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Objectives

GOA ACTU
L
Understand fire and the AL
Be able to identify fire
hazards it poses to life hazards and elicit
possible measures to
prevent the damages it
can cause
 How Fire
Works what is fire

Typically, fire comes from a chemical reaction

between oxygen in the atmosphere and some sort
of fuel (wood or gasoline, for example). It is
important to note that, wood and gasoline don't
spontaneously catch on fire just because they're
surrounded by oxygen. For the combustion reaction to
happen, you have to heat the fuel to its ignition
temperature.
know your
fire

Not all kinds of fire can be extinguished with water,

so things are classified into types.

A B C D E
Light Flammable Energized Combustib Cooking
Materials liquids Electrical le Metals Fuels &
Equipment Oils
Paper, Kerosene, Plugged Sodium, Frying oil,
Plastic, paint, appliances zinc, LPG
Wood, solvents, and tools potassium
Leaves adhesives
know your
fire Extinguishe
r
 here are the top
Causes of Fire
1. Cooking equipment
Pots and pans can overheat and cause a fire very easily
if the person cooking gets distracted and leaves
cooking unattended. Always stay in the room, or ask
someone to watch your food, when cooking on
hotplates.
2. Heating
Keep portable heaters at least one metre away from
anything that could easily catch fire such as furniture,
curtains, laundry, clothes and even yourself. If you
have a furnace, get it inspected once a year to make
sure it is working to safety standards.
 here are the top
Causes of Fire
3. Smoking in bedrooms
Bedrooms are best to be kept off limits for smoking. A
cigarette that is not put out properly can cause a flame,
as the butt may stay alit for a few hours. It could burst
into flames if it came into contact with flammable
materials, such as furniture. Did you know that fires
started in the bedroom or lounge make up 73% of all
house fire fatalities?
 here are the top
Causes of Fire
4. Electrical equipment
An electrical appliance, such as a toaster can start a fire
if it is faulty or has a frayed cord. A power point that is
overloaded with double adapter plugs can cause a fire
from an overuse of electricity. A power point extension
cord can also be a fire hazard if not used appropriately.
Double check the appliances and power points in your
home.
 here are the top
Causes of Fire
5. Candles
Candles look and smell pretty, but if left unattended
they can cause a room to easily burst into flames. Keep
candles away from any obviously flammable items
such as books and tissue boxes. Always blow a candle
out before leaving a room. Did you know that in Perth
last year 34 house fires started as a result of candles?
 here are the top
Causes of Fire
6. Curious children
Kids can cause a fire out of curiosity, to see what would
happen if they set fire to an object. Keep any matches or
lighters out of reach of children, to avoid any curiosity
turned disaster. Install a smoke alarm in your child’s
room and practice a home escape plan with your children
and family in case there was a fire. Teach kids understand
the “stop, drop, cover and roll” drill as well as knowing
their address if they needed to call 911.
 here are the top
Causes of Fire
 here are the top
Causes of Fire
7. Faulty wiring
Homes with inadequate wiring can cause fires from
electrical hazards. Some signs to see if you’ve bad
wiring are:
Lights dim if you use another appliance;
For an appliance to work, you have to disconnect another;
Fuses blow or trip the circuit frequently.

Have a licensed electrician come and inspect you

house, or contact your landlord if you have any of the
above occurrences.
 here are the top
Causes of Fire

8. Flammable liquids
If you have any flammable liquids in the home or
garage such as petrol, kerosene or methylated spirits,
keep them away from heat sources and check the label
before storing. Be careful when pouring these liquids.
 Know…
did you

Majority of fire incidents occur in family dwellings and

mostly caused by electrical short circuits and
connections. In the first quarter of 2013, 23% of fire
incidents are of this nature.
 Know…
did you

LPG explosions due to poorly maintained tanks and

hoses also caused 98 fire accidents in the homes in
2012.
 Know…
did you

Unattended cooking is among the most frequent caused

of fire. It climbed up to 533 fires in 2012 destroying
hard earned investments.
 Know…
did you

Lighted cigarette butts caused 271 fire incidents in the

first quarter of 2013.
 Know…
did you

In 2012, open flames due to unattended torch (gasera)

and lighted candles caused 455 fire accidents
destroying several homes all over the country.
 Know…
did you

Lighted matches and lighters consumed several homes

resulting to 124 fire incidents in the first quarter of 201
 Fire-related
Hazards

Fatal heat levels are not the only danger of fire. During
a home fire, there’s an increased level of carbon
monoxide and carbon dioxide as well as damaging
levels of chemical and thermal irritants. These irritants
can permanently damage a person’s or animal’s
respiratory system and cause death.
On Burning
Materials

Carbon monoxide is the chemical result of

incompletely burned fuel sources such as gasoline,
wood and oil. Early signs of carbon monoxide
poisoning include headache, dizziness, weakness and
confusion. High levels of carbon monoxide can cause
loss of consciousness and death. Increased carbon
monoxide levels can make it more difficult for people
to escape a fire.
On Burning
Materials

Carbon dioxide is created from chemical reactions

that occur during fires. In the presence of too much
carbon dioxide, individuals often experience
respiratory issues.
On Burning
Materials

Smoke inhalation can irritate the mucous membranes

and lining of the respiratory tract, according
to WebMD, and may cause difficulty breathing,
swelling or complete collapse of the airway. Chemical
irritants often found in smoke include sulfur dioxide,
ammonia, hydrogen chloride, and chlorine.
Fire-related
Hazards

Fires generate three main sources of hazard – heat,

smoke, and depletion of oxygen – all of which can
interact in exerting their effects. The relative
contribution of each to the overall hazard depends on
the physical characteristics of the fire, namely, heat
release rate, fuel source, and oxygen supply. These
characteristics combine with others, such as structural
configuration and distance from the heat source, to
constitute the hazard at any moment. In a real fire,
many of these characteristics are changing
continuously.
Fire-related
Hazards

Heat
The most obvious hazard associated with fires is heat.
Although most fire deaths are due to smoke inhalation,
many are caused by burns from the heat of the flame
itself. A skin temperature of about 45˚ is associated
with pain. Inhalation of hot steam and gas also cause
burns in the oropharynx and upper airway, and may go
as deep as the major bronchioles.
Fire-related
Hazards

Oxygen Depletion
A decrease pO2 stimulates the peripheral
chemoreceptors in the aortic and carotid bodies and
causes hyperventilation. The brain suffers irreversible
damage if the oxygen supply is interrupted for more
than 3 mins.
Fire-related
Hazards

Smoke
Smoke is defined here to include all the airborne
products of pyrolysis and combustion of materials.
Smoke consists of particles (soot), gases (e.g., carbon
monoxide), volatilized organic molecules of varied
complexity, aerosols, and free radicals.
 Fire Hazards:
What you should Kitchen
watch out for
Area

 NEVER leave your kitchen while cooking!

 Matches and lighters should be in proper storage and away from
children’s reach.
 Keep your stove clean and grease-free, and check your LPG for
leaks with soapy water.
 When frying and your pan bursts into flame, DO NOT douse it
with WATER. Put the lid on or get a wet damp cloth to cover the pan.
 Fire Hazards:
What you should Kitchen
watch out for
Area

 Idle electrical appliances must be unplugged.

 Avoid overloading of outlets and use of worn cords.
 Do not store items above the stove top.
 Keep flammable liquids and other combustible items away from
the stove when cooking.
 Ensure that your smoke alarms are working well and replace
batteries at least every six months.
 Fire Hazards:
What you should Living Rooms
watch out for and Bathrooms

 Do not use extension cords as permanent outlets. Make sure that

extension cords are not looped on sharp objects that could cause it to
fray.
 Make sure that curtains are away from electric fan blades
 DO NOT leave an electric fan switched on when it is not rotating!
Clean and oil them regularly.
 Defective appliances must be fixed immediately.
 Fire Hazards:
What you should Living Rooms
watch out for and Bathrooms

 Take extra care when using a clothes iron or rice cooker. Unplug
them promptly after use.
 NEVER SMOKE IN BED!
 Put out candle lights before going to bed.
 Place a lit candle in a holder. If you have none, place it in the
middle of a basin partly filled with water.
 Keep your place clean at all times. Remove dried leaves, cobwebs,
loose paper, and other easy-burning debris.
 Fire Hazards:
What you should Storage and
watch out for Garage Areas

 Keep areas clean and tidy with items properly placed for storage.
 Do not store large quantities of flammable liquids in the house and
basement areas.
 Gas/kerosene
 Paints and solvents
 Motor lubricants
 Floor wax/ liquid polishes
 Adhesives (Rugby)
 Alcohol products
 Fire Hazards:
What you should Storage and
watch out for Garage Areas

 Oily rags, newspaper and other trash must be disposed in a sage

waste bag or container.
 Clean up spilled oil and grease from vehicles promptly.
 Plug your power tools straight to the wall socket. Use only heavy-
duty extensions when needed.
 Keep your garage well-ventilated to avoid build-up of fumes and
heat from tools.
 What to do when
a fire breaks out

 It takes just two (2) minutes for your house to be filled with toxic
fumes from a fire.
 A well-rehearsed emergency exit plan
 Try to close the door of the burning room and close all doors
behind you as you leave. This will help delay the fire and smoke.
 Before you open a door, feel it with the back of your hand.
 What to do when
a fire breaks out

 When the smoke is dense, the best air that you can breathe is
usually one to two feet from the floor. Crawl to the exit with a wet
piece of cloth to cover your mouth.
 Get everyone out first. Have a bug-out pack with all your
essentials. Saving your possessions may weigh you down and get you
trapped.
 Never go back to your house unless a fire fighter declares it is safe
to do so. You could run into a potential roof collapse, stumble on live
wires, or could trigger a dreaded backdraft*
Safety Measures: What
you should have in
your home

1. Smoke Alarm
Install smoke alarms in rooms, kitchens and other
living areas. It ALERTS you when the fire is still in a
controllable state.
Safety Measures: What
you should have in
your home

2. Fire Extinguisher
Have an ABC or ABCD type of fire
extinguisher in the kitchen and workshop areas.
Know how to use a fire extinguisher
Safety Measures: What
you should have in
your home

3. Emergency Exit Plan

An emergency exit plan is highly

recommended for a family dwelling. Be sure
that your kids know and understand the exit
route and the meeting place outside your house.
An exit drill is also a fun way of getting your
children involved
 Worst-Case Trapped in
Scenario Fire

 Try to position yourself in a room with windows

leading outside. That way, your rescue becomes easier.
 Alert the people outside that you are still in the
burning building. Shout for help or get a light-colored
cloth and wave it outside the window. It is more visible
through thick smoke.
 Seal your room. Close the door/s and patch any gaps
with towels or sheets to prevent smoke from coming in.
 Worst-Case Trapped in
Scenario Fire

 When you are trapped in the upper floors of your

house, try to collect bed sheets and foam. These could
help you when escaping through the window.
 Do not run when your clothes catch fire. Instead, stop
moving drop to the ground and roll.
 Clear flammable debris from the window.
 Know…
did you

The average 1000-gallon fire truck can empty its

contents in less than 5 minutes
 Know…
did you

Fire fighters use a special kind of foam, called AFFF

(A-triple F) to combat oil fires.
 Know…
did you

Rescue ropes are made of nylon filaments braided into

a super strong kern mantle, which can handle about 800
kilos in weight.
 Know…
did you

The fire fighter’s bunker coat can withstand

temperatures of 260 degrees Celsius (as hot as glowing
charcoal) for five minutes.
 Know…
did you

Arson investigations use a special machine called a Gas

Chromatograph to determine what kind of chemical
sparked the fire.
More about
Fires Wildfires

Forests fires are as old as the forests themselves. They

pose a threat not only to the forest wealth but also to
the entire regime to fauna and flora seriously disturbing
the bio-diversity and the ecology and environment of a
region. During summer, when there is no rain for
months, the forests become littered with dry senescent
leaves and twinges, which could burst into flames
ignited by the slightest spark. The Himalayan forests,
particularly, Garhwal Himalayas have been burning
regularly during the last few years, with colossal loss of
vegetation cover of that region.
More about
Fires Fire
Whirls

A fire whirl, also commonly known as a fire devil, is

a whirlwind induced by a fire and often (at least
partially) composed of flame or ash.
More about
Fires Fire
Whirls

These start with a whirl of wind, often made visible

by smoke, and may occur when intense rising heat and
turbulent wind conditions combine to form
whirling eddies of air. These eddies can contract
a tornado-like vortex that sucks in debris and
combustible gases.
 On Fire
Prevention

Whether you are at home or in the workplace, it is

important that you understand the fire safety plan and
you share this information with others. Making people
aware of the potential triggers, how to activate fire
alarms and the routes out of a building are all critical to
minimizing the risks. As are details such as the
importance of not returning into the building until you
have been informed it is safe to do so.
Gracias!
Celedonio, Kim Cyril Torillo, Gifford
Ho, Jotham Banayag, Denise Mei
Lorejas, German Casilac, Laura
Muñez, Jhuniel Jadena, Lynden
Palermo, Darwin Tan, Jamie Anne