Fire Prevention Comes First

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Safety Article

Topic : Fire Safety 

Every year, fire incident causes many deaths than other nutural /manmade disasters. If your facilities were severely damaged by fire, you and your co-workers could be injured or even lose your lives. Your customers would lose, too, because they depend on your services.

So what can be done to prevent a fire? First, understand that there are three essential ingredients to all ordinary fires: air (oxygen), ignition source, and fuel (paper, wood, solvents, etc.). To extinguish a fire, simply remove one of the basic ingredients. This can be accomplished by

• Preventing ignition (usually temperature or heat control)
• Smothering (oxygen control)
• Isolation (fuel control)

Fires are classified according to what is burning (its fuel):

Class A fires involve general combustibles, such as wood, cloth, paper, or rubbish. These fires are usually controlled by using water to cool or smother the material.

Class B fires involve flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, grease, or paint. They are usually smothered by using foam, carbon dioxide, or dry chemicals.

Class C fires involve electrical equipment and are usually smothered by oxygen control but never by using water! Typically, carbon dioxide or dry-chemical extinguishers, nonconductors of electricity, are used.

Class D fires occur in combustible metals, such as magnesium, lithium, or sodium, and require special extinguishers and techniques.

Class E fire is an electrical fire that occurs when live electrical equipment is involved in a fire. They are common in homes and offices and can be caused by: Frayed wiring, Overheating, Using the incorrect cord, and Using the incorrect grade of extension cord.

Class K fire is fueled by flammable cooking liquids, such as cooking oil, and animal or vegetable-based greases. These liquids, when brought up to high temperatures, become volatile and can easily ignite. Due to their high flammability, they also spread rapidly.

Fire prevention is everyone’s job, so prevent fires by doing the following:

• Practice daily good housekeeping
• Eliminate electrical hazards
• Keep fire and heat away from flammable liquids
• Make sure cigarettes and cigars are out completely

Practice good housekeeping. Work areas should be kept free of empty boxes and stacks of unused paper. Fire extinguishers and other firefighting apparatus should be accessible and their location clearly marked. All fire doors, emergency exits, stairways, hallways, and aisles must be clear of obstructions.

Eliminate electrical hazards. Check electrical cords for cracks, broken plugs, and poor connections. If you find damaged cords, replace them immediately. Never use makeshift wiring. Never overload extension cords. Too many appliances plugged into an extension cord can cause the cord to overheat and ignite the cord’s insulation.

Protect flammable liquids. When you store flammable liquids, remember that they

are just that—flammable! Carefully read the labels on all products you routinely use

or keep in a storage cabinet to see if they are flammable.

Observe careful smoking habits. Smoking is the single largest cause of home fires. Discarded cigarettes and cigars left in waste cans and receptacles cause thousands of fires each year. Obviously, do not smoke while fueling a vehicle or when standing near vehicle fuel pumps. Always observe the “no smoking” rules in company buildings, facilities, and vehicles.