Fire Safety in the workplace

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FIRE SAFETY INSERVICE

• 1616 West 7th AVENUE,
• VANCOUVER BC
• V6J 1S5

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COMPONENTS OF FIRE

• Fire requires Heat, Fuel, Oxygen and an
  Uninhibited Chemical Chain Reaction in order to
  sustain itself. These are the components of the
  fire tetrahedron.
• Remove either the Heat, Fuel or Oxygen from a
  fire or interrupt the chemical chain reaction,
  and you will extinguish the fire.
• Better still, prevent fires from occurring by
  eliminating or controlling and monitoring Heat,
  Fuel and Oxidizer interactions. For example
• do not store flammable material near heat sources
  (paper/wood near heaters)
• if you use a small electrical kitchen appliance
  such as a toaster or kettle, remain in the room
  while the device is energized

FIRE TETRAHEDRON
FUEL
OXYGEN
CHEMICAL CHAIN REACTION
HEAT
CONTROL HEAT AND FUEL SOURCES AND MONITOR ENERGY
/ FUEL INTERACTIONS
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FIRE RESPONSE PROCEDURES
What To Do If Smoke or Fire Threatens
R

• REMOVE PEOPLE FROM IMMEDIATE DANGER. Place them
  in a safe position to one side of the corridor,
  away from the affected area. Use wheelchair (s)
  for handicapped personnel.
• ACTIVATE THE NEAREST MANUAL FIRE ALARM PULL
  STATION. AND/OR CONTACT 911 and state We have a
  fire condition in 1616 West 7th Avenue, Floor
  1st or 2nd , Room __________.
• CONFINE THE FIRE. Close all the doors and windows
  in the room of fire origin to help contain the
  fire.
• -If possible, turn off lights and all electrical
  equipment in the room. Close all other doors and
  windows in the affected area.
• EVACUATE THOSE IN IMMEDITE DANGER. Move all
  persons out of the fire zone to beyond the safe
  side of the fire doors in the following sequence
• -those in the room of fire origin
• -those in the rooms on either side of the room
  of fire origin
• -those in the room directly across from the room
  of fire origin
• Then prioritize the remainder as follows
• -those who are easily moved

A
C
E
IF YOU DISCOVER A FIRE, THIS IS YOUR EXPECTED
RESPONSE
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FIRE EXTINGUISHER RATINGS
Fire extinguishers are designated for use on
specific types of fires. Some are identified for
use on a single fire classification while others
may be designated for use on multiple fire
classifications. Read the instructions on
portable or fixed fire fighting equipment each
time you are assigned to a new work area. Always
check the extinguisher instructions before each
use to determine suitability. Use of the wrong
extinguisher may enhance the fire condition or
cause serious injury. Numerical ratings
associated with the various alphabet fire
designations (1A, 5BC, 10ABC, etc.) refer to the
volume of fire that a particular type of
extinguisher can suppress under controlled
testing conditions.
Class A fire extinguishers will put out fires in
ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper.
A
Ordinary combustibles
Ordinary Combustibles
Class B fire extinguishers should be used on
fires involving flammable liquids such as grease,
oil and gasoline.
B
Flammable Liquids
Flammable liquids
Class C fire extinguishers are suitable for use
on electrically energized fires. The letter C
indicates that the extinguishing agent is
non-conductive.
C
Energized Electrical Equipment
Electrical equipment
D
Class D fire extinguishers are designed for use
on combustible metals and are usually specific to
a type of metal.
Combustible Metals
Class K fire extinguishers may be found in
commercial kitchens and are designed for use on
cooking oil fires at depth.
Fire extinguishers that have a multi-class rating
may be used on different types of fires. A fire
extinguisher carrying the symbol at the left or
right would be suitable for use on A, B and C
class fires.
A
B
C
Class A Class B Class C
A red diagonal slash indicates an extinguisher is
not to be used on that class of fire.
A
B
Class A Class B Class C
KNOW THE LOCATION, TYPE AND USE OF ALL FIRE
FIGHTING DEVICES IN YOUR WORK AREA
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FIRE EXTINGUISHER OPERATION
If you fight a fire, remember the word
PASS...PULL... AIM... SQUEEZE... SWEEP...
PULL... Pull the pin. Some extinguishers require
releasing a lock latch, pressing a puncture lever
or other motion.
AIM... Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle
(or it's horn or hose) at the base of the fire.
SQUEEZE... Squeeze the handle. This releases the
extinguishing agent.
SWEEP... Sweep the nozzle from side to side at
the base of the fire until it appears to be out.
Watch the fire area in case fire breaks out
again, and repeat use of extinguisher if
necessary.
Most portable extinguishers work according to
these directions. But some do not. Read and
follow the directions on your extinguisher. If
you have the slightest doubt about whether or not
to fight a fire - DON'T! Get out and close the
door behind you.

• WHEN NOT TO FIGHT A FIRE...
• - If you have not already made people safe,
  sounded the alarm and confined the fire!
• If the fire could block your only exit!- If the
  fire is spreading too quickly!- If the type or
  size of the extinguisher is wrong!- If the fire
  is too large!- If you don't know how to use your
  fire extinguisher!ALWAYS TEST THE EXTINGUISHER
  PRIOR TO APPROACHING A FIRE!

ONCE THE FIRE IS EXTINGUISHED, BACK AWAY AND
WATCH FOR RE-IGNITION
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THANK YOU!

• REMEMBER!
• SURPRISE FIRE DRILL TO COME SOON!
• JUAN P. GOULA
• COORDINATOR, HEALTH, SAFETY BUILDINGS
• Family services of Greater Vancouver
• (778)-881-0623