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Basic Fire Fighting Course

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 ENG. TAREK NASRAOUI
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o MASTER DIPLOMA IN MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

o SAFETY CERTIFICATION
 IOSH WORKING SAFELY
 IOSH MANAGING SAFELY
 NEBOSH HSW
 OSHA 30 HOUR GENERAL INDUSTRY OUTREACH
TRAINING
 IADC FIRE FIGHTING
 H2S &SCBA AWARENESS

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 Basic Fire Fighting Course Outline | 3

Module Description
Module 1 Definition of Fire
Module 2 Principles of Fire
Module 3 Fire Prevention
Module 4 Fire Extinguishers
Module 5 Basic Fire Fighting Procedures
Module 6 Self Rescue Techniques

Written Assessment
Q&A

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Module 1 – Definition of Fire

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 DEFINITION OF FIRE | 5

Fire is the a chain reaction that occur when the three

elements of fire ( Fuel, Heat, Oxygen) are present in the
proper conditions and proportions.

Fire occurs when this rapid oxidation, or burning takes

place.

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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.

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Module 2 – Principles of Fire

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 FIRE | 8

TETRAHEDRON
Remove one or more of the 3 elements to extinguish a fire

Oxygen to sustain combustion

Heat to raise the material to its

ignition temperature

Fuel to support the combustion

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CLASSIFICATION OF
FIRE
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 SOURCES OF IGNITION | 10

 Anything which has enough energy to initiate

combustion.
 Electricity: Defective wiring, motors, switches, circuit
breakers...
 Friction: Bearing running dry, grinding, chiseling, drilling...
 Naked flames: Torch, matches...
 Impact: Steel against steel, steel against concrete...
 Spontaneous combustion: organic oil/fiber slowly oxide and
heat...
 Hot Works (Cutting, Welding, Grinding)

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METHODS OF FIRE EXTINGUISHING A

FIRE

• Starvation: Removal of fuel

• Smothering: Removal of Oxygen

FUEL

• Cooling: Removal of Heat FUEL

• Stop the Chemical Reaction

FUEL

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 SAFETY PRECAUTIONS | 12

Keep Fuel and heat source isolated

Oxygen
Heat
Fuel
Source
Oxygen

Oxygen Oxygen

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Module 3 – Fire Prevention

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 Major Causes of Industrial Fires | 14

Cause Description
Combustibles like paper, cardboard, cloth, wood and oils
Combustible materials

Overloaded circuits and outlets, damaged wiring, defective

Electrical problems switches, and damaged plugs

Source of heat or ignition (such as a spark) can lead to a

Heat and ignition sources fire when combined with combustible or flammable
materials

Inadequately lubricated or dirty machinery can also cause

Machinery fires, as can mechanical defects

Employees may ignore the rules and sneak a smoke in

Smoking restrooms or some low-traffic hideaway

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The Fundamentals of Fire Prevention Strategy

• A fire must have three things to ignite and maintain combustion:
a) Fuel
b) Heat
c) Oxygen
• The basic strategy of fire prevention is to control or isolate sources
of fuel and heat in order to prevent combustion.
• If all three are not present in sufficient quantities
a fire will not ignite or a fire will not be able to
sustain combustion

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 Workplace Fire Prevention Strategies | 16

1. Inspect all areas of your workplace for fire hazards on a regular basis.
2. Educate employees about fire hazards
3. Have the right fire extinguishers for the fire hazards in your workplace.
Have maintenance check extinguishers regularly
4. Store materials safely. Keep storage areas well ventilated and free of ignition
sources
5. Dispose of wastes promptly and correctly. Don’t allow combustible waste
materials to build up
6. Emphasize good housekeeping. All work areas should be clean and free of
fire hazards

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 Workplace Fire Prevention Strategies | 17

7. Make sure ventilation systems operate effectively to remove ….flammable

vapors, gases, and combustible dust from the air
8. Service machines regularly. Set up an adequate maintenance schedule, and make
sure employees follow it.
9. Pay careful attention to electrical safety. Check electrical circuits, outlets, wires,
and plugs regularly so that an electrical problem does not start a fire.
10. Enforce fire safety rules. Make sure employees obey your no smoking policy and
other fire safety rules

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 Fire Prevention Measures | 18

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.

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 Fire Prevention Measures | 19

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.

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 Fire Prevention Measures | 20

 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.

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How to Extinguish a Small Fire | 21

Class A - Ordinary Combustibles:

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.

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How to Extinguish a Small Fire | 22

Class B - Flammable Liquids or Gases:

 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.

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How to Extinguish a Small Fire | 23

Class C (or E) - Electrical Equipment:

 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.

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How to Extinguish a Small Fire | 24

Class D - Flammable metals:

 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.

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Module 4 – Fire Extinguishers

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 Types of Fire Fighting Equipment | 26

• Fire Extinguisher

• Fire Hydrant System

• Fire Sprinkler System

• Water Spray System

• Water Monitor

• Sand Bucket

• Hose Reel

• Fire Blanket

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 Types of Fire Safety System | 27

• Fire Detector

• Fire Alarm System

• “Break glass” Manual Call Point

• Main / Sub Alarm Panel

• Exit Staircase

• Fire Door

• Corridor/Lobby/Staircase

• Escape Route

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 Four Types of Alarm System | 28

Type of Alarm Description

• Pulling fire alarm

• Calling 998
Human activated

• Alarm activates when comes in contact with smoke

• You may not see the smoke
Smoke activated

• When temperature in area of alarm reaches certain point. For

example : 120 degrees
Heat activated

• When sprinkler head is activated

• Temperature at ceiling reaches approximately 155 degrees
Water flow indicators

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 Fire Extinguisher Anatomy | 29

PRESSURE GAUGE
DISCHARGE LEVER (not found on CO2
extinguishers)
DISCHARGE LOCKING PIN CARRYING
AND SEAL HANDLE

DISCHARGE HOSE

DISCHARGE NOZZLE
DATA PLATE
DISCHARGE ORIFICE

BODY

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Types of Fire Extinguishers - Water | 30

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PRESSURIZED WATER | 31

Class “A” fires only.

2.5 gal. water at 150-175 psi (up to 1 minute

discharge time).

 Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity

check.

 30-40 ft. maximum effective range.

 Can be started and stopped as necessary.

 Extinguishes by cooling burning material

below the ignition

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Types of Fire Extinguishers - Foam | 32

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 PRESSURIZED FOAM | 33

Class “A” and “B” fires only.

9 Liters FOAM at 150-175 psi (up to 1 minute discharge

time).

 Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity check.

 6-10 ft. maximum effective range.
 Applied onto the oil container on fire and allowed to
form a layer on the liquid .

 DO NOT apply on the heart of fire

 Extinguishes by cooling and smothering

effect

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Types of Fire Extinguishers - CO2 | 34

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 CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2 ) | 35

Class “B” or “C” fires.

2.5-100 lbs. of CO2 gas at 150-200 psi

 8-30 seconds discharge time.

 Has NO pressure gauge--capacity verified by
weight.
 3-8 ft. maximum effective range.
 Extinguishes by smothering burning materials.
 Effectiveness decreases as temperature of
burning material increases

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Types of Fire Extinguishers - Powder | 36

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 MULTIPURPOSE DRY | 37

CHEMICAL
Class “A”, “B”, or “C” fires.

2.5-20 lbs. dry chemical (ammonium phosphate)

pressurized to 50-200 psi by nitrogen gas (8-25
seconds discharge time).

 Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity check.

 5-20 ft. maximum effective range.

 Extinguishes by smothering burning materials.

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Types of Fire Extinguishers – Halon | 38

A Tr ash Wood Paper

A Tr ash Wood Paper

B Liqui ds Gr ease
B Li quids Grease

C El ectr i cal Equi pment

C Electr i cal Equi pment

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 Halon | 39

Class “A”, “B”, or “C” fires (smaller sizes ineffective

against Class “A”).

9-17 lbs. Halon 1211 (pressurized liquid) released as

vapor (8-18 seconds discharge time).

 Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity check.

 9-16 ft. maximum effective range.
 Works best in confined area--ideal for electronics fire
due to lack of residue.
 Extinguishes by smothering burning materials.
 Fumes toxic if inhaled.
 Halon is ozone depleting chemical--production halted
in January 1994.

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Types of Fire Extinguishers – Wet Chemical | 40

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 Wet Chemical | 41

Class “A” C ‘’ , and ‘’ K’’ Fire

1.5 gal. of stored pressure PRX wet chemical

extinguishing agent (40 sec. discharge time )

 10 – 20 ft. maximum effective range.

 On Class ‘’K’’ fires, don’t use until after fixed

extinguishing system has activated.

 Extinguishes by cooling burning material

below the ignition

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Types of Fire Extinguishers – Combustible Metal | 42

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COMBUSTIBLE METAL | 43

Class “D” combustible metal fires only.

30 lbs. pressurized dry powder optimized for

specific combustible metal (also available in
bulk containers for hand scooping onto fire to
extinguish).

 6-8 ft. maximum effective range.

 To activate, must first open nitrogen cylinder
on back to pressurize body.
 Extinguishes by smothering burning
materials.

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 Fire Extinguisher | 44

Internal Maintenance
 Water - every 5 years
 Foam - every 5 years
 Wet chemical & CO2 - every 5 years
 Dry chemical - every 6 years
 Halon and clean agents - every 5 years.

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Module 5 – Basic Fire Fighting Procedures

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 Before Using a Fire Extinguisher | 46

• Make sure you have an unobstructed escape route at your back

• Fire should be small, confined and not spreading, e.g. trash can fire
• Know that the extinguisher is right for the job
• Be trained on how to use an extinguisher

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P.A.S.S (How to Use a Fire Extinguisher) | 47

P ull the pin

A im at the base of fire

S queeze the handle

S weep site by site

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Correct Use of Fire Blanket | 48

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Correct Use of Fire Hose Reel | 49

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When You Should Not Fight A Fire | 50

• It is bigger than a waste paper bin

• One extinguisher is not enough

• No proper extinguisher or equipment

• Fire has spread beyond its point of origin

• Smoke is affecting your breathing

• You cannot see the way out

• Gas cylinders or chemicals are involved

• Your efforts are not reducing the size of the fire

• Instincts tell you to GET OUT!!!

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 R.A.C.E (Fire Emergency Response) | 51

R Rescue

A Alarm

C Contain

E Extinguish

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Module 6 – Self Rescue Techniques

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If Trap in a Fire? | 53

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If Caught in Smoke? | 54

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What to Do if Your Clothes Catch on Fire? | 55

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 Module 5 – Self Rescue Techniques
Fire Escape PPE – Fire Escape Masks | 56

Full Mask Half Mask Mouthpiece-nose-clip

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 Fire Escape PPE – Breathing Apparatus | 57

Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus

(SCBA) Emergency Escape Breathing Apparatus
(EEBA)

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Written Assessment

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