Fire can
occur
anywhere at
anytime.
Harpeth Health Science Program
Kelly Hutchison R.N.
Every year, fire kills more people than
any other natural disaster in United
States. According to OSHA statistics, in
the year 1995, 200 people were killed at
workplace from fires and explosions,
more than 5, 000 were injured, and
businesses faced the loss of around 2. 3
billion dollars. Fires create havoc among
workers and demolish thousands of
businesses every year.
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Information from 6P International, LLC .
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Oxygen, heat, and fuel are frequently referred
to as the "fire triangle." Add in the fourth
element, the chemical reaction, and you actually
have a fire "tetrahedron." The important thing
to remember is: take any of these four things
away, and you will not have a fire or the fire
will be extinguished.
Essentially, fire extinguishers put out fire by
taking away one or more elements of the fire
triangle/tetrahedron.
Fire safety, at its most basic, is based upon the
principle of keeping fuel sources and ignition
sources separate.
Type of fire extinguishers are classified by the
type fires on which they may be used
Class A – Ordinary combustibles (paper, wood,
rags, etc.)
Class B –Flammable Liquids
Class C – Electrical Equipment
Class D –Combustible Metals
Combination Types – ABC and BC
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Use the PASS system when fighting fires
Remove extinguisher from mounting
Pull pin – this allows you to activate the
extinguisher
Aim – hold hose and point at the base of the
fire
Squeeze –the trigger mechanism to release the
extinguishing agent
Sweep –back and forth at the base of the fire
Stay away from the fire!
Quick short bursts from side to side
Keep low towards the base of the fire.
There are four essential
steps to take if you
discover a fire:
 Rescue
 Alarm
 Contain
 Extinguish
These four steps must be accomplished to
successfully deal with a fire emergency.
The order they are performed will vary
according to the circumstances.
In a health care facility, rescue usually means
moving the person from the area of the fire to
another area inside the facility.
The goal should be to get everyone out of the room,
not out of the building, unless the fire spreads and
evacuation of the facility becomes necessary.
After the occupants are rescued from the room on
fire, the next step is to move the people in
adjoining rooms: the rooms on either side of the
fire room, the room across the hall and the rooms
above and below the fire room.
Sounding the alarm is the quickest way to get help.
It alerts other staff members and initiates the process
that alerts the fire department.
Extra care should be taken by those working in high
noise areas, such as the laundry, to ensure
everyone in the area is aware that there is a fire.
Most serious health care facility fires can be traced
to a delay in sounding the alarm and failure to
close doors.
When everyone has been removed from the
room that contains the fire, close the door(s)
to the room. Closing the door(s) accomplishes
two things:
1. The fire and smoke are contained in the room
and prevented from spreading to other areas;
and
2. The sprinkler system will be activated sooner.
(The sprinkler system is heat sensitive and
activates when the air temperature reaches a
pre-set level. The air temperature will rise
faster if the doors are closed).
1. Smothering it;
2. Using a fire extinguisher; or
3. Pouring water on it (unless it is
an electrical or grease fire).
*If the fire cannot be extinguished,
leave the area and close the door
Rule for Fires
Fires are very dangerous
Be certain that you will not endanger yourself or
others when attempting to put out a fire.
Pull the Fire Alarm
Call 911
Assist anyone danger
1. Never fight a fire if you don't know what is
burning
If you don't know what is burning, you don't know
what type of extinguisher to use.
Even if you have an ABC extinguisher, there may be
something in the fire that could to
explode or produce highly toxic smoke.
2. Never fight a fire if the fire is spreading rapidly
beyond the spot where it started
The time to use an extinguisher is in the incipient, or
beginning, stages of a fire. If the fire
is already spreading quickly, it is best to simply
evacuate the building, closing doors and
windows behind you as you leave.
3. Never fight a fire if you don't have adequate or
appropriate equipment
If you don't have the correct type or large enough
extinguisher, it is best not to try to fight
the fire.
4. Never fight a fire if you might inhale toxic
smoke
If the fire is producing large amounts of smoke
that you would have to breathe in order to
fight it, it is best not to try.
Gases from man made materials can be fatal in
very small amounts.
5. Never fight a fire if your instincts tell you not to.
If you are uncomfortable with the situation for any
reason, just let the fire department do
their job.
6. The final rule is to always position yourself with
an exit or means of escape at your back before you
attempt to use an extinguisher to put out a fire.
In case the extinguisher malfunctions, or something
unexpected happens, you need to be
able to get out quickly, and you don't want to become
trapped.
Just remember, always keep an exit at your back.
 What
make children
different from adults when
it comes to fighting fires??
Adults usually flee or leave the building when a fire breaks out due to fear.
Children often hide in places like under beds , closets, or behind furniture.
This is why you should always know how many people are at home, in class,
or in a business/ hospital.
Knowing this one question can and will save lives
1. Define what PASS stands for.
2. Define what RACE stands for.
3.Please describe what body position a person should
have when fighting a fire?
4. What is the single most important thing to know
when a fire occurs?
5. In the fire triangle…. What feeds the fire or causes
it to spread? How can you stop this from
happening?
6. Briefly Describe the differences in four different fire
extinguishers.
7. What kind of Fire extinguishers does Harpeth have
and why do you think we have this type?
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http://erd.dli.mt.gov/safetyhealth/brochures
/fireextinguishersafety.pdf
http://www.com.state.oh.us/SFM/pub/fmpr
_RACE.pdf