Fire Scene Safety

Question 1

What are the hazards most likely to cause injury at a scene?

Answer 1

HATIFFIC

Hitting something causing a CHAIN reaction
AIRBORNE dust particles
TRIPPING on fire debris
INHALATION of toxic substances
FALLING down, over or onto fire debris
Things FALLING from above onto you
INGESTION of particles
Cuts/wounds from SHARP objects

Question 2

What are the required protective clothing items?

Answer 2

• suitable helmet
• safety glasses
• nose and mouth filter/full face respirator/full BA
• pair of overalls
• gloves
• heavy duty footwear with steel soles and toe caps

Question 3

What are the four major building materials?

Answer 3

Timber
Steel
Concrete
Masonry

Question 4

How do you minimise risk in buildings made of timber

Answer 4

take note of the thickness of structural members, the load it is carrying and any sounds emanating from structural members

Question 5

How is steel affected by fire?

Answer 5

Steel expands when heated and then contracts when cooling which can cause collapsing of walls.
Unprotected steel can also lose its strength when subjected to intense heat.

Question 6

How is concrete affected by fire?

Answer 6

It can be unpredictable as it can be affected by extremely low fire temperatures.
When exposed to fire it can break away at the surface (spalling) and steel reinforcing may be exposed to heat making it lose its tensile strength.

Question 7

How are masonry buildings affected by fire?

Answer 7

They can be weakened by deterioration of mortar, expansion of the walls or damage to supporting or connection structural members.

Question 8

What are the visible signs of masonry buildings?

Answer 8

cracking
leaning
bowing
collapse of supporting floors or roof frames