fire prevention. disclaimer this training material presents very important information. your...

Fire Prevention

Disclaimer

• This training material presents very important information.

• Your organization must do an evaluation of all exposures, applicable codes and regulations, and establish proper controls, training, and protective measures to effectively control exposures and assure compliance.

• This program is neither a determination that the conditions and practices of your organization are safe nor a warranty that reliance upon this program will prevent accidents and losses or satisfy local, state or federal regulations.

• All procedures and training, whether required by law or not, should be implemented and reviewed by safety and risk management professionals, and legal counsel to ensure that all local, state and federal requirements are satisfied.

Course Outline – Fire Prevention

1. Why Take Fire Prevention Training?

2. Fire Chemistry

3. Fire Prevention Program

4. Emergency Notification

5. Fire Sprinkler Systems

6. Other Controls

7. Portable Fire Extinguishers

8. Flammables and Explosives

9. Summary

Why Take Fire Prevention Training?

• Fire prevention training is essential in an effort to protect against injuries, deaths, business interruption, and property damage resulting from fires.

• Organizations must develop a Fire Prevention Program with several key components, and employees must be trained on all aspects of the plan.

• Understanding the basic components of fire and how to protect against it will protect your organization from property, financial and human loss.

• Understanding evacuation methods, fire extinguisher use, and good housekeeping are just a few of the critical elements!

Fire Chemistry

Fire Tetrahedron:

•Traditionally, the study of fire has been based on the fire triangle. Each side of the tetrahedron is a component which is necessary for fire to occur.

Fire Chemistry

Three necessary components:

•Fire is a rapid oxidation reaction (oxygen combining with a fuel) which produces energy in the form of heat and light.

•The three necessary components that will precede a chemical chain reaction are:

– Fuel– Heat (energy)– Oxygen

•Removal of any of these components results in the extinguishment of the fire.

Fire Prevention Program

Defined:

•A fire prevention program describes the actions to prevent a fire event from occurring. •A well defined program and proper staff training will reduce the risk of severe injury and structural damage.

•The program must take into account worksite layout, structural features, special hazards, and emergency systems.

•Commitment and support at all levels is critical for the program’s success.


Program elements:

•Fire hazards defined: A list of all major fire hazards, proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control.

•Fire protection equipment: Types of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard onsite.

•Control methods: Address control methods to reduce accumulations of flammable and combustible substances.

•Fire suppression system: Fixed and portable fire extinguishing system to protect buildings and valuable equipment.


Program elements (continued):

•Emergency Response Plan: Defines all response information, procedures, and assignments.

•Incident Commander: Manager with authority, as pre-determined in the Fire Prevention Plan, to take command of the emergency response.

•Evacuation procedure: Escape route assignments for all personnel to follow in the event of an emergency.

•Assembly area: A safe area for people to take refuge, receive medical care, and communicate. It is critical that all staff members are accounted for at this time.


Program elements (continued):

•Emergency notification: Description of the alarm system that signals the evacuation.

•Reporting emergencies: Includes dialing 911, internal emergency number, and pulling manual alarm.

•Maintenance: Regular maintenance of safeguards installed on heat-producing equipment to prevent ignition of combustibles


Evacuation procedures:

•Required for each building and must be a section of the Emergency Response Plan.

•Must include facility diagrams, floor plan, and exit routes that illustrate routes of egress.

•Drills must be completed by all personnel on a regular basis to ensure preparedness.

− Use the Emergency Response Plan as the drill guide.− Evaluate effectiveness of evacuation plans and the

drill.− Make corrective actions as needed.


Review fire, rescue and medical services:

•Invite the local fire department to conduct a walkthrough of your facility so they are familiar with the layout and special hazards that may exist. They can assist in drills.

•Establish a relationship with your area ambulance carrier to improve efficiency during an emergency.


Review fire, rescue and medical services (continued):

•Make preparations with local medical centers to handle emergency cases and provide medical care.

•Verify telephone numbers, addresses, and directions in the Emergency Response Plan for accuracy.


Emergency Response Plan:

•Defines incident command system, evacuation routes, emergency contact information, and all response procedures and assignments.

•It must take into account all types of expected emergencies, in addition to fires, e.g. toxic chemical release, natural disasters etc.

•It should clearly state each action carried out by specified staff members for each emergency scenario and for each step of the emergency response process.


Emergency Response Plan (continued):

•It must be in writing, kept in the workplace, and made available for employees to review.

•Regular training should take place so the plan is fully understood by all staff members.

•Practice drills, using the plan, should be executed with all staff on a regular basis.

Emergency Notification

Types of emergency signal transmission:

• Central Station Monitoring: A “UL” listed central station specially constructed with standby power sources. Trained personnel are on duty at all times recording, maintaining, and monitoring the fire alarm system.

• Remote system: A third party receiving station that is attended 24 hours a day.

• Organization owned and operated: Manually triggered system that is constantly attended.

• Auxiliary system: Alarm is transmitted directly to fire department.

Emergency Notification

Reporting emergencies immediately:

•Report fires immediately to management, or to “911” if the incident is not an immediately controllable situation.

•Evacuate the immediate and impacted areas.

•The Incident Commander, as defined in the Fire Prevention Plan will take charge of the scene and all personnel and make decisions regarding proper procedures.

Note: Some phone systems require dialing “9” before calling an outside line including 911 – Check with your facility on how to call for emergencies

Fire Sprinkler Systems

The most effective method:

•Automatic fire sprinkler systems are widely known as the most effective method of controlling the spread of fire.

• There are five types of fire sprinkler systems:−Wet pipe−Dry pipe−Pre-action−Deluge−Antifreeze

Ensure the right system for your worksite’s hazards and

characteristics.


Wet pipe systems:

•Automatic sprinklers are attached to a piping system that contains water from a water supply source.

•Sprinkler heads are activated by fusible link, which are heat sensitive.

•When discharged, water immediately drops from opened sprinkler to control area of fire.

•Wet pipe systems are the most simple and reliable of sprinkler system designs.

•Over 75% of all systems are wet pipe.


Dry pipe systems:

•Dry pipe systems are used where piping is subject to freezing.

•The piping system contains air or nitrogen under pressure.

•When the system is activated, air pressure releases which allows for water pressure to open the dry pipe valve, thereby allowing water to flow through the system.


Pre-action systems:

•Pre-action systems are installed for locations where high value contents are kept and accidental discharge of water would destroy those contents.

•This system is attached to a piping system that may or may not contain air under pressure.

•In order for the system to discharge water it must be activated by both a supplemental fire detection sensor, and heat fusion of the sprinkler head.

•These systems are commonly used in computer rooms and high tech facilities.


Deluge system:

•Deluge systems differ from pre-action systems in that their sprinklers remain open; whereas, in pre-action systems the sprinklers are closed.

•When the system is activated water discharges from all sprinklers.

•Typically used in high hazard areas that require direct application of water over the entire hazard.


Antifreeze systems:

•Antifreeze systems are used as a secondary system off of the main wet pipe system.

•It is a wet pipe system that’s connected to the water supply via piping which contains a water-antifreeze solution.

•Designed to protect unheated areas such as canopies and loading docks.

Fire Doors

An important engineering control:

•Protect openings in fire resistance rated walls used to separate buildings or building sections, exit routes, and stairways.

•Designed to slow the spread of fire, heat, and smoke.

•Doors are automatic and self-closing.

•Regular preventive maintenance is required.

•Fire door protection ratings can be designated by “hours”, “alphabet”, or a combination of both.

Fire Doors

“Hourly” fire protection designation:

• The hourly designation refers to the duration of fire exposure tested to the door.

• The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) uses this hourly rating:

−4 hour−3 hour−2 hour−1½ hour−¾ hour−½ hour

Fire Doors

“Alphabetical” fire protection designation:

• Class A: 3 hour approved for doors in dividing fire walls that divide a single building into separate fire divisions.

• Class B: 1½ hour approved for doors in openings of vertical communication through buildings, e.g. stairwells, elevator shafts.

• Class C: ¾ hour approved for doors in corridor or room-partition opening between rooms.

Fire Doors

“Alphabetical” fire protection designation (continued):

• Class D: 1½ hour approved for doors in exterior walls that have potential for severe fire exposure from outside the building.

• Class E: ¾ hour approved for doors with openings in exterior walls subject to light or moderate fire exposure from outside the building.

Other Controls

Fire detection equipment:

•Smoke detector: Detects visible or invisible products of combustion.

•Heat detector: Detects extreme ambient high temperatures or increase of temperature rates.

•Fire detector: Detects ultraviolet, visible, or infrared energy that is emitted from combustion reactions.

•Gas detector: Detects gases produced by a fire.

Other Controls

Fire brigade:

•May be warranted onsite for facilities that require quick response time for larger fires.

•Fire fighting equipment must be properly maintained and inspected at least annually.

•Fire fighting protective clothing and equipment must meet requirements of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

Other Controls

Fire brigade (continued):

•Training for all fire brigade members must reflect those duties and functions fire brigade members are expected to perform.

•Training is to be conducted frequently to assure that each member of the brigade is able to perform the assigned duties and functions with a high level of competence and in a safe manner.

•The quality of training of all fire brigade members shall mirror those conducted by accredited fire training schools.

Other Controls

Fire brigade (continued):

•Fire brigade members must be aware of all special hazards onsite such as flammable liquids and gases, toxic chemicals, radioactive sources, and water reactive substances.

•Brigade members must have experience in interior structural fire fighting.

•They need to be physically capable of performing duties which may be assigned to them during emergencies.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Primary functions:

•To control or extinguish small or incipient stage fires.

•Protect evacuation routes that may become blocked by fire and/or smoke.


Fire designations:

•Class A – Fires of ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, paper, and cloth.

•Class B – Fires in flammable liquids, oils, grease, lacquers, and oil-based paints.


Fire designations (continued):

•Class C – Fires that involve energized electrical equipment.

•Class D – Fires in combustible metal, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.

•Class K – Fires in commercial kitchens.


Common fire extinguisher types:

•Air-Pressurized Water Extinguisher: for Class A fires, i.e., wood, paper, cloth.


Common fire extinguisher types (continued):

•Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher: Designed for Class B and Class C fires, i.e., flammable, liquid, and electrical.


Common fire extinguisher types (continued):

•Dry Chemical Extinguisher: Designed for use on all three fire types: Class A, Class B, Class C.


Requirements:•Fire extinguishers must be located throughout your facility and readily accessible in the event of a fire.

•Fire extinguishers must be maintained in a fully charged and operational condition.

Discharged extinguishers must be serviced immediately.

•Fire extinguishers must be kept in their designated places at all times except during use.

•An annual maintenance check must be conducted, with a new inspection tag secured.

•Annual maintenance date must be recorded and retained for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less.


Training:•Where portable fire extinguishers have been provided for employee use in the workplace, employees must be provided with an educational program:

− Must include general principles of fire extinguisher use.

− Must include the beginning stage hazards of fire fighting.

• Employees that are designated to use extinguishers must receive instruction and hands-on practice in the operation of equipment.


− Pull− Aim− Squeeze− Sweep

Fire extinguisher use:

•Just remember the acronym P.A.S.S. to help make sure you use it properly.


• Pull: The first step is to pull the pin that prevents the handle from being squeezed.

• Aim: Then aim the spray nozzle at the fire. Aim low at the base of the fire.

• Squeeze: Squeeze the handle and remember the standard fire extinguisher has less than 30 seconds of spray time.

• Sweep: Sweep back and forth as you spray the base of the fire.

Fire extinguisher use (continued):

Fight or Flee Response

Fight or Flee Response:

•This is a critical decision your organization needs to plan for.

•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 evacuate, closing doors behind you.

•The decision to use a fire extinguisher is a judgment call that must be made by the trained user.

Fight or Flee Response

Fight or Flee Response (continued):

•Designated staff members must understand the use and limitations of fire extinguishers and the hazards associated with fire fighting.

•Do not fight the fire in these cases:− If you don’t have adequate or appropriate equipment.− If you might inhale toxic smoke.− If your instincts tell you not to.

•Final rule: Always position yourself with an exit or means of escape at your back before you attempt to use an extinguisher.

Flammables and Explosives

Flammables:

•Flammable materials present not only toxic hazards, but the ever present danger of fire and explosion!

•The staff member who may be called to enter this type of environment must have a good understanding of the basic principles and terminology of fire, flammables, and safe work practices.

•Additionally, there are thousands of bulk storage plants, refineries, pipelines, tanks, and industrial applications where flammables are stored, used, or processed.


Explosives defined:

•Any substance or article including a device which is designed to function by explosion; or, by way of chemical reaction within itself, is able to function in a similar manner even if not designed to function by explosion.

•An explosion is a chemical reaction that generates high temperatures and large amounts of gas at a very fast rate. If the explosive material is under confinement, it may produce shock wave and missile hazards.


Flash point:

•Flash point is defined as the temperature at which a liquid fuel gives off significant vapor to form an ignitable mixture.

•When a fire burns, it is the vapor from the fuel that is burning, not the liquid or solid fuel itself. As more heat is generated, more vapor is produced and the fire grows.

•Vapor production is a function of pressure and temperature

Gases do not have flash points because they are already in a vapor state.


Ignition source:

• An energy source of sufficient temperature to cause ignition of a flammable vapor.

• Common ignition sources:− Matches− Smoking− Electrical equipment− Static electricity


Ignition temperature:

• The minimum temperature required to initiate or cause self-sustained combustion independently of any outside ignition source.

• Any flammable will burst into spontaneous flame at a certain temperature without additional ignition sources.

• The ignition temperature of a liquid has no relationship to its flash point.

• For example, there is a 1,000º difference between acetone's flash point and ignition temperature.


Flammable liquid• Flammable liquids have flash points below 100º F and are

divided into three classes according to NFPA 30 standard.

Combustible liquid• Combustible liquids have a flash point at or above 100º F.

NFPA Classifications

Class Example Flashpoint

Boiling Point

IA Ethyl Ether <73º <100º

IB Gasoline <73º =/>100º

IC Turpentine 73º - 100º

II Kerosene 100º - 140º

IIIA Olive Oil 140º - 200º

IIIB Transformer Oil

=/>200º


Storage:

•The quantity of flammable and combustible liquids kept in the vicinity of spray finishing areas needs to be kept to a minimum and is limited to the amount used in one day or work shift.

• Keeping more than minimal quantities of flammable and combustible liquids will increase the intensity of a fire if one breaks out, possibly causing the fire to spread and resulting in severe damage.


Storage (continued):

•Storage cabinets for flammable and combustible liquids:

−Approved storage cabinets are used when storage exceeds incidental amounts not sufficient enough to warrant a separate storage room.

•Features of storage cabinets:−Double wall construction and 1.5 in. air space.−2 inch sill for containment of spills.−Made with 18 gage sheet steel.−Door(s) contain three point latching.−Must have provisions for grounding.−Must be marked “Flammable – Keep Fire Away”.


Storage (continued):

•No more than 120 gallons of flammable and combustible liquids (660 gallons in portable tanks) can be stored in an area of a building except in an approved storage room.

•For extremely flammable liquids with a boiling point below 100 F (i.e. ethyl ether) only 25 gallons in approved containers can be stored in a location outside of an approved storage room.

•An approved storage room must have special fire-resistant construction, explosive-proof wiring and lighting, and meet other specified requirements.


Ventilation:

• Two common methods are gravity and mechanical.

• Gravity: An acceptable form provided there is no dispensing or mixing.

• Mechanical: Ventilation for flammable liquid storage rooms where mixing or dispensing occurs requires 1.0 cubic feet per minute (CFM) or ventilation for every square foot area with a minimum of 150 CFM.


Grounding and bonding:

•When flammable liquids, such as Propylene Glycol, are transferred from one container to another, a static spark may ignite chemical vapor.

•To prevent this, an electrical connection or bonding wire should connect the two (metal) containers.

•The two containers can also be connected to electrical grounds to prevent sparks.

•Dispensing containers such as drums, always need to be grounded.


Ground and bonding (continued)

•Containers with more than one quart need to be grounded and bonded.

•Piping systems for flammable liquids need to be permanently grounded.

•Be sure that grounding systems are continuous to the earth.


Residues and wastes:

• Residue scrapings, used rags, waste paper, and other debris which contain flammable or combustible liquids and paint residue need to be removed and placed in specific containers.

• Containers must be made of metal, have self-closing metal and sealed lids, and be properly labeled.

• Containers must be emptied at least once a day.

Summary – Fire Prevention

• Fire prevention program: Lists all major fire hazards. Includes proper handling and storage procedures for hazardous materials, potential ignition sources and their control, and the type of fire protection equipment necessary to control each major hazard onsite.

• Adequate engineering controls: Protect facilities and personnel, e.g., fire sprinklers, fire doors, smoke detection, fire brigades.

• Fire Extinguishers: Ensure all staff are trained and drilled.

• Flammables and Explosives: Require proper processes and facilities for storage, ventilation, grounding, bonding, and handling waste.

• Training: A well defined supported program and proper staff training will reduce the risk of severe injury and structural damage.

Summary – Fire PreventionThis form documents that the training specified above was presented to the listed participants. By signing below, each participant acknowledges receiving this training.

Organization:

Trainer: Trainer’s Signature:

Class Participants:

Name: Signature: Date:










fire prevention. disclaimer this training material presents very important information. your...

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