Fire kills more Americans than all natural disasters combined.

Every year more than 5,000 people die in fires, over 25,000 are injured, and direct property loss is estimated at over $9 billion.

INTRODUCTION

Fire is the third leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, yet most people ignore it. More than 150 workplace fires occur every day.

Fortunately, most fire losses can be prevented through effective education.

Fire is an essential part of our lives. We cannot do without it, but It can be one of our deadliest enemies. It can mutilate us, kill us, and destroy in a few minutes what took a lifetime to build.

Never take the attitude that any building is fireproof or that fires won't happen. Do what you can to prevent fires, but always be prepared by knowing what actions to take if one occurs. Good teamwork is a must. To prevent fires we must all work together. First, we need to understand them and then we need to know how to deal with them.

“On-the-job fires are often the result of not following instructions, using poor judgment or not following fire safety rules.” This safety presentation is intended to let you know what causes fires, help you reduce the risk of fires, and what to do if a fire breaks out.

HOW FIRES START

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 occurs 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.

Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood,

paper, cloth, rubber and some plastics.

Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline,

kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane.

HOW FIRES ARE CLASSIFIED

Energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes and power tools.

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.

Use a mental checklist to make a Fight-or-Flight Decision. Attempt to use an extinguisher only if ALL of the following apply: The building is being evacuated (fire alarm is pulled) The fire department is being called.

The fire is small, contained, and not spreading beyond its starting point.

Fight or take flight?

The exit is clear, there is no imminent peril and you can fight the fire with your back to the exit.

You can stay low and avoid smoke.

The proper extinguisher is immediately at hand.

You have read the instructions and know how to use the extinguisher.

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.

HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHERRemember the acronym, "P.A.S.S."

The most important thing to remember about fire extinguishers is that you must use the correct type for each kind of fire.

ABC-rated multipurpose dry powder extinguishers

CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers

All ratings are shown 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.

You should not use a water type extinguisher for a flammable liquid fire because it would cause the fire to spread. And you would not use this type of extinguisher on an electrical fire because this would expose you to a serious or fatal shock.

Don't allow trash and litter to accumulate.

Keep work areas neat and clean.

Know where fire alarm boxes and extinguishers are located.

Make sure you know the different types of fire extinguishers and how to use them.

Store hazardous materials in designated areas.

Keep exits free of obstructions.

Keep equipment clean and use it properly.

Handle flammable liquids with caution.

Know the proper exits and procedures in case of an emergency.

Keep curtains, towels, and other fabrics away from flames, heaters, an stoves.

Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas.

Store flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources.

Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings. Report any hazardous condition to your INSTRUCTOR.

Don't overload wall outlets. Two outlets should have no more than two plugs.

Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells strange. Unusual odors can be the first sign of fire.

Don’t overload electrical outlets or use equipment with old, cracked, or frayed cords.

Feel the temperature of the cords on appliances when they are in use. If they are hot to the touch, disconnect the appliances.

If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately.

Replace frayed or cracked electrical cords and don't overload extension cords. They should not be run under rugs.

Never tamper with the fuse box or use the improper size fuse.

Stored flammables away from heaters, furnaces, water heaters, ranges, and other gas appliances.

Store flammable liquids in properly labeled, tightly closed non-glass containers.

Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically.

Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up.

Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled with volatile chemicals.

Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes.

Never run into a burning building.

Never stand up in a fire. Crawl low under the smoke and try to keep your mouth covered.

Feel doors before opening them. If a door is hot, there is fire on the other side. Try to get out another way.

Fire is fast! In less than 30 seconds a small flame can get completely out of control and turn into a major fire. It takes only minutes for thick black smoke to fill a house. Fire is hot! A fire's heat alone can kill. Room temperatures in a fire can be 100 degrees at floor level and rise to 600 degrees at eye level. Inhaling this super hot air will scorch your lungs.

Fire is dark! FIRE ISN’T BRIGHT, IT’S PITCH BLACK.

Fire starts bright, but quickly produces smoke and complete darkness. If you wake up to a fire, you may be blinded, disoriented, and unable to find your way around!

Fire is deadly! Smoke and toxic gases kill more people than flames do. Fire uses up the oxygen you need and produces smoke and poisonous gases that kill.

1.Pull the fire alarm, if not already sounding.

2.Notify other persons on your way out.

3.IMMEDIATELY LEAVE BUILDING by means of nearest available exit.

4.Proceed to the designated gathering-place and report to Instructor for roster check.

1.Immediately the leave shop/classroom.

2.On your way out, turn off the air conditioner and lights, and close the doors.

3.Quickly and calmly proceed to designated gathering place for roster check.

4.Never go back into a burning building!

If you're trying to escape a fire, never open a closed door without feeling it first. Use the back of your hand to prevent burning your palm.

If the door is hot, try another exit.

If none exists, seal the cracks around the doors and vents with wet towels (or anything available) to seal the space under the door and prevent the entry of smoke.

If trapped, look for a nearby phone and call the fire department, giving them your exact location.

If breathing is difficult, try to ventilate the room, but don't wait for an emergency to discover that window can't be opened.

If on an upper floor and your window is of a type that CANNOT be opened, DON'T break it out- you'll be raining glass down on rescuers and people exiting the building.

If you can't contact the fire department by phone, wave for attention at the window. Don't

panic.

If you catch fire . . .

STOP - where you are

DROP - to the floor and

ROLL - around on the floor.

This will smother the flames, possibly saving your life.

If a another student catches on fire, smother flames by grabbing a blanket or rug and wrapping them up in it. That could save them from serious burns or even death.

When a fire or emergency evacuation does occur, don't panic. Keep calm and follow instructions!

KNOWLEDGE - AWARENESS - PREPARATION

These are your keys to preventing and surviving fires wherever they occur.