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What is Fire ?
Fire Triangle / Tetrahedrons
Class of Fire
Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers
Suitability of Portable Fire Extinguishers
Use of Fire Extinguishers
Rules for Fire Fighting
Installation / Scale of Deployment of
Extinguishers
Maintenance of Fire Extinguishers
Other Portable & Fixed Fire Fighting
Installations
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Electrical - 19 %
Friction - 14 %
Foreign subs. - 12 %
Open Flame - 9%
Smoking - 8%
Spontaneous Ign. - 8%
Hot Surfaces - 7%
Comb. Sparks - 6%
Overhead Materials - 3 %
Static elect. - 2%
Misc. - 5%
Unknown - - 7%
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100%
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F - FIND
I - INFORM
R - RESTRICT / RESCUE
E - EXTINGUISH
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FIRE
Fire defined as chemical reaction
accompanied by evolution of energy
in form of heat & light. For a Fire to
occur, mixture of oxygen, heat & fuel
is required.
Three main elements required to ignite
a flame. Without any one of these, it is
not possible to start a fire. These
three elements are:
Oxygen, Fuel and Heat
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FIRE
WANTED FIRE UNWANTED FIRE
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The Fire Triangle was
changed to Fire
Tetrahedron to reflect this
fourth element a chemical
chain reaction , a vital
component of fire.
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Class A :“Ordinary” combustibles
Paper, wood, rubber, plastics,
textile, etc.
Class B:“Flammable liquids”
Oil, gasoline, solvents
Class C :“Flammable
Gases”
LPG, Hydrocarbons
Class D: Reactive metal fires.
sodium, titanium, magnesium, potassium,
uranium, lithium, plutonium, and calcium
Class E: Electrical
equipment
Class K:Cooking oils and
fats (kitchen fires)
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Fire Extinguishment, in principle, consists of
the limitation of one or more of these
factors, and the methods of fire
extinguishment may therefore classified
under the following headings:
Starvation - removal of fuel
Smothering - removal of oxygen.
Cooling -lowering temperature
Inhibition of Chain reaction 10
Spontaneous Combustion
occurs as a result of the heat
generated by the reacting
substance themselves.
Example- Hot Glycerin poured on crystals
of Potassium permanganate.
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Water
Foam
Dry Chemical Powder (DCP)
Carbon Dioxide & other Gas
Flooding Systems like Inerter, FM
200 etc
Sand
Beating out
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CLASS A – Wood, Paper, Cotton etc- Water Type Ext.
CLASS B – Petrol, Diesel etc – Foam/CO2 Type Ext.
CLASS C- LPG – Dry Chemical powder/ CO2 Type Ext.
CLASS D- Metals like Sodium etc – Special DCP
In case of Electrical Fires, DCP or CO2
Extinguishers should be used.
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NATURAL
Lightening
Radiation of sunlight
Earthquake,
Cyclone
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CAUSES OF FIRE contd--
MAN MADE
Electric short circuit
Smoking
Hot works
Static Electricity
Chemical Reaction
Mechanical reaction
Naked Lights
Hot surfaces, hot fuel and pipes electric
lamps of high wattage
Spontaneous ignition
Overheated material
Mechanical spark from grinding and
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Site selection and layout of
plant
Proper design and construction
Stringent SOP in practices
Housekeeping
Control on ignition source
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Excellent Maintenance Practices
Suitable detection systems
Trained manpower
LifeSafety (Fire exits, Refuge area
etc.)
Stringent
Safety Rules &
Regulations
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Elimination of flammable
atmosphere
Control of charge generation
Control of charge accumulation
Minimization of spark discharge
Bonding and earthing
Modification of liquid conductivity.
Limitations of flow velocity
Avoidance of splashing and settling
Providing humidification
Avoiding wearing of polyester cloth
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Active Fire Protection
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Hose Reel
Fire Hydrant System
Fire Sprinkler / Drenchers System
Fire Detection and Alarm System
Gas Flooding System
Fire Tenders
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Passive Fire Protection
Fire Doors
Fire Proofing of Building
Materials
Compartmentation
Refuge Area
Pressurization of Staircases
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First Aid Fire Fighting Equipment
First Line of Defense
Controls the fire at its early stage
Useless on large fires
Available in various capacities like 2
kg, 5 kg, 10 kg, 50 kg, 100 kg, 150
kg.
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Water- CO2 Type
Foam Type
Dry Chemical Powder
Carbon dioxide Type
Halon & Soda Acid & Chemical Extinguishers are
banned
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Water- CO2 Type
Gas Cartridge Type Trolley Mounted (Gas
Acid reacts with Sodium Bicarbonate and form CO 2
Cartridge ) Type
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Mechanical Foam Type
Gas Cartridge Type
Outside Container – Sodium Carbonate Trolley Mounted (Gas
Inner Container – Aluminum Sulphate
Cartridge ) Type
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DCP Type
Gas Cartridge Type Stored Pressure Type Trolley Mounted (Gas
Cartridge ) Type
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Carbon dioxide Type
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AIM AT THE BASE OF THE FIRE
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Before attempting to fight a
3 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!
4The 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
PASS
PULL . . . AIM . . . SQUEEZE . . . SWEEP
PULL... the pin. Some
5 extinguishers require releasing a
lock latch, pressing a puncture
lever or other motion.
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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.
Know what is burning
For using an extinguisher in OPEN space
always approach from “upwind” direction.
Start using the extinguisher from a safe
distance away, then slowly move forward.
Once the fire is out, keep an eye on the
area in case it re-ignites.
Inform the Concern Person.
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Ensure that-
The extinguisher not blocked by equipment,
or other object that could interfere with
access during emergency.*
The pressure should be at recommended
level.
The needle should be in the green zone- not
too high and not too low
The pin and the tamper seal are intact
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Placement of Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are intended to control the
fire at early stages.
Fire Extinguishers should be placed as near as
possible to exits without hindering the escape
routes.
The Extinguishers should be mounted at 1 mts
from the ground level.
It is necessary to construct suitable shades to
protect the extinguishers from excessive heat,
cold as well as corrosive environment.
The location where the extinguishers are
installed should be clearly marked with proper
sign.
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Placement of Extinguishers (Contd…)
While installing any trolley mounted fire
extinguishers, the mobility of the extinguisher
within the area should be considered.
Extinguishers should be sited in such a way that it
is not necessary to travel more than 15 metres
from the fire to reach the extinguisher.
There are no leaks, rust, chemical deposits or
other signs of abuse. Wipe off any corrosive
chemicals that may have deposited on the
extinguisher
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Maintenance and recharging of fire extinguishers
shall be performed by qualified persons having
proper types of tools, recharge materials,
lubricants.
Maintenance is a through check of fire extinguisher.
It is intended to give maximum assurance that an
extinguisher will operate effectively and safely.
Maintenance procedure shall include 3 basic
elements- Mechanical parts, Extinguishing agent
and expelling means
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MONTHLY MAINTENANCE – (Gas Cartridge Type)
Clean the exterior of the extinguisher, polish
the painted portion with the wax polish.
Examine the extinguisher for any corrosion.
Check the vent hole, nozzle outlet, strainer
& safety clip.
Check the plunger is clean & moving freely
Make sure the extinguishers are not
accidentally discharged.
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MONTHLY MAINTENANCE (contd..)
• Ensure that the cap washer is intact and also
grease the treads of the cap, plunger etc.
• Check for the gas cartridge, weigh it, if the
weight loss is more than 10% it should be
replaced.
• Refill the extinguisher with suitable
extinguishing media. (Water, DCP, Foam)
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WHILE OPENING ANY EXTINGUISHER
Ensure that there is no any residual pressure
in the hose/ cylinder.
Unscrew the cap or valve assembly slowly
for two or three turns only, to allow any
residual pressure to escape via the vent
holes.
Under no circumstances should the valve of
Carbon dioxide extinguishers be attempted
to be removed under field conditions.
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TYPE OF TEST PRESSURE PRESSURE
EXTINGUISHER INTERVAL MAINTAINED FOR
Water- CO2 3 yrs 35 Kg/cm2 2.5 min
Water stored 2 yrs 35 Kg/cm2 2.5 min
Pressure
DCP 3 yrs 35 Kg/cm2 2.5 min
Mechanical 3 yrs 35.5 2.5 min
Foam Kg/cm2
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FIRE HYDRANT SYSTEM
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1. Crash Fire Tender (CFT)
2. Water Tender Ladders
3. DCP Tender • Turn Table Ladder
4. CO2Tender • Hydraulic platform Ladder
5. Foam Tender • Aluminum Extension
Ladder
6. Multi-purpose Tender
7. Hose Laying Lorry
8. Communication Van
9. Break-down Van
10. Medical van
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IS 940:1989 - Portable Fire Extinguishers Water
Type (Gas Cartridge)
IS 2171:1985 - Portable Fire Extinguishers Dry
Powder Type (Cartridge)
IS 2878:1986 - Fire Extinguishers Carbon
Dioxide Type (Portable and Trolley - Mounted)
IS 6234:1986 - Portable Fire Extinguishers
Water Type (Stored Pressure)
IS 10204:1982 - Portable Fire Extinguishers
Mechanical Foam Type
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IMPORTANT INDIAN STANDARDS (contd…)
IS 10658:1983 – Higher Capacity Dry Powder Fire
Extinguishers (Trolley-Mounted
IS 11833:1986 – Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers
for Metal Fires
IS 13385:1992 – Specifications for Fire
Extinguishers 50 liters Wheel-Mounted Water
type (Gas Cartridge)
IS 13386:1992 – Specifications for Fire
Extinguishers 50 litre Mechanical Foam Type
IS 13849:1993 – Portable Fire Extinguishers Dry
Powder Type (Constant Pressure)
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Remember!
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THE END
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