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Full Listing
Fire
Safety Fundamentals (Back To Top)
Install and maintain smoke alarms. Smoke
alarms will warn you of a fire in time for you to escape. Install them on
every level of your home and outside of each sleeping area. Test them at
least once a month and replace batteries in accordance with manufacturing
requirements or whenever an alarm begins to chirp, which signals the
battery is low.
Sleep with bedroom doors closed. Closed doors
provide protection against heat and smoke. Even a lightweight hollow-core
door delays a fire and toxic smoke. Slowing the spread of fire to sleeping
areas gives everyone more time to escape.
Plan and practice two ways out. Fire escape
routes must not include elevators, which might take you right to the fire.
Choose a meeting place outside where everyone will gather. Once you’re
out, stay out! At least twice a year, have the whole family practice the
escape plan.
Test doors before you open them. While
kneeling or crouching at the door, reach up as high as you can and touch
the door, the knob and the space between the door and its frame with the
back of your hand. If the door is hot, use another escape route. If the
door is cool, open it with caution.
Crawl low under smoke. Smoke is dangerous! If
you encounter smoke, use an alternate escape route. If you must exit
through smoke, the cleanest air will be several inches off the floor.
Crawl on your hands and knees to the nearest safe exit.
If you are trapped, close the doors between you
and the fire. Stuff the cracks around the doors to keep smoke out.
Wait at a window and signal for help with light-colored cloth or a
flashlight. If there’s a phone in the room, call the fire department and
tell them exactly where you are.
Once you’re out, stay out! If a fire
starts, don’t wait for anything. Just get outside. Go to your family’s
meeting place. Then someone can call the fire department from a
neighbor’s phone or an alarm box. Do not go back into your home for any
reason, until a grownup says it’s safe.
Stop, Drop and Roll. Everyone
should know this rule: If your clothes catch on fire, don’t run! Stop
where you are, drop to the ground, cover your face with your hands to
protect your face and lungs, and roll over and over to smother the flames.
Space heaters need space. Keep portable and space heaters at 3 feet (1
meter) from anything that can burn. Never leave heaters on when you leave
home or go to bed and keep children and pets well away from them.
Smokers need watchers. Carelessly discarded cigarettes
are the leading cause of fire deaths in the United States. Never smoke in
bed or when you are drowsy! Provide large, deep ashtrays for smokers and
put water on butts before discarding them. Before going to bed, check
under and around sofa cushions for smoldering cigarettes.
Be Careful Cooking. Never leave cooking unattended. Keep
cooking areas clear of combustibles and wear short or tight-fitting
sleeves when you cook. Keep the handles of your pots turned inward so the
pots can't be knocked or pulled over. If grease catches fire, carefully
slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames, then turn off the burner.
Never put foil or other metals in a microwave oven.
Matches and lighters are tools, not toys. In the hands of
a child, matches and lighters are deadly. Store them up high where kids
can't reach them, preferably in a locked cabinet. And teach your children
from the start that matches and lighters are tools for adults, not toys
for kids. If children find matches or lighters, they should tell a
grown-up immediately.
Use electricity safely. If an appliance smokes or has an
unusual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Replace any
electrical cord that is cracked or frayed. Don't overload extension cords
or run them under rugs. Don't tamper with the fuse box or use fuses of an
improper size.
Cool a burn. If someone gets burned, immediately place
the wound in cool water for 10 to 15 minutes. If the burn blisters or
chars, see a doctor immediately.
How
Fires Start (Back To Top)
Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid
oxidation or burning of a fuel. It needs three elements to occur:
 FUEL - Fuel can be any
combustible material - solid, liquid or gas. Most solids and liquids
become a vapor or gas before they will burn.
 OXYGEN - The air we breathe
is about 21 percent oxygen. fire only needs an atmosphere with at least 16
percent oxygen.
 HEAT - Heat is the energy
necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to a point where
sufficient vapors are given off for ignition to occur.
 CHEMICAL
REACTION - A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire
are present in the proper conditions and proportions. Fire occurs when
this rapid oxidation, or burning takes place.
Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannot occur or will be
extinguished if it was already burning.
How
Fires Are Classified (Back To Top)
|
 |
CLASS
A |
| Ordinary
combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber
and some plastics. |
 |
CLASS
B |
| Flammable or
combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint
thinners and propane. |
 |
CLASS
C |
| Energized
electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes and
power tools. |
 |
CLASS
D |
| Certain
combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and
sodium. These metals burn at high temperatures and give off
sufficient oxygen to support combustion. They may react violently
with water or other chemicals, and must be handled with care. |
Fire
Extinguisher Use (Back To Top)
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE PROPER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
All ratings are shows on the extinguisher faceplate. Some extinguishers
are marked with multiple ratings such as AB, BC and ABC. These
extinguishers are capable of putting out more than one class of fire.
Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicates how
large a fire an experienced person can safely put out with that
extinguisher.
Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the
extinguishing agent will not conduct electrical current. Class C
extinguishers must also carry a Class A or B rating.
Class D extinguishers carry only a letter rating indicating their
effectiveness on certain amounts of specific metals.
Remember
the acronym, "P.A.S.S."—
|
| P |
......Pull
the Pin.
|
 |
| A |
......Aim
the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames. |
| S |
......Squeeze
trigger while holding the extinguisher upright. |
| S |
......Sweep
the extinguisher from side to side, covering the
area of the fire with
the extinguishing agent. |
Extinguishing
Fires (Back To Top)
Class A -
Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material below its
ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition.
Use pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose (ABC-rated) dry
chemical extinguishers. DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated)
dry chemical extinguishers on Class A fires.
Class B - Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or
gases by removing the oxygen, preventing the vapors from reaching the
ignition source or inhibiting the chemical chain reaction.
Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical,
multi-purpose dry chemical, and halon extinguishers may be used to fight
Class B fires.
Class C -
Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an extinguishing agent
that is not capable of conducting electrical currents.
Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry
chemical and halon* fire extinguishers may be used to fight Class C fires.
DO NOT USE water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment.
* Even though halon is widely used, EPA legislation is phasing it out
of use in favor of agents less harmful to the environment.
Class D -
Extinguish combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and
sodium with dry powder extinguishing agents specially designated for the
material involved.
In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material, cooling it below
its ignition temperature.
NOTE: Multipurpose (ABC-rated)chemical extinguishers leave a
residue that can harm sensitive equipment, such as computers and other
electronic equipment. Because of this, carbon dioxide or halon
extinguishers are preferred in these instances because they leave very
little residue.
ABC dry powder residue is mildly corrosive to many metals. For example,
residue left over from the use of an ABC dry powder extinguisher in the
same room with a piano can seriously corrode piano wires.
Preventing
Fires (Back To Top)
Class
A — Ordinary combustibles:
Keep storage and working areas free of trash Place oily rags in covered
containers.
 Class
B — Flammable liquids or gases:
Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space, especially in
the presence of an open flame such as a furnace or water heater.
Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment while it's hot.
Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly closed, self-closing, spill-proof
containers. Pour from storage drums only what you'll need.
Store flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources.
Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas.
 Class
C — Electrical equipment:
Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings.
Report any hazardous condition to your supervisor.
Prevent motors from overheating by keeping them clean and in good working
order. A spark from a rough-running motor can ignite the oil and dust in
it.
Utility lights should always have some type of wire guard over them. Heat
from an uncovered light bulb can easily ignite ordinary combustibles.
Don't misuse fuses. Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for
the circuit.
Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells strange.
Unusual odors can be the first sign of fire.
Don't overload wall outlets. Two outlets should have no more than two
plugs.
 Class
D — Flammable metals:
Flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium generally take a very hot
heat source to ignite; however, once ignited are difficult to extinguish
as the burning reaction produces sufficient oxygen to support combustion,
even under water.
In some cases, covering the burning metal with sand can help contain the
heat and sparks from the reaction. Class D extinguishing agents are
available (generally as a dry powder in a bucket or box) which can
be quite effective, but these agents are rare on the campus.
If you are planning a research project using a large amount of flammable
metals you should consider purchasing a five or ten pound container of
Class-D extinguishing agent as a precaution.
Pure metals such as potassium and sodium react violently (even
explosively) with water and some other chemicals, and must be handled
with care. Generally these metals are stored in sealed containers in a
non-reactive liquid to prevent decay (surface oxidation) from
contact with moisture in the air.
White phosphorus is air-reactive and will burn/explode on contact with
room air. It must be kept in a sealed container with a non-reactive
solution to prevent contact with air.
EDITH
Practices (Back To Top)
EXIT DRILLS IN THE HOME
In 1995, 3640 Americans died in home fires. That's roughly 10 people a
day. Tens of thousands more were injured. People can survive even major
fires in their homes if they are alerted to the fire and get out quickly
and stay out.
HOW TO SURVIVE
Install smoke detectors and keep them in working order. Make an escape
plan and "practice" it. Consider installing an automatic
fire-sprinkler system.
PLAN YOUR ESCAPE
Once a fire has started, there is no time to plan how to get out. Sit down
with your family today, and make a step-by-step plan for escaping a fire.
Draw a floor Plan of your Home, marking two ways out of every
room - especially sleeping areas. Discuss the escape routes with every
member of your household.
Agree on a Meeting Place, where every member of the household
will gather outside your home after escaping a fire to wait for the fire
department. This allows you to count heads and inform the fire department
if anyone is missing or trapped inside the burning building.
Practice your escape plan at least twice a year. Have a fire
drill in your home. Appoint someone to be the monitor, and have everyone
participate. A fire drill is not a race. Get out quickly, but carefully.
MAKE YOUR EXIT DRILL REALISTIC
Pretend that some exits are blocked by fire, and practice alternative
escape routes, Pretend that the lights are out and that some escape routes
are filling with smoke.
Be Prepared
Make sure everyone in the household can unlock all doors and windows
quickly, even in the dark. Windows or doors with security bars need to be
equipped with quick-release devices, and everyone in the household should
know how to use them.
If you live in an apartment building, use stairways to escape.
NEVER use an elevator during a fire. It may stop between floors or take
you to a floor where the fire is burning. Some high-rise buildings may
have evacuation plans that require you to stay where you are and wait for
the fire department.
If you live in a multi-story house and you must escape from an
upper story window, be sure there is a safe way to reach the ground, such
as a fire-resistant fire escape ladder. Make special arrangements for
children, older adults and people with disabilities. People who have
difficulty moving should have a phone in their sleeping area and , if
possible, should sleep on the ground floor.
Test doors before opening them.
While kneeling or crouching at the door, reach up as high as you can and
with the back of your hand touch the door, the knob, and the crack between
the door and its frame. If you feel any warmth at all, use another escape
route. If the door feels cool, open it with caution. Put your shoulder
against the door and open it slowly. Be prepared to slam it shut if there
is smoke or flames on the other side.
If you are trapped, close all doors between you and the fire.
Stuff the cracks around the doors to keep out smoke. Wait at a window and
signal for help with a flashlight or by waving a light colored cloth. If
there is a phone in the room, call the fire department and report exactly
where you are.
GET OUT FAST . . .
In case of a fire, don't stop for anything. Do not try to rescue
possessions or pets. Go directly to your meeting place, and then call the
fire department from a neighbor's phone, a portable phone, or an alarm
box. Every member of your household should know how to call the fire
department.
Crawl low under smoke.
Smoke contains deadly gases, and heat rises. During a fire, cleaner air
will be near the floor. If you encounter smoke when using your primary
exit, use an alternative escape route. If you must exit through smoke,
crawl on your hands and knees, keeping your head 12 to 24 inches (30 - 60
centimeters) above the floor.
. . . and stay out
Once you are out of your home, don't go back for any reason. If people are
trapped, the firefighters have the best chance of rescuing them. The heat
and smoke of a fire are overpowering. Firefighters have the training,
experience, and protective equipment needed to enter burning buildings.
Play IT Safe
Smoke Detectors. More than half of all fatal home fires happen at
night while people are asleep. Smoke detectors sound an alarm when a fire
starts, waking people before they are trapped or overcome by smoke. With
smoke detectors, your risk of dying in a home fire is cut nearly in half.
Install smoke detectors outside every sleeping area and on every level of
your home, including the basement. Follow installation instructions
carefully, and test smoke detectors monthly. Change all smoke detector
batteries at least once a year. If your detector is more than 10 years
old, replace it with a new one.
Automatic fire-sprinkler systems.
These systems attack a fire in its early stages by spraying water only on
the area where the fire has begun. Consider including sprinkler systems in
plans for new construction and installing them in existing homes.
NOW, use what you've learned,
SET UP YOUR PLAN, including two ways out, a meeting place and
CONDUCT A PRACTICE DRILL to determine if anything has been overlooked.
EVERYONE in the household NEEDS TO PARTICIPATE for it to be successful.
It may SAVE YOUR LIFE.
This information is also available in a brochure provided by the
National Fire Protection Association
Battery Park, Quincy MA 02269-9101
Other informative information about in home safety and
escape plans can be found at http://www.firepreventionweek.org/
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