c4 fire emergencies 6523

8/8/2019 C4 Fire Emergencies 6523

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C4 Risk Management Group Ltd

FIRE EMERGENCIES Unit Standard 6523



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Respond to Emergencies and critical incidents as a security officer

Introduction

This study guide is designed to prepare you for assessment against NZQA Unit

Standard 6523 Respond to emergencies & critical situations as a security officer.

This Unit Standard is a compulsory requirement of the National Certificate in

Security Level 3 and 4.

This is a knowledge based module with a practical component and can beachieved by completing the following distance learning modules.

1. Introduction to CIMS

2. Bomb Threats

3. White Powder Threats

4. Fire

5. Natural Hazards

6. SMEAC

7. Evacuations

8. Practical Assessment

Trainer/Assessor

Your trainer and assessor will issue you this module and give a time frame for it tobe completed by.

If you have any questions at any time you can contact your assessor at any time.

Once you have completed this module your assessor will discuss this it with you

to ensure your knowledge is sufficient to pass assessment.



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References

The following references may assist you in gaining further knowledge on this

subject.

Civil Defence and Emergency Management Act 2002

www.fire.org.nz

www.nzsafety.co.nz

Recommended Study Technique

1. Browse or read through this workbook to get the general idea of what it is

about.

2. Study each section and complete the Self Assessments at the end of each

section.

3. Complete the activities at the end of this module and hand the evidence

to your assessor for marking.4. Evidence will be assessed and you will be advised if there are any areas for

you to improve on

5. Successful completion of this unit standard will be reported to NZQA.



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Fires

Introduction

The destructiveness of fires in homes and workplaces is well known and often

shown in media headlines. Fires regularly take lives and injure many more people

each year in NZ.

Most fires are termed accidental however many of them could have been

prevented. Fire can also be used much like a weapon; every year arson is

suspected in numerous fires across the country.

The NZ Fire Service website www.fire.org.nz gives the following statistics for

2007;

y 46 fire districts (urban)

y 440 fire stations

y 960 fire appliances (approx)

y 1707 career firefighter positions

y 7000 urban volunteer firefightersy 524 management and support positions, full and part-time

y 76 communication centre staff positions

y The busiest fire station in New Zealand in 2007 was Auckland City with

3,177 call outs. Christchurch City Station had 2,600 and Wellington City

Station 2,502

During 2007: (Calendar year)

y 73,333 incidents were attended by the Fire Service. This includes such

things as fires, motor accidents and chemical emergencies

y 24,279 fires were attended by the Fire Service, including 4,083 house fires

y There were 5,476 vegetation fires

y There were 33 fire deaths.



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The role of security officers in fire safety

Security officers are not expected to be firefighters, however they are expected to

be able to respond to a fire emergency with a level of professionalism above that

of an ordinary member of the public or staff.

The management of fire alarm and monitoring systems is often an important part

of their role in large buildings and factories.

Often the security officer is the only person who spends time patrolling a site with

the freedom to venture anywhere or look into what is going on. They are fulfilling

the OSH responsibility on the site and are likely to come across safety issues suchas fires, chemical leaks etc.

Many site security and safety plans and procedures identify the security officer as

a key member of any evacuation or response to an emergency.

At times security officers will have to take on the role of a fire warden or even the

building warden in some cases. If this occurs then the security officer should have

some advanced training in this field of emergency management.

A lot is expected from a security officer, more than just security work in fact, and

the officer needs to be able to respond with training, knowledge and hopefully

after a few years will have some experience.

A National Certificate in Security only supplies an officer with a basic awareness of

how to handle an emergency. Further training should be received by those who

work on a site and need to respond as part of a response capability. Other

National Certificates and training is available on this subject. Enquire with your

trainer/assessor.



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Fire science

Fire is a simple chemical reaction between oxygen in the air and a source of fuel

(paper or oil). The reaction is set off by the use of a heat source. Once the fuel is

hot enough the chemical reaction occurs and a fire ignites.

Fire Triangle

Fire suppression principles

Fire extinguishers are designed to remove one of the three essential elements of

a fire (Fuel, Heat, and Oxygen). Without that element the fire cannot continue to

burn and will die out.

Example:

y Water takes away the heat source by cooling it

y CO2 and dry powder remove oxygen from the immediate area

y Foam covers the fire and presents a barrier between the heat and theoxygen

Of course there are other ways of suppressing the fire. Taking away the fuel

source by turning off a gas tap may solve the problem. A fire blanket or other

device could be used to smother the fire in a similar way that foam covers the fire.



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Class D fires include flammable metals such as magnesium, titanium,

potassium and sodium

Type of extinguisher - Dry powder, sand

Class E fires are those around or including electrical equipment and

machinery.

Type of extinguisher - Dry powder, CO2,

Class F fires are primarily cooking fats and are often found in kitchen

areas.

Type of extinguisher - Wet chemical, fire blanket



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Types of fire extinguishers

There are five types of extinguisher available. Some are very common while

others are less common and have specific uses. There are a number of

manufacturers of these extinguishers and the size, colouring and markings can

differ. Care should be taken with any extinguisher and particular attention should

be made to older or imported versions.

Generally extinguishers are colour coded to assist in identifying the class of fire it

is designed for.

Dry Chemical (Dry Powder)

These extinguishers contain a dry chemical extinguishing powder,

normally sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate. The powder

is forced from these extinguishers due to the compressed nitrogen

gas also held in the extinguisher. The nitrogen is not flammable.

The powder leaves a coating which reduces the chances of the fire

re-igniting. However the powder is mildly corrosive so it should be

cleaned up relatively soon after the fire has been extinguished.

A white band normally signifies a dry powder extinguisher.

Water

Air pressurised water extinguishers contain water as well as

compressed air or a gas. They are only used on Class A fires. If they

are used on grease, fat or fuel based fires as they will simply spread

the fire causing it to grow. Water extinguishers should never be

used on fires where there is a chance of electrical fittings or

equipment being involved.

A red band normally signifies a water extinguisher.



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Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

Highly compressed liquid carbon dioxide is released as a gas when

these extinguishers are used. They are very effective on burning liquids

and electrical fires. However on Class A fires they are not alwayseffective as the gas disperses and can allow the fire to reignite.

When these extinguishers are used the liquid carbon dioxide (CO2)

cools the surrounding air and ice can form around the nozzle.

The black colour band is often used to signify this type of extinguisher.

Foam

These extinguishers are designed to be used on Class B fires and forma foam cover over fuels and oils. This prevents the heat source

accessing the oxygen and therefore contains the fire. Foam

extinguishers can also be used on Class A fires to good effect.

These extinguishers are often seen around service stations and other

location where there are dangerous goods.

A blue band often signifies a foam extinguisher.

Wet Chemical

Wet chemical extinguishers should be used wherever there is a

commercial deep fat fryer unit. Much like foam, the wet chemical

covers the burning fat and prevents it from mixing with oxygen.

They can be found in hospitality facilities as well as businesses such

as fish & chip shops.

A yellow band often signifies a wet chemical extinguisher.



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Fire Hoses

Fire hoses are normally situated throughout a building, factory or

work site. They can be found internally and externally and are

contained in a red metal cabinet which is readily recognised.

Hoses are designed to cool the fire by providing water to the

source of the heat. They should not be used on grease, oil or fat

fires.

Fire hoses are limited due to the length of hose.

Fire Blankets

Fire blankets are made from fire retardant material and are usually

located in kitchen areas. They are used to smother a fire and

prevent oxygen mixing with the source of fire. Fire blankets can

also be used to wrap a person in who has caught fire.

The use is limited due to the need to get close to the fire and its

effectiveness is limited to small fires.



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Operating a fire extinguisher

Fire extinguishers may look different in colour and size but they all operate the

same way. If you are faced with a fire it is a little too late to wish you had received

some training. Ensure you are trained regularly in the use of fire extinguishers.

The best practise acronym to ruse and remember is PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze,

Sweep)

Pull

Pull the pin located at the top of the extinguisher. When it is in place it stops the

extinguisher from going off accidently. The extinguisher cannot be operated

without this pin being pulled out. Throw it away once pulled; it is of no use!

Aim

Stand approximately 2 to 2.5 metres away from the fire, aim the extinguisher at

the base of the fire.

Squeeze

Squeeze the handle of the extinguisher. This will cause the agent inside to be

discharged. If you stop squeezing the handle the extinguisher will stop discharging.

Sweep

Use a sweeping motion as you discharge the extinguisher. Once the fire is out

continue to monitor it in case it re-ignites.

Note: Depending on the size an extinguisher may only last around 10 to 15

seconds. Always consider sending someone for another extinguisher. Dont watch

for re-ignition with a near empty extinguisher!



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Personal safety

As a general rule fighting any fire is dangerous. However, small fires are best

suppressed before they become larger fires. Hand held extinguishers, fire hoses

and fire blankets are placed on sites and are expected to be used by all staff

trained in their use.

Personal safety is at risk at all times and care must be taken. Best practise

suggests the following points be followed when attempting to fight a fire;

y Only attempt to fight the fire if initial actions have been carried out

y Work in a team of two

y Always let someone know what you are going to do

y Only fight the fire if you have had some training

y Plan your own evacuation route

y If the fire is bigger than you it may be time to evacuate

y If one of you become injured evacuate immediately

y Remember the effects of smoke and heat

y Test the extinguisher prior to using it

y Consider using more than one extinguisher

y An extinguisher is no substitute for the fire service



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Fire emergency procedures

Initial action

Initial actions at a fire emergency should include the following:

y Alert others of the fire

y Ensure the immediate safety of anyone near the fire

y Call the fire service

y Fight the fire if safe to do so

y Evacuate the area

y A phone call should always be made even if the alarm has automatically

alerted the fire service

When evacuating the area

y Crawl low and fast to escape smoke. 'Get Down, Get Low, Get out.'

y Shut the doors behind you in order to slow the spread of fire

y Meet at the assembly area

y Once out do not return inside

y Advise the fire service of;

o House number

o Street nameo Nearest intersection

o Suburb and city

o Rural ID if you have one



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Evacuation planning

The following guidelines often provide the basis of an evacuation procedure for a

workplace:

y Develop a plan which identifies all rooms and pathways to the nearest exits.

These drawing should be displayed in prominent locations.

y Establish assembly area outside the building and inform employees of their

locations.

y Establish a fire warden system and identify who will search each area (if

safe to do so) to ensure that no one is left in the building.

y Advise the fire service which areas (if any) have not been searched and

cleared and whether anybody is still inside or unaccounted for.

y Conduct evacuation drills regularly. All building occupants should

participate.

y All employees should be familiar with the sounds and locations of any fire

alarm or emergency communication systems.

y All visitors and contractors working or intending to work on the premises

should be made aware of the emergency procedures and be told what todo and where to go in the event of an emergency.

y No one should enter/re-enter the building until the fire service give the all

clear.

y Involve employees who have hearing, vision or physical impairments in

evacuation planning. Make provision for anyone who needs help in

escaping and include these provisions in all drills.

y Check with fire service personnel to keep your workplace fire emergency

plan up-to-date



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Legislation

Fire Service Act 1975 and the Fire Safety and Evacuation of Buildings Regulations

2006

The rules and legal requirements for building owners are found in the Fire Service

Act 1975 and the Fire Safety and Evacuation of Buildings Regulations 2006

Section 21B(1) of the Act, requires owners of relevant buildings to provide and

maintain evacuation schemes. The scheme must be designed to enable

evacuation from the scene of a fire safely and in a reasonable time.

Regulation 6(1) of the Regulations requires owners of schedule 1 buildings to

have evacuation procedures in place for the safe, prompt and efficient evacuation

of the buildings occupants in the event of a fire emergency requiring evacuation.

The New Zealand Fire Service is responsible for the management of all the

evacuation scheme requirements under the Act and the Regulations.

Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992

The Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992 is also very relevant with respect

to fires emergencies.

Employers are required to provide a safe working environment for all their staff.

Fires are a well known and common risk to anybody working in a building. Thisrisk grows larger depending on what type of building it is and what work is

conducted in that building.

The end result of the requirements under the Act is evacuations plans, training,

evacuation drills, first aid training and the presence of extinguishers and hoses.



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Activities

1. Read the information attached. Further information is available from the

NZ government website www.fire.org.nz and www.nzsafety.co.nz

2. Complete a workplace practical exercise where you must suppress a small

fire with both a hand held extinguisher as well as a fire hose.

3. Complete the multi-choice test at the back of the module.

4. Check your business or site for information and plans for responding to afire emergency.

5. Attach all the evidence to your workbook and hand to your assessor once

completed.



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Fire Emergencies ....

Question 1

How many fires did the NZ Fire Service attend in

2007?

a. 42, 222

b. 24,279

c. 13,000

d. 47,000

Question 2

In 2007 how many deaths were caused by fire?

a. 33

b. 7

c. 47

d. 102

Question 3

Identify the three essential ingredients required

to make fire;

a. ash

b. oxygen

c. Fuel source

d. Heat

Question 4

The term used when evacuating because of a fire

is;

a. stop, drop and roll

b. live and let live

c. run for the hills!

d. Get Down, Get Low, Get out

Question 5

Which two statements best describes what fire

suppression does to the fire;

a. takes away the oxygen

b. makes it too wet to burn

c. blows away the fire

d. cools the heat source

Question 6

What are two uses for a fire blanket?

a. keeps you warm at night

b. can wrap a burning person in it

c. can smother a fat fire in a kitchen

d. can be used to dry the place after fire service

have used their hoses

Question 7

What are two limitations of a fire blanket?

a. can only be used on small fires

b. are hard to find during a fire

c. you must get close to the fire to use it

d. they have to be unwrapped first

Question 8

The acronym for using a fire extinguisher is?

a. POSS

b. PASS

c. PESS

d. PUSS

Question 9

Fire hoses are limited by what?

a. colourb. speed

c. length of hose

d. nozzle size

Question 10

When on the phone to the fire service what

information should you be able to pass to them?a. Street name

b. Nearest intresection

c. Street number

d. Suburb name



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11. Draw a line between the class of fire and the appropriate method of extinguishment..

Place each of these home or workplace examples next to the class of fire extinguisher that

would be used to put it out;

Kitchen rubbish bin, Office Rubbish bin, Lawnmower, Spray paint can, BBQ, Business Heating,

Car, Spilt fat in an oven. magnesium wheels, Home computer, Frying pan filled with oil,

Lithium batteries in computers, Photocopier.

Class of fire Example from home Example from work

How to put it out

A

Ordinary Combustible Solids

Kitchen rubbish

bin

Office Rubbish

bin

Dry powder. Smother with

dry powder or dry sand but

do not use water.

B

Flammable & Combustible Liquids

Water, cooling effect and

smothers the fire. Converts

water to steam. Fire knocked

down using jet, then spray

to complete extinguishing

C

Flammable Gases

CO2 or foam. Cover with lidor fire blanket, turn off heat

source and do not use

water.

D

Combustible Metals

Dry chemical, CO2 or foam.

Do not use water as this

tends to spread the fire.

Turn off gas supply.

E

Electrical Fires

Co2 fire extinguisher. Water

causes short circuits. Turn

off power or use non-

conducting agents like CO2

or dry powder.

F

Cooking Oils and Fats

Foam. Keeps oxygen

separated by foam thus

smothering the fire. Foam

played onto wall of

container and allowed to

form a blanket.



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12. Draw a line to match the correct fire extinguisher with the correct fire class [PC 1.4]

Dry Powder CO2 Foam Wet Chemical Hose Reel Fire Blanket

Class D

Combustible

metals.

Class E

Energised

electricalEquipment.

Class B

Flammable

andcombustibleliquids.

Class F

Cooking oils and

fats.

Class A

Carbonaceous

solids [wood, paper,textiles.]

Class C

Flammable

gases.

c4 fire emergencies 6523

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