FIRE SAFETY

1
FIRE SAFETY
2
Introduction

• All health care professionals should
• be trained in fire prevention and in
• first-response action to a fire hazard

3
The Fire Triangle

• The elements necessary for a fire risk to
• occur are
• -fuel something that will burn
• -heat enough to make it burn
• -oxygen to feed the fire
• Removal of one or more elements will
• stop the fire

4
Types of Extinguishers

• 5 types are available
• the most common is the ABC type that is capable
  of putting out most types of
• fires

Type of Fire extinguisher Type of Fire
A (Water) Common combustibles
B (Carbon Dioxide) Flammable liquids
C (K bicarbonate) Electrical
D Combustible Metals
ABC (chemical) All except combustible metals
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How to use a Fire Extinguisher

• Remember the acronym PASS
• P Pull Pin
• A Aim at the base of the fire
• S Squeeze handle
• S Sweep nozzle from side to side to displace
  oxygen away from the fire

PASS
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Fire Emergency

• If a fire occurs, use the acronym RACE to help
  patients and coworkers
• R Rescue
• once a fire is observed, everyone not
• involved in the extinguishing must leave
• A Alarm
• pull the alarm or assign someone else to do it
• C Contain
• close windows and doors
• E Evacuate
• you must move out of immediate danger
• Smoke and heat can cause great damage to the
  respiratory system can be fatal

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Fire Emergency Rules

• BE PREPARED know your responsibilities
• Know when and how to evacuate
• Know where the fire alarms are and
• how to activate them
• Keep fire extinguishers in plain view and
• easy to access
• Keep areas uncluttered

8
Fire Emergency Rules

• Evacuate ambulatory (capable of walking) patients
  first, then wheelchair-
• bound, then bed-bound
• Never use an elevator
• Never open windows
• Always feel the doors if it is hot, never open
  it !

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Homework

• Determine the order which you would
• evacuate the following
• Patient A, who uses a walker
• Patient B, who is in a wheelchair
• A visitor of patient A who is ambulatory
• Patient D, who is in a coma
• 2. In a fire emergency, how would you
• decide whether or not you should enter a room?
  For example, if a door were hot, would you keep
• it closed or open it and enter the room? Explain
  your answer.