Fire Safety : Fire Safety and Protection

www.safetygoodwe.com

Chapter : Fire Safety

Fire Safety and Protection

FIRE SAFETY

Basic fire safety knowledge is an important skill that can save your life on or off the job. Here we will breakdown basic characteristics of a fire, important fire safety tips, what to do if you find yourself involved with a fire and some discussion points for your group.

Characteristics of Fire

• To support fire, you must have; HEAT, FUEL, OXYGEN, and SUSTAINED CHEMICAL REACTION
• A small fire can grow out of control in as little as 30 seconds.
• A room involved with a fire can have a temperature of 100°C at floor level and 600°C at eye level. In less than 5 minutes a room can flash over.
• Fire starts bright but will quickly turn the room pitch black from releasing smoke and toxic gases. Be familiar with your surroundings and evacuation routes!

Fire Safety Tips

• An important fire safety tip is to look for and eliminate any potential fire hazards before they become a reality!
• Know where pull stations and extinguishers are located.
• Time is the biggest enemy, get out of the building!
• If a fire, pull nearest fire alarm if possible, if not, call for help from a safe location
  outside.
• If smoke, stay as low to the ground as possible.
• If safe, close all doors behind you as you leave the building.
  Don’t use the elevator for evacuation because the shaft can act as a chimney. Elevators also present an entrapment hazard if they fail.
• Never return to a burning building.

Group Discussion Topics

• Identify all “High Risk” areas in your facilities.
• Where are the nearest fire extinguishers, pull stations, and your buildings primary and secondary evacuation routes?
• Can these areas be modified to eliminate or lessen the potential risk?
• Most fires occur between 1:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. Brainstorm what causes this and how you could address these issues.
• Identify if anyone has seen any close calls or fires during their tenure. How were those situations handled, good or bad?
• Ask the group to list any unanswered fire safety questions or concerns that they may have and submit to safety department for assistance.

Fire Protection

Don't get burned! Protection is the name of the game. We need to protect ourselves, co-workers tools and equipment, storage trailers, and the location where we work and live in case of fire.

Protection begins with planning who is going to call the fire department should there be a fire. 

• Is the fire department's emergency phone number posted next to the telephone? 
• Are there fire extinguishers available in our work areas? 
• Is there one in the job truck? 
• Is there a full extinguisher in the job office trailer? 
• Do you have extinguishers and smoke alarms at home?
• Are flammable liquids stored in approved containers? 

When using a cutting torch take steps to make sure the surrounding areas will not catch fire by removing all combustible materials.

• What about housekeeping? 
• Does the job clean up all work areas on a daily basis, or do you wait until the areas are cluttered with all kinds of combustible material?
• Are 'No Smoking' areas posted so all workers know not to -smoke in areas where flammable liquids or containers are stored?
• Part of your protection plan should be to know where all fire exits are! Do you know the one closest to your work area? 
• Do you have a back-up exit in case the first one is blocked? 
• Do you have an escape plan at home?

Smoke alarms on the job and at home should be tested monthly. Replace batteries as per the recommended period from manufacture.

Remember, protection starts with you. You must plan what to do, -who to call and where to go should a fire break out. You must also do your part by storing flammables properly and smoking only in safe areas.

It doesn't take much f or a small fire to become a killer. With proper training and knowledge you can protect yourself, your workplace and your home.

Standards for Fire Protection Systems (FPS)

Here are some key standards for FPS:

1. NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) Standards:

• NFPA 13: Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems
• NFPA 20: Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
• NFPA 72: National Fire Alarm and Signaling Code

2. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) Standards:

• UL 216: Standard for Fire-Resistive Barriers
• UL 268: Standard for Smoke Detectors for Fire Protective Signaling Systems

3. FM (Factory Mutual) Standards:

• FM 2000: Clean Agent Fire Extinguishing Systems
•  FM 3000: Water Mist Fire Protection Systems

4. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) Standards:

• ISO 21925: Fire protection systems - Automatic sprinkler systems
• ISO 25762: Fire safety engineering - Fire risk assessment

5. Local and National Regulations:

• Fire and Life Safety Code
• Municipality Fire Safety Regulations
• Country Fire Protection Code

Components of Fire Protection Systems (FPS)

1. Fire Detection Systems: Smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors

2. Fire Alarm Systems: Control panels, alarm devices, notification appliances

3. Fire Suppression Systems: Sprinkler systems, clean agent systems, foam systems

4. Fire Pumps: Electric, diesel, or steam-powered pumps

5. Fire Hydrant Systems: Underground and above-ground hydrant systems

Importance of Fire Protection Systems (FPS)

1. Life Safety: Protects people from fire-related injuries and fatalities

2. Property Protection: Minimizes damage to buildings, equipment, and assets

3. Business Continuity: Ensures minimal disruption to business operations

4. Compliance: Meets regulatory requirements and industry standards

EMERGENCY NUMBERS' NEED TO BE POSTED AT EACH TELEPHONE. DO YOU KNOW WHAT NUMBERS TO CALL FOR FIRE, POLICE OR AMBULANCE?