John Kay Facilities Manager FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS

John Kay Fac i l i t ies Manager

FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS

• Causes of fi re in the workplace

• Classes of fi re & types of extinguishers

• Action in the event of a fi re

• Duties of the Fire Warden

• Signage

• Elstree House escape procedures

TRAINING SYLLABUS

John KayFacilities Manager

• 388 fi re fatalities.

• 11,100 non-fatal casualties.

• 624,000 fi re or false alarms.• 287,000 total fires• 337,000 false alarms

• 75,500 accidental fi res.

FIRE COSTS 2011 – 2012


• Approx. 80% of businesses fail within two years of having a fi re.

• Insurance settlements are in excess of £2,500 million per year.

• Many insurance companies will refuse to cover buildings with inadequate fi re safety measures.

M O S T R E C E N T F I G U R E S R E L E A S E D 2 5 T H N OV E M B E R 2 0 1 2

Arson Electrical Smoking Other0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Fires

CAUSES OF FIRE IN THE WORKPLACE


• Arson & vandalism – approximately 50% are disgruntled employees or ex-employees.

• Electrical faults – abuse of extension leads & plug multi-blocks.

• Smoking – disposal of cigarette ends in metal bin with lid.

• Heating equipment – covering the vents or positioned too close to flammable materials.

CAUSES OF FIRE IN THE WORKPLACEPraxis

Real Estate Management Ltd.


• Flammable liquids should be kept in purpose built cabinets or lockers located in a safe area preferably outside.

• Employees or contractors welding or grinding without carrying out the proper safety checks, risk assessment or appropriate permit to work.

• Anyone who does carry out any type of hot work should also provide their own safety equipment.

CAUSES OF FIRE IN THE WORKPLACE


GOOD HOUSEKEEPING

The types of fi re can be split into six main groups:

• Class A

• Class B

• Class C

• Class D

• Electrical fi res

• Class F

CAUSES OF FIRE IN THE WORKPLACEPraxis

Real Estate Management Ltd.


• Flammable solid materials such as wood, paper, cardboard, textiles, rubber and some types of plastics.

CLASS ‘A’ FIRE - CARBONACEOUS


• Flammable liquids or liquefiable solids such as petrol/gasoline, oil, paint, some waxes & plastics but not cooking fats or oils.

CLASS ‘B’ FIRE - LIQUIDS


• Flammable gases such as natural gas, hydrogen, propane & butane.

CLASS ‘C’ FIRE - GASES


• Flammable and combustible metals, such as sodium, magnesium & potassium.

CLASS ‘D’ FIRE - METAL


• Technically class ‘E’ fi res do not exist as electricity itself does not burn. However, it is considered a dangerous and very deadly complication to a fi re therefore class ‘E’ generally refers to fi res involving electricity.

ELECTRICAL FIRES


• Fires that involve cooking fats and oils.

CLASS ‘F’ FIRE – FATS & OILS


• The fi re triangle illustrates the requirement of three basic elements for a fi re to succeed. The removal of one element prevents or extinguishes the fi re.

These elements are:

• Heat

• Fuel

• Oxygen

THE FIRE TRIANGLE


Five types of fi re extinguisher:

• Water

• Foam

• Dry Powder

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• Wet Chemical

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS


FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - WATER


• For use on class A fi res.

• Extinguishes by cooling.

• 40 – 50 seconds duration.

• NOT to be used on fuel, electrical or chip pan fi res as it will cause a violent reaction.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS - FOAM


• For use on class A or B fi res.

• Extinguishes by forming a blanket that inhibits the air supply.


• NOT to be used on electrical fi res as it is essentially water-based.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS – DRY POWDER


• For use on class A or B or electrical fi res.

• Extinguishes by smothering or cooling.

• Duration is dependant on size.

• Diffi cult to use in windy conditions.

• Creates a lot of mess when used indoors.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS – CO2


• For use on electrical fi res and B class fi res.

• Extinguishes by smothering..

• Duration dependant on size.

• Clean extinguishing agent that doesn’t cause much damage.

• Danger from frost on discharge. Protect with sleeve or do not touch.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS – WET CHEMICALReal Estate Management Ltd.


• For use on class A and F fi res.

• Extinguishes by smothering.


• NOT to be used on electrical fi res as it is essentially water-based.

FIRST AID HOSE REELS


• For use on class A fi res.

• Extinguishes by cooling.

• Constantly charged with water and ready to use.

• NOT to be used on electrical, fuel or oil based fi res.

EXTINGUISHER SUMMARY


• Positioned by qualified fi re safety offi cers to cover certain areas and risks.

• Normally found near to exits.

• Larger buildings have designated fi re points.

• NOT to be used for propping open doors, especially fi re doors.

EXTINGUISHER PLACEMENT


• Is it within your ability?

• Are you sure of the correct extinguisher?

• Test the extinguisher before use.

• Always fight the fi re with your back to the escape route.

• If you fail to extinguish the fi re after the use of one extinguisher, get out.

• If you are in doubt at any time of your safety, get out and stay out.

CONSIDERATIONS BEFORE TACKLING A FIRE


• LVA – Loud Vocal Alarm. Alert as many personnel as possible.

• Close the door on the fi re and if possible, any windows to prevent spread.

• Sound the fi re alarm at your nearest break glass call point.

• Only tackle the fi re if you are confi dent it is safe to do so.

• Telephone the emergency services on 999 giving them as much information as possible.

• Evacuate the building.

• Proceed to the designated assembly point for a roll call.

• Do not re-enter the building until you are told it is safe to do so.

ACTION ON DISCOVERING A FIRE


• Take appropriate and eff ective action if a fi re occurs.

• Ensure escape routes are available for use.

• Identify hazards in the workplace.

• Record and report their observations.

• Have the appropriate equipment at hand.

THE PRINCIPLE DUTIES OF THE FIRE WARDEN


• Ensure the alarm has been raised.

• Ensure that all processes have been made safe in your area i.e manufacturing processes.

• Evacuate staff from the building or area that you are responsible for.

• Ensure that any staff or visitors with a disability are assisted as planned.

• Liaise with the building manager to establish that all personnel in your area have been accounted for (or not).

THE PRINCIPLE DUTIES OF THE FIRE WARDEN IN EVENT OF FIRE


Fire safety signs and signage systems form an integral part of the overall fi re safety strategy of a building and are fundamental to the communication of good fi re safety management information. Clearly visible and unambiguous signage is essential for speedy escape, particularly in buildings where many of the occupants might be unfamiliar with the building layout.

All fi re safety signs must comply with BS 5499.

SIGNS AND SIGNAGE


Where a Fire Risk Assessment highlights the need for a sign, the sign should be displayed prominently, conspicuously and appropriately having regard to the environment and occupancy profi le of the building.

They should not be sited such that they are overridden with other types of public information or property management signs and should be consistent in style and design throughout the building.

SIGNS AND SIGNAGE


SIGNS AND SIGNAGE


Mandatory Signs

Fire Signs

Prohibition Signs

Safe Condition Signs

Documents

John Kay Facilities Manager FIRE SAFETY AWARENESS