Element 6 Flashcards
Identify the 3 things that must be present for a fire to start.
- Oxygen.
- Fuel.
- Heat.
Explain the 5 classes of fire?
- Class A: Solid materials, usually organic, such as paper, wood, coal and textiles.
- Class B: Flammable liquids, such as petrol, oil and solvents.
- Class C: Gases, such as methane, propane and acetylene.
- Class D: Metals, such as aluminium or magnesium.
- Class F: High-temperature fats and oils, such as cooking fat fire.
Explain why the “Fire Triangle” is used?
- Fire prevention: Keeping the 3 elements apart means that the fire cannot start.
- Fire-Fighting: By removing one of the elements, the fire will go out.
Define “Flammable”?
A technical term indicating the substance gives off a vapour that can be ignited.
Identify 4 different methods by which a fire can spread?
- Direct Burning.
- Convection.
- Conduction.
- Radiation.
Identify some of the most common causes of workplace fires?
- Electrical equipment.
- Deliberate ignition.
- Hot work.
- Smoking.
- Cooking appliances.
- Heating appliances.
- Unsafe use and storage of flammable liquids and gases.
- Mechanical heat.
- Chemical reactions.
Identify the 3 main reasons for carrying out a Fire Risk Assessment?
- Prevent harm to people.
- Comply with the law.
- Minimise the cost of fire at the workplace.
What does RRFSO stand for?
- Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
What does IIERR stand for?
- Identify the risk.
- Identify the people at risk.
- Evaluate/Reduce the risk.
- Record the findings.
- Review the assessment.
Identify the fire hazards?
- Source of fuel.
- Source of Ignition/heat.
- Source of oxygen.
Give the fire precautions that are required?
- Fire prevention.
- Prevention of the spread of smoke and flames.
- Fire detection and alarm.
- Fire-fighting equipment.
- Means of escape.
- Signs and notices.
- Lighting.
Identify who might be more at risk in a fire situation?
- Lone workers (cleaners).
- People working in isolated areas (plant room).
- The young (toddlers in a crèche).
- The elderly (residents in a care home).
- The disabled (wheelchair users).
Outline typical precautions for control of hot work?
- Flammable materials are removed from the work area.
- Items that cannot be removed are covered with fire-retardant blankets.
- The floor is swept clean.
- Wooden floor is damped down.
- A suitable fire extinguisher is at hand.
- A “Fire Watcher” is present in the area.
- The work area is visited routinely after the work has finished to check the area for smouldering.
Outline the key criteria with regard to safe use of flammable liquids?
- Use the minimum volume of liquid required.
- Liquid should be in a properly labelled container.
- Ideally the container will be metal with a self-closing lid.
- Use a metal tray to catch spills and have absorbent material available.
- Use away from heat and ignition sources.
- Ensure that the workplace is well ventilated.
- Return containers to safe storage after use.
Outline the key criteria with regard to safe storage of flammable liquids in work rooms?
- Store minimal volumes only.
- Store in a purpose built flammables cabinet (fire resistant/metal, lockable doors, clearly signed, built in catch tray).
- Store away from potential ignition sources.
Outline the key criteria with regard to safe storage of flammable liquids?
- Store in purpose built, single storey flammables store.
- The store built of non-combustible materials.
- The store having a lightweight roof for explosion relief.
- Ideally the store built outdoors away from other buildings or having firewall protection.
- The store suitably fenced in a secure area.
- All electrical systems are intrinsically safe.
- All other ignition sources are eliminated.
- The store being well ventilated at high and low levels.
- All access doors lockable with sill to contains spillages.
- Adequate fire-fighting equipment.
- Suitable fire safety signs.
- Regular checks for security, secure and safe storage, leaks of liquids, etc.
- Having clear, safe access for the fire service.
Give some typical characteristics of a fire door?
- Rated to withstand fire for a minimum period of time (e.g. 20-30 mins).
- Fitted with:
A self closing device.
An instrument strip.
A cold smoke seal.
A vision panel of fire resistant glass. - Clearly labelled (e.g. Fire door - Keep shut).
Give some characteristics of heavier fire doors?
- Contain fire within compartments that contain greater risk of fire risk (e.g. Plant room).
- Keep fire out if compartments that contain fire-sensitive contents (e.g. Computer room). Therefore a higher rating will be required to withstand the fire (e.g. 1 to 2 hours).
Outline some common building materials and their effect in a fire?
- Concrete: usually very resistant to fire and does not collapse catastrophically. It may spall/throw off small chunks.
- Steel: severely affected by high temperatures. Expansion occurs, pushing structural elements apart. Steel may twist and warp, leading to building collapse.
- Brick: very resistant to fire.
- Timber: thin timber will burn, however thick beams may not fully burn. Thick timber will fail slowly rather than suddenly.
Identify other materials that can make a difference to fire resistance?
- Insulation: wall insulation.
- Wall coverings: paint or wallpaper.
Explain what “The Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations 2002 (DSEAR)” requires from an employer?
- Classify hazardous locations (where an explosive atmosphere might be created due to the presence of a dangerous substance or combustible dust), into “Zones”, and then control the fire and explosion risks appropriately.
Outline an employers Zone classifications for gases, vapours and mists?
- Zone 0 (Zone 20 for dusts): a place in which an explosive atmosphere is present continuously or for long periods or frequently.
- Zone 1 (Zone 21 for dusts): a place in which an explosive atmosphere is likely to occur in normal operation occasionally.
- Zone 2 (Zone 22 for dusts): a place in which an explosive atmosphere is not likely to occur in normal operation but, if it does occur, will persist for a short period only.
Identify the some general principles to be applied when deciding upon appropriate fire detection and alarm systems?
- The simplest system.
- Simple with more noise.
- Manually operated fire alarm.
- Interlinked smoke alarms.
- Automatic fire detection and alarm (Smoke detectors/Heat detectors).
Identify some types of portable fire fighting equipment?
- Portable fire extinguisher.
- Fire blankets.
- Hose reels.
- Sprinkler systems.
Outline some basic siting considerations of fire extinguishers?
- On fire exit routes.
- Near exit doors.
- Close to hazards that they are supposed to protect against (fire blanket next to a gas hob in a kitchen).
- No one should have to travel further than 30 metres to reach an extinguisher.
- Fixed to walls at comfortable heights (1 metre for large extinguishers/1.5 metres for smaller ones).
- Clearly visible and labelled.
Give the 5 types of fire extinguisher?
- Water: used for Class A fires.
- Carbon dioxide: used for Class A & B fires.
- Foam: used for Class A & B fires.
- Dry powder: used for all Classes.
- Wet chemical: used for Class F fires.
Give a definition of a “Fire Main”?
- A water supply pipe installed specifically for fire-fighting purposes.
Outline the factors to be considered when developing a fire plan?
- Details of who is likely to be in the building:
Workers
Visitors
Contractors
Vulnerable persons - Action to be taken by the person who finds the fire:
How will the alarm be raised
How will the emergency services be contacted - Escape routes:
Number and location
Travel distances
Provision of fire exit route signs
Emergency lighting of escape corridors and stairwells - Fire fighting equipment:
Provision of portable equipment - Action to be taken after evacuation:
Roll call
Fire Marshalls to check building is evacuated - Training in:
Use of equipment
Fire drills
Co-operation with other employers on site
Give some considerations when planning “escape routes” or “means of escape” in the event of an evacuation of a workplace?
- Means of escape.
- Travel distances.
- Stairs and passageways.
- Doors.
- Emergency escape lighting.
- Exit and directional signs.
- Assembly points.
- Fire marshals.
- Training and information.
- Fire drills.
- Roll call.
