CHAPTER 2 FIRE SAFETY & PREVENTION SYSTEM

Upon the completion of this course, students should be able to: Explain clearly the electrical and mechanical system (CLO1, C5). Adhere the safety procedures,rules and regulations by authority in the building services (CLO3, A5).

Fire is mainly caused due to three factors: Negligence.

Carelessness.
Sabotage.

Figure 2.1: Fire Causes (1997 2002) in Carolina,

 Fuel can be any combustible material Solvents, gases & solids. Most solids and liquids become a vapor or gas before they FUEL burn. The higher the temperature, the easier and quicker they burn. A component of air. Oxidizers: Oxygen or other substances capable of releasing OXYGE N

oxygen to a fire.
Fire only needs an atmosphere with at least 16 percent oxygen. Energy necessary to increase temperature of the fuel to a

HEAT

point where sufficient vapors are given off for ignition to occur.

The heat simply travels in rays similar to sunrays, in straight lines

away from the fire.

o The heat from the rays can be absorbed by combustible materials which cause them to heat up and perhaps ignite. o The main principle of radiation is: the closer the material is to the fire the more radiated heat it will receive.

This is the process in which thermal energy can transfer through a solid or liquid that is under the influence of a thermal stress or gradient.

In most building materials it is a molecular process by which thermal energy can travel like a sound wave along a solid.

There are 3 modes of energy transfer possible: Thermal conduction by atomic and molecular vibration. Thermal conduction due to radiation. Thermal conduction due to mass transfer (gaseous

conduction).

Figure 2.3: Thermal conduction routes within a building structure

o o o

This type of heat transfer occurs only in liquids and gases. The heat from the fire can heat the air, to a very hot temperature. Hot air will always rise and it will flow under the ceiling of a room

spreading the heat from the fire.

o o This is the main way in which a fire spreads throughout a house. When a fire is burning large amounts of hot gases and smoke are produced. o These will travel through the house in hot air currents often igniting more combustible materials causing the fire to spread.

Figure 2.4: Radiation feedback from hot gas layer at ceiling to combustible materials below

CLASS A Fire that result from in ordinary combustible such as wood, paper, fabric and other ordinary materials. CLASS B For fire involving flammable liquids such as petrol, oil, diesel, paint and etc. CLASS C Fire caused by flammable gases such as butane, Methane and etc. CLASS D Class D fires involve flammable metals such as magnesium, aluminium, titanium, sodium and potassium. CLASS E Fire involving electrical apparatus. Combustion of circuit breaker, wires, outlets, and other electrical equipment. CLASS F Class F fires involve cooking fat and oil.

CLASS A Ordinary Combustible Keep storage and working areas free of trash. Place oily rags in covered containers. CLASS C Flammable Gases Dont refuel gasoline-powered

CLASS B Flammable Liquid Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly closed, containers. Store flammable liquids away from self-closing, spill-proof

spark-producing sources.
Use flammable liquids only in wellventilated areas.

equipment in a confined space,

especially in the presence of an

open flame such as a furnace or water heater. Dont refuel gasoline-powered equipment while its hot.

CLASS D Flammable Metals:

Flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium generally take a very hot
heat source to ignite. However, once ignited they are difficult to extinguish as the burning reaction

produces sufficient oxygen to support combustion, even under water.

CLASS E Electrical Equipment Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings. Report any hazardous conditions to your supervisor. Utility light should always have some type of wire guard over them. Heat from an uncovered light bulb can easily ignite ordinary combustibles. Dont misuse fuses. Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for the

circuit.
Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells strange. Unusual odors can be the first sign of fire. Dont overload wall outlets. Two outlets should have no more than 2 plugs.

WATER EXTINGUISHER:

FIRE

FOAM EXTINGUISHER:

FIRE

The cheapest and most widely

More expensive than water, but more versatile. Specially used for CLASS A (liquid) & CLASS B (oil). Foam spray

used fire extinguishers. Only

Used for CLASS A fire.

DRY-POWDER FIRE
EXTINGUISHER:
Used for CLASS A, B & C (Gases). Best for running liquid fires (Class B). Will efficiently extinguish Class C gas fires, but beware coz can be dangerous to extinguish a gas fire without first isolating the gas supply.

extinguishers
recommended

are
for

not
fires

involving electricity, but are safer than water if

inadvertently sprayed onto

live electrical apparatus.

CO2 FIRE EXTINGUISHER: Mainly used for CLASS E (electric) fire. Also suitable for

extinguish fire of CLASS B fire, but has no post fire security

and the fire could ignite.

WET CHEMICAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER: Is suitable for the following types of fires: Class A Paper, textiles, wood, most plastics and rubber Class F Cooking oils or fats METAL FIRE EXTINGUISHER:

A specialist fire extinguisher for use on CLASS D fire metal fires such as sodium, lithium, manganese and aluminium when in the form of sward or turnings.

1.

Have a plan set in advance. All rooms in your house should have two means of escape.

2.

Draw a picture showing the escape routes for every room and explain it to everyone.

3.

Upper floor windows should have hook-on fire escape ladders or rope
ladders.

4. 5. 6.

Assign one older person to be responsible for each child. Plan on a meeting place outside. Have practice fire drills every three months, especially if there are small children or disabled persons in your home. Some of your drills should take place at night.

7.

All members of the family should know how to call 911 to give the house address and tell the person on duty that there is a fire.

1. Act immediately but stay calm. Wake up anyone who may still be asleep, and shout, "Fire! Everyone out!" Don't waste time getting dressed or searching for valuables. Once outside the house, do not go back in. 2. Sleep with bedroom doors closed. Doors offer protection from heat and smoke and slow a fire's progress. If in your escape you must go from room to room, close each door behind you. 3. Feel every door before opening it. Place the back of your hand on the crack between the door and the door frame; if it's hot, do not open the door. Even if the door is cool, open it cautiously. Stay low in case smoke or toxic fumes are seeping around the door. If heat and smoke

4.

If you use a window for your escape, be sure the door in the room is

closed tightly. Otherwise, the draft from the open window may draw
smoke and fire into the room. 5. If you must go through smoke, crawl under it on your hands and

knees. However, do not crawl on your belly, because some heavier

toxic gases settle in a thin layer on the floor. 6. If you are unable to escape from a room because of a fire on the other side of the door, stuff clothing, towels, or newspapers in the door's cracks to keep smoke out of your refuge. 7. Remember "STOP, DROP, ROLL" if your clothing catches fire. The moment it happens, stop where you are. Drop to the ground, and cover your mouth and face with your hands to protect them from the flames. Then roll over and over to smother the flames.

1. Learn your building's evacuation plans. Know the location of fire alarms, and learn how to use them. 2. If you hear instructions on your building's public-address system, listen carefully and do just as you're told. 3. Never take an elevator when leaving a burning building. Instead, go directly to the nearest fire and smoke-free stairway. 4. If you cannot get to a fire stairway, go to a room with an outside window. 5. If there is a working phone, call the fire department emergency number and tell the dispatcher where you are. 6. Stay where rescuers can see you through the window, and wave a

7. If possible, open the window at the top and bottom. Be ready to shut
the window quickly if smoke rushes in. 8. You may need to be patient; the rescue of occupants of a high-rise

building can take several hours.

Figure 2.5: An escape Route for single storey building.

1. Property losses. 2. Human life death, injured, homeless, trauma, etc. 3. Government need budget for extra care on prevention fire, fire-

fighting equipment and replace a new residential area.