire department

personnel or other authorities on the scene.

Taking these actions can help save lives and prevent further damage.
Always be familiar with the fire safety plan for any building you regularly
occupy.

Other Measures

Fire inside a building:

Immediately implement R.A.C.E.

1. Rescue -- Rescue anyone in danger from the fire if it does not put
at risk your own life.

2. Alarm -- Sound the alarm by activating a pull station to set off the
building fire alarm.

3. Confine -- Try to confine the fire by closing all doors and windows to
trap the fire and slow its progress.

4. Extinguish or Evacuate -- Extinguish the fire if possible and if you

know how to use a fire extinguisher. Evacuate (Leave) the area if
the fire is too big to put out.

If the fire alarm starts sounding

● Feel the door or doorknob to the hallway with the back of your
hand. If it feels hot, do not open it – the fire may be on the other
side of the door.

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 ● If the door is not hot, open it slowly. If the hallway is clear of smoke,
walk to the nearest fire exit and exit the building. DO NOT USE
ELEVATORS.

● Close doors behind you.

● Notify arriving fire or police personnel if you suspect someone is

trapped inside the building, and where they may be located.

● Gather outside at a designated assembly area, and do not attempt

to re-enter the building until instructed to do so by UT Police or the
Fire Department.

If trapped in a room, or otherwise unable to leave:

● Wet and place cloth material around and under the door to prevent
smoke from entering the room.

● Person should close as many doors as possible between him/ her

and the fire.

● Be prepared to signal someone outside, but DO NOT BREAK GLASS

until necessary (outside smoke may be drawn into the room).

If a person is caught in smoke:

● Drop to hands and knees and crawl toward exit.

● Stay low, as smoke will rise to ceiling level.

● Breathe shallowly through nose and use a filter such as a shirt or

towel.

If a person is forced to advance through flames (which should be

a last resort):

● Hold breath.

● Move quickly.

● Cover head and hair with a blanket or large coat.

● Keep head down and eyes closed as much as possible.

Using a fire extinguisher:

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Building occupants are not required to fight fires. Individuals who have
been trained in the proper use of a fire extinguisher and are confident in
their ability to cope with the hazards of a fire may use a portable fire
extinguisher to fight small fires (no larger than a waste paper basket).

Fire fighting efforts must be terminated within 15 seconds, or when it

becomes obvious that there is risk of harm from smoke, heat or flames,
which ever comes FIRST.

The P.A.S.S. method:

Pull the safety pin from handle.

Aim the extinguisher at the base of fire.
Squeeze the trigger handle.
Sweep from side to side to side at base.

Fire in household items spreads rapidly and produces heat, smoke and
toxic gases. It is an established fact that most deaths in fire incident occur
due to inhalation of toxic smoke and fume than burn injury from heat.
Smoke and toxic gases reduce visibility and upon inhalation of toxic gases
person may feel drowsiness, disorientation and later on collapses due to
asphyxiation. Hence, timely action is very important as each second of
breathable environment is valuable to survive home fire.

Following are the vital actionable points for the safety of a person
and his/her family to remember if a fire starts in their home

1. Stay calm, do not panic and do not run.

2. Raise alarm by yelling “Fire! Fire!” or operating manual call point of

floor [for apartments].

3. If a person can access fire extinguisher operate the same if he/ she is
trained else remember to GET OUT, STAY OUT and CALL Fire Brigade
on 101.

4. Use nearest available exit route. If someone lives in apartment

building with elevators, use the stairs “Don’t Use Lifts”. He should
leave all his things where they are and save himself.

5. Before leaving floor/room close all doors and windows if possible after
ensuring no one is left.

6. If closed doors or handles are warm or smoke blocks person’s primary

escape route, he should use alternate escape route. Never open doors
that are warm to the touch.

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7. If you must escape through smoke logged area lie down and keep your
nose close to floor and crawl under the smoke to your exit door.

8. If smoke, heat or flames block your exit routes, stay in the room with
doors closed. Place a wet towel under the door and call the fire brigade
on 101 and give your exact location and number of trapped persons.
Open a window and shout to attract attention of neighbors /
firefighters. You may also wave a brightly colored cloth or flashlight to
signal for help (if available).

9. Once you are outside, go to your meeting place and then send one
person to call the fire department. If you cannot get to your meeting
place, follow your family emergency communication plan.

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