1. visit www.communities.gov.uk for information)
What law applies?
Dangerous Substances and Explosive Atmospheres Regulations (DSEAR) 2002
Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 (came into force 1 October
visit for information)

2. At the end of the Lesson you should be able to;
Describe the 3 essential factors that need to be present to cause a fire
Explain the hazards that cause fire to spread
Know the key actions to prevent/avoid fires in the workplace......and......

3. Fire and explosion Do you know how to prevent fire or explosion?
Each year many people suffer burns caused by the flammable materials they work with.
The wide variety of flammable substances found in the workplace ranges from the obvious, eg heating fuel, petrol, paint thinners and welding gases to the less obvious, eg packaging materials, dusts from wood, flour and sugar.
For a fire to start, fuel, air and a source of ignition are needed. Controlling these can prevent fires.

4. Fire Three essential factors
Fuel:
any combustible material
a) liquid
b) solid
c) gas

5. Fire Three essential factors
Heat:
any means of raising the temperature of substance to its ignition temperature
Oxygen:
always present in the air
Fuel:
Anything will burn……..
(Remember, many highly flammable materials have low flash points and can be easily ignited)

6. Fire hazards Fire can be spread in four ways:
conduction – heat transmission along any conductive substance
convection – heat rising and carrying hot particles elsewhere

7. Fire hazards Prevention is better than control
radiation – direct transfer of heat from the source of the fire to nearby combustible materials
direct burning – actual spread of fire to other combustible materials
Prevention is better than control

8. convection
radiation
conduction

9. Fire prevention Remove the fuel: tidiness and safe storage
isolate when not in use
Remove the heat:
keep hot tools, etc., away from anything flammable

10. Fire prevention Exclude or reduce the oxygen:
select fire-fighting equipment that will smother the fire
turn off and if possible remove oxygen cylinders, etc.
Be prepared:
fire-fighting equipment
trained staff

11. Site fires Unsupervised fires are prohibited
All fires must be extinguished before work ends
Keep fires away from other flammables
No lighting fires with flammable liquids

12. Fires Other hazards: End of the day: is everything turned off?
smoking in high risk areas
security – children and other trespassers
cutting or welding – trained and competent operators
propane or butane – outdoors with fixed pipework
no refilling oil heaters when alight
End of the day: is
everything turned off?

13. Extinguishers Water Red body
Suitable for use on Class A Fires, wood and paper etc. Not suitable for combustible liquids, cooking fats etc. Not safe to use on fires involving electricity; Extinguishes by cooling
Dry Powder
Blue body (Old type) or Red body with blue label.
Best on Class B fires but safe to use on any type of fire.
Works by chemically interfering with the combustion reaction
Foam
Cream body (Old type) or Red Body with Cream label.
Suitable for Class A and B Fires. Not suitable for use on fires
involving electricity; Extinguishes by cooling and sealing the
surface of a burning liquid
Carbon dioxide [CO2] Black body (Old type) or red body with black label (New type).
Best on Class B and C fires but safe to use on any type of fire;
Safe to use on fires involving electricity; Extinguishes by reducing
oxygen levels and cooling.

14. Use of water
Never use hose reels, water extinguishers or any other means of extinguishing with water on:
live electrical apparatus
fires involving fats, oils, paints, etc.
metal fires
Risk of electrocution or explosion

15. Fire blankets Used for small, contained fires involving fats or oils.
To use:
switch off gas or electricity
wrap corners of blanket around hands, hold at chest level and gently place over the fire

16. Fire blankets
do not throw blanket – it may miss or cause the fire to spill
do not remove the blanket until the area has cooled

17. Training All staff trained to: select correct fire fighting equipment
use equipment safely
Buildings with a Fire Certificate:
training is a requirement

18. Training Staff training should include: recognising evacuation signal
timing of tests
who will be in charge
location of fire exits
location of assembly points
what to do once there

19. Training Sources of training (procedures): in-house a)site induction
b) refresher
Sources of training (fire-fighting):
Fire Brigade
extinguisher companies
Physical strength can be a factor for users of fire extinguishers

20. Fire alarms Weekly testing: Fire drills: from different call points
Fire Brigade informed
Fire drills:
at least every 6 months
evacuation procedures
arrangements for visitors

21. In case of fire, no matter how small
If trained:
fight the fire with the extinguishers provided but do not put yourself in danger
keep between the fire and the way out, so that you can get out safely
Leave the building
Report to assembly point
Roll call

22. In case of fire, no matter how small
Raise the alarm
Call the Fire Brigade
Close all doors and windows to prevent the spread of fire