fire safety notes[1]

e-learning solutions

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Esky e-learning The Stables, Luttrell House, Chaddesley Corbett, Worcestershire. DY10 4PZ

Fire Safety Course Notes


e-learning solutions www.eskyweb.com 2Oct-2007

MODULE ONE - BASIC FIRE KNOWLEDGE

The Fire Triangle

Step 1 - identify the fi re hazards.

Step 3 - evaluate the risks.

Step 5 - review and revise.

Step 4 - record your fi ndings.

Fire needs three essential ingredients to start: heat, oxygen and fuel. Try to keep these 3 from coming together and you will reduce the risk of fi re.

Step 2 - identify people at risk.

OXYGEN FUEL

HEAT

Produce a fi re risk assessment for your workplace by following these important steps:



Fire needs heat from an ignition source, oxygen and fuel to start.

When a fire takes hold flammable gases will self-ignite and cause explosions.

The Consequences of Fire

In a fire, smoke and toxic fumes can be killers.

Fires spread rapidly and become incredibly hot in a short space of time.

Keep all routes clear of obstruction. Ensure fire exits are never blocked. Ensure fire doors are never wedged open. Ensure that notices remain on display. Keep all fire fighting equipment in the right place and never abuse it.

Fire can burn skin and lung tissue.

Fire can cause structural damage to buildings.

Fire Resistance



Fire Doors and Exits

Fire exits must be kept clear.

Fire exits should be clearly marked by signs.

Never prop open fire doors.

Familiarise yourself with the all escape routes in the building.

Fire resisting doors, walls, ceilings and floors must be maintained.

Action in the Event of a Fire Alarm

Close all windows and doors if time permits.

Do not stop to collect personal belongings.

Any housekeeping staff should make sure any of their materials are not causing an obstruction in corridors.

FIREEXIT



Leave the building by the nearest available exit and do not use lifts.

Go directly to the fire assembly point and stay there until told it’s safe to re-enter the building by a fire officer or other appropriately appointed official.

Action in the Event of a Fire

Leave the building by the nearest exit and stay at the assembly point until told otherwise.

Close doors and windows if you have time.

Do not open closed doors to rooms where there is a fire.

Only tackle a fire if it is safe and you know what you are doing. Never tackle a fire on your own.

In a fire situation, raise the alarm.

Assembly point

FIRE

BREAK GLASS



MODULE TWO - BASIC FIRE KNOWLEDGE PLUS

Fire Extinguishers and How to Use Them

Only use a fi re extinguisher if you have been trained.There are four main types of fi re extinguisher; water, carbon dioxide, powder and foam.

Water extinguishers are not suitable for electric or oil fi res. They are best suited to solid fuel fi res like wood, paper, and so on.

Fire blankets are good for chip pan fi res or people with burning clothes. You should only tackle chip pan fi res if you have had special training.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers can be used on most fi res, but they’re particularly good for fi res with electrical equipment.

Powder extinguishers are safe to use on most fi res – gas, solid and liquid fuelled. Multipurpose powders work best on solid burning fi res. But standard powders, only work well on burning liquids.

AFFF (foam) extinguishers are good for use on most fi res – solids and liquids. But like the water extinguisher, don’t use foam on electrical fi res. Electricity can be conducted back up the spray on some foam extinguishers.

FIREBLANKET

WATER

CO2

DRYPOWDER

FOAM



Class C or gas fires should not be tackled.

Class B fires are fuelled by liquids like petrol, or liquefiable solids like paints or fats that are solid at room temperature and melt when heated.

Class D or flammable metal fires must be dealt with by specially trained personnel.

Class A are solid fuel fires; often burning organic matter, such as wood or paper.

Classes of Fire

Class F fires can be fought using a fire blanket or a special Class F fire extinguisher.

In addition to these five classes, you should also be aware of electrical fires. When dealing with these fires you should avoid using water based extinguishers which could cause electrocution.

When using an extinguisher, use the entire contents.

When using an extinguisher, keep between the fire and the escape route.



New legislation called the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order was effective from October 2006. This order requires any person with some control over a business premises to take reasonable steps to reduce the risk from fire.

Doors which protect the means of escape in case of fire should be fitted with intumescent strips and smoke seals. Both strips and seals will be found on the sides and tops of the doors.

They must also make sure any occupants can escape safely if a fire breaks out.

Fire resisting doors, walls, ceilings and floors are used to compartmentalise fire.

Fire resisting doors are positioned to help protect escape routes. They reduce the spread of fire by separating fire risks from your means of escape.

Fire Resisting Construction

The fire.gov.uk website has a self assessment form to help you assess the level of risk in your workplace. The responsible person must:

The actual means or route of escape must be protected for 30 minutes, (though it can be more in some situations.) This gives people inside the burning building more time to escape.

Law

FIRE.GOV.UK



Braille notices or large print versions of fire instructions may be required and a deaf alerter system may need to be installed.

Staff training for employees who are blind, deaf or have other needs should be considered and assistance may be required in the event of evacuation.

Carry out a fire risk assessment to identify risks and hazards, or they must nominate someone to do so.

Eliminate or reduce the fire risk as far as possible and provide fire precautions to deal with any remaining risk.

Put in place additional fire safety measures, create an emergency plan and document your findings and review the findings as necessary.

Refuges are used to prevent wheelchairs obstructing escape routes while other people get out.

Escape route doors, passageways and ramps should provide wheelchair access and exit.

People With Disabilities

Special procedures must be in place to help disabled people sleeping overnight in a premises.

WATER

EMERGENCY

PLAN

DOCUMENTS



Check all fi re resisting doors are closed properly, and provide a proper fi re resisting barrier.

Patrols should be carried out at regular intervals in the night.

The walkaround should include operating all doors which provide means of escape in case of fi re. That means you should operate the panic bolts and walk out onto the external escape.

Common hazards to look for include:a. paper near fi resb. cigarettes on fl oors or seatingc. lit candlesd. items pushed too close to open fi res e. electrical equipment left onf. un-emptied binsg. any other perceived risk.

MODULE THREE - NIGHT STAFF

Final Check of Premises and Walk Arounds

PUSH BAR TO OPEN

The whole building should be inspected and checks recorded.



In a fire situation you must raise the alarm.

Attempt to fight the fire only if you have been properly trained and it is safe to do so.

Direct people out of the building.

Assist the fire brigade when they arrive.

Action in the Event of Fire and Alarm

Call the fire brigade.

Record a fire log of the incident.

FIRE

BREAK GLASS

Check all extinguishers are in place and undamaged and check all lighting, such as illuminated fire exits.

If the door has a self closing device like an electromagnetic device, check it has worked and the fire doors are closed. If it hasn’t, close the doors manually. Then make sure it is reported correctly.



Marshals will help to coordinate the evacuation. They will take a head count at the assembly point to ensure that everyone has safely escaped from the premises.

The senior fi re marshal will take control of the situation and will organise a call to the Fire Service immediately by ringing 999 (or 112).

All marshals must put on a fl uorescent jacket.

DO NOT silence the alarm.

Ground and lock all passenger lifts – there are many different types, so familiarise yourself with the lift in your building.

MODULE FOUR - FIRE MARSHAL

Duties

When the fi re service arrive, tell them where the alarm is located.



Don’t re-set the fire alarm unless specifically asked to by the Fire Service, otherwise follow their advice.

Obtain the list of all staff, or in a hotel, obtain the guest list and check that all people are accounted for.

Check for any deaf or disabled people who may need assistance. You must be aware of them and their location in your premises.

Advise the fire service of anyone unaccounted for.

Make sure no-one re-enters the building until the Fire Service allow it.

fire safety notes[1]

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