Fire Awareness Training

ByGallowglass Security Partners

On completion of this course you will have covered:

• Components of the Fire triangle.• Common causes of fire.• Fire prevention strategy. • Goals of Fire prevention.• What to do when you discover a fire.• Actions when hearing the fire alarm.• Fire extinguishers and the fire classifications.• Operation of fire extinguishers.• Fire preventative measures.• Housekeeping.• Storage Guidelines.• Protection systems.• Fight or Flight diagram.

Components of the Fire Triangle

Common causes of fire.

• Electrical short circuit and overloading.• Overheating of electrical appliances.• Smouldering cigarette.• Mishandling and storage of chemicals.• Renovation.• “Hot Work”• Human errors.

Fire Prevention Strategy.• A fire must have three things to ignite and maintain

combustion:– Fuel – Needs to starved.– Heat – Needs to be cooled.– Oxygen – Needs to be smothered.

• The basic strategy of fire prevention is to control or isolate sources of fuel and heat in order to prevent combustion.

If all three are not present in sufficient quantities a fire will not ignite or a fire will not be able to sustain combustion

Goals of Fire Prevention:

1. Life Safety– The primary goal of fire safety efforts is to protect

building occupants from injury and to prevent loss of life.

2. Property Protection– The secondary goal of fire safety is to prevent

property damage.

3. Protection of Operations– By preventing fires and limiting damage we can

assure that work operations will continue.

Basic Fire Safety.

If you discover a fire…..• Raise the alarm to signal evacuation.• DO NOT stay to collect belongings.• DO NOT re-enter the building • DO NOT use the lifts.

…and remember DO NOT PANIC!

Action on Hearing the Alarm

• Close all doors and windows if its safe.• Evacuate the building as quickly as

possible• Move directly to the assembly point• Senior person to take roll call• Everybody present? Inform Headquarters• Never return to the building

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Basic Fire Safety.

Operation of a fire extinguisher

Some simple steps……..

• P - • A - • S - • S -

PullAimSqueezeSweep

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Fire Preventive Measures.• No burning candles in the office.• No smoking policy.• Good housekeeping.• Exposed heating elements should not be left

unattended.• Participate in the fire drill to prepare yourself for

emergencies.• Stacking and storage.

House Keeping.

• Good housekeeping habits are an important part of a safe workplace.

• Why is good housekeeping important?

– To reduce amounts of flammable and combustible materials. – To reduce ignition hazards.– To ensure safe emergency evacuation of occupants.– To allow for quick emergency response.

General House Keeping Guidelines.

• Work areas, aisles, walkways, stairways, and equipment should be kept clear of loose materials, trash, scraps, etc.

• Never block aisles, fire exits, emergency equipment, or alarm pull stations with equipment or materials.

• Avoid build up of combustible trash and waste such as paper, wood, cardboard, etc.

• Keep use and storage of flammables and combustibles to a minimum.

• Clean up all spills such as grease, oil, or water immediately. A delay could result in accidents.

Storage Guidelines.

• Do not use walkways and corridors as a store room this can obstruct the evacuation route.

• Make sure that all fire exits are open and all obstructions are removed.

Storage Guidelines.• All storage must be at

least 3 ft from electrical panels. In some emergency situations it will be necessary to access these panels quickly.

• Maintain at least a 3ft clearance from heating surfaces, air ducts, heaters, and lighting fixtures.

• Storage of combustible materials in mechanical rooms is prohibited.

Improper Mechanical Room Storage

Improper Storage in front of Electrical Panel

Fire Protection Systems.

• Passive Systems:– Fire rated floors, ceilings and walls.– Fire isolated exits and columns.

• Active Systems:– Exit signs.– Emergency lighting, hydrants.– Hose-reels.– Smoke detectors and sprinklers.

Fight or Flight.Can I escape quickly and safely from the area if I attempted to extinguish the fire?

Yes

Do I have the right type of extinguisher?

Yes

Is the extinguisher large enough for the fire?

Yes

Is the area free of other dangers such as hazardous materials

Yes

EXTINGUISH THE FIRE!

Do you have any questions?