Fire Prevention and Safety

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Fire Prevention and Safety

• By Isa Puig

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Questions

• What can cause fires?
• What is Race?
• What are the three things needed to start a fire?
• How do you protect the patients in the event of a
  fire?
• What are some fire safety hazards?

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What Can Cause Fires?

• Fires need three things in order to start Oxygen
  or air, fuel (any material that will burn), and
  heat (sparks, matches, flames).
• Electrical
• Carelessness/Accidents
• Smoking
• Heat producing equipment
• Flammable chemicals

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What Are Some Fire Safety Hazards?

• Carelessness with smoking and with matches
• Misuse of electricity
• Overloaded circuits
• Frayed electrical wires
• Improperly grounded plugs
• Defects in heating systems
• Improper rubbish disposal

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What is RACE?

• R- rescue any individual directly threatened by
  fire. Patient safety is the primary
  consideration.
• A- activate the alarm if you discover a fire,
  give location and type of fire or respond
  immediately to the alarm if you hear it sound
• C- confine the fire by closing doors to slow the
  spread of smoke and flame. Clear all hallways and
  keep exits unobstructed
• E- extinguish the fire only if the fire is small,
  and if you know how to operate a fire
  extinguisher. Be sure the area has been cleared
  and the fire department called.

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What Is PASS?

• P- pull the pin
• A- aim the nozzle at the base of the flames
• S- squeeze the trigger while holding extinguisher
  upright
• S- sweep the nozzle from side to side and outward
  to extinguish flames

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How do you respond/protect patients in the event
of a fire?

• If a fire breaks out, stay calm. Set an example
  for patients.
• Report the fire.
• Move patients who are in immediate danger away
  from smoke or flames.
• Close the doors of patients' rooms and any other
  doors to slow the spread of smoke and flame.
  Reassure patients who remain in their rooms.

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• Fight a fire only if the fire is small and
  contained, and only if you have been trained to
  operate a portable fire extinguisher. Before
  fighting even a small fire, be sure that the area
  has been evacuated and that the fire has been
  reported.

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How do you evacuate the patients in the event of
a fire?

• 1. Notifies others of evacuation
• 2. Ensures the safe and orderly evacuation of the
  building. If applicable, ensure handicapped
  evacuation by using wheelchairs or bed sheets.
  Make quick assessments during evacuation.
• 3. Knock on any closed doors in your area after
  checking for warmth or smoke and then open the
  door to ensure proper evacuation of all
  personnel. Check bathrooms, lunch, mail, and copy
  rooms last, and advise occupant in these areas to
  leave immediately.

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• 4. Note any individuals who do not evacuate and
  report them to the Fire Monitor. If a problem
  arises when an area is evacuated, contact the
  Fire Department responders and advise them of the
  situation.
• 5. Evacuate the area and hold all persons out
  until a representative from the Fire Department
  has given the all clear to reenter the building.

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Most important things workers should do in the
event of a fire

• REMAIN CALM AT ALL TIMES!
• Ensure patients safety first