Why? Fire Kills! Each year 700 people die as a result of fires in their own homes A further 14000 are injured The best way to avoid danger is to prevent fire starting in the first place
Legislation Fire Safety Regulations, Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 Fire safety legislation states that it is both the responsibility of the employer and employee to ensure fire prevention.
Employers Responsibilities Provide a safe environment with adequate facilities and safe conditions - fire extinguishers, blankets, warning signs, fire doors, telephone, non-flammable materials Safe access and egress - adequate fire exits etc Information training etc and safe systems - fire training; action to take in the event of a fire, practice fire drills Control the use of dangerous substances and safe storage - oxygen cylinders, safe storage, risk assessment on the package and carers fully informed
Employees Responsibilities Being aware of potential fire risks and hazards Taking necessary steps to prevent fire removing hazards and reporting potential risks Taking the right course of action if a fire starts Identifying different kinds of fire equipment and using them effectively.
The Nature and Cause of Fire The Fire Tetrahedron Each of the four sides of the fire tetrahedron symbolize Fuel or combustible material Heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature Oxygen to sustain combustion Chemical Chain Reaction.
The Nature and Cause of Fire All four elements must be present for fire to occur. Removal of any one of these essential elements will result in the fire being extinguished. Theoretically, fire extinguishers put out fire by taking away one or more elements of the fire tetrahedron. Removal of Heat - or Cooling Removal of Fuel - or Starving Removal or Limitation of Oxygen - or Blanketing and smothering
Potential Hazards Equipment Only use equipment you are qualified and competent in using. Always switch off equipment by the plug when not in use. Remove any faulty equipment and if waiting for a repair ensure it is labeled as faulty to prevent others accidentally using. Always ensure your environment is clear and clean when using equipment.
Potential Hazards Electricity Never overload electrical sockets Visually check cables for signs of wear and tear Never try to carry out an electrical repair yourself Make sure you know where the electricity isolation switch is
Potential Hazards Rubbish Do not let rubbish build up as rubbish helps fire spread Dispose of waste in appropriate containers Dispose of flammable containers safely
Potential Hazards Cooking Never leave pans unattended particularly if cooking with oils or fats Keep kitchen clean and tidy Check wiring on equipment Ensure you know the location of isolation valves and switches for gas and electricity Do not use kitchen equipment outside of the kitchen area
Fire Procedures All workplaces are required to have procedures in place to effectively manage a fire. The procedure is a written document which includes the action of all staff in the event of a fire and the arrangements for calling the fire brigade. In small premises these details would be found displayed on a General Fire Notice. Fire procedures in Clients homes will be determined by the Clients needs a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) will be drawn up if required.
Example PEEP
Fire Related Signs Different coloured signs carry different meanings in relation to fire safety. Green signs indicate safe exits
Fire Related Signs Red signs indicate fire equipment
Fire Related Signs Yellow signs indicate a warning or hazard
Fire Related Signs Blue signs indicate mandatory instruction
Discovering a Fire What action should you take on discovering a fire? Always put your own and other people s safety first Follow the Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan
Discovering a Fire Raise the Alarm Inform the fire brigade Follow the PEEP Get out - evacuate occupants to a safe distance leave by the nearest exit Do not put yourself at risk in order to either extinguish a fire or rescue other people in the building Only tackle the fire if small in its very early stages Don t stop to pick up personal belongings Once out stay out and be there to inform the firemen with information such as anyone in building and where? dangers, directions etc
Calling the Emergency Services Ring 999 or 112 Fire /Police /Ambulance - state clearly: - Which service you need Address and telephone including information such as whether it is a house or flat and whether there are people in building Any additional information you feel may help e.g. gas involved, person trapped is disabled, house next to petrol station Stay calm - when in a panic, voices can be very high pitched and difficult to understand so take a deep breathe and speak slowly and clearly Listen for confirmation that the operator has heard what you have said correctly - without the right address no one will be able to come and help and it could be a matter of Life and Death
Types of Fires
Fire Extinguishers Water Best For Fires involving organic solid materials such as wood, cloth, paper, plastics, Coal etc. Danger Do not use on burning fat or oil or on electrical appliances How to Use Point the jet at the base of the flames and keep it moving across the area of the fire. Ensure that all areas of the fire are out. How it Works Water has a great effect on cooling the fuel surfaces and thereby reducing the pyrolysis rate of the fuel
Fire Extinguishers Dry Powder Extinguisher (Multi-Purpose) Best For Can be used on fires involving organic solids, liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol, etc but not on chip or fat pan fires. Danger Safe on live electrical equipment, although does not penetrate the spaces in equipment easily and the fire may re-ignite. This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and care should be taken that the fire does not flare up again. Smoldering material in deep seated fires such as upholstery or bedding can cause the fire to start up again. Do not use on domestic chip or fat pan fires. How to Use Point the jet or discharge horn at the base of the flames and, with a rapid sweeping motion, drive the fire towards the far edge until all the flames are out. If the extinguisher has a shut-off control wait until the air clears and if you can still see the flames, attack the fire again. How it Works Similarly to almost all extinguishing agents the powders acts as a thermal ballast making the flames too cool for the chemical reactions to continue. Some powders also provide a minor chemical inhibition, although this effect is relatively weak. These powders thus provide rapid knockdown of flame fronts, but may not keep the fire suppressed.
Fire Extinguishers Foam Extinguisher (AFFF) Best For Fires involving solids. Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol,etc but not on domestic chip or fat pan fires. Can also be used on class A fires. Danger Do not use on domestic chip or fat pan fires. How to Use For fires involving solids, point the jet at the base of the flames and keep it moving across the area of the fire. Ensure that all areas of the fire are out. For fire involving liquids, do not aim the jet straight into the liquid. Where the liquid on fire is in a container, point the jet at the inside edge of the container or on a nearby surface above the burning liquid. Allow the foam to build up and flow across the liquid. How it Works They are mainly water based, with a foaming agent so that the foam can float on top of the burning liquid and break the interaction between the flames and the fuel surface.
Fire Extinguishers Carbon Dioxide Best For Live electrical equipment when it is not possible to isolate the electric supply and flammable liquids such as grease, fats, oil paint, petrol etc. but not on domestic chip or fat pan fires. Danger Do not use on domestic chip or fat pan fires. This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and you need to watch that the fire does not start up again. Fumes from CO2 extinguishers can be harmful if used in confined spaces: ventilate the area as soon as the fire has been controlled. How to Use The discharge horn should be directed at the base of the flames and the jet kept moving across the area of the fire. How it Works Carbon dioxide extinguisher works on classes B and C and works by suffocating the fire. Carbon dioxide will not burn and displaces air.
Fire Extinguishers Fire Blanket Fire blankets are made of fire resistant materials. They are particularly useful for smothering flammable liquid fires or for wrapping round a person whose clothing is on fire. Fire blankets conforming to British Standard BS EN 1869 : 1997 are suitable for use in the home BS 7944 : 1999 is suitable for industrial use. These will be marked to show whether they should be thrown away after use or used again after cleaning in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. Best For Fires involving both solids and liquids. Particularly good for small fires in clothing and for domestic or commercial chip and fat pan fires provided the blanket completely covers the fire. Danger If the blanket does not completely cover the fire, it will not be able to extinguished the fire. How to Use Place carefully over the fire. Keep your hands shielded from the fire. Do not waft the fire towards you. How it Works Smothers the fireand prevent oxygen getting to the fire.
Policy and Guidance ACFL Health and Safety Policy
Summary Employers AND employees have responsibilities regarding fire safety and should aim to prevent fire by identifying risks and hazards and ensuring safe working practices Each workplace will have a Fire Procedure and individuals homes a Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan (PEEP) which you MUST be familiar with
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