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Fire Safety : Don't give fire a chance
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There
is plenty of air, fuel and ignition sources at every workplace. So we have all got to be on our toes to prevent fire.
- Prevent ignition: Prevent the ignition of combustible materials in adjacent areas.
- Reduce heat damage: Minimize heat damage to structures, equipment, and personnel.
- Fire-resistant materials: Using materials with high fire-resistance ratings, such as fire-resistant glass or ceramic.
- Insulation: Installing insulation to reduce heat transfer.
- Fire-stopping: Sealing gaps and joints with fire-stopping materials.
- Prevent smoke migration: Prevent smoke from spreading to adjacent areas, including escape routes and safe zones.
- Maintain tenable conditions: Maintain conditions that allow people to safely evacuate or occupy a space.
- Smoke barriers: Installing smoke barriers, such as smoke curtains or smoke doors.
- Smoke dampers: Installing smoke dampers in HVAC systems to prevent smoke spread.
- Pressurization systems: Using pressurization systems to maintain a positive pressure in safe zones.
- Purpose: Heat protection focuses on preventing heat transfer, while smoke protection focuses on preventing smoke spread.
- Design: Heat protection measures often involve materials and designs that provide thermal insulation, while smoke protection measures involve designs and materials that prevent smoke migration.
- Consequences: Heat protection failures can lead to ignition and heat damage, while smoke protection failures can lead to smoke inhalation and reduced visibility.
Here are some ways.
- Store all combustibles away from ignition source.
- Protect the equipment from falling hot metal while overhead flame cutting or welding is carried out.
- Use fire resistant blanket for covering the equipment and fire watch is made available with fire extinguisher.
- Do not smoke near flammables materials or in “NO SMOKING” area.
- Report any possible fire hazard you notice.
- Help protect temporary electric wiring from possible damage.
- Ensure the distribution is NOT OVERLOADED In case of fire in or near live electrical equipment, use dry chemical extinguisher, not water.
- In hot work jobs, be sure combustibles are safe from ignition. Have a FIRE EXTINGUISHER handy for welding and cutting operations or when open flame equipment is used.
- Know where the closest fire extinguisher is located. Know how to use it. Check to see that fire extinguisher is in clear, in proper condition and ready for instant use.
- We do everything we can to try to keep our workplaces fire –safe-but it takes your help, all the time.
What will you do when there is fire?
Activate the nearest fire alarm pull station, call plant emergency no and report the exact location of the fire. Do not hesitate in activating the fire alarm pull station upon detection of fore and/or smoke.
Close all doors in the fire area to confine fire and smoke.
Evacuate: When the alarm sounds, immediately evacuate the site by the nearest Assembly point or stairwell or exit; DO NOT use elevators. Once outside, report to your supervisor
NOTE. if you are in home or office then open the windows slightly at the top and bottom if possible. This will allow heat and smoke to vent out at the top, while letting in fresh air in from the bottom
Fire Safety : Fire Rating Clothing
Fire Rating Clothing
Base Layer–Clothing worn underneath primary FR clothing should also be flame-resistant for added safety.
Char Length –A measurement used to assess FR clothing performance based on the amount of damaged fabric when a Vertical Flame Test (ASTM D6413) is performed.
Denim –Contrary to common misconceptions, regular denim does not offer sufficient protection against hazards such as arc flash and flash fire — but comfortable FR options are now available in a variety of popular styles.
Energy Break-Open Threshold (EBT)–The amount of incident energy required for a fabric to break open; one of two ways to express arc rating (the other way is ATPV).
Flame Resistant (FR)–A fabric or product that resists ignition and self-extinguishes after removal of the ignition source.
General Duty Clause–OSHA section 5(a)(1), a clause under the Occupational Health and Safety Act that requires employers to furnish each employee with a place of employment free from recognized hazards that cause or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm.
Heat Stress–Choosing FR clothing made from lightweight, breathable fabrics can help reduce heat stress.
Inherent Flame Resistance–Describes FR fabrics that are flame resistant due to the chemical structure of the fibers.
Jackets–All jackets and other outerwear worn over an FR uniform should also be flame resistant.
Knits – FR knit fabrics are known to offer an exceptional level of comfort.
Lightweight–Lightweight fabrics, especially those that also offer good breathability, are often more comfortable than other options — but before choosing a garment made from lightweight fabric, it is important to ensure that it still offers the necessary levels of FR protection and durability.
Multi-Hazard Protection–FR products that offer improved safety and convenience by simultaneously protecting against more than one hazard (e.g., combined protection against flash fire, arc flash and molten metal splatter; FR protection mixed with high visibility; or FR protection combined with chemical-splash protection).
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)–Publishes standards related to protection against various hazards, such as NFPA 2112 for flash fire and NFPA 70E for electric arc flash.
Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA)–Sets and enforces safety regulations, including several related to FR clothing, in an effort to ensure a safe and healthy work environment for all employees.
PPE Category–Under NFPA 70E, personal protective equipment (PPE) like FR clothing is assigned to one of four categories based on the level of electric arc flash energy exposure it protects against.
Quality Management System–A quality assurance program that monitors product quality through well-documented inspection and testing procedures, and includes criteria for acceptance, rejection, handling of nonconforming materials and material recalls throughout the manufacturing process (e.g., an ISO 9001 certified quality management system).
Repair–When repairing FR clothing, always use FR thread, FR components (e.g., buttons and zippers) and repair patches made from the same FR fabric as the original garment—and if the garment is excessively worn or has rips to large to be patched, replace it instead.
Safety Standards–Organizations such as OSHA, NFPA, ASTM International and others publish regulations and standards that outline best practices related to FR clothing; adhering to these best practices helps promote safety and prevent costly fines.
Thermal Protective Performance (TPP)–A fabric’s TPP is determined by the amount of heat it takes to pass through the fabric and cause a second-degree burn.
UL Certified–UL is a third-party organization that offers certification for FR garments that meet or exceed key standards, such as NFPA 2112.
Vertical Flame Test–Also known as ASTM D6413, this is a standard test method for measuring the flame resistance of textiles based on after-flame time, after-glow time and char length.
Wear Trials–Every workplace has different needs, and perceptions of FR clothing comfort and functionality can vary from person to person, so it is often a good idea to do a wear trial before purchasing FR workwear.
XS, XL, 2XL, 3XL, etc.–FR clothing must fit properly to provide the best protection, so be sure to order the right size garment for each worker and, if necessary, work with a manufacturer to get custom garments made in non-stock sizes.
Yoke–In FR clothing (and non-FR clothing), a yoke is a shaped section of fabric that forms part of a garment (often around the neck and shoulders or the hips) and provides support and structure for the rest of the garment, influencing fit and appearance.
Zippers–Zippers, as well as buttons, snaps and other components, should always be made from FR or high-temperature resistant materials, and FR garments should be constructed in a way that keeps any metal components from coming into contact with the skin.
While this A to Z list is a strong foundation, there is plenty more you should know about FR clothing. For additional information, consult the NFPA standards and OSHA regulations relevant to your workplace. You may also wish to collaborate with a knowledgeable workwear manufacturer to identify the types of FR clothing best suited for your needs.
Fire Safety : Fire Prevention - A Study Hand Book
Fire Prevention - A Study Hand Book
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Labels:
Fire Safety
Location:
Thrissur, Kerala, India
Fire Safety : Fire Prevention - Construction SiteFire Prevention - Construction Site This may sound like a contradiction, but the problem with fire prevention on a construction site is the absence of a problem. Fires do not occur with frequency or regularity and therefore workers are not particularly concerned about them. Another word for this is complacency, an environment in which danger grows and thrives. It is extremely difficult to motivate some one to take an active interest in fire prevention when the person has never been involved in a serious fire and when they face other, imminent hazards on a daily basis. This leads to the common misconception that fire prevention is someone else's problem.
Almost
every construction worker has at one time or another seen someone
injured by a fall or being struck by an object. Very few have seen a
person burned in a fire, or seen valuable property and months of work
reduced to smoke and ashes.
We need to be reminded regularly of the
ever-present danger of fire. We need to know the different types of
fires and extinguishers. Briefly, electrical or flammable liquid fires
require an extinguisher rated BC. Use a water extinguisher only for
Class A fires (wood, paper etc.).
A dry chemical extinguisher rated ABC is
for all classes of fire. Aim at the base of the fire and move the nozzle
from side to side in a sweeping motion. If the fire continues, evacuate
everyone from the area and call the fire department.
Observe all 'NO SMOKING'
signs, especially near flammables. Make sure the area is free from all
combustibles when burning or welding. Place all construction debris in
the proper area for disposal . Know where fire extinguishers are
located.
A fire today could mean loss of life, loss
of a job, personal injury or property damage. Are you doing your part
to prevent one? Check both your job and your home for fire hazards.
Fire Safety : Office Fire Safety PlanOffice Fire Safety Plan
(Reference/Sample Use only)
A. The Responsible Person
A ‘responsible person’ who is the responsibility of ensuring the safety of the staff and visitors who may legally come onto our office and of anyone not on the premises but who may be affected. The responsible person called as WARDEN and he must be carry out preventive action, Fire Safety drills and Risk Assessments training.
B. Fire Wardens
Wardens are caretakers of the concern office premises.
The Wardens:
C. Fire Marshal (Competent Persons)
Fire Marshal regional wise to carry out the following duties:
A Fire Marshal have the appropriate level of training, experience, and knowledge. Training and supervision will be provided for nominated Fire Marshal by company.
D. Documentation & Records on safety.
The following records will be kept in good order, up to date and available for scrutiny at any time
E. Duties of the Staff.
(‘Staff’ includes all employees and visitors of the office, Warehouse and site)
All staff have a duty to take reasonable steps to ensure that they do not place themselves or others at risk of harm. They are also expected to co-operate fully in complying with any procedures that the company may introduce as a measure to protect the safety and well-being of all staff and visitors.
F. Communication
The company will ensure that any person it employs (directly or indirectly) is provided with all information related to fire safety and consult with our employees on all matters of fire safety policy and arrangements. We will keep staff informed of any changes that are made to our fire safety procedures and fire risk assessment. A fire safety briefing will form part of the induction training for new members of staff. We will also ensure that all visitors to our premises are briefed in the evacuation procedures and not left alone unless they are aware of, and familiar with, all available escape routes.
G. Procedures
The company has introduced the following procedures in order to maintain high standards of fire safety:
Fire Safety : Workplace Fire Safety and Emergency ResponseWorkplace Fire Safety Fire safety training at work is everyone’s business. Each year , there are many workplace fires reporting. Of these most of incident many have injury and end in death. Fortunately, most workplace fires can be prevented — only 15 percent of them are a result of circumstances outside of human control. The key is training, knowledge, and preventative measures. It’s important that businesses establish and implement fire safety programs and that all employees are involved. Fire safety training kits should cover all vital elements such as hazard recognition, prevention, and response. Use these fire safety basics to get you started. Hazard Recognition and Prevention First of all in order to eliminate fire hazards, you have to know what to look for. Take the time to perform a workplace hazard assessment where you can search for and document known hazards. Once hazards have been identified, you’ll then be able to either control them if they are unavoidable or eliminate them altogether. Consider the following:
Fire Response
Tips to Elevate Safety During Fire Response Choose the correct fire extinguisher for the job. Certain fire extinguishers are designed to extinguish particular types of fires. For example, an extinguisher designed to put out grease fires is not effective against fires caused by ordinary combustibles such as paper and cardboard. While nothing is an equal substitute for training on and familiarization with the use of fire extinguishers, the basics can be remembered with one simple acronym: PASS.
Fire Extinguishers PASS: When using a fire extinguisher, follow this common acronym to maximize its effectiveness.
Fire extinguishers are composed of a variety of materials depending on the type of fire they are designed to eliminate. All extinguishers will contain contents under high pressure. Water: Water-type extinguishers contain water under air pressure. They are not always the most desirable option, such as in the event of an electrical fire where water would escalate the situation. The cylinder of the extinguisher is often recognizable by being silver in color. Dry Chemicals: These types of extinguishers contain dry chemicals, ordinarily a bicarbonate derivative (such as sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), in foam or powder form. The purpose is to smother the fire source with a chemical that breaks down into carbon dioxide. CO2 removes and/or displaces oxygen, which is the active fuel behind a fire. Dry chemical extinguishers are generally red in color and have a pressure gauge at the top near the lever. Carbon Dioxide: Highly-pressurized carbon dioxide. Under such high pressure, it is released at a very low temperature, addressing the fire by not only displacing the oxygen but freezing temperatures. You may typically recognize a CO2 extinguisher by a horn at the end of the hose and a lack of pressure gauge. Below is a table which will describe the uses for which individually-rated fire extinguishers are designed. Fire extinguishers are required by law to display clear rating labels on the cylinder as well as inspection tags which must reflect a maintenance inspection date on an annual (at minimum) basis. Not all fire extinguishers are manufactured exactly alike. Variations may include operating instructions or distance the user should stand from the fire when dispersing contents. Required cylinder labeling will inform you of the specifics. First Aid for Burns Burns are common injuries at the workplace daily. Several different things can cause burns, and can result in varying levels of injury. Identifying the type and severity of the burn is the first step to administering first aid. When treating a burn, follow these steps:
Classifications of Burns 1st Degree: 1st Degree burns are identified by redness of skin and are generally uncomfortable. 1st Degree burns are generally caused by overexposure to the sun, scalding by moderately hot water, or touching hot material. 2nd Degree: 2nd Degree burns are generally identified by blistering and extreme redness of skin. 3rd Degree: 3rd Degree burns may cause charring, whiteness, and permanent discoloration of skin. 3rd Degree burns can be considered life threatening. Burns Due to Fire Fires generally cause second and third degree burns. Second degree burns show redness, swelling, and blistering. Third degree burns have a white or charred appearance. Treat 2nd and 3rd degree burns as follows:
Burns Due to Electricity
Burns Due to Chemicals
In conclusion, serious burns of any type cause nerve damage that disables the healing process. To help reduce future complications, always take extra care to avoid contaminating a burn that could result in an infection. Always remember, fires are nearly always avoidable. Knowledge, training, and a solid fire safety training topics can save you and your company from injuries, death, and property damage.
Fire Safety : FIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEMFIRE SPRINKLER SYSTEM
When considering fire sprinkler design for any building, it's important to follow the following steps:
1. Determine the fire hazard level in the building Every building should be classified for fire risk under the following categories: light hazard, ordinary hazard group 1, ordinary hazard group 2, extra hazard group 1, or extra hazard group 2. Factors involved in classifying a building's hazard level include the material used in construction, the occupancy level, the materials stored in the building, the processes performed in the building (and whether these processes include flammable liquids), ceiling heights, ease of egress, and the amount of floors and rooms. 2. Determine the design area and design density The design area is a theoretical space within the building that's designated as the worst possible place where a fire can break out. Once determined as the highest risk area in the building, this area's risk level is usually applied to the entire building. Once that's done, determine the amount of water per square meter would be needed to put a fire out in the design area. The calculations should be done in liters of water per minute. This will help you determine the type of sprinkler heads, fire sprinkler design, and amount of water pressure you'll need. 3. Determine which fire sprinkler design will best meet your needs You'll need to find a fire sprinkler design that can deliver the amount of water per square foot required to put out a fire in your design area. Doing this entails complex calculations that account for the initial water pressure, as well as reductions or elevations to it due to friction in the pipes, momentum from the speed the water travels, and the difference in elevation between the water pump and the sprinkler heads. Nowadays, these calculations are often performed by computer software-although fire sprinkler installation professionals are still required to learn to do them by hand as part of their when designing your fire sprinkler system, you have a lot of choices. Here are a few of the more common ones. The hazard levels they are appropriate for can vary, depending on the height and size of the building and other factors that can affect water pressure, but this list includes some examples of building types these fire sprinkler designs are generally appropriate for. Control Mode Sprinklers are the standard fire sprinkler design. These stop a fire from spreading by dumping water directly on the fire when it starts, lowering its core temperature to the point where the fire can no longer sustain its heat. This fire sprinkler design also "pre-wets" flammable material adjacent to the fire. Suppression Sprinklers are specially suited to work quickly and handle fast-growing and challenging fires. Instead of pre-wetting the area as the control mode fire sprinkler design does, the suppression sprinklers release a deluge of water directly on the core of the fire-lowering the temperature quickly and efficiently. This fire sprinkler design is often preferred in buildings containing highly flammable materials, as they quickly stop an already-severe fire from growing. Fast-Response Sprinklers work more quickly than other designs. In some areas, this is the required fire sprinkler design for light-hazard occupancies. Water Mist Sprinklers are often used on offshore oil drilling rigs and ships, as well as in areas where water damage is a special concern. Unlike many fire sprinkler designs which extinguish solely by removing the heat from a fire, the water mist fire sprinkler design attacks a fire on two fronts: its warmth and its oxygen supply. It does not douse the area, which is better for rooms containing water-sensitive equipment. Instead of spraying water, water mist sprinklers spray high-pressure mist, which is converted to steam when it encounters the heat from the fire. When converting to steam, the mist water droplets deplete the oxygen supply in the room, effectively suffocating the fire. In addition, the water mist is a powerful cooling agent and blocks the fire's radiant heat, dropping its temperature and keeping it from spreading. Residential sprinklers are specially designed to protect people in the room of origin from being injured by a fire. This fire sprinkler design is often the best choice for residential developers and landlords. Decorator Sprinklers sometimes called concealed sprinklers, can be designed to blend in with the ceiling so as not to be visible. This fire sprinkler design can come in custom colors, and the sprinkler head is typically recessed. A cap is placed over the recess and colored to match the ceiling. The glue used to attach it will dissolve in case of a fire, dropping off and exposing the sprinkler head. These are often the fire sprinkler design of choice in homes. Extended Coverage Sprinklers are designed so that each sprinkler head covers a wide area-and limits the amount of sprinkler heads needed to protect a building. This fire sprinkler design is also useful in areas with lots of flammable material, as the wide footprint for each sprinkler head will "pre-wet" surrounding materials in case of a fire. These can be installed with a residential, quick-response, or standard design. Low-Pressure Sprinklers are designed to handle fire protection needs in tall buildings where water pressure may be reduced in the upper floors. This fire sprinkler design is often used in skyscrapers and tall tenement buildings. Using this fire sprinkler design can be more cost-effective than other designs. It will also reduce pipe size and reduce the need for a fire pump. Early Suppression Fast Response (ESFR) Sprinklers are designed to control fires that start in storage areas piled high with flammable materials. They are typically used in high-risk storage facilities. Wet-Pipe or Dry-Pipe are two versions of fire sprinkler design you can install. With a wet-pipe system, the water is constantly running through the pipes. This is the most common type of system, and is most typically found in residential buildings that are constantly heated. With a dry-pipe fire sprinkler design, the pipes are filled with compressed air, and hooked up to the water source via a pump or valve. When a sprinkler head is activated, the valve is tripped and water floods the pipes. This system is more difficult to maintain than a wet-pipe fire sprinkler design, but it is ideal for buildings that are not constantly heated, as they protect pipes from bursting. Dry Pipe Fire Sprinkler System A dry pipe sprinkler system is one in which pipes are filled with pressurized air or nitrogen, rather than water. This air holds a remote valve, known as a dry pipe valve, in a closed position. Located in a heated space, the dry-pipe valve prevents water from entering the pipe until a fire causes one or more sprinklers to operate. Once this happens, the air escapes and the dry pipe valve releases. Water then enters the pipe, flowing through open sprinklers onto the fire. Advantages of using dry pipe fire sprinkler systems include:
Many people view dry pipe sprinklers as advantageous for protection of collections and other water sensitive areas. This perceived benefit is due to a fear that a physically damaged wet pipe system will leak while dry pipe systems will not. In these situations, however, dry pipe systems will generally not offer any advantage over wet pipe systems. Should impact damage happen, there will only be a mild discharge delay, i.e. 1 minute, while air in the piping is released before water flow. Disadvantages of using dry pipe fire sprinkler systems include:
Fire Safety - Key RequirementsFire Safety - Key Requirements
Not only do your employees need to know how to respond to workplace fires, they also have to understand how to help prevent them. That's a lot of information to communicate about fire safety, and no better time than the present.
All employees should know the essentials for responding effectively in the event of a fire. For example, when they hear a fire alarm, they should:
If employees discover a fire, they should:
If they are unable to get out of the building, they should:
Fire Extinguishers
If you expect employees to use fire extinguishers, make sure they're properly trained. Make sure they know which extinguisher to use for the different types of fires and they should also be trained to use a fire extinguisher properly:
At the same time you teach employees how to use an extinguisher, make sure they know when to use one and when not to. Portable fire extinguishers are made for small fires only. Employees should understand that if a fire is big or spreading, they should not try to fight it but instead call 108, activate the fire alarm, and evacuate the building.
Fire Prevention
Of course, preventing workplace fires is always better than fighting them. So don't forget to teach your employees some basic fire prevention strategies, too. For example:
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