Health & Safety Risk Management 1

GENERAL FIRE TRAININGGENERAL FIRE TRAINING

Health & Safety Risk Management 2

TRIANGLE OF FIRETRIANGLE OF FIRE

FUE

L

OXY

GEN

TEMPERATURE

Health & Safety Risk Management 3

WHAT IS FIREWHAT IS FIREFire cannot exist without three things. OXYGEN

This is present in air (19%)

FUEL

This may be:

Solid : i.e timber, coal etc.

Liquid : fats, petrol or oil

Gases: Hydrogen, Acetylene or Liquid Petroleum Gas.

HEAT

Application of heat i.e. spark or lighted match

Health & Safety Risk Management 4

CAUSES OF FIRE IN THE N.H.S.

CAUSES OF FIRE IN THE N.H.S.

28% SMOKING

24% ARSON

18% ELECTRICAL

16% COOKING

14% OTHER

Health & Safety Risk Management 5

FIRE ACTIONFIRE ACTION RAISE THE ALARM WARN PERSONS IN THE VICINITY REMOVE PATIENTS TO A PLACE OF

SAFETY ATTACK THE FIRE IF SAFE TO DO SO

Health & Safety Risk Management 6

FIRE DOORSFIRE DOORS KEEP THEM CLOSED

Unless they are held open on automatic door releases linked to the fire alarm system.

FIRE DOORS BUY YOU TIME

Normally 30 mins, but only if they are closed

BEWARE!

BRITISH STANDARD WEDGE

Health & Safety Risk Management 7

FIRE FIGHTINGFIRE FIGHTING ONLY ATTEMPT TO FIGHT THE FIRE IF IT IS SAFE TO

DO SO. NEVER attempt to under the following circumstances:

1. If the fire is in a closed room and the door handle is hot to touch or smoke can be seen seeping around the door.

2. If the fire is to big to handle or you do not know what to do.

NEVER ALLOW A FIRE TO COME BETWEEN YOU AND YOUR EXIT.

ALWAYS CLOSE WINDOWS AND DOORS.

Health & Safety Risk Management 8

EXTINGUISHERS

WATER (H2O): used on paper, wood, textiles

FOAM: used on all of the above and flammable liquids

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2): used on electrical fires

FIRE BLANKET: used to smother small fires and a person’s clothing

Health & Safety Risk Management 9

NEW EXTINGUISHERS PURCHASED AFTER 1ST JANUARY 1997 MUST BE COLOURED RED

(EEC Directive EN1)

WATER LABEL POSITIONED

ABOVE EXTINGUISHER

TO AVOID CONFUSION

FOAM

5% OF EXTINGUISHER

DRY CAN SHOW ORIGINAL

POWDER COLOUR

CARBON

DIOXIDE

Health & Safety Risk Management 10

FIRE PREVENTIONFIRE PREVENTIONo Good housekeeping i.e. tidy habitso Keeping combustibles away from heat sourceso Keep exit routes and staircases free from

obstructions.o Proper use of electrical installations and

equipment.o Adherence to smoking policies.o Removal of refuse.o Correct storage of oxygen cylinders.

Health & Safety Risk Management 11

CONCLUSIONCONCLUSION

o Understand the nature of fireo Fire can be controlledo Fires are caused by peopleo Most fires can be preventedo Know what to do in case of a fireo Know how to raise the alarmo Know your workplace and exitso Learn the evacuation procedures