Safety and Fire

EXTINGUISHER

GIK Institute of Engineering Sciences

& Technology, Topi.

Edited by:
D Dr. Khurram Imran Khan
NFPA Sign for Hazard
 THE FIRE TRIANGLE

STARVATION SMOTHERING

COOLING
Fire Tetrahedron

Cool Materials

HEAT

Chemical
Remove Chain
Reaction
Fuel Fuel Smother
Oxygen
Source Air Supply

Interrupt Reaction
Fuel Oxygen Heat
Chemicals - acetone, A natural component of (Ignition
ether, methanol, etc
Gases - hydrogen,
air @ 21% Source)
Enriched atmospheres,
natural gas > 21% oxygen Heating
Plastics - PCs, cable  labs, oxygen appliances
insulation, research storage Research and
equipment Situations where computer
Paper and cardboard - oxygen / air is more equipment
packaging material difficult to control: Lab and Other
Wood - desks,  Outdoors electrical
benches  Automatic equipment
Fabrics - chairs, ventilation Smoking
blinds, clothing systems materials

You…  Open doors or

windows
You…
Hazards and risks of FIRE
• Smoke & fumes
 Breathing difficulties, asphyxiation,
poisoning
• Heat & flames - up to 1250°C
 Burns
• Building debris
 Impact injuries, burns
• Injury while escaping fire
 Trips, falls, trampling
 THE STAGES OF COMBUSTION
Explosions and FIRE
Incipient Stage - At this stage, decomposition is
occurring at the surface of the fuel due to the
influence of some form of heat. Products of
combustion given off at this stage are invisible to
the eye.
Smoldering Stage - At this stage, up to 10% of
the decomposing products released at the surface
of the fuel are visible.
 THE STAGES OF COMBUSTION
Flaming Stage - Vapors from the
decomposing fuel have ignited and are at the
stage where flames are self propagating.

Heating Stage - At this stage the burning has

progressed to the point where the fire is still
small but generating sufficient heat to warm
the air immediately around the fire, sending
warm products of combustion upwards by
convection.
 THE CHEMISTRY OF FIRE
EXTINCTION
The principles of fire extinction consist of
the elimination or removal of one or
more of the four elements. These
principles are:

COOLING
• The most commonly used fire fighting medium is water.
Water absorbs heat from the fire and cools the fuel to a
temperature where it no longer produces flammable vapors.

SMOTHERING
• By excluding the oxygen in the surrounding
atmosphere, the fire will be extinguished.
 THE CHEMISTRY OF FIRE
EXTINCTION

 STARVATION
Starvation is achieved by removal of the fuel
burning in the fire. Sometimes combustible
material can be removed such as by shutting
off gas valves or fuel flows.

 STOP CHAIN REACTION

Stop or interrupt the chain reaction between
the fuel, heat and oxygen the fire will be
extinguished.
 Fire Prevention
Be fire safety aware

Control ignition sources

Proper Storage of fuels

Use good electrical equipment

Abide by the University no

smoking policy
 Fire Prevention
Do not block fire exits, call points
or extinguishers

Do not wedge fire doors open

Ensure good housekeeping

Maintain effective security

Report any bad practice or risks

immediately to your Lab Engineer
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation
On hearing the alarm
 CALL SECURITY ON 2333 to advise of the
fire alarm – do not assume someone else has done
it.
 LEAVE THE BUILDING by the nearest available
fire escape route.
 DO NOT DELAY YOUR ESCAPE but if you can
turn off equipment/close doors and windows as
you leave then do so.
 GO TO THE ASSEMBLY AREA and await
instruction
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation
Do not delay to collect
belongings
Do not use the lifts
If smoke is present then keep
low to the floor to add your
escape
If necessary check that
internal doors are cool with
the back of your hand before
opening them
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation
People with Disabilities
 Need to be assisted by volunteers or
nominated personnel

 For special events ensure that disabled

persons have been taken into account and an
evacuation plan is in place

Read details of Departmental

Evacuation Plan
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation

On exiting the building • Paste on walls if

possible the exit
routes of
Report to designated department or
building
assembly point promptly

Don’t block any Emergency

Services route to the building
 Fire Procedure - Evacuation

On exiting the building

Report any missing colleagues to Fire Warden

Report any disabled persons left at Refuge Points

Remain at assembly point until advised otherwise

Do not wander off as it may be assumed that you

are trapped in the building
 Fire Emergency Response

R Rescue

A Alarm

C Contain

E Extinguish
 Firefighting Decision Criteria
• Know department emergency procedures and
evacuation routes.
• Know locations of extinguishers in your area and how to
use them.
• Always sound the alarm regardless of fire size.
• Avoid smoky conditions.
• Ensure area is evacuated.
• Don’t attempt to fight unless:
– Alarm is sounded.
– Fire is small and contained.
– You have safe egress route (can be reached without
exposure to fire).
– Available extinguishers are rated for size and type of fire.
• If in doubt, evacuate!
 Fire Classes
A Trash Wood Paper
C Electrical Equipment
• wood
• cloth • energized
• paper electrical
• rubber equipment
• many
plastics

B Liquids Grease
• gasoline D COMBUSTIBLE • magnesium
• oil • sodium

D
• grease • potassium
• tar • titanium
• oil-based paint • zirconium
• lacquer • other
• flammable METALS
flammable
gases metals
 Fire Extinguisher Anatomy
DISCHARGE LEVER PRESSURE GAUGE
(not found on CO2
extinguishers)
CARRYING
DISCHARGE LOCKING PIN
HANDLE
AND SEAL

DISCHARGE HOSE

DATA PLATE

DISCHARGE NOZZLE BODY

DISCHARGE ORIFICE
Fire Extinguisher Types
PRESSURIZED WATER
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper • Class “A” fires only.

• 2.5 gal. water at 150-175 psi (up to 1

minute discharge time).

• Has pressure gauge to allow visual

B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease

capacity check.

• 30-40 ft. maximum effective range.

• Can be started and stopped as

C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment

necessary.

• Extinguishes by cooling burning

material below the ignition point.
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper • Class “B” or “C” fires.
• 2.5-100 lb. of CO2 gas at 150-
200 psi (8-30 seconds
discharge time).
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease • Has NO pressure gauge--
capacity verified by weight.
• 3-8 ft. maximum effective
range.
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment
• Extinguishes by smothering
burning materials.
• Effectiveness decreases as
temperature of burning
material increases.
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper
• Class “A”, “B”, or “C” fires.

• 2.5-20 lb. dry chemical (ammonium

phosphate) pressurized to 50-200
psi by nitrogen gas (8-25 seconds
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease discharge time).

• Has pressure gauge to allow visual

capacity check.
C Electrical Equipment

• 5-20 ft. maximum effective range.

C Electrical Equipment

• Extinguishes by smothering burning

materials.
 Fire Extinguisher Summary
EXTINGUISHER TYPE WORKS BY EFFECTIVE AGAINST

PRESSURIZED COOLING
WATER

CARBON SMOTHERING
DIOXIDE
MULTIPURPOSE
DRY CHEMICAL SMOTHERING

HALON SMOTHERING

COMBUSTIBLE
METAL
SMOTHERING D

FP (FOAM TYPE) SMOTHERING

Fighting the Fire
REMEMBER !
Fire Prevention Is
Everyone’s
Responsibility
and
Thank You!