Basic

Fire Safety

Training

Scope• Introduction

Importance of Fire Safety

The Fire Triangle

• Common causes of fire Unsafe practices that lead to a fire

SCDF Fire Inspection Statistics

• Fire prevention measures

• Responding to a fire Activation, Assistance and Attempt

• Extinguishing of a fire Classes of fires

Dry Powder(ABC ) extinguisher

How to use a fire extinguisher

• Fire evacuation procedures

Why Fire Safety is important?Fire can happen anywhere.

A small fire can grow quickly.

YOU can help to prevent fires before they start and to kill the fire during the incipient stage.

Heat sources: Sunlight, hotplates, naked flame, etc.

Fuel sources: Hoarding of personal items, poor housekeeping, etc.

Oxygen sources: Oxidizing chemicals etc.

Fire requires three elements:

Fire Triangle

COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE1. Electrical short circuit, overloading andoverheating of electrical appliance.

COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE2. Chemicals with low flash point, pyrophoric or uncontrolled exothermic reactions and mishandling and improper storage of chemicals.

COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE3. Hotworks and smoking

Unsafe Practices1. Poor housekeeping and blocking of egress

Unsafe Practices2. Blocking of fire detection system

Unsafe Practices3. Human errors arises from renovation works

Unsafe Practices4. Keeping equipment constantly energized

SCDF FIRE SAFETY VIOLATIONS (Jan – Jun 2012)

DESCRIPTION No. of violations

1. Obstruction to exits/fire engine access way 367

2. Unauthorized storage of combustibles/flammable 230

3. Exit signs not illuminated 207

4. Non maintenance of fire extinguisher/ hose reel 96

• Check your own area for

• Overloaded circuits

• Appliances without “SAFETY MARK”

• Wiring for frayed ends or worn insulation

FIRE PREVENTIVE MEASURES

Exposed and frayed Wiring

Overloading of Circuit

Without Safety Mark

Non-approved self-made extension board

Overloading of Circuit

• Conduct Fire Risk Assessment

1. Electrical safety 2. Chemical safety

FIRE PREVENTIVE MEASURES

FIRE PREVENTIVE MEASURES• Attend Training

• Conduct inspections

• Keep the lobby, corridors, staircases and exits clear ofobstruction.

• Ensure the manual call-points, fire extinguishers, fire hosereels are working and clear of obstruction at all times.

• Identify the nearest exits, fire alarm panel, manual call-points, fire extinguishers and fire hose reels to aid immediateemergency response during an outbreak of fire.

Fire Hose reelManual Call-Point Fire ExtinguisherEmergency Exit Fire Alarm Panel

Fire Preventive Measures

Fire Protection Equipment and Escape Plan

Fire Alarm Panel Fire Hose Reel Fire Extinguisher

Fire Exit Assembly Area

Responding to a Fire

• ACTIVATE the building alarm or notify Campus Security(6874 1616) / SCDF (995).

• ASSIST any person in immediate danger, or those incapable to move on their own, to exit the building.

• ATTEMPT to extinguish the incipient fire without endangering yourself.

Remember the Three As.

Break the Call-Point

Activate!1.Manual Call Point 2.OCS Hotline

Kent RidgeCampus;U-Town-Call 68741616

Bukit TimahCampus-Call 65163636 or 68741616

Activate!3. Start Evacuation Process

4. Fight Incipient Fires

Assist!Assist personnel in evacuation:

1. Provide assistance to the people around you

2. Physically challenged personnel and medical cases

3. Unconscious and trapped persons

Attempt!Attempt to extinguish the fire

1. Fight an incipient fire using the nearest suitable fire extinguisher

2. Safety considerations

FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT THEORY

Extinguish fire by limiting or interrupting one or moreelements in the fire triangle.

Fire can be extinguished by one of the following:

• Cooling = Reducing its temperature

• Starvation = Eliminating available fuel

• Smothering = Exclusion of oxygen

CLASSES OF FIREClass A Ordinary combustibles materials like wood, paper, cloth, furnishing, plastics and rubber

Class B Flammable liquids, solvents, oils, paints, thinner and flammable gases Combustible liquids such as kerosene

Class C Live electrical equipment like electrical mains, transformers and electrical appliances (extinguishing medium must be electrically non-conductive)

Class D Combustible metals e.g. potassium, magnesium, titanium, sodium, lithium and zirconium

Dry Powder(ABC) ExtinguisherDry Powder (ABC)- Effective for Class A, B and C fires

Advantages- Effective for fire involving plastics and burning metal- Extinguishes fire rapidly- When applied, a cloud of extinguishing agent will screen flame, enable close attack

Disadvantages- Very messy, not suitable for electronic equipment- Inhalation of chemical may be detrimental to one’s health

2.5 Kg (w/o hose) and 4.5 Kg

Dry Powder (with hose)

9kg Dry Powder

(blue) vs 1 kg Dry

Powder( red)

HOW TO OPERATE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER

P - Pull the safety pin

A - Aim at the base of fire

S - Squeeze the handle

S - Sweep from side to side

Has four main components: A hose or nozzle, a carrying handle and lever, a pressure gauge and the cylinder

Use a simple procedure called

Video on operating a Dry Powder Extinguisher

TO FIGHT OR NOT TO FIGHT !Before attempting to fight any fire with an extinguisher, ask yourself the following questions.

Is the area free from other dangers suchas hazardous materials?

NOEVACUATEIMMEDIATELY!

Do I have the right type of extinguisher? NO

EVACUATEIMMEDIATELY!

Is the extinguisher large enough for the fire? NOEVACUATEIMMEDIATELY!

Can I escape quickly and safely from thearea if I attempt to extinguish the fire?

NOEVACUATEIMMEDIATELY!

YES

EXTINGUISH THE FIRE!

YES

YES

YES

Points to note when using an extinguisher1. It is important for you to know the locations and the

types of fire extinguishers in and around your work area.

2. Fire extinguishers can be heavy. It is a good idea to practice by picking up and holding a fire extinguisher to get an idea of its weight and feel.

3. Take time to read the operating instructions and warnings

FIRE EMERGENCY PROCEDURESFIRE ACTION

1. Stop all work. Keep all documents. Switch off all electrical equipment that may start a secondary fire

2. Start evacuation process and take instruction from Fire Warden

3. Leave the building immediately using the nearest safe exit route and report to the assembly area

Take only light essential belongings along, leave bulky onesbehind.Do not use the lifts.Do not re-enter the building unless authorized to do so.

4. Wait at the assembly area for further instructions

FIRE EMERGENCY PROCEDURESFIRE ACTION

ACTION IN THE EVENT OF FIRE1. Raise the alarm by breaking the glass at the nearest manual call-point.

2. Dial 995 on the nearest telephone and give details to SCDF including location:i. Location of the fire.ii. Some indication of its extent.iii. Whether the occupants of the building are in danger.

3. Dial 6874 1616 and inform Campus Security so that they can respond and lead SCDF/SPF to the location of fire.

4. If possible, attack the fire with extinguishing equipment provided but do not put yourself at risk.

Video summary