The three essential ingredient for creating a fire are HEAT, AIR AND FUEL Fire triangle

 Preventing fires is everyone’s job. We all need to be alert to anything that could cause a fire, and take responsibility to report any problem areas so they can be corrected. Here are some reminders about fire prevention:  1. Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fires by providing fuel and by preventing access to exits and emergency equipment.  2. Place oily rags in a covered metal container. This waste must be properly disposed of on a regular basis.  3. Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction sparks.

 4. Report electrical hazards. Many fires start in faulty wiring and malfunctioning electrical equipment. Never attempt electrical repairs unless you are qualified and authorized.  5. Maintain free access to all electrical control panels. Material or equipment stored in front of the panels would slow down the shutting down of power in an emergency situation.  6. Use and store chemicals safely. Read the label and the Material Safety Data Sheet to determine flammability and other fire hazards. Provide adequate ventilation when using and storing these substances.

 7. Use all precautions to prevent ignition in potentially explosive atmospheres such as those containing flammable liquid vapours or fine particles. Use non-sparking tools, and control static electricity as required.  8. Help maintain building security to prevent arson fires. Lock up as instructed; report suspicious persons; and don’t leave combustible rubbish where it can be set afire outside the building.  9. Smoke only in designated areas, and extinguish smoking materials safely. Never smoke in storerooms or chemical storage areas.

 10. Never block sprinklers, firefighting equipment or emergency exits. Observe clearances when stacking materials.  11. Post emergency telephone numbers as well as the company address by the telephone in your station for quick access if a fire were to start in your work area.  12. Learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher 

Class A: fires involving organic solids such as paper and wood. Class B: fires involving flammable liquids and liquefiable solids. Class C: fires involving flammable gases.

 Class D: fires involving metals.  Class F: fires involving cooking fat and oil.  Electrical: fires involving electrical equipment.

Types of fire extinguishers

Water stored pressure extinguishers cool burning material by absorbing heat from the burning material. Effective on Class A fires, water has the advantage of being harmless, and relatively easy to clean up. These extinguishers are available in various sizes: - 3 and 6 litre stored pressure with a water additive or 6 and 9 litre stored pressure extinguishers. The case colour is solid red indicating water.

Dry Powder: Class A, B, C, & Electrical  Powder based fire extinguishers separate the four parts of the “fire triangle”. This prevents the chemical reaction between heat, fuel and oxygen This extinguisher is known as an "ABC" dry chemical fire extinguisher and can be used on class A, B,C, and Electrical fires. It receives its class A rating from the agent's ability to melt and flow at 177 °C (350 °F) thereby smothering the fire.  The client/responsible person should occasionally shake this type of extinguishers to help prevent the powder from settling.  The case colour is red with a blue band indicating powder

Foam: Class A & B  This extinguisher type, which is generally applied to fuel fires, forms a frothy blanket or seal over the fire, thereby starving the fire of oxygen and cooling the fire through the evaporation of the water content in the foam. Unlike powder, foam can be used to progressively extinguish fires without flashback. Foam AFFF fire extinguishers (aqueous film forming foam) are the most common type of portable foam extinguisher and can be used on class A & B fires, which includes vapour suppression. The case colour is red with a cream band indicating foam.

Carbon Dioxide: Class B & Electrical  CO 2 is a clean gaseous agent which displaces oxygen and cools the fire. This extinguisher is not intended for Class A fires as the high-pressure cloud of gas can scatter burning materials. It is also not suitable for use on fires which contain their own oxygen source, metals fires or cooking fat fires, making this extinguisher unsuitable for kitchen fires. It is, however, one of the best agents to use on a person who is on fire. They are labelled clean agents because they do not leave any residue after discharge which makes this extinguisher ideal for sensitive electronics and documents.  The case colour is red with a black band indicating CO 2.

Wet chemical: Class A & F  Wet chemical fire extinguishers put out a fire by forming a soapy foam blanket over burning oil (saponification) and by cooling the oil below its ignition temperature. Generally used for class A and class F fires, this type of extinguisher is ideal for commercial kitchen cooking fat fires. This extinguisher type is not suitable for electrical fires.  The case colour is solid red with a canary yellow band indicating wet chemical.

Activity  Research the job description of a works fire officer