Scene Safety and Causes of Fire

Question 1

Scene Safety: Injuries through hazard

Answer 1

• Inhalation of toxic substance
• ingestion of particles
• cuts/wounds from sharp objects
• air bourn dusts, particles
• tripping on fire debris
• falling down, over, onto or into any obstructions or cavities
• items from above falling onto you

Question 2

Scene safety: Clothing Protection

Answer 2

• Suitable helmet
• pair of overalls
• nose and mouth filter, a full face respirator or full breathing apparatus
• gloves
• safety glasses
• heavy duty footwear with steal soles and toe caps.

Question 3

Scene safety: Timber

Answer 3

Burn and charr, if members are thick enough, maintain sufficient integrity.

Take note of thickness of members, load it is carrying, and any sound emanating from structural members.

Question 4

Scene safety: Steel

Answer 4

Expand and cause internal/external walls to be pushed out. Sufficient fuel will cause steel to lose strength and collapse.

Heated steel cooled tend to contract and may:

• fall off support
• remain intact loosely and may collapse during excavation or movement with little or no warning.

Pay attention to location and condition steel beams and trusses.

Question 5

Scene safety: Concrete

Answer 5

Tilt slab construction is most unpredictable and can be affected by extremely low fire temperature, and topple like a deck of cards in all directions.

When subject to fire, concrete can break away at the surface (spalling), and steel reinforcement may be exposed and lose strength.

Question 6

Scene safety: Masonry

Answer 6

When subject to fire, can be weakened by deterioration of the mortar, expansion of the wall or damage to supporting or connected structural members.

Cracking, leaning, bowing or collapse.

Question 7

Common methods of setting fires

Answer 7

• Candles
• chemical igniters
• electrical apparatus
• matches and cigarettes
• molotov cocktails
• timed devices
• trailers.

Question 8

Natural causes of fire

Answer 8

• Chemical reaction
• Sun’s rays
• lightning
• static electricity
• rodents eating through wiring, or building nests out of flammable material
• spontaneous combustion and ignition of: damp grain, hay or wool, cloth soaked in oil, paint, fine dust in joinery factories or flour mills.