aerodrome fire prevention

Aerodrome

Bello Ibrahim Msc, MWSO, MIOSH

Introduction

It is noteworthy that with the best planning

system in the world today, it is impossible to

Completely eliminate the risk of fire outbreak in

Domestic, Commercial, Industrial and other public

places.

This lecture intends primarily to discuss various

aspects of fire prevention, i.e.

How to prevent fire from occurring

What to do if it occurs, and

Evacuation of personnel to a place of safety.

DefinitionsAerodrome:

Fuel

Any combustible material – solid, liquid or gas

Oxygen

The air we breathe is about 21% oxygen –

fire needs only 16% oxygen

Heat

The energy necessary to increase the temperature of

fuel to where sufficient vapors are given off for

ignition to occur

Fire is an aggregation of Heat, Air and Fuel.

There are 5 Classes of FireClass AOrdinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and some plastics.

Class B

Flammable liquids and gases such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, propane and

butane.

.

Class CEnergized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes and power tools.

Class DCertain combustible

metals, such as magnesium, titanium,

potassium, and sodium

Class K Fire: This is also called kitchen fire, it involve cooking oil & fat.

TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS

Basically we have 4 types of fire extinguishers, they are

1. DCP (Dry Chemical Powder)

2. CO2 (Carbon (iv)Oxide)

Foam Extinguisher

Kitchen Fire Extinguisher

Aerodrome environment can be divided into:-

Airside, &

Landside.

AERODROME

•Airside is where aircraft operational activities take place; it includes Apron, Tarmac, Taxiways, Runways, Hangars, e.t.c.

Land Side

This is where activities that do not have direct relation with aircraft takes place eg: Offices, Shops, Parking area, Restaurants, Banks, Fuel Farms, etc.

Fire Prevention @ Airside.

Based on the operational activities taking place atthe air side, those that require strict fire prevention guidelines include:-

Aircraft fueling (including defueling)

Ground handling operations

Bush Fire

Bush Fire

Electrical faultsArsonNegligence by personnel working around the perimeter fence

Causes of Bush Fire

Bush Fire Challenges Sudden change in wind parameters (direction, speed and type), &Smoke/dust

Bush Fire Prevention TipsAll electrical cables should be properly buried and protected

Grasses around the two active runways should be trimmed and properly maintained

Security should be at alert to oversee any act relating arsonist

Personnel working around the perimeter fence should NOT carry any naked flame or source of ignition

Vehicles working around the runway should have spark arrestor

Safety Measures During Aircraft Refueling.

Fueling zone should be established before

fueling commences.

Fueling Zone

Aircraft-borne auxiliary power unit (APU’s)

should be started before fueling connections

are made.

Ground power units can only be operated outside

the fueling zone.

No source of ignition, e.g. footwear’s with expose iron and do not operate mobile phones.

All exits to the aircraft (if passengers on board) should be widely open.

Appropriate fire extinguisher should be stationed and be manned by a staff.

Strict NO smoking should be observed.

Fuel delivery side of the truck should not be

parked close to the undercarriage or aircraft

engine.

Fueling apparatus should be grounded to

prevent static ignition.

Fueling vehicles should be positioned such that, accessibility to the aircraft by ARFFS vehicles is not interrupted.

Proper fuel truck positioning

Fuel SpillageSpillage of fuel beneath the aircraft constitutes a severe hazard to personnel, aircraft and other equipment.

The following should be observed in case of fuel spillage:-

Report to ARFFS and Operation Departments.

Leakages should be shutdown.

All operations i.e. fueling, ground power, cargo or baggage handling operating within 15m radius from the spillage should be stopped.

Fueling while Passengers on Board

Passengers should be informed that fueling is about to take place.

‘No smoking’ sign in the aircraft interior should be put ON.

Stairways should be positioned at normal passenger exits; and be kept ajar.

Aircraft interior lightening should be ON to enable emergency exits be identified.

Fire Prevention During Ground Operations.

Do not park or operate operational vehicles under the wing of an aircraft.

All operational vehicles should have an exhaust system and spark arrestors.

GPU should only be operated 6 meters from fueling zone.

Proper positioning of operational vehicles.

Care should be taken when handling materials that have the potentials of providing sparks often collisions e.g. metals.

Fire Prevention @ Land Side

Land side is where activities that do not have direct contact to aircraft occur such as:-

Restaurants

Car park

Fuel dumps and aviation fuel farms

Offices e.t.c.

Aviation fuel farm: Fuel farm is located at the landside and has direct link to airside.

No smoking sings should be pasted in all strategic position within the farm.

Fuel servicing equipment should be properly manned and the area be free of weeds.

In view of the above the following should be observed:-

Appropriate fire extinguisher should be stationed at fuel storage areas and lodging stations.

Fuel hydrants, pits, cabinet should be located 15m from building.

Emergency shut offs should be free of obstruction and placards be placed 2m above the ground.

Fuel trucks should be parked at least 15m from buildings and 3m apart.

FIRE PREVENTION @ OFFICES/ HOMES

Fire at work can mean more than perhaps a few days off, occupants can be badly injured or killed and properties destroyed.

The following guidelines should be observed in offices/homes so as to minimize any fire hazard or fire outbreak.

FIRE PREVENTION @ OFFICES/ HOMES

passage ways and exits free from storage waste.

Smoke only where permitted, use large, non-tip ashtrays.

Smoking in the leaving or bed rooms should be discouraged

Petrol and other highly flammable liquids must be properly stored.

The use of boiling ring should be stopped rather use electric kettles with automatic switch-offs devices.

Know the location of the main switch in your office

Over loading of electrical sockets should discouraged

All electrical appliances should be of high quality.

Switch off all electrical appliances during closing hours.

Heat producing equipment like copiers, work processors, kettle should be kept away from any combustible materials.

KITCHEN FIRE PREVENTION

Closes/ rags should be kept away from stoves

Flammable substance like aerosols, kerosene should be kept away from cooking area

Lighters matches should be kept away from children

Never leave cooking unattended

Do not spray water into electrical outlets when cleaning or washing dishes

Get a kitchen fire extinguisher and a fire blanket

Provide sufficient ventilation in the kitchen

Have an escape route or emergency exit

WHAT TO DO UPON DISCOVERY OF FIRE OR ITS SIGN

If fire occurs DO NOT PANIC, follow the following steps.

Use appropriate fire extinguisher to control a small fire, IF you can

Activate fire alarm if any or use verbal method.

Notify fire department (064-430741, 064895435 & 08157992863).

In case of class K fire use fire blanket or wet a rag with water and cover the burning substance.

Fire involving cooking gas make sure you TURN OFF the gas to cut off its supply

Shut down equipment within your vicinity, if you can.

If smoke is present, crawl low and move towards an exit.

Before opening any door use the back of your hand to feel for heat on the door surface, if it is hot do not open.

Provide fire personnel with details of what happen and any hazard within the building you might know.

Isolate the area by closing doors, windows, if you can and evacuate immediately.

If your clothes caught fire don’t run, Drop and Roll

EMERGENCY EVERCUATION

Blocked and obstructed exit

Exit is blocked and poorly lit

All dead ends or closed exits be marked ‘NO EXIT’

Blocked extinguisher

Safety is every ones responsibilities so all hands most be on deck to have safe Aerodrome.

Conclusion

FIN

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