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Unit 2: Fire Safety

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Introduction and Unit Overview

The role of CERTs in fire safety: Put out small fires. Prevent additional fires. Shutoff utilities. Assist with evacuations where necessary.

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Unit Objectives

Explain the role of CERTs in fire safety. Identify and reduce potential fire risks in the home

and workplace. Conduct a basic sizeup for a fire emergency. Understand basic safety precautions. Identify hazardous materials in the home and

community. Extinguish small fires using a fire extinguisher.

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The Fire Triangle

Fuel Oxygen Heat

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Fire Chemistry

Classes of fire: A: Ordinary combustibles B: Flammable and combustible liquids C: Energized electrical equipment D: Combustible metals K: Cooking

K

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Reducing Fire Hazards in Home and Workplace

Avoid the “electrical octopus.” Don’t run cords under carpets. Replace broken or frayed cords. Maintain appliances. No unattended candles

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Reducing Fire Hazards in Home and Workplace

Locate and label gas shutoffs. Natural gas Propane Oil Furnace

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Shutting of the Gas Meter

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Reducing Fire Hazards in Home and Workplace

Read labels. Use L.I.E.S. storage procedures

Limit Isolate Eliminate Separate

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Reducing Fires During the 72 Hours

Exposure to generator exhaust

Fires from cooking oilUnattended camp fires

Malfunction from old grills still in use

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Fire Size Up

Answer these questions: Can my buddy and I fight the fire safely? Do we have the right equipment? Are there other hazards? Is the building structurally damaged? Can we escape?

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Size Up

1. Gather Facts.2. Assess Damage.3. Consider Probabilities.4. Assess Your Situation.5. Establish Priorities.6. Make Decisions.7. Develop Plans of Action .8. Take Action.9. Evaluate Progress.

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Firefighting Resources

Resources available: Portable fire extinguishers Wet standpipes Confinement “Creative” resources

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Wet Standpipes

Interior standpipes are usually in commercial and apartment buildings and consist of: 100ft of 1.5” hose 3/8” nozzle 125 gpm discharge

Always work in teams of three.

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Confinement

In interior spaces, it is possible to confine and restrict the spread of smoke and heat by closing doors and windows to rooms and hallways.

Fires involving cooking materials can be confined using a pan top.

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Creative Resources

Garden Hose

Water Buckets

Dirt

Baking Soda

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Extinguisher Rating and Labeling

Fire extinguishers must be rated and approved by the State Fire Marshall and Underwriters Laboratories. They are rated according to their effectiveness on the different classes of fire. Their strength and capability must also be labeled by the manufacturer.

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Types of Fire Extinguishers

Water Extinguisher Dry Chemical Carbon Dioxide

Specialized Fire Extinguishers

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Water Extinguisher “the can”

Capacity: 2.5 gallons Range: 30-40 feet Pressure: 110 p.s.i.

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Dry Chemical Extinguisher

Capacity: 10-20 second discharge time Range: 8-12 feet Pressure: 175-200 p.s.i.

Dry chemical extinguishers have a sodium bicarbonate base and are effective on class B and C fires.

Multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers have a monoammonium phosphate base and effective on class A, B and C.

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Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher

Capacity: 5-100 lbs. Range: 3-6 ft Pressure: “High”, no gauge

Caution: Cone will freeze when in use. Make sure you wear hand protection!

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Specialized Extinguishers

K-Extinguisher

Halon Extinguisher

D-Extinguisher

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Components of a Fire Extinguisher

A: Cylinder

B: Trigger

C: Hose

D: Agent

E: Label

F: Gauge

F

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P.A.S.S

Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep

Safety Tip:

Test the extinguisher before approaching any fire.

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Aim at the Base

AIM and SWEEP at the base of the flames.

Why??

Your goal is to cool and/or smother the burning material. The flames and smoke are bi-products of combustion.

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Offensive or Defensive Attack?

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Fire Suppression Safety

Do: Use safety equipment. Work in a buddy system. Have a backup team. Have two ways to exit. Maintain a safe distance. Overhaul the fire.

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Fire Suppression Safety

DON’T Try to suppress large fires. Get too close. Fight it alone. Enter smoke-filled areas.

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Fire Extinguisher Rating

Extinguishers are rated for the size (sq. ft) of fire the lay person can handle.

Class A: 1 to 40 Class B: 1to 640 Class C: no rating Class D: must match the type of metal

A label may read as:

2A:10B:C

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Question ?

How do you know if a material is hazardous?

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Hazardous Materials . . .

Corrode other materials Explode or are easily ignited React strongly with water Are unstable when exposed to heat or shock Are toxic to humans, animals, or the environment

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Identifying Stored Hazardous Materials

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Identifying Stored Hazardous Materials in Fixed Facilities

NFPA 704 Diamond is an identification system instituted by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA). The placard identifies hazards associated with specific materials. The placard is found on fixed facilities.

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704 Diamond Usage

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Placard Color Differentiation

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NFPA 704 Placards should be treated as a “stop sign” for CERT members.

CERT members will evacuate occupants of placarded buildings to an uphill and upwind location!

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Identifying Hazardous Materials in Transit

Orange Red White RedRed &White

Red &White

Blue Yellow White Yellow &White

Black &White

DOT Placards

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Chemical Classes

“Every good firefighter owns pretty rotten cars”

E- ExplosivesG- GasesF- Flammable liquidsF- Flammable combustibleO- OxidizersP- PoisonsR- RadioactiveC- Corrosives

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DOT Placards

1203

3

Name

Chemical Class

Symbol

ChemicalNumber

Chemical Class

Symbol

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UN and NA System

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Placards

Hazardous material shipments are marked using either: DOT placards United Nation system North American warning placards

• Being phased out. Generally, seen on materials from Canada.

• NO placard is required for < 1,000 lbs

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Dealing With The Unknown

Treat any unknown situation as a hazardous materials incident.

Err on the side of safety. Do not assume that, because there is no placard, no hazardous materials are present. Talk with the driver Ask for a manifest or

bill of lading

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Fire Extinguisher Exercise