.4 Fire Fighting Equipment
Classification of Fires Class A Solids. Wood, paper, plastics Class B Liquids Petrol oil, paint Class C Gases LPG, natural gas
Classification of Fires Class D Metals Zinc, sodium, metal powders, swarf Class E Electrical Class F Cooking fats, oils
Extinguishers Water Class A only Foam Class B Class A Powder Class A Class B
Extinguishers CO2 Electrical Small Class B Small fires only quick discharge Class C Gas let gas burn unless it can be isolated. Flame shows danger area (leak etc.)
Extinguishers Class D Special powder extinguishers Dependent on risk involved Class F Wet chemical Turns fat to soluble soap A must in large kitchens Also fire blankets for small fryers
Hosereels Used rarely these days Legionella risk Also slips, trips, manual handling For Class A only Permanent water supply No discharge
Siting Hosereels One for every 800m2 Prominent and accessible positions Each floor level Adjacent to exits in corridors Into recesses no obstruction Maintenance Monthly inspection Visual checks to reel and valves / nozzles Annual test Full length checked Checked with water Check for leaks
Hosereels Training Initial and periodic training Teams of two or more to help assure individuals safety
Sprinkler Systems Purpose Detect Extinguish / control Raise alarm Each head opens at specific temp Only those triggered over a fire open Minimises damage elsewhere
Sprinkler Systems Types Wet system System charged with pressurised water at all times No risk of frost Dry Pipe Where freezing is likely Charged with air at moderate temp Water held back by valve
Sprinkler Systems Types Alternative wet and dry Summer and winter Water / compressed air Pre-action system Combination of standard dry or wet / dry and system of heat / smoke detectors Detectors detect heat at lower temp and pre-action valve allows water to flow into pipework before sprinklers operate Different systems for all areas of building
Sprinkler Systems Features Supply pipe Controlling valve Pressure gauges Distribution pipes Sprinkler heads
Sprinkler Systems Sprinkler heads Fusible soldered strut 3 pieces of metal joined with low melting point solder Strut falls apart and valve opens Different colours for different operating temp Quartzoid bulb type Bulb filled with highly expandable liquid Rise in temp bulb fractures
Sprinkler Systems Siting In accordance with findings of risk assessment Focus on high risk areas Flammable processes or materials Maintenance Daily checks If not automatically monitored Check alarm connection Water levels and air pressures Weekly checks Water and air pressure Oil, fuel Check pressure at which pump cuts in Heating systems (freezing prevention) Quarterly checks Complete check engineer No structural changes, alteration of system Also 6 month, 1, 3, 15 year checks Service engineer
Gas Flooding Chemical fire extinguishing systems Detect and extinguish fires Inerting Displacement of the atmosphere in a confined space by non-combustible gas (nitrogen or CO2 usually) Resulting atmosphere does not sustain combustion
Gas Flooding CO2 flooding High pressure Cylinders Singly or connected to manifold together Stored as liquid Released as snow solid CO2 Reduces oxygen concentration in the vicinity of fire
Gas Flooding Environmentally friendly systems Argon Nitrogen Argonite
Water Mist Systems Rapid, safe, environmentally friendly Art galleries, computer, telecommunications etc Cooling and smothering
Fixed Foam Installations Protection against flammable liquids Foam compound mixed with water
Portable Equipment Types of extinguisher All new certified extinguishers to be red 5% of casing can be colour coded Red water Cream spray foam Blue dry powder Black CO2 Yellow wet chemical
Portable Equipment Types of extinguisher All new certified extinguishers to be red 5% of casing can be colour coded Stored pressure or cartridge types only Red water class A Cream spray foam class A, B Blue dry powder class (A), B, C, D, Elec Black CO2 class B, Elec Yellow wet chemical class (A), F
Maintenance Monthly checks Portable Equipment Located in proper place If discharged Correct pressure Any damage Annual checks Thorough checks Competent person Discharge tests Every 5 years 10 for CO2
Portable Equipment Siting Escape routes Near, but not to near to danger points Near room exits Same position on each floor In groups (fire points) where possible In shallow recesses where possible (fixed to wall) So that no person should travel more than 30 m Away from excesses of temp
Training Suitable and sufficient RRFSO Periodically Selection and use Environment Portable Equipment Mitigate the effects of fire Includes fire fighting operations run off damaging to marine environments Fire risk assessment should consider this