Contra Costa County CERT Program Unit 2 Fire Safety Released: 15 September 2016 Community Emergency Response Team Personal safety is ALWAYS the number one priority Work as a team Wear personal protective equipment gloves, helmet, goggles, N95 mask and boots The CERT goal is to do the Greatest Good for the Greatest Number Hope for the best but plan for the worst Visual 2.1 Unit Objectives Explain the role of CERTs in fire safety Identify and reduce potential fire risks in the home and workplace Understand gas and electric utilities Identify hazardous materials in the home and community Understand basic safety precautions Describe CERT fire size-up process Conduct a basic size-up for a fire emergency Extinguish small fires using a fire extinguisher Visual 2.2 Rev. 15 September 2016 1
Role of CERTs CERTs play very important role in fire safety by: Extinguishing small fires Preventing additional fires by removing fuel sources Shutting off utilities Assisting with evacuations when necessary Visual 2.3 Basic Fire Chemistry Fire safety, at its most basic, is based upon the principle of keeping fuel sources and ignition sources separate Visual 2.4 Three things must be present at the same time to produce fire: 1. Oxygen to sustain combustion 2. Heat to reach ignition temperature 3. Fuel or combustible material Together, they produce the chemical reaction that is fire. Take away any of these things and the fire will be extinguished. The Fire Triangle Visual 2.5 Rev. 15 September 2016 2
Fire Chemistry There are three main classifications of fuels Two more for commercial environments Fuels are things that will burn Visual 2.6 Fire Classes Cooking K Oils Visual 2.7 Flashover Videos Visual 2.8 Rev. 15 September 2016 3
Reduce Fire Hazards Never leave a pan unattended If things go wrong, don t panic! Turn off the heat if it is safe to do Visual 2.9 Reduce Fire Hazards NEVER use water on oil or grease Use a cookie sheet to smother the flames Slide the cookie sheet over the top of the pot Visual 2.10 Reduce Fire Hazards Don t be a pack rat Stuff = fuel for a fire Visual 2.11 Rev. 15 September 2016 4
Reduce Fire Hazards Keep combustible curtains and drapes at least 3 from heat sources Visual 2.12 Reduce Fire Hazards Avoid the electrical octopus Visual 2.13 Reduce Fire Hazards Power strip A surge protector with at least 2400 Joules is recommended. Visual 2.14 Rev. 15 September 2016 5
Reduce Fire Hazards Don t run cords under carpets or other combustible materials Replace frayed or broken cords Visual 2.15 Reduce Fire Hazards Visual 2.16 Reduce Fire Hazards When storing chemicals, use the acronym L.I.E.S. Limit, Isolate, Eliminate, Separate Store gasoline safely Visual 2.17 Rev. 15 September 2016 6
Reduce Fire Hazards L.I.E.S. Limit, Isolate, Eliminate, Separate These chemicals should never be stored together or combined: Drain Cleaner + a different Drain Cleaner Baking Soda + vinegar Hydrogen peroxide + vinegar Bleach + vinegar Bleach + ammonia Bleach + rubbing alcohol Any base with any acid Visual 2.18 Reduce Fire Hazards Visual 2.19 Be firewise around your home www.firewise.org Utilities Locate and label gas, electricity and water shutoffs Visual 2.20 Rev. 15 September 2016 7
Natural Gas and Propane Install natural gas or propane detector Natural gas is lighter than Air accumulates near the ceiling Propane is heavier than Air accumulates near the floor Locate and label gas shutoffs Have proper non-sparking tool Visual 2.21 Utilities Keep a gas shutoff wrench or crescent wrench near, but not on the gas shutoff valve or 12 minimum Visual 2.22 Utilities Turn off gas if: you smell it, hear it leaking, there is major damage and the meter wheels are spinning or there is a fire DON T turn it back on Call PG&E after the incident DON T attempt to extinguish fire on or near the meter Visual 2.23 Rev. 15 September 2016 8
Automatic gas shutoff valve Two types: Excess flow Quake triggered, approximate magnitude 5.5 Utilities Installed by a licensed plumber Visual 2.24 Visual 2.25 Appliance Gas Excess Flow Shutoff Valve Utilities Placed between line valve and flex line to appliance Sized based on BTU per hour of appliance One valve for each appliance Installed by homeowner or a licensed plumber Hazardous Materials Corrode other materials Explode or are easily ignited React strongly with water Are unstable when exposed to heat or shock Are otherwise toxic to humans, animals or the environment through absorption, inhalation, injection or ingestion THE GOLDEN RULE OF HAZMAT: If you have not yet identified the substance, treat it like its ETHYLMETHYLNASTYSTUFF. Stay away from it. Don t poke it, look at it the wrong way or insult it. Report your finding and let professionals handle the rest. Visual 2.26 Rev. 15 September 2016 9
Building Placards Hazardous Materials Health Blue = Health Red = Flammability Yellow = Reactivity White = Special hazard 4 = Severe Hazard 3 = Serious Hazard 2 = Moderate Hazard 1 = Slight Hazard 0 = Minimal Hazard W = No Water OX = Oxidizer Visual 2.27 Hazardous Materials Examples of building placards Visual 2.28 If you see this placard, Stop! DO NOT ENTER Take information and report it. Hazardous Materials Visual 2.29 Rev. 15 September 2016 10
Hazardous Materials Vehicle Placards Orange Red White Red Red & White Red & White Blue Yellow White Yellow & White Black & White Visual 2.30 Hazardous Materials Example of a vehicle placard Visual 2.31 Hazardous Materials Question: Who carries hazardous materials on a regular basis and does not have to have placards on their vehicles? Visual 2.32 Rev. 15 September 2016 11
Hazardous Materials Answer Visual 2.33 Hazardous Materials Be upwind and uphill from spills and smoke Use Rule of Thumb Visual 2.34 Hazardous Materials Most important: Remember S.I.N. Safety: Safety is number 1 priority Isolate: Keep people out of the area Notify: Get help, document what you see Visual 2.35 Rev. 15 September 2016 12
Smoke and CO Detectors Most victims die from smoke or toxic gases Install carbon monoxide detector in home CA State Law effective July 1, 2011 CO results from incomplete burning of organic matter including all petroleum products Gasoline Natural Gas Propane Test batteries for natural gas and carbon monoxide detectors every month Change batteries every 6 months Visual 2.36 Fire Prevention - Smoke Detectors Is one enough? Visual 2.37 Fire Prevention - Smoke Detectors For extra protection: Hallways, dining rooms, furnace rooms, utility rooms Do not install in these areas: Kitchens Bathrooms Garages Visual 2.38 Rev. 15 September 2016 13
Smoke Detectors Maintenance Replace batteries every 6 months or when you change your clocks for daylight savings time. Many new alarms have 10 year batteries. Don t paint over them! Visual 2.39 CERT Fire Safety CERTS Don t Get Hurt Use Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Have a backup team Have two ways to exit Visual 2.40 Put out small fires, this size Prevent additional fires Fire Safety Shutoff utilities after a disaster to prevent fires Visual 2.41 Rev. 15 September 2016 14
Plan and practice 2 fire escape routes Once you re out, stay out! Don t go back in Fire Safety Use the back of your hand to feel for heat. Visual 2.42 Fire Safety What do you do if you are on the second floor, there is a fire, and you can t use the stairs to get out? Visual 2.43 Stay calm Stay where you are Close the door Put towels at the bottom of the door Open a window Place a signal sheet or towel out the window Stay low, under any smoke Fire Safety Visual 2.44 Rev. 15 September 2016 15
CERT Fire Size-up Helps responders decide: Whether to attempt to suppress a fire A plan of action Answers these questions: Do my buddy and I have the right equipment? Are there other hazards? Is the building structurally damaged? Can my buddy and I escape? Can my buddy and I fight the fire safely? Remember: The safety of individual CERT members is always the top priority Visual 2.45 CERT Fire Size-up Checklist Step 1: Gather Facts Does the time of day or week impact fire suppression? Will weather conditions impact your safety? Will weather conditions affect the fire situation? What type of structure is involved? What type of construction is involved? Is the structure occupied? Are there special considerations? Are there hazardous materials involved? Are any other hazards likely to be involved? Visual 2.46 CERT Fire Size-up Checklist Step 2: Assess and Communicate the Damage Do a 360 o Are normal communication channels functioning? Step 3: Consider Probabilities Are there potential life-threatening hazards? Does the fire s path jeopardize other areas? Is there a high potential for more disaster activity that will impact personal safety? Visual 2.47 Rev. 15 September 2016 16
CERT Fire Size-up Checklist Step 4: Assess Your Own Situation What resources are available with which you can suppress the fire? What equipment is available? Step 5: Establish Priorities Can fire suppression be safely attempted by CERT? Are there other, more pressing needs at the moment? Visual 2.48 CERT Fire Size-up Checklist Step 6: Make Decisions Where will deployment of available resources do the most good while maintaining an adaquate margin of safety? Step 7: Develop a Plan of Action Determine how many personnel and other resources should be deployed Step 8: Take Action Step 9: Evaluate Progress Continual size-up Adjust strategies as required Visual 2.49 Size-up REMEMBER: ALL CERT SIZE-UP IS A CONTINUAL PROCESS Visual 2.50 Rev. 15 September 2016 17
DON T: Try to suppress large fires Fight the fire alone Enter smoke-filled areas CERT Fire Safety Visual 2.51 CERT Fire Safety Use the buddy system for all CERT activities, especially fire safety! Visual 2.52 Types of Extinguishers Do we need three different types of extinguishers for three different types of fires? Visual 2.53 Rev. 15 September 2016 18
Types of Extinguishers NO, because we have ABC rated extinguishers Most common type of extinguisher Visual 2.54 Parts of A Fire Extinguisher Visual 2.55 Parts of A Fire Extinguisher Pressure gauge indicating a full extinguisher Visual 2.56 Rev. 15 September 2016 19
Maintenance of Fire Extinguishers Every six months, turn them over a few times to prevent caking of the powder Visual 2.57 Fire extinguisher manufacturers agree that this is not needed and may, in fact, be harmful. Maintenance of Fire Extinguishers Replace if 10 years or older Replace with a metal head, not plastic Where to buy or service? Look in the yellow pages Visual 2.58 How to Use A Fire Extinguisher Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep Visual 2.59 Rev. 15 September 2016 20
How to Use A Fire Extinguisher PASS Pull the safety pin This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher Visual 2.60 How to Use A Fire Extinguisher PASS Aim at the base of the fire Visual 2.61 How to Use A Fire Extinguisher PASS Squeeze the top handle This depresses a button that releases the pressurized extinguishing agent Visual 2.62 Rev. 15 September 2016 21
How to Use A Fire Extinguisher PASS Sweep from side-to-side until the fire is completely out Visual 2.63 How to Use A Fire Extinguisher Before approaching fires, have pins pulled on both extinguishers (your s and you buddy s) Test the extinguishers before approaching any fire to be sure they work Size-up fire before you decide to fight it. Be upwind! Commands for fire attack: COMMAND - RESPONSE Ready - ready; Going in - going in; Backing out - backing out Visual 2.64 How to Use A Fire Extinguisher Start using the extinguisher from a safe distance away, about 8 feet and then slowly move forward Keep about 6 feet between you and the fire Visual 2.65 Rev. 15 September 2016 22
How to Use A Fire Extinguisher Once the fire is out, keep an eye on the area in case it re-ignites Don t turn your back on the fire Visual 2.66 Firefighting Resources What if you don t have an extinguisher? Try creative resources or confinement Visual 2.67 Flow at 40 PSI 100 Foot Hose 1/2 Hose 6 GPM 5/8 Hose 11 GPM 3/4 Hose 18 GPM Double the length Half the flow Role of CERTs Fire Triangle Classes of Fire Hazard Reduction Utilities Hazardous Materials Fire Safety Fire Size-up Resources to Extinguish Fires Unit Summary Visual 2.68 Rev. 15 September 2016 23