Fire Safety Introduction • Each year in the U.S., 70-80,000 workplaces experience a serious . About 200 employees per year die in these and another 5000 are injured. Property losses from workplace fires exceed $2 Billion annually.

• Approximately 15% of workplace fires are a result of catastrophic failure of equipment with the other 85% caused by factors related to human behavior. By being proactive and utilizing a plan, participating in fire safety training and using caution at all times, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of a fire in your workplace. In addition, with a simple emergency plan as well as proper detection and fire extinguishers, you can greatly reduce the chances of injury or serious loss should a fire occur.

How Fires Work

• All fires involve a chemical reaction between 3 elements. • Heat • Fuel • Oxygen

• Since all fires are composed of heat, fuel and oxygen, the chemical reaction, or fire, will continue until one of three things occurs: • Oxygen is depleted • The heat is removed • The fuel is consumed How Fires Work • Fires start with heat, which serves as a source of ignition. Heat can be generated by many things including: 1. Open flames 2. Static Electricity 3. Cutting and welding operations 4. Faulty electrical circuits 5. Unshielded hot surfaces 6. Friction 7. Chemical reactions • Fuel can include: 1. Combustible solids like paper, wood and some metals. 2. Flammable liquids and gases

Preventing Fires Although employers are only required to have a Fire Prevention Plan when the applicable OSHA standard requires it, OSHA strongly recommends that all employers have a fire prevention plan. Guidelines for a Fire Protection Plan are found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.39 • The Fire Prevention Plan should be made available to you in writing if there are 11 or more employees at your workplace. If there are 10 or fewer employees, your employer may choose to discuss this plan with you verbally. • For a complete listing of the fire prevention plan requirements, please review the copy of the OSHA standard that accompanied this program. Preventing Fires Common workplace causes of fires • Electrical – neglect and misuse of wiring and electrical appliances, especially space heaters. • Chemical – including , fuels, paints, solvents and manufacturing chemicals. • Hot Works - welding, torching or other tasks that emit sparks. • Housekeeping – accumulation of garbage in work or storage areas and improper storage of flammable substances. • Smoking – discarded cigarettes or smoking in inappropriate areas. Classes of Fires There are five different classes of fire in the United States. • Class A 1. Most common and use ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and many as their fuel. 2. Usually the easiest to contain. 3. May also be classified by their ability to produce ash. • Class B 1. Combustible fuel fires that involve flammable liquids, , greases, gases, tars, -based liquids and alcohol. 2. Water should never be used on this type of fire. It will only cause the fuel to splash and possibly spread. • Class C 1. Involve energized electrical wiring and equipment. Class C fires are unique because as soon as the electricity is eliminated, they become one of the other classes of fire. 2. Water should not be used to control this type of fire. Since water can carry a current, the risk of electrocution is highly possible. Classes of Fires • Class D 1. Involve combustible metals like sodium, titanium, magnesium, potassium, aluminum, and lithium. 2. Most of these metals usually burn at higher temperatures and can react violently with water or other chemical agents. 3. Can be controlled with dry powder extinguishing agents based on sodium chloride, other salts and also clean dry sand. Dry powder should not be confused with dry chemical. 4. Trying to extinguish a metal fire with water, and dry chemical extinguishers will result in spreading and accelerating this type of fire. • Class K. 1. Involves cooking and vegetable oils, grease, and fats. 2. Considered a sub category of a class B fire, they typically burn at higher temperatures and have been given their own classification. 3. Can be controlled with either a wet or dry chemical extinguisher.

Preparing For A Fire Emergency Fire and or smoke alarms 1. Installed in all areas of the building 2. Checked regularly for proper operation. Exits 1. Properly identified 2. Never to be blocked or locked (so as to stop exit) 3. Never block fire doors open to prevent closure. Preparing For A Fire Emergency Evacuation Plan & Drills 1. Although employers are required to have an emergency action plan only when the applicable OSHA standard requires it, OSHA strongly recommends that all employers have an Emergency Action Plan. OSHA guidelines for an Emergency Action Plan can be found in OSHA 29 CFR 1910.38 I. Just like the Fire Prevention Plan, this plan should be made available to you in writing if there are 11 or more employees at your workplace. If there are 10 or fewer employees, your employer may choose to discuss this plan with you verbally. Preparing For A Fire Emergency Fire Extinguishers • Extinguishing agents & their uses 1. Water – use on class A only – removes heat 2. Dry Chemical – Inhibit the chemical reaction of a fire I. Regular Dry Chemical: use on B, C or K (They are not used as much for Class K fires anymore with the advent of Wet Chemical Extinguishers). II. Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical: effective on Class A, B and C fires. 3. Wet Chemical Extinguishers - developed specifically for use on Class K fires and can also be used on Class A fires. They extinguish the fire by forming a soapy foam blanket over the burning oil and by cooling the oil below its ignition temperature. Some extinguishers are fitted with a misting nozzle allowing them to also be used for Class B and C fires. Preparing For A Fire Emergency 1. Carbon Dioxide – remove the oxygen from the fire and also remove heat with a cold discharge. They can be used on Class B and C fires. They are ineffective on Class A fires because the fire can continue to smolder and possibly reignite. Also the high-pressure discharge can cause the burning materials to scatter with a Class A fire. 2. Halogenated or Clean Agent – used mainly on Class C fires, but can also be used to on Class A and B fires as well. These types of extinguishers also remove the oxygen from the fire. 3. Metl-X – used on Class D fires and contain sodium chloride salt and thermoplastic additive. melts to form an oxygen-excluding crust over the metal, and the salt dissipates heat. 4. Foamuse on – Class A and B fires only. There are different types of Foam Extinguishers and you need to be aware of which type you are using and its proper use and limitations. Foam holds down the vapors and is mostly for professional use Preparing For A Fire Emergency

• Inspection 1. Monthly I. Is it in the correct location? II. Is it visible and accessible? III. Does the gauge indicate the correct pressure? 2. Annually – To be completed by a fire extinguisher professional that is certified by the State Fire Marshall. Other maintenance may also need to be completed depending on the type of extinguisher and its age. During A Fire Emergency (Remember the 4 A’s): Activate, Assist, Attempt and Assemble • Activate the fire alarm or contact 911 • Assist others in exiting the building • Attempt to Extinguish the fire • Assemble in the predetermined location outside of the building. 1. Only fight a fire when: I. The fire is small and contained. II. You are safe from toxic smoke. III. You have a means of escape. IV. Your instincts tell you it is OK. During A Fire Emergency 2. P.A.S.S. When using a fire extinguisher, it is good to remember the operating procedures as “PASS” I. Pull the pin II. Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire III. Squeeze the trigger IV. Sweep from side to side 3. Remember that fire extinguishers are only designed to fight small fires and the extinguisher will only discharge for a few seconds.

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