fire safety

Learning objectives

By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:

• Define fire.
• Describe the behavior of fire.
• Describe classes of fire.
• Define fire safety.
• Describe common fire hazards.
• Describe common fire safety tips.
• Describe fire safety tips for children.

Fires can destroy property and life if they occur. They may occur in homes or places of work due to different reasons. It is therefore important that you familiarize yourself with fire safety techniques. Even if you do not operate flammable materials, the risk of fire is still there.

Fires are hazardous. A hazard is something capable of causing harm. Fire can cause harm in the following ways:

 

• Heat. This is the most common cause of harm from fire. Flames of fire can burn your skin, parts of your body, or even your whole body. They are also responsible for destruction of property. Flames consume a lot of substances to ash.
• Smoke. When fire is burning, smoke is mostly produced. This smoke if inhaled can lead to serious lung damage. Most deaths from fires mostly occur as a result of smoke inhalation rather than fire burns. The harmfulness of the smoke also depends on the material burning. Some materials produce more toxic fumes when burnt than others.
• Lack of oxygen. Oxygen is required for burning. Without enough supply of oxygen, a burning fire will consume the available oxygen to exhaustion. Humans also need oxygen to survive. A fire can therefore cause death through suffocation.
• Environmental damage. A burning fire can release a lot of toxins to the environment including carbon. This has devastating effects such as global warming. Forest fires also destroy biodiversity and emit carbon into the atmosphere.

Fire behavior

A fire can exhibit different behaviors. Each one works in a different way to spread flames and heat. These principles of heat transfer include:

• Conduction. Some objects are not combustible themselves but can allow the spread of fire. When temperatures get high, they pass on to the other side of the material. If a combustible object or fuel source is available on the other side, and the temperatures are high enough, a flame may ignite. For example, conduction through a metal. If you heat a metal, it will not catch fire but if a combustible material is present on the other side like a piece of paper, it might catch fire.
• Radiation. Apart from contact, heat can also be transferred through electromagnetic waves. A combustible object or fuel source can light up by simply being close to a source of heat without physical contact. This is why you will see some combustible materials written on them, keep away from fire. For example, if you place a lens on top of a piece of paper on a sunny day, the heat from the sun will burn the paper through radiation.
• Convection. Fire hits the air around and fire also produces smoke. Warm heated air rises above while cold air replaces it below. This process is called convection. The accumulation of hot air, for example, in the ceiling can cause new fires.
• Backdraught. When a fire is burning in a poorly ventilated area, it may go off due to exhaustion of oxygen. However, a sudden introduction of oxygen, such as opening a door, can re-ignite the fire. The re-ignition in most cases is explosive. Backdraught risk is why people should not re-enter a building that was on fire immediately after the fire is off.

Classes of fire

Fires can be classified differently depending on the burning material. This classification determines the effective type of extinguisher to be used. These types include:

• A class of fire burning solids that are flammable. For example, wood and paper. This class of fire can be extinguished using water, foam, wet chemical or dry powder.
• A class of fire burning flammable liquids. For example, paint and petrol. This fire can be extinguished using water, foam, wet chemical or dry powder.
•  A class of fire burning flammable gases. For example, butane and propane. This fire can be extinguished using special dry powder.
• Electrical fire. This is fire involving electrical equipment. This fire can be extinguished using carbon dioxide or special dry powder.
• A class of fire burning fats or cooking oil. This fire can be extinguished using wet chemical.

Fire safety

Fire safety refers to a set of practices aimed at reducing the destruction resulting from fire. Examples of fire safety measures include; those aimed at preventing ignition of an unchecked fire, and those aimed at limiting the development as well as the effects of a fire that has already started.

The leading causes of fire injuries and home fires are cooking and heating. It has been noted that winter months record the highest cases of fire-related deaths.

Fire safety measures can be planned before the construction of a building or they can be established on buildings that are already constructed. These measures can also be taught to occupants of a building.

Fire safety threats are commonly known as fire hazards.

Common fire hazards

Some of the most common fire hazards include;

• Defective, overloaded, or poorly maintained electrical systems.
• Combustibles in close proximity with equipment that produces flame, sparks, or heat.
• Open flames like candles.
• Flammable liquids and aerosols. For example, gasoline.
• Cooking appliances like ovens.
• Heating appliances like boilers.
• Poorly done electrical wiring.
• Defective or leaking batteries.
• Kitchen fires.

One of the ways of ensuring fire safety involves reducing the risk of fire. Let us look at some of the ways in which you can reduce the risk of fire.

When cooking, prioritize fire safety by keeping the following in mind;

• Always ensure that children are not left in the kitchen unsupervised.
• Always be alert; if you have consumed alcohol, or you are sleepy, avoid using the oven.
• Stay in the kitchen when you are frying, boiling, or grilling food.
• When baking, roasting, or simmering, check the food regularly.
• Keep anything flammable, or that can catch fire away from your area of cooking.

When heating, follow the following safety tips;

• Keep flammables like clothing, paper, or bedding away from the heater or fire place.
• Never leave fireplaces or plugged heaters unattended.
• Keep pets and children away from space heaters.

Other common causes of fire include; candles, smoking, and electrical problems. Here are some tips to minimize these risks of fire;

• Avoid smoking in the house.
• Check and replace all cords with bare wires, or that are frayed.
• It is advisable to switch to flame candles.
• Keep lighters and matches away from reach of children.

Installation of smoke alarms helps reduce the risk of fire. Smoke alarms provide early warning and therefore reduce the risk of dying in a fire.

Fire extinguisher- when and how to use it

Always prioritize your safety; if you lack confidence in your ability to extinguish a fire, leave the area immediately and call the emergency services in your area. Fire safety organizations advise that you monitor the situation and ensure that;

• Everyone has left, or they are leaving their homes.
• The fire department has been informed.
• The fire is small, with little smoke, and it is not spreading.
• You have access to an exit you can use quickly.

Here is how to use a fire extinguisher;

• Pull the pin.
• Aim low towards the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the handle slowly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

Fire safety for children

When a house catches fire, children can become afraid and confused. Sometimes they may not understand what’s happening or how to react. Therefore, it is of utmost importance for parents to teach children about fire safety, maintain working smoke alarms, and maintain fire escape plan.

Fire safety tips for children

• Install smoke alarms in the house.
• Teach children to leave a burning house immediately.
• Teach children to avoid entering houses on fire.
• Develop and practice with the children a fire escape plan.
• Teach children to drop and roll if their clothes catch fire

Fire is a major threat to property. It is therefore advisable to insure your properties against fire and other risks by taking an insurance policy.

Summary

We,ve learned that;

• Fires can destroy property and life if they occur.
• Fire safety refers to a set of practices aimed at reducing the destruction resulting from fire.
• Fire safety threats are commonly known as fire hazards.
• Fire safety can help save property and lives.