Fire Awareness
A basic understanding of the theory of combustion is necessary in order to use this knowledge for the prevention, control and extinction of fire.
Basically, fire is the result of a chemical reaction in which a substance combines with oxygen, destroying its form by the heat generated in the reaction.
There are 3 factors required to support combustion and they may be shown in the form of a triangle of fire. These factors are:
FUEL
which may be in the form of a solid, liquid or gas
OXYGEN
which exists in the air (21%)
HEAT
a minimum temperature, the ignition temperature, is required which varies with the fuel material.
By removing any one of those components, the triangle will collapse and combustion cannot be supported.
Causes of Fire
The most common causes are: Arson, discarded smoking materials, smoking in prohibited areas, build up of flammable waste in the workplace, incorrectly stored flammable substances and faulty electrical supplies or circuits.
- Keep flammable materials to a minimum
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Lock away flammable items when not in use
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Keep stairs and corridors clear
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Avoid piles of rubbish in hidden places (remember the tragedy at Bradford Football Stadium)
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All gas and electrical equipment checked regularly (this is compulsory)
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Make sure everyone knows how to raise the fire alarm
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Check the fire alarm weekly
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Fire alarms and extinguishers checked annually
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Keep fire doors and exits free of obstructions and clearly marked
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Have regular fire drills and clearly display fire instructions
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Make sure staff know how to use the fire extinguishers.
Extinguisher Types
Fire Extinguishers work by preventing the fire from getting heat or fuel or oxygen. Until recently they were all totally different colours. Now they are all coloured red. A small coloured band tells them apart. They are different because each one is designed for use on a different type of fire.
| Fire Class |
Example of Fuel |
Exstinguisher Type and Colour Code |
Removes |
| A - Solid |
Paper |
Water H2O |
Heat |
| B - Flammable Liquid |
Solvent |
Carbon Dioxide (CO2 or Foam |
Oxygen/Smothers |
| C - Flammable Gas |
Propane |
Carbon Dioxide (CO2 or Dry Powder |
Oxygen/Smothers | |
