CAUSES OF FIRE
current with tremendous amperage and
very high temperature.
Natural Causes
1. Spontaneous Heating
It is an automatic chemical reaction that
results to spontaneous combustion due to
Four basic paths of lightning include:
a. Striking a metal object
b. Direct strike to the structure
c. Striking a nearby taller object allowing
for transient horizontal surges to the
auto- ignition of organic materials.
The gradual rising of heat in a confined
d.
space until ignition temperature is reached.
A slow oxidation process that is exothermic
in nature.
It involves the exothermic decomposition of
organic materials in a confined area.
It is a slow process causing the burning of a
plant combustible material even without an
external source of heat.
Factors affecting the development of spontaneous
lines, phone lines or television cables.
3.
Radiation of sunlight- when a light hits a
concave mirror, concentrating the light on a
combustible material thereby igniting it
Accidental causes
1. Electrical Appliances
a. Short circuit unusual or accidental
combustion
a. Air supply
b. Insulating materials
c. Temperature
2.
Lightning
A form of electricity
A natural electric
connection between 2 points at different
potentials (charge) in an electrical
b.
circuit of relatively low resistance.
Arcing production of sustained
luminous electrical discharge between
current
with great
separated electrodes; an electric hazard
magnitude producing tremendous amperage
that results when electrical current
and voltage.
It usually strikes objects that are better
crosses the gap between 2 electrical
electrical conductors.
It can cause fire directly or indirectly.
Indirectly when it strikes telephone and
c.
(charged conductors) come in contact;
occurs during short-circuits or welding
line surge.
It can cause flash fire or dust explosion.
When lightning strikes steel or metal rod
d.
power voltage; induced current; sudden
burn thus resulting to an explosion.
of igniting combustible materials.
Cold bold shorter in duration; capable of
splintering a property or literally blowing
apart an entire structure; produces electrical
operations.
Induced current induced line surgeincrease of electrical energy flow or
covered with dust, the dust would suddenly
A lightning may in the form of:
a. Hot bolt longer in duration; capable only
conductors.
Sparking production of incandescent
particles when 2 different potentials
other transmission lines causing an induced
b.
building through trees
Striking nearby public utility power
increase of electrical current resulting to
e.
the burning of insulating materials,
Overheating of electrical appliances
increase or rising of amperage while
electric
current
transmission
line
is
flowing
resulting
in
to
a
the
damage or destruction of insulating
materials maybe gradual or rapid:
internal or external.
2. Purely Accidental Cause
a. ignorance in using volatile substances or
chemicals
b. overfilling of fuel tanks
c. spilling of fuel tanks
3. Negligence and other Forms of Human
Error
a. Smoking
b. misuse of fuels
c. misfiling of fuel tanks
d. motor vehicle traffic accidents
Intentional Causes- incendiary
If in the burned property, there are
maybe performed in order to realize the
objectives of fire protection.
It involves the process of establishing the
2.
SOP in case of fire breaks out.
EVALUATION-SIZE-UP
(on-the-spot
planning or sizing-up the situation)
This is the process of knowing the
emergency situation.
It involves mental evaluation by the
operation officer-in-charge to determine the
appropriate course of action that provides
the highest probability of success.
The things to consider in SIZE-UP
preparations or traces of accelerants and
(Evaluation of the situation):
a.
Learn the facts of situation- by
plants and trailer then the cause of fire is
intentional.
a. Plants- booster- either a pool or
liquid accelerant or a pile of
combustibles used to enhance the
b.
answering the 5Ws and 1 H
Understand the probabilities
of
c.
dangerous or fatal behavior of fire
Know your own situation
or
capabilities- weaknesses and strengths;
quality of fire in a selected
location. It boosts the progress of
d.
fire by producing a large body of
fire.
b. Trailers/streamer - arrangement or
configuration
of
3.
action- entry or rescue
EVACUATION
This is the activity of transferring people,
flammable
livestock, and property away from the
materials that is intended to carry
burning area to minimize damage or
fire from one location to another.
destruction that he fire might incur in case it
These may include gasoline soaked
towels, liquid accelerant splashed
across the floor and accelerant
c.
available manpower and equipment.
Determine the specific course of
soaked newspaper.
Accelerants- used to accelerate the
spread of fire by using gasoline,
lighter fluids or kerosene.
Pudding it is the typical burnt pattern resulting
from the use of liquid accelerants.
FIRE CONTROL AND EXTINGUISHMENTS
Fire Suppression Activities
1. PRE-FIRE PLANNING
This activity involves developing and
defining systematic course of actions that
4.
propagates to other adjacent buildings.
ENTRY
This is the process of accessing the burning
structure.
Entry maybe done in a forcible manner
The
following
are
the
purposes
of
conducting forcible entry:
a. to provide access for the fighters with
equipment for fire extinguishments
b. to provide rescue
c. to aid in ventilation
5. RESCUE
This is the operation of removing
(extricating)
Thus, saving people and other livestock
ignite and continue the combustion.
from the burning building and other
d.
involved properties, conveying them to
secure place.
6. EXPOSURE- cover exposure
This is the activity of securing other buildings
near the burning structure in order to prevent
the fire from extending to another building.
7. CONFINEMENT
This is the activity of restricting the fire at the
place (room) where it started.
The process of preventing fire from extending
(blanketing effect)
Chemical interruption or inhibitionthe sequence of events in suppressing
or extinguishing a fire by interrupting
the chemical reaction.
11. OVERHAUL
This is the complete and detailed check of
the structure and all materials therein to
eliminate
conditions
that
may
cause
reflash.
It involves complete extinguishments of
from another section or from one section to
sparks or smoldering (glowing) substances
another section of the involved building.
8. VENTILATION
This is the operation purposely conducted to
(embers) to prevent or eliminate possibilities
displace toxic gases.
It includes the process of displacing the
12. FIRE SCENE INVESTIGATION
This is an inquiry conducted to know or
heated atmospheric within the involved
of re-ignition or rekindling.
determine the origin and cause of fire.
building with normal air from outside
9.
atmosphere.
SALVAGE
The activity protecting the properties from
preventable damage other than the fire.
Steps:
a. remove the material outside
b.
FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT
Fire Trucks
the
burning area
protect or cover the materials by using
tarpaulins (cotton canvass treated with
the water proofing).
10. EXTINGUISHMMENT
This is the process of putting out the main
body of fire by using the 4 general methods
of truck used to carry equipment or
people to a fire or emergency.
When a firefighter says truck though,
he usually means a hook and ladder
or aerial ladder truck.
Types of fire trucks:
a.
fire engines
b.
ladder trucks
using an extinguishing agent whose
c.
rescue trucks
primary
d.
aerial ladder trucks
of fire extinguishments:
a. Cooling (removing heat)- a process
b.
c.
The term usually means any other type
characteristics
is
heat
absorption
Separation- the removal of fuel.
Smothering (Removing of oxygen)- a
process of excluding the oxygen from
the fuel so that gases or vapors cannot
Fire Engines
It has large pump that takes water from
a small fire hydrant or other source.
The pump boosts the pressure of the
extendable boom made of several
water and forces it through hoses.
sections that fit inside each other.
Engines carry several sizes of hoses and
extend 150 feet (46 meters).
nozzles.
Many also have a small-diameter hose
The boom on the largest trucks can
A built-in hose runs the length of the
called a booster line.
boom and is used to direct water on a
Engines used for fighting grass or bush
fire.
fire carry a tank of water and such tools
In most cases, a pump in a nearby
engine generates the pressure needed to
as shovels and rakes.
spray the water.
Ladder Trucks
Rescue Trucks
These are equipped with portable
ladders of various types and sizes.
These also carry forcible entry tools,
with many of the same kinds of forcible
which firefighters use to gain entry into
entry tools that ladder truck carry.
a building and to ventilate it to let out
Common forcible entry tools include
It also carries additional equipment for
unusual rescues.
smoke.
These are enclosed vehicles equipped
They have such tools as oxyacetylene
axes, power saws, and sledge hammers.
torches, for cutting through metal and
Ladder trucks called quints have their
hydraulic
own pump.
objects.
Kinds of Ladder Trucks
jacks,
for
lifting
heavy
It may also carry other hydraulic tools.
With a hydraulic rescue tool, commonly
1. Aerial ladder truck
known by the trade name Jaws of Life,
firefighters can apply a large amount of
It has metal extension ladder mounted
pressure to two objects to squeeze them
on a turntable.
together to or pry them apart. It is often
The ladder can be raised as high as 100
used
feet (30 meters), or about eight stories.
It has a cage like platform that can hold
free
people
trapped
in
automobiles and other vehicles after the
2. Elevating-platform truck
to
incident.
It also carries small hand tools, such as
several people.
crowbars and saws, and topes and
The platform is attached to a lifting
harnesses for rescuing people from
device that is mounted on a turntable.
water or high places.
The lifting device consists of either a
hinged boom (long metal arm) or an
In addition it carries medical supplies
and equipment.
Special Fire Vehicles
It includes airport crash trucks and
A baby extension (baby Bangor) is a 12-
hazardous material trucks.
foot long extension ladder without a
Airport crash trucks are engines that
halyard for raising the flying section.
spray foam or dry chemicals on burning
aircraft.
Water is ineffective against
by engaging its heel spurs over the
many aircraft fires, such as those that
involve jet fuel, gasoline, or certain
metals.
The hand-raised fly is held in position
upper rungs of the main section.
Roof Ladders
It is designed for one specific function.
However, it may be used for other
purposes if condition warrant.
Protective Clothing
These are equipped with folding at the
Firefighters require special clothing for
top and which provide a means of
protection against flames, falling objects, heat, toxic
anchoring the ladder over the roof ridge
gases or lack of oxygen, loss of vision, loss of
or other roof part.
communication, and physical damage.
These are generally equipped to lie flat
on the roof surface so that firefighters
Fire Ladder
may stand on the ladder for roof work.
Straight Ladder
It is non-adjustable in length and
consists only of one section.
Folding Ladders or Collapsible Ladders
opening into attics and lofts and other
for quick access to windows and roofs
areas which are somewhat difficult to
of one and two-story buildings. (12,
reach without a special ladder.
Extension Ladder
It is adjustable in length.
It consists of two or more section,
permit length adjustment.
It provides access in windows and roofs
within the limits of extendable length.
It is constructed so that they can be
folded or collapsed for small or closet
work.
These are usually short in length since
they only require reaching a short
which travels in guides or brackets to
It provides a means of reaching through
Sometimes called a wall ladder, used
14, 16, 18 and 24)
Their length range from 12 to 20 feet
distance.
Aerial Ladders
An artificial ladder is a mechanical unit
Extra long ladders are usually equipped
generally operated by hydraulic power
with stabilizing poles, called tormentors
that is mounted built chassis.
(24 to 55 in length).
The source of power is usually derived
from apparatus engine which actuates a
hydraulic hoist.
Fire Hose
firefighters
These are currently constructed of metal
point
strength.
These generally range in length from 65
to 100 feet, but longer ladders do not
A telescoping boom has a ladder
is a partially enclosed platform. Various
ground ladders are also carried.
discharged
to
It is a device over which rope or hose
when
firefighters
are
level.
It consists of a metal frame, curved so
that it will fit over a windowsill or the
edge of the roof.
It contains two or more rollers over
This device reduce the possibility of
Though these are not considered to be
cutting the hose on the sharp edge of the
ladders,
wall, cornice, or roof while it is being
some
elevating
platform
raised or lowered.
apparatus carry ground ladders.
This apparatus has some features, which
is similar to aerial ladders, but they are
primarily a portable elevator controlled
Hose Clamp
Pompier Ladders
It is a tool to shut off the water in hose
lines when other control valves are not
by an operator.
is
which rope or hose may be drawn.
Elevating Platforms
it
operating in buildings above the ground
mounted on it, but the top working area
where
equipment
Tower ladder apparatus combines some
and elevating platforms.
under
may be pulled to hoist or lower
features of both aerial ladder equipment
water
Hose Hoist
Tower Ladders
carry
extinguish fire.
exist.
to
pressure from the source of supply to a
and are trusted to provide adequate
A type of flexible tube used by
applicable.
It is used to replace a burst section of
It consists of a large gooseneck book at
hose, to extend lines, or to hold water
the tip, which a single bed through
back for line advancement without
which the rungs project.
shutting off the source of supply.
At one time, the pompier ladder was
used by firefighters to reach the upper
stories of tall buildings, beyond the
reach of ground or aerial ladders but
their use has diminished greatly.
Fire Hose and its Parts
Hose Jacket
It is used to seal small cuts or breaks
which may occur in fire hose or to
connect damaged couplings of the same
size.
Hose Spanner Wrench
you live in an older structure built in the 60s and
It is to tighten or loosen hose couplings,
but this versatile tool can be used to
close utility cocks, pry, and hammer.
system. Also, if you happen to live in a building
concerned with nominal safety compliance, rather
It protects hose from injuries from
than genuine concern for safety, your building may
not also have sprinkler system or an automatic smoke
vehicles crossing hose lines.
likely, your building does not have a sprinkler
below five (5) stories, and the builder was just
Fire Hose Rams and Ridges
early 70s before the Fire Code took effect, most
Firefighters at the nozzles will receive
detector system.
sudden jerks each time a wheel cuts off
the water momentarily.
The Ideal Safety Tandem: Sprinkler System
and Smoke Detector
Nozzle
Ideally, an effective combination would be
It is a piece of firefighting equipment
to have an automatic fire detection system operating
used to direct and control a stream of
in tandem with the sprinkler suppression system. As
water.
the fire starts, and begins generating smoke, the
The characteristics of the stream of
smoke detection system will activate way ahead of
water or fire stream are determined
the sprinkler system, warning the residents, and
mainly by the nozzle.
triggering a local fire department that will put out the
fire, perhaps without the need for the sprinkler
Water Sprinkler System
They are generally used to protect
living
quarters,
adjacent
and
passageways.
The system may extinguish fire in these
system to go into action.
On the other hand, if
nothing is immediately done and the fire gets bigger,
the sprinkler system activates and eventually douses
the fire. One system detects; the other extinguishes
the fire.
places.
Their primary function is to protect the
building structure, limit the spread of
fire and control the amount of heat
Using the Right Fire Fighting Tools
Fire Category
Class A
Burning Material
Ordinary
combustible
materials
Extinguishing Meth
Cool below flash poi
Class B
Flammable
combustible liquids
Cut oxygen supply
Class C
Class D
Electrical Equipment
Combustible metal
Cut oxygen supply
Cut oxygen supply,
below flash point
Class E
Petroleum Gas
Remove gas supply
Class F
Spontaneously
Remove material
produced.
They also protect the people in these
areas and maintain escape routes.
Fire Code of the Philippines mandates that
all high-rise buildings (above 15 meters in height) be
or
equipped with sprinkler fire suppression systems. If
you are living in a new building constructed in the
80s and 90s your building will surely have one. If
Specific Fire Fighting Tips
combustible materials
Upon discovery of Fire or Smoke
1. Remove persons from immediate danger!
2. Alert others in near vicinity and Administration
3. Contain Fire and Smoke (close doors)
4. Evacuate and/or Extinguish
It is a normal reaction for most people to
When not to Fight Fire?
immediately flee, at the first onset of fire. This is
If fire has already spread beyond where
certainly the safest personal approach to nay fire.
it originally started.
However, there are specific instances when you can
If you are in a situation where, while
actually successfully fight fire, provided:
fighting the fire, you have no avenue of
escape.
small.
If you do not have any adequate
firefighting equipment.
thing
for
IMMEDIATELY
you
and
to
do
CALL
is
to
LEAVE
THE
You know what you are doing.
FIRE
DEPARTMENT in your place as soon as you reach a
safe area outside the endangered premises.
You have the correct, appropriate
firefighting equipment.
In anyone of the above circumstances, the
safest
The fire has just started, and it is still
It is
important for you to balance any Gung-ho macho
tendency to do it yourself, with the right sense to
know when to leave the job to property equipped and
trained professional firefighters.
Assuming the above conditions, here are
specific tips and firefighting techniques:
TIMING is critical. You must be able to act
fast and correctly, as soon as the fire starts before it
has a chance to grow and spread. This assumes that
there is very early detection of this incipient fire
In any case, even if you decide to initially
either with an early warning smoke detector, or you
handle the firefighting, make sure you let someone
were fortunate enough o have someone immediately
else in your household call immediately for outside
notice it while at its very early state. It is only at this
help the nearest local firefighting units or other
early state of the fire that you can expect to put it out.
people.
Once it has begun to spread, you only alternative is to
evacuate.
Equipment Familiarity and Firefighting Practices
For you to have this quick instinctive
firefighting reaction, assumes that you are properly
oriented to fight fire.
This also means prior
familiarity with all the firefighting tools you have
available, and regular practice on their use. This is
true for both the professional firemen, as well as rank
amateurs. Firefighting is a very serious task, and can
sufficient vapor to burn.
If we look at fuel types and vapor
be fatal to the careless or inexperienced. So, if you
production, we find that solid fuels and
expect members of your household to be able to do
liquid fuels with high flash points can
this, they must have proper familiarization and
be extinguished by cooling.
practical exercises. Without this, your chances of
Low flashpoint liquids and flammable
success are very poor, your firefighting capability is
gases cannot be extinguished by cooling
minimal you are better of evacuating immediately
with water as vapor production cannot
at the first sign of fire.
be sufficiently reduced.
What to do if someone actually catches fire?
Reduction of temperature is dependent
on the application of an adequate flow
Stop moving immediately.
in proper form to establish a negative
Drop to the ground or floor.
heat balance.
Roll to smother the flames. If you have
a fire blanket or damp clothing material,
cover the person as he or she rolls.
2. Extinguishment by Fuel Removal
In some cases, a fire is effectively
extinguished by removing the fuel
FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT
source.
The extinguishment of fire is based on an
This may be accomplished by stopping
interruption of one or more of the essential elements
the flow of liquid or gaseous fuel or by
in the combustion process. With flaming combustion
removing solid fuel in the path of the
the
fire.
fire
may
be
extinguished
by
reducing
temperature, eliminating fuel or oxygen, or by
Another method of fuel removal is to
stopping the uninhibited chemical chain reaction. If a
allow the fire to burn until all fuel is
fire is in the smoldering mode of combustion, only
consumed.
three extinguishment options exist:
reduction of
temperature, elimination of fuel or oxygen.
3. Extinguishment by Oxygen Dilution
FIRE EXTINGUISHMENT THEORY
1. Extinguishment by Temperature Reduction
oxygen dilution is the reduction of the
oxygen concentration to the fire area.
This
can
be
accomplished
by
One of the most common methods of
introducing an inert gas into the fire or
extinguishment is by cooling with
by separating the oxygen from the fuel.
water.
The method of extinguishment by
This method of extinguishment will not
The process of extinguishment by
work on self-oxidizing materials or on
cooling is dependent on cooling the fuel
certain metals as they are oxidized by
to a point where it does not produce
carbon dioxide or nitrogen, the two
most common extinguishing agents.
4. Extinguishment by Chemical flame Inhibition
2. keep your escape path at your back. Never allow
the fire to get between you and the escape path.
Some extinguishing agents, such as dry
3. select the correct extinguisher for the Class of fire
chemicals and halons, interrupt the
4. remember P.A.S.S.
flame producing chemical reaction,
Pull the pin
resulting in rapid extinguishment.
Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of flames
This method of extinguishment is
Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher
effective only on gas and liquid fuels as
upright
they cannot burn in the smoldering
Sweep the extinguisher or nozzle from side to side
mode of combustion.
covering the base of the fire.
If
extinguishment
of
smoldering
5. observe fire after initial extinguishment, it may
materials is desired, the addition of
rekindle
cooling capability is required.
6. the contents of small extinguishers may last as
little as 8 seconds and up to 60 seconds for larger
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
extinguishers. The time to discharge an extinguisher
depends on the type and size of the extinguisher
Portable fire extinguishers are designed to
Do Not Use (or continue to use) an extinguisher if:
attack a fire in its initial stage. The selection of a
suitable extinguisher is primarily influenced by the
following factors:
The fire is larger than a waste paper basket
The fire is spreading quickly beyond the point of
The size and rate of fire spread
origin
the Class of fire (i.e. type of materials involved)
The extinguisher is not having any effect or is
having an adverse reaction on the fire
the training and capabilities of the person using the
extinguisher
You are putting your life at risk
Note: Always follow the specific instructions on a
You cannot extinguish the fire quickly (less than 30
fire extinguisher and familiarize yourself with these
sec)
instructions prior to an emergency situation. Persons
You do not know what fuels are involved in the fire
should be trained in the use of extinguishers to
optimize their effectiveness
REMEMBER: Saving lives through a quick escape
is far more important than saving property.
General Guidelines for Using a Fire Extinguisher
An emergency is not the time to read extinguisher
P.A.S.S.
instructions, if you do not know how to use the
1. raise the alarm, summon help and have someone
extinguisher or the type of materials involved in the
call the fire service.
fire:
Close the door to contain the fire
An extinguishing agent is a substance that
will put out a fire.
Ensure everyone is out of the building
Every extinguishing agent
operates by attacking one or more side of the fire
tetrahedron. The specific actions involved are the
Ring the fire service.
following:
Never go back into the building once out
1 Cooling
Wait to meet the fire service
Fire extinguishers are provided for a 'first
attack' fire fighting measure generally undertaken by
the occupants of the building before the fire service
arrives. It is important that occupants are familiar
with which extinguisher type to use on which fire.
To reduce the temperature.
This is a direct attack on the heat side of
the fire tetrahedron.
2 Smothering
Most fires start as a small fire and may be
To separate the fuel from oxygen.
This can be considered as an attack
extinguished if the correct type and amount of
on the edge of the fire tetrahedron
extinguishing agent is applied whilst the fire is small
where the fuel and oxygen meet.
and controllable.
The principle fire extinguisher
3 Oxygen dilution
types currently available include:
Water (solid Red): wood and paper fires
- not electrical
To reduce amount of available oxygen
needed to sustain combustion.
Foam (Blue band): flammable liquid
This is an attack on the oxygen side of
the fire tetrahedron.
fires - not electrical
Carbon Dioxide (Black band) electrical
4 Chain breaking
fires
Dry Chemical (White band) flammable
To disrupt the chemical process that
liquids and electrical fires
sustains the fire (the chain reaction side
Wet chemical (Oatmeal band) fat fires -
of the fire tetrahedron).
Types of Extinguishing Agent:
not electrical
Special Purpose (Yellow band) various
1. Water Extinguishing Agent
(eg. metal fires)
Fire extinguisher locations must be clearly
It is a liquid between the temperatures
coded
of 0 C and 100 C (32 F and 212 F);
according to the extinguishing agent. The important
at 100 C (212 F) it boils and burns to
thing to remember is that fire fighting must always be
steam.
identified.
Extinguishers
are
secondary to the safety of people.
Extinguishing Agent:
colour
It weighs about 1 Kg/liter (8.5 lb/gal);
Fresh water weighs slightly less, and
seawater slightly more.
3. Carbon Dioxide Extinguishing Agent
Being fluid and relatively heavy, water
is easily transported through fire mains
flames,
and hoses when it is placed under
The velocity of the water is increased
at the working end of the hose.
Water is primarily a cooling agent. It
absorbs
heat
and
cools
commonly
used
of
Carbon
extinguishes
fire
It
mainly
dilutes
by
the
air
is
too
low
to
support
combustion.
It is effective on Class B fires, where
the main consideration is to keep the
flammable
vapors
separated
from
oxygen in the air.
It has a very limited cooling effect and
thus, can be used on Class A fires in
water and foam-making agent (foam
confined spaces, where the atmosphere
concentrate). The result is called foam
may be diluted sufficiently to stop
solution.
combustion.
Various foam solutions are lighter than
Extinguishment takes time.
the lightest flammable oils.
It is use to protect areas containing
valuable article.
When applied to burning oils, they float
Extinguishing effects of foam:
Use to form a blanket on the surface of
flaming liquids, including oils.
Properties
The bubbles are formed by mixing
on the surface of the oil.
It
content
A blanket of bubbles that extinguishes
fire mainly by smothering.
any
surrounding the fire until the oxygen
2. Foam extinguishing agent
leaving
A colorless and odorless gas will not
smothering.
extinguishing
Water provides a smothering action.
without
Dioxide
burning
agents.
dissipates
Extinguishing
materials more effectively than any of
the
It
valuable items.
good distance if sufficient pressure is
Extinguishing Capabilities of Water
and
damage clothing, equipment and other
The water stream can be thrown a fairly
available.
oxygen
contamination or corrosive residue.
by forcing it through a restricted nozzle
reducing
suffocating the fire.
pressure.
It delivers a quick smothering action to
It has a cooling effect which gives foam
its Class A extinguishing capability.
It does not conduct electricity and can
be used on live electrical equipment.
Limitations on the Use of Carbon Dioxide
Effectiveness
- It is not effective on substances that
contain their own oxygen.
- It is not effective on combustible
water, it generates white foam with a
metals such as sodium, potassium,
remarkable ability to make a water float
magnesium, and zirconium.
on flammable liquid which are lighter
than water.
Possibility of re ignition
- It has a very limited cooling capacity.
film
necessary for extinguishments.
would
been ignited so they are secured and are
suffer
Light water.
dizziness
and
not readily ignited.
synthetic
conventional foam.
foam-forming
liquid
5. BCF-HALON 1211
When proportionally mixed with water
It
stands
for
Bromochlorodifluoromethane
and applied with conventional foam or
One of the modern and effective fire-
extinguishing
Chemicals in powder form.
It should not be confused with dry
agents
available
for
general risk.
It is a vaporizing liquid, which will
powders which are intended only for
chemically interrupt the chain reaction
combustible materials.
taking place in the flames.
Extinguishing Effects of Dry Chemical
It has the ability to minimize the
possibility to re flash after the fire has
small amount of cooling takes place
A colorless, non-corrosive liquefied gas
simply because the dry chemical is at
that leaves no messy residue.
Highly
recommended
for
use
lower temperature than the burning
in
material. Heat is transferred from the
industrial factory, home computers and
hooter fuel to the cooler dry chemical
electronic companies, motor vehicles,
etc.
6. DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHING AGENT
Cooling. No dry chemicals exhibit any
great capacity for cooling. However, a
been extinguished.
Light water can extinguish a liquid fire
in less than half the time when used in
designed for use with fresh water.
This action also takes place on spilled
or leaking liquid fuels, which have not
of
person exposed to this concentration
4. AFFF Aqueous Film Forming Foam
extinguishments
reflash.
unconsciousness.
enhances
flammable liquids fires and prevent
Hazards
- It is suffocating in the concentration
This double action foam and aqueous
when the latter is introduced to the fire.
Smothering. When dry chemical react
with the heat and burning material,
some carbon dioxide and
water vapor are produced. These dilute
molecules, which then recombine and
the fuel vapors and the air surrounding
gives off still more heat. The fire thus
the fire.
builds, or at least sustains itself, through
The result is a limited
smothering effect.
reactions that liberate enough heat to set
Shielding of Radiant Heat.
off other reactions.
Dry
chemical produces an opaque cloud in
the combustion area.
This cloud
reduces the amount of heat that is
radiated back to the heart of fire, i.e.,
extinguish fires involving
the opaque cloud absorbs some of the
Flammable oils and greases
radiation feedback that is required to
Electrical equipment
Hoods, ducts and cooking ranges in
sustain the fire. Less vapor is produced,
and the fire becomes less intense.
All dry chemical agents may be used to
Chain Breaking. Chain reactions are
necessary for continued combustion. In
these, chain reactions, fuel and oxygen
galleys and diet kitchens.
The surfaces of bated textiles.
Certain combustible solid such as pitch,
naphthalene and plastics (except those
molecules are broken down by heat;
they recombine into the new molecules
giving off additional heat.
This
additional heat breaks down more
that contain their own oxygen)
Machinery spaces, engine rooms and
paint and tool locker
