Fire safety is the set of practices intended to reduce the destruction caused by fire. Fire safety measures include those that are intended to prevent ignition of an uncontrolled fire, and those that are used to limit the development and effects of a fire after it starts. Fires destroy property, cause injuries, and take lives. Whether it’s in your own home or in your place of employment, education and clear markings of important fire hazards and safety equipment can prevent injuries and save structures as long as people are well aware of everything they need to know

Characteristics of Fire

Fire is a chemical reaction comprising of these three components: Heat, Oxygen and Fuel. This combustion process results in emission of heat, smoke and non-ionizing radiation. Removal of any of these components from the fire will extinguish the fire.

What are 5 Classes of Fire?

• Class “A” — General Fire:

This consists of ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, trach and plastics.

• Class “B” — Oil Fire:

This consists of flammable liquids such as gasoline, petroleum oil and paint.

• Class “C” — Electrical Fire:

This involves energized electrical equipment such as motors, appliances, computers, copiers etc.

• Class “D” — Metallic Fire:

This consists of combustible metals such as potassium, sodium, lithium, magnesium etc.

• Class “K” — Kitchen Fire:

This consists of cooking oils and greases such as animals’ fats and vegetable fats.

Causes of fire

There are many causes of fire including, smoking, cooking and heating equipment, flammable liquids, open flames like candles etc., chemical reactions, compressed gases, poor housekeeping, intentional fires and electrical equipment i.e. short circuit, overloaded, overheated, poorly maintained or defective.

Fire Safety Signage’s:

Some of the important safety signs include the following:

Fire response procedure

General fire response procedures must be implemented immediately upon suspicion of a fire. Remove patients and personnel from the immediate fire area if safe to do so. Activate Alarm and notify others. Activate nearest audible fire alarm by pulling the handle down on alarm.Above all “Do not panic & stay calm”. What do you do in case of fire in a hospital? On discovering a fire/smoke,stay safe and follow RACE protocol. R.A.C.E: An acronym that hospital personnel use to remember their duties in case of fire. It stands for RESCUE, ALARM, CONFINE, EXTINGUISH/EVACUATE. P.A.S.S: An acronym that hospital personnel use to remember their duties for discharging a fire extinguisher.

1. Rescue people from immediate danger if it is safe to do so.

2. Alert people in the immediate vicinity by

• Shouting:Fire,Fire,Fire
• Activating the fire alarm.

• Calling the internal emergency contact number whatever it is in your country and notifying the type of emergency and location.

3 Contain the fire and smoke by closing all doors and windows.

4. Extinguish the fire if it is small and safe to do so by using appropriate fire extinguishers.

Evacuate if the fire is large and when cannot be controlled. To develop an effective evacuation plan, employers should follow the 3 stages of evacuation in a fire:

‘Stage 1’: Immediate evacuation;

‘Stage 2’: Lateral evacuation; and.

‘Stage 3’: Partial evacuation.

Evacuate all patients nearest the danger area first. If a complete evacuation of the area is ordered, move patients in the following order: Ambulatory patients — Provide a guide to lead patients out and someone to follow to assure that no one becomes confused and tries to return to the area.

How to operate fire extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers should not be used by people who have not been trained. Before tackling a fire with a fire extinguisher make sure you or someone else has raised the fire alarm and that you have a safe evacuation route.Using the correct type of extinguisher for the fire, use the four-step P.A.S.S. technique to extinguish the fire.

•Pull the safety pin at the top of fire extinguisher

•Aim the nozzle towards the base of the fire

•Squeeze the handle

• Sweep the nozzle from side to side.

When to fight a fire?

Only fight a fire if:

• You know the fire is small and contained.
• You know the departmental emergency procedures and evacuation routes.
• You know the location of extinguishers in your area and how to use them.
• You have already ensured the activation of the fire alarm.
• The area is not heavily filled with smoke.
• You have a safe egress route (can be reached without exposure to the fire).
• Available extinguishers are rated for the type of fire.“ If in doubt, evacuate!

Staff actions on hearing the fire alarm

If you are working in any organization or institute then what actions should be done on hearing the fire alarm? When the fire or smoke is not in your area, on hearing the fire alarm:

1. Be prepared for the evacuation but do not evacuate until further orders from the fire marshals.

2. In case of a false alarm: Proceed with your regular work.

3. In case of real emergency: Evacuate through the nearest emergency exit and proceed to the assembly point. (Do not use the elevators)

If you are caught on fire:

• Stop where ever you are

• Drop on the floor

• Roll around the floor

Don’t panic and do not go in search of water, fire blanket etc.

If you encounter a smoke filled space.

Keep these three following things in mind if you encounter a smoke filled space.

• Before you proceed for evacuation, realize your location and the escape route.

• Follow the illuminated path (by emergency lights) and stay within 2 feet from the ground and crawl to the door on hands and knees, so you can breathe the fresher air near the floor. the smoke and heat is warm, it rises up and the lower gases like oxygen in the atmosphere takes the place left by the smoke

• Exit through the nearest emergency exit (stair case). Don’t use elevator.