BASIC FIRE FIGHTING
TRAINING COURSE
1 Day Training Course
BASIC FIRE FIGHTING TRAINING
COURSE
Course Outcomes
By the end of this Course, you will be able to:

Have an Overview of Fire

Prevent and Handle Fires in the Workplace

Have an Overview of Fire Procedures
2
MANUAL STRUCTURE
This Manual is structured as follows:

Introduction

Modules
3
SYMBOLS USED
4
COURSE TIMETABLE
 09.00
Course registration
 09.45
Course introduction
 Module 1: overview of fire
 Module 2: prevent and handle fires in the workplace
 13.00 Lunch
 Module 3: overview of fire procedures
 Activity 1
 15.30 Course summary
 16.30 End of course
There will be a break of 15 minutes mid-morning
All course times are approximate
5
OVERVIEW OF FIRE
MODULE 1
AGENDA

Chemistry of Fire

Classes of Fire

Causes of Fire

Spreading of Fires
7
CHEMISTRY OF FIRE
8
CHEMISTRY OF FIRE (CONTINUED)
9
CLASSES OF FIRE
 Class A
 Class B
 Class C
 Class D
10
CLASS A FIRES
 Fires involving ordinary solid combustible or fibrous
materials, e.g.:






Coal
Paper
Plastics
Wood
Textiles
Rubber
11
CLASS B FIRES
 Fires involving flammable or combustible liquids and gases
e.g.:












Alcohols
Benzene
Oils
Paraffin
Petrol
LPG
Hydrogen
Gasoline
Kerosene
Acetylene
Paint and paint thinners
Propane
12
CLASS C FIRES
 Fires of Class A, B or D type occurring in the presence of
live electrical installations or equipment, e.g.:







Electrical cables
Generators
Transformers
Switchboards
Distribution boards
Panel boxes
Power tools
13
CLASS D FIRES
 Fires involving metals e.g.:





Aluminium
Magnesium
Sodium
Potassium
Lithium
14
CAUSES OF FIRES
 People
 Electricity
 Spontaneous combustion
 Chemical reaction
 LP Gas
15
SPREADING OF FIRES
 Fires can spread by means of:
 Convection:
 Natural flow of ventilation from a high to
a low resistance
 Conduction:
 Through solid objects i.e. copper steel
 Radiation:
 Radiated from one object to another
through the atmosphere i.e.:
 Heaters
 Air conditioners
 Fans
16
FUEL
 Fuel is present in three forms:
 Solids
 Liquids
 Gases
17
PROPERTIES OF COMMON
FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS / GASSES
 Flash point
 Flammability range / explosive range
 Maximum explosion pressure
 Ignition temperature
18
OXYGEN
 Approximately 21 % oxygen is contained in the
atmosphere
 People and fire need at least 16 % oxygen to thrive
 If oxygen level is reduced to below 16 % fires are
extinguished
 Although oxygen does not burn, it lowers the ignition
temperature of combustible materials that it contacts
19
HEAT
 Chemical heat
 Electrical heat
 Mechanical heat
20
END OF MODULE 1
 QUESTIONS
21
OVERVIEW OF FIRE
MODULE 2
AGENDA
 Prevent Fires through good Housekeeping
 Fire Prevention in relation to observing and adhering to
Industry Safety Practices
 Fire Extinguishing Methods
 Operate Basic Fire Fighting Equipment
 Using the Correct Type of Fire Fighting Equipment
 Perform Basic Fire Fighting Procedures
23
GENERAL HOUSEKEEPING
RULES
 Correct placement of fire
extinguishing equipment
 Clearly visible – not lower than 1.5 m
above ground or hidden by furniture /
equipment
 Chevrons clearly visible
 No packaging material near electrical
connections, distribution boards etc
 Location of equipment clearly
marked
 Store cleaning equipment in spill
proof containers
24
HOUSEKEEPING RULES
(CONTINUED)
 Inspect fire hoses every 6 months by
an approved provider
 Gauges should indicate a green
marked if in working order
 Weight of fire extinguishers should be
as per industry scale.
25
HOUSEKEEPING AND STORAGE
CHECKLIST
 Are your premises kept clear of all kinds of refuse or
process waste?
 Is waste swept up daily and removed from the building
before closing?
 Are metal bins with lids provided for combustible waste?
 Are the waste collection areas safely located clear of
building and stock?
 Do you control smoking in fire danger areas?
 Are the areas where smoking is prohibited clearly defined?
26
HOUSEKEEPING AND STORAGE
CHECKLIST (CONTINUED)
 Are there adequate holders for discarded
smoking materials in areas where smoking is
not prohibited?
 Do you allow open flame fires or braziers in
areas where combustible materials are used
or stored?
 Do you know where on your premises
employees group for breaks, luncheon or rest
periods and are you satisfied with the fire
precautions?
 Storage practices adequate?
27
CHECKLISTS
 Housekeeping
 Fire equipment
 Fire hazards – electrical
 Liquids and gasses
28
HOUSEKEEPING
 Are the premises clear of refuse or waste products?
 Is the waste removed accordingly?
 Are proper bins used for combustible waste?
 Are waste collection areas safe and located far from any
buildings?
 Is the storage neat and packed effectively not to interfere
with sprinklers?
 Has this report been handed to the correct authoritative
person?
29
FIRE EQUIPMENT
 Are the extinguishers or hose reels in a safe proximity if
needed quickly?
 Is the equipment serviced regularly e.g. seals?
 Is the equipment replaced after use?
 Has this report been handed to the correct authoritative
person?
30
FIRE HAZARDS - ELECTRICAL
 Check extension wires which have been in the same
position for a long period.
 Are electrical heaters safe and immovable?
 Are all installations switched off when not in use?
 Is all combustible stock clear from lights, heaters etc.?
 Do wall sockets have more than two plugs in them?
31
FIRE HAZARDS – ELECTRICAL
(CONTINUED)
 Are electrical cables on dry surfaces and away from
moisture?
 Are distribution and trip boards inspected?
 Has the electrician or engineer requested a specific
inspection?
 Has this report been handed to the correct authoritative
person?
32
LIQUIDS AND GASES




Is there a list of all liquids and gases (used or stored)?
Is all necessary stock kept in correct and approved areas?
Are the liquids kept under strict supervision and control?
Are correct precautions taken regarding storage and
disposal of the products?
 Is there adequate ventilation at all times?
 Is a high standard kept in all areas where the products are
used and stored?
 Has this report been handed to the correct authoritative
person?
33
GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY
PRACTICES
 Class A Fire




Keep storage and working areas free of trash
Place oily rags in covered containers
Adhere to safety signs
Adhere to smoking policy
34
GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY
PRACTICES (CONTINUED)
 Class B Fire
 Do not refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a
confined space, especially in the presence of
an open flame such as a furnace or water
heater
 Do not refuel gasoline-powered equipment
when it is hot
 Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly closed,
spill-proof containers. Pour from storage drums
only what is needed
 Store flammable liquids away from spark –
producing sources
 Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated
areas
 Adhere to safety signs
 Adhere to smoking policy
35
GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY
PRACTICES (CONTINUED)
 Class C Fire
 Inspect for old wiring, worn insulation and
broken electrical fittings
 Report any hazardous condition to the
supervisor
 Prevent motors from overheating by keeping
them clean and in good working order
 Utility lights should have a wire guard over to
prevent the heat they emit from igniting ordinary
combustibles
 Don’t install a fuse rated higher than specified
for the circuit
36
GENERAL INDUSTRY SAFETY
PRACTICES (CONTINUED)
 Class D Fire
 Store and use metals correctly
37
CONSEQUENCES OF NONADHERENCE TO SAFE
PRACTICES
 Legal
 Financial
 Personal
38
FIRE EXTINGUISHING METHODS
Removal of oxygen
 Smothering: Reduction of the oxygen content in the air
around the flame to below 16%
 Methods:
 Application of carbon dioxide to the fire
 A foam blanket over the surface of burning flammable liquids
 Covering a pot of burning cooking oil with a lid
39
FIRE EXTINGUISHING METHODS
(CONTINUED)
Removal of fuel
 Starvation: When fuel is no longer available to the fire
 Methods:
 Removal of combustible material from the vicinity of the fire
(back-burning during a grass or forest fire)
 Separation of the burning material from that not affected
(pulling apart a thatched roof)
 Shutting off the gas supply to a gas flame
40
FIRE EXTINGUISHING METHODS
(CONTINUED)
Removal of heat
 Cooling: Reduction of the burning material’s temperature
to below its ignition temperature
 Methods:
 Heat is absorbed by a cooling agent, usually water
41
FIRE EXTINGUISHING METHODS
(CONTINUED)
Method
Lid placed on frying
pan
Carbon dioxide
application
Water application
Burning firebreak
ahead of forest or
grass fire
Removal of unburned
material from fire
vicinity
Dry powder application
Main Extinguishing
Process
Tetrahedron Element
Involved
Smothering
Oxygen
Smothering
Oxygen
Cooling
Heat
Starvation
Fuel
Starvation
Fuel
Quenching
Chain reaction
42
FIRE EXTINGUISHING METHODS
(CONTINUED)
 Tetrahedron of fire
 Scientists discovered a fourth component in the chemistry of
fire – the chemical chain reaction. Combustion is a chain
reaction and involved extremely active portions of molecules,
which rapidly react and reproduce in the flame zone
 Quenching:
 Even if the three components of the fire triangle are present,
a break in the chain reaction will extinguish the fire
 Methods:
 Halons produce chemical which block molecular reactions
most dry powders decompose in heat and interrupt the chain
reaction
43
IGNITION TEMPERATURE
Ignition temperature is the lowest temperature at which a
material is ignited, without the application of a flame and
continues to burn after removal of the heat source
44
FLASH POINT
 The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off
sufficient flammable vapour in air to produce a momentary
flash on the application of a small flame.
 Many flammable liquids give off vapours at room
temperature – whether they do or not, depends on the
liquid’s flash point
45
VAPOUR DENSITY
Vapour density is a mass of a certain volume of a substance
divided by the mass of the same volume (usually air)
46
EXPLOSIVE / FLAMMABILITY
LIMITS
 Flammable gas or vapour will only burn in air if the fuel/air
mixture lies within a certain range
 If too much, or too little fuel is present, burning will not take
place; the mixture is either to lean or too rich
 The fuel/air ratio must be within a certain percentage range
for the mixture to burn. This is known as the flammable
range
 The lower flammable limit is the most important in
determining the hazard
 Ventilation systems are design to prevent accumulations of
vapours above the lower limit
47
OPERATING BASIC FIRE
FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
Fire extinguishers
Label will indicate what type
of fire (or a combination
thereof) it can be used on
Fire hoses
65 mm canvas hose
connected to main water
supply e.g. water hydrant
which provide water over a
distance to a certain point
48
OPERATING BASIC FIRE
FIGHTING EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)
Hose reels
20 mm PVC hose that will
be rolled up on a metal
spool and connected to a
water supply
Fire blankets
Asbestos blanket which is
used to smother flames
49
OPERATING BASIC FIRE
FIGHTING EQUIPMENT (CONTINUED)
Chevron board
Situated on base plate of
the fire extinguisher.
Yellow/red or re/white
luminous board used to
indicate where fire
extinguisher is placed
Fire extinguisher markers
Luminous – indicate in
which direction equipment
can be located
50
USING THE CORRECT TYPE OF
FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
 Class A
 For normal combustible materials such as wood, paper, plastics, etc.
the agent to use is water or ABC dry powder
 Class B
 For flammable liquids and gases such as petrol, paraffin, oils,
liquefied petroleum, Gas, acetylene, etc. the agent to use is ABC dry
powder or foam and even carbon dioxide
 Class C
 For fires in the presence of live electrical equipment such as
transformers, cables, motors, televisions, computers, etc. the agent
to use is Carbon dioxide or ABC dry powder
 Class D
 For fires involving metals such as: aluminium, magnesium, sodium,
potassium and lithium the agent to use is specified dry chemical
powder
51
MARKING OF FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
 Class A and B fires
 Faceplate carry a numerical rating that indicates how large a
fire an experienced person can safely put out with that
extinguisher
 Class C fires
 Faceplate has a letter rating to indicate that the extinguishing
agent will not conduct electrical current. Must also carry a
Class A or B rating
 Class D fires
 Faceplate has a letter rating to indicate their effectiveness on
certain amounts of specific metals
52
PERFORM BASIC FIRE FIGHTING
PROCEDURES
 Take action on discovering a fire
 Precautions when fighting a fire
 Steps to take when containing fires
53
END OF MODULE 2
 QUESTIONS
54
OVERVIEW OF FIRE
PROCEDURES
MODULE 3
RESPONSIBILITY FOR
FORMULATING / MAINTAINING
FIRE PROCEDURES
 The absence of a formal plan of action is often the
cause of a fire developing into a major loss
 Every operating location must have an effective fire
procedure
 Responsibility for formulating and maintaining effective
fire procedures rests with the Fire Officer / Emergency
Planning Committee
 The fire defence team includes:
 Fire team members / or wardens
 Fire team leader
 Fire officer etc
56
ESSENTIAL ASPECTS OF A FIRE
PROCEDURES
 Mobilising the fire teams
 Calling the fire brigade
 Immediate attack by general employees
 Immediate attack by fire teams
 Liaison with fire brigade
 Evacuation – partial or total
 Salvage/recovery
 Post-emergency analysis
57
RAISING THE ALARM
 All premises must have a clearly laid down method
whereby any employee discovering a fire can quickly
alert:
 Members of the fire defence organisation, and
 Other employees in or about the area
 This method may be the activation of a manual fire
alarm system or a verbal warning
58
CALLING THE FIRE BRIGADE
 There must be no delay in calling the Fire Brigade. It is
better to call the fire brigade immediately than to risk serious
spread of fire
 All persons charged with the responsibility of notifying the
Fire Brigade must be trained in the correct procedure. The
information required by the Fire Brigade is:




Name and address of caller
Address of premises involved
Type of fire (vehicle, grass, buildings, etc.)
Any additional information which may be of consequence to the
brigade (e.g. lives in danger, people trapped, hazardous
materials)
 Instructions must simultaneously be given to specified
persons to meet the brigade at the appropriate entrance and
direct them to the fire
59
IMMEDIATE ATTACK
 If no personal danger, attach fire immediately
 Person discovering the fire should try to contain and tell
another to report it
 Having reported it, 2nd person should assist in putting out
fire
 Fire team members should take over as soon as possible
 Take action to clear area from all persons
 If fire endanger the team, they should be withdrawn and
Fire Brigade should take over
60
EVACUATION
 Where the need for evacuation is not immediately evident
to all occupants the decision to evacuate should be the
responsibility of the Emergency Controller or the person in
charge at the scene of the fire
 Evacuation should be started as soon as it becomes
apparent that fire or smoke may spread to other areas or
floors, or there is a danger that escape routes may be
affected.
61
STAFF TRAINING AND
AWARENESS
 The training needs of all employees in fire procedure
should include the following:





What to do on discovering a fire
How to activate the fire alarm
How to use basic fire fighting equipment
Awareness of the evacuation signal
How to evacuate – primary and alternative routes to the
assembly area
 Emergency shut-down procedures
 Securing of vital records, documents, cash – if there is time to
do this safely
62
ACTIVITY 1
eplaces ISO 8402
 Discussion of Fire Procedures
63
END OF MODULE 3
 QUESTIONS
 END OF COURSE
64