FIRE SAFETY

OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH

DUW10012

Zalina binti Mohd Aris Radhiah binti Ismail Anis Shazwani binti Saringat
Published by:

POLITEKNIK METrO KUALA LUMPUR

No. 2-14, Jalan Setiawangsa 10
Taman Setiawangsa10 Taman Setiawangsa
54200 Kuala Lumpur
03-42518000

FIRE SAFETY
First Published 2022
@ Politeknik METrO Kuala Lumpur 2022

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise without prior permission of the publisher.

Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Zalina Mohd. Aris, 1975-
FIRE SAFETY : OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH DUW10012 / Zalina binti
Mohd Aris, Radhiah binti Ismail, Anis Shazwani binti Saringat.
Mode of access: Internet.
eISBN 978-967-26239-9-1
1. Fire prevention.
2. Fires.
3. Industrial safety.
4. Government publications--Malaysia.
5. Electronic books.
I. Radhiah Ismail, 1985-. II. Anis Shazwani Saringat, 1987-.
III. Title.
363.3

FIRE SAFETY
 ABSTRACT

Fire Safety is of paramount importance for everyone.

The basic principles for avoiding fires are well known and
relatively simple to implement.

This Fire Safety E-Book has been written for Polytechnic’s

Occupational Safety and Health Course (DUW10012) and also
suitable for other Fire Safety courses. This practical approach
makes the E-book a valuable reference for Polytechnics'
students, as well as a useful reference in dealing with the varied
problems of fire hazards.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
“In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent,
the Most Merciful.
All the praises and thanks be to Allah, the
Lord of the 'Alamin (mankind, jinns and all
that exists).

'We thank all who in one way or another

contributed in the completion of this
e-book.'
 LEARNING
OUTCOMES
1 Define the basic of fire

2 Fire safety planning

Understand the definition of fire

3 and the use of a fire triangle

4 Demonstrate escape route

CONTENTS

Introduction

Basic of Fire

Causes of Fire

Fire Extinguisher

Fire Hazard Controls

Conclusion
 Did You
Know?
Fire safety refers to planning and
infrastructure design aimed at reducing
the risk of fire or impeding the spread of a
fire when one does break out.

Fire safety encompasses the use of fire-

resistant building materials, preventative
actions, safe work practices, fire safety
training, flame-resistant protective
clothing, and more.
 TYPES OF FIRE
HAZARDS

electrical combustible flammable

hazards materials materials
 ELECTRICAL
HAZARDS

Electrical issues, such as damaged

extension cords, blocked electrical
panels and heaters, and overloaded
circuits often lead to fires.

Maintenance of power cords and other

electrical equipment should be
conducted on a regular basis.
 COMBUSTIBLE
MATERIALS
Combustible materials are solids or
liquids that can easily ignite and burn.
If a combustible material is exposed to
fire or heat, it is likely to ignite, burn or
release flammable vapours.
 WOOD COAL

PAPER
CHARCOAL
COMBUSTIBLE
SOLIDS
RUBBER CLOTH

PLASTIC STRAW
 COMBUSTIBLE

Liquids
1 2 3 4

Oil Based
Oil Greases Lubricants
paint

5 6 7 8

Cooking gas Kerosene Oil Cleaning Diesel fuel

solvents
Flammable
materials
Flammable materials are easily ignited,
causing fires. They can take the form of
solid, liquid or gas. Common flammable
materials found in workplaces include
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), paints,
varnishes and lacquers.
FIRE
[ˈfaɪə] noun.

A chemical reaction that occurs when a flammable material

and oxygen comes into contact with a heat source of ignition
 FIRE
TRIANGLE

HE
AT
EN
YG
OX
FUEL

The Fire Triangle represents the three components needed to have a fire –
oxygen, fuel and heat.
Fire is a chemical reaction and without one of these components, fire cannot exist or be
sustained.

The air contains oxygen to ignite burning.

Fuel is any material capable of burning and is characterized by its moisture, size, shape,
quantity, and the arrangement in which it is spread.

A heat source is responsible for the initial ignition of fire, and heat is also needed to maintain the
fire and permit it to spread.
 HOW DOES A
FIRE SPREAD?
DIRECT BURNING : intentional ignition CONVECTION : gas/liquids expands
when heated

convection

RADIATION : materials placed too close

CONDUCTION : solid materials
to the source of energy
conduction

radiation radiation
 EXERCISE 1
Which of the following statement is
TRUE?

FIRE CAN OCCUR IN THE ABSENCE OF

ONE ELEMENT

FIRE WILL CEASE TO EXIST IF ONE OF

THE ELEMENTS IS ELIMINATED
Exercise
2 1 Wood, Plastic & Paper are classified as:
A. Class D
B. Class C
C. Class B
D. Class A
Which factor is not relevant in the event of an
2
emergency?
A. Who your fire wardens are
B. Completing an experiment
C. The Emergency Procedures
D. Where to assemble

3 The elements of the Fire Triangle are:

A. Oxygen, Wood, CO²
B. None of the above
C. Heat, Oxygen, Fuel
D. Heat, CO², Fuel
 CAUSES OF FIRE

EQUIPMENT
example : faulty equipment

RAW MATERIALS
example : liquids and solvents
in industrial products

PROCESS
example : flammable gases and
oxygen used as a fuel for hot
work

think safe, work safe

FACTORS TO CAUSE FIRE
AT A WORKPLACE

Existence of flammable
material

Insufficient water supply

Breakage of equipment or
container
EXERCISE 3
List three (3) activities
which can cause fire at a
work place:

A.
B.
C.
EXERCISE 4
What are other factors which also
can cause fire at a work place?
 CHOOSING FIRE
EXTINGUISHER TYPES
FOR THE RELEVANT
CLASS OF FIRE COULD
LITERALLY BE THE
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN
LIFE AND DEATH.

EACH TYPE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER

HAS DIFFERENT CLASSES OF FIRE ON
WHICH IT IS EFFECTIVE
 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
TYPES
CLASS A CLASS B CLASS C
water, water mist, water mist, foam, dry water mist, dry
foam, dry powder, powder, CO2, some powder
wet chemical wet chemical

CLASS D ELECTRICAL CLASS F

specialist dry water mist, foam, water mist, wet
powder CO2 chemical
 FIRE
EXTINGUISHER TYPES
HOW TO USE A FIRE
EXTINGUISHER?
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS SHOULD IDEALLY ONLY BE USED BY SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN
TRAINED TO DO SO – AND THE FOLLOWING TEXT DOES NOT COUNT AS TRAINING

1: PULL

Hydraulic
rescue tool
 CHECK YOUR FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Inspections are quick checks to ensure the extinguisher is fully charged and ready for
use, and anyone can perform them.

1 2 3
In buildings, all fire All vehicles will carry at When at a job site, all
extinguishers will be least one ABC-rated employees will know the
mounted on a wall and extinguisher. location of each fire
properly marked. extinguisher.

4 5 6
Each fire extinguisher will
Before using an be inspected monthly to Each fire extinguisher will
extinguisher, all make sure it is in its be clearly visible with
employees will be trained designated location and nothing obstructing or
and familiar with the PASS has not been tampered obscuring it from view.
method of firefighting. with or actuated.

All fire extinguishers will be examined at least yearly and/or recharged or repaired to ensure operability
and safety. A tag must be attached to show the maintenance or recharge date and the signature or initials
of the person performing the service.
 Exercise 5
The acronym for putting out a fire using a fire
extinguisher is PASS. What does PASS stand for?

01 A) Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Spread

B) Pull, Accuracy, Squeeze, Spread
C) Pin, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
D) Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

When should you use a fire extinguisher?

A) When the fire is between you and the phone
02 B) When the fire is between you and an exit door
C) When the fire is confined to a small area
D) When the room is filled with smoke
 4 Tips for preventing
fires at home
1.
Keep all sources of ignition such as
matches or matches out of the reach of
children.

2.
Turn off and unplug all unused
electronic cables at home.

3. Check the electrical connection at

home before you want to leave the
house.

4. Use electrical appliances in the

house as needed.
 Step One

Step Two
Identify fire hazard

FIRE HAZARDS
CONTROL
Assess the risks posed
by the hazards Monitor

Step Three Step Four

Put measures
 POTENTIAL FIRE
HAZARDS

Faulty or misused electrical Lighting equipment

equipment

Electrical, gas or oil-fired Smoking materials Naked flames

heaters

Cooking equipment and Hot surfaces and Hot processes

toasters obstruction of
equipment ventilation
Below are list of fire hazards, EXCEPT:
A) Paper packaging
B) Flower plants
C) Diesel
D) Conventional oven

If you discover fire, smoke or excessive heat or hear

the fire signals/ announcement indicating that a fire is
elsewhere in the facility, you should ____
A) Continue your regular duties
B) Let others concern themselves with the matter
C) Follow your Emergency Instructions
D) Run to the nearest elevator with a fire extinguisher

EXERCISE 6
 EMERGENCY PLAN INPUT
What staff should do if they
discover a fire
How the evacuation of the
premises should be carried
out.
Where the people should assemble after
they have left the premises and procedures
for checking whether the premises have
been evacuated.

Arrangement for fight The duty and identity of staff

the fire who have specific
responsibilities if there is a fire

Specific arrangement for the for high fire

asks areas

Training employees need and the arrangement for

ensuring that this Fire Safety Training is given
 EVACUATION
PROCEDURE
7 Ensure all personnel are out of the building.

Upon hearing the alarm, everyone should

1 8 Do not use the elevators.
leave the building. immediately

Use a8fire extinguisher only if safe to do so and

2 Activate the fire alarm. 9 you have been trained.

Call 999 immediately and provide Assemble personnel at a remote location

3 10 noted on evacuation. maps
information.

Assist injured personnel or notify emergency

Create a content
4 responders of the medical emergency. 11 Report hazardous conditions.
brainstorming list.

Exit the building following emergency 12 Stay low if confronted with smoke. Check closed
5
maps. doors for heat before opening.

Assist physically impaired individuals to a Stay away from the building until it is safe to
13
6
6 secure area and notify emergency return.
responders.
 SAMPLE OF
EVACUATION PLAN
AT PMKL
 Exercise 7
1 2
In preparation for an emergency, When exiting the building after an
employees should become earthquake, you should use
familiar with ________________. elevators to reach lower levels.
A) Emergency equipment A) True
B) Exits and evacuation routes B) False
C) Storm shelters
D) The facility's designated
meeting place

3
Important things that should be
developed in order to ensure the
most efficient as well as the safest
evacuation time of all expected
residents of a city, region or
structure.
A) Emergency Evacuation Plan
B) Emergency Rescue Plan
C) Evacuation Time
D) Evacuation Equipment
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, fire in workplaces should be
avoided at all times because besides the
damage of property and loss of lives, there
are people whose career might be ruined by
such incidences. Similarly, fire causes
organizations to fall back as they struggle to
recover the losses incurred
REFERENCES

https://www.osha.gov/site
s/default/files/2019
-03/fireprotection.pdf

https://www.definitions
.net/definition

https://www.bomba.gov.my/

https://www.forbes.com/hom
e-
improvement/home/house-fir
e-causes-and-prevention/

https://www.brownssa
fetyservices.co.uk/blo
g/5-top-
causes-of-workplace-f
ires

https://www.freepik.com
 ANSWERS
Exercise 1

Fire can occur in the absence of one element.

(FALSE)

Fire will cease to exist if one of the elements is

eliminated. (TRUE)

Exercise 2 Exercise 3

1. D Metal cutting activity

2. B Intentional burning
3. C Short circuit
 ANSWERS

Exercise 4 Exercise 5

No spray system 1. D
Human/operator error 2. C
Existence of flammable
material

Exercise 6 Exercise 7

1. B 1. B
2. C 2. B
3. A