16 NOV 2015

Dr. Raed Felimban

Department of Transfusion Medicine
King Abdul-Aziz University
E-mail: felimbanr@yahoo.com KING ABDULAZIZ UNIVERSITY
 Learning Outcomes:  
At the end of the presentation, students should:
1. Define the fire.

2. Describe the types of fire.

3. Describe Fire Safety Equipments and devices.

4. Describe Fire Tetrahedron.

5. State the classes of fire.

6. Define the General fire safety considerations.

7. Describe Fire Extinguisher Types.

8. Define P A S S term.
Types of fire

1) controlled (safe) fire.

There is good control on the size, duration, temperature, smoke and fumes of fire.
This is used in our daily life such as cooking, heating (by gas, coal or kerosene),
car, aeroplane and rocket engines.

2) uncontrolled (dangerous) fire.

There is no control on the size, duration, temperature (1000 oC or more), smoke
and fumes of fire.
This type of fire occurs due to the accidental (or due to criminal act) spread of fire
to catch combustible materials
Effects of uncontrolled fire:

1) human loss: burning from extreme heat; suffocation from smoke and fumes
and death
2) Structural damage: damage to labs, offices and buildings.
3) Material damage: damage to instruments, equipments, furniture and supplies.
4) Disruption of work.
5) Financial losses
 Fire Safety Equipments and devices

- Smoke & heat detectors (usually in the ceiling)

- Fire and emergency alarms (switched on by emergency buttons or handles)
- Fire and emergency lights (red)
- Water sprinklers (usually in the ceiling)
- Fire extiguishers (various types according to class of fire)
- Water hydrants with attached hose
- Fire blanket (to wrap around the burned person or to cover devices on fire)
- Emergency exits signs and lights
- Fire and emergency exits
- Fire and emergency stairs and escapes
- Fire break area (for assembly of people)
 Fire Tetrahedron

- Each of these three elements must be present at the same time to have a fire. A
fire will burn until one or more of the elements is removed.

Fuel

Any combustible material – solid, liquid or gas

Oxygen Heat

The air we breathe is The energy necessary to

about 21% oxygen – fire increase the temperature of
needs only fuel to where sufficient
16% oxygen vapors are given off for
ignition to occur
Understanding Fire

Fuel

u Chemicals - acetone, ether, methanol, etc

u Gases - hydrogen, natural gas
u Plastics - PCs, cable insulation, research equipment
u Paper and cardboard - packaging
u Wood - desks, benches
u Fabrics - chairs, blinds, clothing
Understanding Fire

Oxygen

u A natural component of air

u Enriched atmospheres,
Ø labs, oxygen storage
u Situations where oxygen / air is more difficult to control:
Ø Outdoors
Ø Automatic ventilation systems
Ø Open doors or windows
Understanding Fire

Heat (Ignition Source)

u Heating appliances
u Research and computer equipment
u Other electrical equipment
u Smoking materials
u Contractor’s equipment
 There are 4 classes of fire:

Class A
Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as
wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and some plastics.
Class B
Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline,
kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane.
Class C
Energized electrical equipment, such as appliances,
switches, panel boxes and power tools.
Class D
Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium,
titanium, potassium, and sodium.
CLASS “A” FIRES - Ordinary combustibles such as
wood, paper, cloth.
CLASS “B” FIRES - Flammable liquids such as oil,
grease
CLASS “C” FIRES - Energized electrical equipment
CLASS “D” FIRES - Flammable Metals
 Be prepared for a fire emergency

- Check the location of fire alarms and know how they work.
- Learn your building evacuation plan.
- Know where your two nearest exits are located.
Learn how doors swing and where stairs lead.
- Make sure nothing blocks fire pulls, extinguishers
and emergency exits.
- Learn the sound of your building fire alarm.
- Post emergency numbers (including security
and first aid) near your telephone.
- Make sure you know what to do if the fire alarm sounds.
 When you discover a fire:
• Pull the nearest fire alarm “pull station” while exiting the floor.
• If there is no pull station:

Dial 911
Emergency Number OR Alternate
Emergency Number

• Do not assume that anyone else has already called the

fire department.
• Stay calm and be prepared to answer the operator’s
questions regarding the emergency.
• EVACUATE !
When you hear the fire alarm:

- Leave at once, taking direction from

the emergency warden.

- Do not delay yourself by gathering

personal items. Your safety always comes first.

- Before you open any door, feel the door with the back of your hand. If the
door is cold, slowly open it a crack.

- If there is no smoke in hallways or stairwells, follow your building’s

evacuation plan. Get out quickly using designated fire exits.

- The stairway will be your primary escape route. Never, never use elevators
under any circumstances.

- Once in the stairway, proceed down to the first floor and out of the building.
Never go up.
 In the event of a fire,
your personal safety is your
most important concern.

Remember – you are

not required to fight a fire.
Fight a fire only if:
- The Fire Department has been called.
- Everyone has left or is leaving the building.
- The fire is small and confined to the immediate area where it started.
- You can fight the fire with your back to a safe escape route.
- Your extinguisher is rated for the type of fire you are fighting, and is in
good working order.
- You have had training in use of the extinguisher and are confident that
you can operate it effectively.
- If you have the slightest doubt about whether or not to fight the fire-
DON'T! Instead, get out, and close the door behind you.
NEVER fight a fire if . . .

- The fire is spreading beyond the immediate area in which it started,

or if it is already a large fire.

- The fire could block your escape route.

- You are unsure of the proper operation of the extinguisher.

- You doubt that the extinguisher you are holding is designed for the
type of fire at hand or is large enough to fight the fire.
Multi-Class Ratings
Many extinguishers available today can be used on different types
of fires and will be labeled with more than one designator, e.g. A-B, B-C, or A-
B-C.

This label shows that this extinguisher

can be used on ordinary combustibles
(A) or flammable liquids (B). The
red slash through the last symbol
New Style of Labeling
tells you that the extinguisher cannot
be used on electrical fires (C).

Be advised that most fire

extinguishers will function for
Old Style of Labeling
less than 40 seconds.
Fire Extinguisher Types

Water Paper, wood, etc.

Not electrical, liquids or gases

Foam Solids & liquids

Not electrical or gases

Powder Solids, liquids, gases & electrical

CO2 Electrical, safe on most small fires

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

MAINTENANCE TAGS
10 Tips on How and When
to Use a Fire Extinguisher
1
Most fires start small. Except for explosions,
fires can usually be brought under control if they
are attacked correctly with the right type and size
of extinguisher within the first 2 minutes!

2 A fire extinguisher should be "listed and

labeled" by an independent testing laboratory. The
higher the rating number on an A or B extinguisher,
the more fire it can put out. Be careful, high-rated
units are often heavier models. Make sure you can
hold and operate the model you are using.
 3 Before attempting to fight a small
fire, be sure everyone is out of the area.
Ensure someone has called the fire
department.
If the fire starts to spread or threatens
your escape path, get out immediately!

4
The operator must know how to use the
extinguisher quickly without taking time to
read directions during an emergency.
Remember that the extinguishers need care
and must be recharged after every use.
IF YOU FIGHT A FIRE, REMEMBER THE WORD
PA S S
PULL . . . AIM . . . SQUEEZE . . . SWEEP

5 PULL... the pin. Some extinguishers

require releasing a lock latch, pressing a
puncture lever or other motion.

6
AIM... low, pointing the
extinguisher nozzle (or it's horn
or hose) at the base of the fire.
 7 SQUEEZE... the handle. This
releases the extinguishing agent.

SWEEP... from side to side at the base 8

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.

9 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.
School of Chemistry, 2007
Faculty of Engineering
Queen’s Building, 2008