Module 4■ FIRE HAZARDS

DISASTER READINESS & RISK REDUCTION

Wildfires are unplanned fires that burn in forests and other wildlands, such as shrub
or grass communities. Preventing and fighting unwanted fires begins with understanding the
science of how they start, and why they continue to be such a big problem. Why has the
number of acres burned remained so high over the last few years?

A Fire Is Ravaging Forests In Benguet

More than 20 hectares of pine trees have been devoured.
by STEPH ESGUERRA OLARTE | Feb 22, 2020

Most Essential Learning Competencies:

Read aloud the following: At the end of the module, I should be able to:
a. recognize elements of the fire triangle in different situations;
b. analyze the different causes of fires;
c. observe precautionary measures and proper procedures in addressing a fire
incident;
d. apply basic response procedures during a fire incident; and
e. follow fire emergency and evacuation plans.

FIND THE SOURCE : It’s not easy to investigate a wildfire.

Most investigations start while firefighters are still battling the
blaze, so safety is paramount. In addition, firefighting
equipment can affect the fire scene, rain can wash away
evidence, and there’s the risk that trees damaged by the fire
could fall onto the investigator. Wildfire investigators use the scientific method to gather and analyze
clues about the cause of a wildfire. The first thing they determine is the point of origin — the spot
where a fire started. And that’s your first assignment as part of Senior High’s Wildfire Prevention
Detectives team! This activity is your Formative Assessment 1 | M4 FA1.
INVESTIGATION #1: Plot the Origin
To identify a wildfire’s point of origin, investigators map the area that burned in the fire and
look for a V-shaped pattern. The point of origin is usually found at the point of the V. Members of your
Wildfire Prevention Detectives team have been reporting map coordinates for areas burned in a
wildfire. Shade in the boxes for these coordinates to determine the pattern of this wildfire and its likely
point of origin. Remember: The path of a wildfire is influenced by weather (wind), topography (land

features), and vegetation (fuels).

1. Based on the pattern you have mapped, what are the coordinates of this wildfire’s
point of origin? _______________________________________________________
2. What is near this location that may provide a clue to what started the wildfire?
____________________________________________________________________________

3. What factor contributed to the spread of this wildfire?

_________________________________________________________________________
INVESTIGATION #2: Fire’s Fingerprints
Wildfire investigators also use burn patterns to help locate a wildfire’s point of origin. They know
that the burned side of a partially burned object usually points toward the origin of the fire. Your
Wildfire Prevention Detectives team located several partially burned objects when they were
mapping this
wildfire. Three of these objects and their map coordinates are shown below. Using the principle that
the burned side of an object points toward the fire’s origin, identify which direction the burned side

of each object is pointing. Circle the letter that corresponds to the correct answer.
FIRE TRIANGLE EXPERIMENT:
Pre-Activity
1. Recall instances where you have witnessed fire.
 2. What could be the materials needed to make fire?
3. Fire needs three elements for it to be formed and that they will find out what the fire triangle
is based on experiments.
4. Prepare the materials needed for the experiment: candle, matches, glass jar in which the
candle can fit inside and its lid, safety goggles, and notebook or worksheet.
During Activity
1. You should have your notebooks and goggles with you.
2. The activity is divided into three parts:
Part A.
A. Light a candle using the match. You should observe what happens before a fire is formed.
B. Using the wax from the burning candle, mount the candle to the lid of the jar. Make sure that
you mount it on the underside of the lid.
C. Then, slowly put the jar on top of the candle and close the jar. Observe what happens to the
candle.
D. Afterwards, wait for about 2 minutes to unscrew the jar. Note that the jar could still be hot.
Part B.
A. Soak the tip of the candle in water then try to light it up using the match. Does it light up
easily? Observe what happens.
B. Afterwards, dry the tip of the candle using a tissue and again try to light the candle. Observe
what happens.
Part C.
A. Using the same candle in Part B, try to light the bottom of the candle. Does it light up?
B. What could be needed for the candle to light up?

5. Come up with your own version of a fire triangle based on the experiments that you
have performed. Draw inside the box provided below.
FIRE TRIANGLE
Unknown to many people, fire is not a single object but is actually made up three
components that make up the fire triangle.
In order to produce fire, there must be three things: (1) fuel to be burned, (2) oxygen to aid
in combustion, and (3) heat to raise the fuel to its ignition point. Taking out any of the three
components would mean that no fire will be produced. However, modern research made fire safety
practitioners rethink and redefine the fire triangle to add another component. The fourth component
is the chain of chemical reactions necessary to create a fire. The fourth component paved the way
for the concept of the “fire tetrahedron”
 Fire Triangle Fire Tetrahedron

One generally accepted and simple definition of fire is that it is a process that involves the rapid
oxidation of objects at elevated temperatures which produces smoke, heat, and light. Oxidation is
the same process that causes the discoloration of an apple when exposed to air. The key term,
however, that defines the oxidation process for fire is “rapid”. The movement of molecules due to
the heat makes for the rapid expansion of gases surrounding the material that undergoes
combustion.

▪ What Is Fire? -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zay7Z3Z1idg
▪ Is fire a solid, a liquid, or a gas? - Elizabeth Cox -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV8TT9LRBrY
▪ What Is Fire? -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMDKeBaLWDw
▪ What Is Fire -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V3sV8t_HUdc

Ways on how heat is transferred:

✓ Radiation – heat transfer through empty space by electromagnetic waves
✓ Conduction – heat transfer through a medium without visible motion (mere contact)
✓ Convection – heat transfer through a circulating medium (usually fluids)

CAUSES OF FIRE
The common causes of fire can be classified into three main categories:
1. Carelessness and accidents
2. Electrical equipment
3. Smoking or lighting of fire material
 ▪ In the Know: The 3 top causes of fire in PH -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KnZuabcQB28
▪ The Seven Most Common Ways House Fires Start:
Home Safety -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNOHx4li9a4

The BFP Operational Procedures Manual has list down the causes of fire as follows:
a. faulty electrical wiring or i. neglected electrical appliances
connection or devices
b. LPG - related j. electrical machineries
c. neglected cooking or stove k. chemicals
d. cigarette butt l. incendiary device or ignited
e. unattended open flame: torch flammable liquid
or sulo m. spontaneous combustion
f. unattended open flame: candle n. pyrotechnics
or gasera o. bomb explosion
g. matchstick or lighter p. lightning
h. direct flame contact or static q. others (forest fire, vehicular
electricity fire, etc.)

GROWTH AND SPEED OF FIRE

To have an idea how quickly a fire spreads, the following timeline from the Grand Traverse
Metro Emergency Services Authority could help:

0:30 Fire ignites and grows rapidly.

1:04 From first flame, fire spreads and smoke begin to fill room.
1:35 Smoke layer descends rapidly, temperature exceeds 190◦F or 88◦C.
1:50 Smoke detector at foot of stairs alarms. Still time to get out.
2:30 Temperature above couch over 400◦F or 204◦C.
2:48 Smoke pours into other rooms.
3:03 Temperature three feet above floor in room of origin is over
500◦F or 260◦C. No one could survive.
3:20 Upstairs hall filled with smoke; escape is more difficult.
3:41 Flashover-energy in room of origin ignites everything.
Temperature is 1400◦F or 760◦C.
3:50 Two minutes after smoke detectors sounds, 2nd exit is only way
out.
4:33 Flames just now visible from exterior of house – first evidence
of fire from outside. At this point, rescue may not be possible.

▪ Why Seconds Count -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piofZLySsNc
▪ Stages of fire growth -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9qu4GCch-dM
▪ How fast does fire spread -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsaLCdC3iWw
Phases of fire:
I. Ignition – First stage: heat, oxygen, and fuel source combine and have a chemical reaction
(fire triangle is complete)
➢ also known as incipient
➢ 2 types: Piloted ignition and auto ignition
Piloted ignition – fuel + oxygen + external heat source (spark)
Auto ignition – combustion by heat without spark or flame
➢ Smoke and heat are produced.
➢ Oxygen supply = 21%
➢ does not have high temperatures
➢ Breathing is barely affected.

II. Growth – Expansion of fire, depletion of oxygen supply, and increase in temperature
➢ also known as free burning phase
➢ Oxygen supply is less than 21%.
➢ Temperatures reach between 640° to 870°.
➢ Factors that affect the growth of fire:
(1) fuel load,
(2) fuel type,
(3) orientation of fuel relative to fire,
(4) available oxygen,
(5) ceiling height,
(6) potential for thermal layering
➢ Fire influences the environment and is influenced by the environment.
➢ High levels of carbon monoxide.
➢ Breathing becomes difficult.
➢ Highly dangerous flashovers may occur anytime.

III. Fully Developed – All fuels have been ignited and burning.
➢ Hottest phase of a fire.
➢ Fire is now dependent on the amount of oxygen.
➢ Spread of flammable gases within the area.
➢ Oxygen supply < 16%
➢ Too much carbon monoxide is present.

IV. Decay – Fire starts to diminish as fuel and/or oxygen is consumed

➢ also known as smoldering phase
➢ Usually, the longest stage of a fire.
➢ Characterized by significant decrease in oxygen and fuel.
➢ Backdraft could potentially occur.

Definition of terms:
1. Backdraft – phenomenon in which fire that has consumed all available oxygen suddenly
explodes when more oxygen is made available, usually because a door or window is
opened
2. Flashover – rapid transition from the growth to fully developed stage; materials in room
ignite all at once; tongues of flame roll across ceiling; radiant heat affects materials in room,
raising them to ignition temperature
3. Fuel load – total amount of potential fuel for a fire in a given area
4. Ignition temperature – minimum temperature at which a substance burn
 5. Thermal layering – tendency of gases to form into layers according to temperature (hottest
gases at the top layer, cooler gases form at the lower layers)

Classes of fire:
✓ Class A – fuels are ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, plastic, or anything that
leaves ash.
✓ Class B – fuels are flammable or combustible liquids like petroleum oil, gasoline, paint, and
flammable gasses such as propane and butane. Cooking oils and grease are NOT part of
class B fires.
✓ Class C – fuels are energized electrical fires like motors, transformers, and appliances.
Once the power or source of electricity is removed, the fire becomes one of the other
classes of fire.
✓ Class D – fuels are combustible metals like potassium, sodium, aluminum, titanium, and
magnesium.
✓ Class K – fuels are cooking oils, grease such as animal fat and vegetable fats.

▪ The Smokin' Science of Fire Extinguishers -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Epa_2mCi4lw

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES AND PROPER PROCEDURES TO FIRES

BASIC RESPONSE PROCEDURES TO FIRES:

1. IF INSIDE A BURNING AREA
a. Once you hear the fire alarm, evacuate to a safe area right away.
b. If you see fires, pull fire alarms as you exit the area. Inform other people
present in the area of the fire that is occurring.
c. If the fire is still small and can be extinguished, use an appropriate fire
extinguisher (recall the different classes of fire). Usually, normal fire
extinguishers do the job, but if unavailable, buckets of water or damp cloths
would do.
Note: One should only fight a fire if the fire department has been notified, the fire is
small, fire is confined to its point of origin, an escape route is available, and one can fight
the fire with their back to the exit.
a. If the fire is already large and is rapidly spreading (growth phase),
immediately find the nearest exit and exit the area.
b. Touch doors first to check if they are warm before opening them. If they are
warm, do not attempt to open and proceed to a different route.
c. Use the stairs not elevators.
d. Close all windows and doors that you can reach as you exit.
e. If there is smoke, stay as low as possible. Also, try to cover your nose to
prevent inhalation.
f. Once outside, move away from the exits and assemble in a safe area
designated by the evacuation plan of the area or by emergency response
teams.

2. IF OUTSIDE A BURNING AREA

 a. Do not attempt to go inside the burning area.
b. Immediately contact the nearest fire station and other emergency response
numbers.
c. Listen and follow orders of the emergency response teams.
d. Organize/Participate in a bucket relay. Bucket relay is when people help the
fire fighters by passing buckets full of water either to try to extinguish the fire
or to prevent the fire from further spreading.

e. If you catch fire, do the “stop, drop, and roll” right away.
f. If you are unable to leave the area unscathed or you have suffered burns,
immediately attend to them depending on the degree of burn.

▪ Red Alert: Fire safety and Protection tips -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxdqu23L0PE
▪ Red Alert: Standard operating procedure (SOP) of firefighters -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhxE6yoNTkk
▪ Red Alert: Fire Prevention Tips -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYQiKyMBh9w

FOLLOWING FIRE EMERGENCY AND EVACUATION PLANS

Conduct the Fire Drill
 PHASE 1: ALARM – Fire alarms are sounded.
 PHASE 2: RESPONSE – Learners will have to be alert for fire, and smoke.
 PHASE 3: EVACUATION – All building occupants evacuate, following pre-determined
routes to the evacuation areas.
 PHASE 4: ASSEMBLY – At the designated evacuation area, learners are grouped
together.
 PHASE 5: HEAD COUNT – Teachers should check to make sure all participants are
accounted for.
 PHASE 6: EVALUATION – Evaluation of the drill is conducted to identify problems
during the drill and how these be corrected.

▪ Fire Safety - Have Two Ways Out -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C9KSFRq4rXA
▪ When the Fire Starts -
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWhTdfHQWqs

ILLUSTRATING SAFETY | P: At the end of the activity, the

learners will be able to develop their own emergency
preparedness plan in case of a fire.
 Following Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plans
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Draw a fire escape plan with two or more possible exits of your temporary or permanent
residence. Note also the location of firefighting equipment such as fire hose cabinets or fire
extinguishers.
2. Also, indicate in the plan the possible sources of fire (e.g., kitchen, storeroom, etc.) and the
evacuation route from your residence to the nearest staging area.

5 – STEPS SERIES OF RESPONSES DURING A FIRE HAZARD

Precautionary Measures and Proper Procedures to Fires

Basic Response Procedures to Fires

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Considering all precautionary measures and the fire tetrahedron, write a 5 – steps series of actual
responses (briefly describe each) to be undertaken in the following scenarios at home:
FULLY DEVELOPED FIRE IN YOUR
SMALL/MANAGABLE FIRE IN YOUR KITCHEN
SLEEPING ROOM
and LIVING ROOM

CASE ANALYSIS: Written Work 3 | M4 WW3 (30 points).

At the end of the activity, the learners will be able to:
A. classify types of fire based on given actual fire incident, and
B. identify the proper set of responses as part of fire hazard
management.
INSTRUCTIONS:
I. The result of this activity will be recorded as your Written Work No 3
II. Access the information regarding the following fire events:
FAMILY NAME INITIALS
(you are assigned to only one
FIRE EVENTS IN THE PHILIPPINES
fire event based on your family
name initial)
http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/philippines-thousands-homeless-after-
A, B, C and D manilapredawn-fire-1490249

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/847077/2-kids-dead-in-bulacan-
E, F, G and H
fireworks-factory-explosion
http://www.cbc.ca/news/
I, J, K and L world/24-die-in-fire-at-philippines-department-store-1.628176
https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/news/regions/388317/1-
M, N, O and P
killed-in-zamboanga-fire-report/story/
 http://cnnphilippines.com/regional/
Q, R, S and T 2015/07/08/lian-batangas-fire.html
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-67223/75-die-
U, V and W
Philippine-hotel-fire.html
https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/844281/2-dead-p10m-lost-in-8-
X, Y, and Z
hour-mandaluyong-fire

III. Based on the specific fire information assigned to you, complete the table below. [6pts.]

Specify the No. of Dead/

Date and Time Present Estimated Cost
Location Injured/
of Occurrence Components of of Damage
the Fire Triangle Displaced

For instructions IV to VII, shade the circle/s which correspond/s to the correct answer on the
ZipGrade form provided as an answer sheet at the end of this module.

IV. Additional questions: (Select your answer from the choices inside the parentheses.)
1. The fire event assigned to you is caused by (A. Carelessness and accidents |
B. Electrical equipment | C. Smoking or lightning of fire material) [2pts.]
2. and is classified as (A. CLASS A | B. CLASS B | C. CLASS C | D. CLASS D |
E. CLASS K) fire. [2pts.]

V. Provide what is being described or complete the following statements. Refer to

these choices: A. EDITH | B. PASS | C. stop, drop and roll | D. BFP | E. RACE [5pts.]
3. They are responsible for the prevention and suppression of all destructive fires.
4. These are essential steps to take if you discover a fire.
5. If you catch fire, do the _____ right away.
6. These set of actions can help you and your family prepare for an emergency like fire.
7. This summarizes how to properly operate a fire extinguisher.

VI. MULTIPLE CHOICE: Shade the circle which corresponds to the correct answer. [5
pts.]
8. Which of the following should you do if you are unable to evacuate a burning
building?
A. Open windows to let the B. Break windows
smoke out
 C. Breathe through your D. Stay low under the smoke
mouth
9. Below is a list of fire extinguisher types matched with surfaces on which they can be
used. Which is the incorrect option?
A. Class A - Cloth, wood, paper, and rubber
B. Class B - Plastics, polyethylene, Styrofoam
C. Class C - electrical equipment and computers
D. Class D - Combustible metals such as K

10. Where should you aim a fire extinguisher nozzle when putting out a fire?
A. At the top of the fire C. At the center of the fire
B. At the base of the fire D. Away from the fire
11. If a person's home is burning, when would it make sense to go back into the home
after already getting outside?
A. To save a person or pet
B. To gather important documents
C. To try to put out the fire
D. Never go back into a burning home for any reason
12. Putting water on a fire to extinguish it removes the _____ element from the fire
tetrahedron.
A. Oxygen
B. Fuel
C. Heat
D. chain reaction

VII. MULTIPLE MATCHING-TYPE: Match column A (examples of fuel) to column B

(kinds of fire) then, match column B to column C (kinds of fire extinguishers). [10
pts.]

COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C

13. lard A. class A AB. dry powder
14. LPG B. class B AC. water
15. methane C. class C AD. wet chemical
16. paper D. class D
17. vegetable oil E. class E
AE. class F/K
14