FIRE

Fire can be defined as a process in which substances combine chemically with

oxygen from the air and typically give out bright light, heat, and smoke; combustion
or burning.
Causes of fire
There are four major reasons why fires occur, these being:
1. Apathy
People know what causes fire but do not care. They have an attitude “I’m all right,
it’s not going to happen to me.”
2. Ignorance
People simply do not know what causes fires of how to use fire safely. They have
not been taught about fire hazards and what they can do to prevent fires.
3. Carelessness
People do not pay attention to the little details of safety. Some are negligent and
reckless with things they know are dangerous.
4. Arson
Peoples light fires intentionally for various reasons. This is a criminal offence.
Classes of fire
Fires can be classified based on what fuels them
Class A - fires involving solid materials such as wood, paper or textiles.
Class B - fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel or oils.
Class C - fires involving gases.
Class D - fires involving metals.
Class E - fires involving live electrical apparatus. (Technically ‘Class E’ doesn’t exists
however this is used for convenience here)
Class F - fires involving cooking oils such as in deep-fat fryers.
Fire Triangle
From the definition of fire it can be deduced that fire is a sum total of three
components namely Fuel, Oxygen and Heat. These three component form the fire
triangle.

©Muna 2019
Removing any side of the triangle will extinguish the fire. Therefore it follows that
there should be three methods of extinguishing a fire. These are:
1. Cooling
Cooling involves reducing the temperature of the combustible material so that it falls
below its “ignition point”. The best medium for this purpose is water. In some
instances, however, water may not be the most appropriate medium to extinguish a
fire. Water would be in appropriate in an electrical fire as it is a conductor of
electricity and you would be electrocuted.
2. Starving
Starving involves removing the combustible material or fuel itself eg turning of the
gas.
3. Smothering
Smothering involves excluding all or part of the oxygen e.g. application of a dry
powder chemical or fire blanket. When oxygen is excluded from the fire, the fire is
unable to maintain combustion.
FIRE FIGHTING
There are several ways of putting out a fire. The success and safety of the process
relies on choosing the right fire fighting equipment based on the type of fire.
There are mounted and portable fire fighting equipment.
Mounted fire fighting equipment
1. Fire Horse Reel
A fire hose (or firehose) is a high-pressure hose that carries water or
other fire retardant (such as foam) to a fire to extinguish it. Outdoors, it attaches
either to a fire engine or a fire hydrant. Indoors, it can permanently attach to a
building's standpipe or plumbing system

©Muna 2019
 2. Automatic fire detection sprinkler system.
Automatic Fire Extinguishers are for fixed installation adjacent to a fire risk and
discharge automatically if a fire occurs. Dry Powder Automatic extinguishers are
commonly used in engine /plant rooms, switch rooms, boats and vehicles. These are
also commonly used in very highly secured environments such as banks.
Portable Fire fighting Equipment
1. Sand bucket
This is an ordinary bucket painted red and filled with sand. They are commonly used
at filling stations because sand is smothers away the oxygen needed to continue
combusting the fuel.

2. Fire Blanket
A fire blanket is a safety device designed to extinguish incipient (starting) fires. It
consists of a sheet of a fire retardant material which is placed over a fire in order to
smother it.
Small fire blankets, such as for use in kitchens and around the home are usually
made of fiberglass and are folded into a quick-release contraption for ease of
storage. Due to its simplicity, a fire blanket may be more helpful for someone who is
inexperienced with fire extinguishers.
Larger fire blankets, for use in laboratory and industrial situations, are often made
of wool (sometimes treated with a flame retardant fluid). These blankets are usually

©Muna 2019
mounted in vertical quick-release container so that they can be easily pulled out and
wrapped round a person whose clothes are on fire.

3. Fire Engines
A fire engine is a vehicle designed primarily for fire fighting operations. The terms
"fire engine" and "fire truck" are often used interchangeably; however in some fire
departments/fire services they refer to separate and specific types of vehicle.

4. Portable fire extinguishers

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control
small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-
control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user, or
otherwise requires the expertise of a fire brigade. They are pressurized cylinders
filled with either water, foam or gas.
Types of fire extinguisher

©Muna 2019
 1. Water Extinguishers
Water extinguishers are the most common fire extinguisher type for class A fire risk.
Most premises will require either water or foam extinguishers.
Label Colour: Bright Red
Use for: Organic materials such as Paper and cardboard, Fabrics and textiles, Wood
and coal
Do not use for: Fires involving electrical equipment, Kitchen fires, Flammable gas
and liquids
How water extinguishers work: The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it
to burn much more slowly until the flames are eventually extinguished.
Water spray extinguishers
Water spray extinguishers are equipped with a spray nozzle, rather than a jet nozzle,
meaning a greater surface area can be covered more quickly and the fire put out
more rapidly.
Water mist extinguishers
Water mist extinguishers have a different type of nozzle again which releases
microscopic water particles. These particles ‘suffocate’ the fire and also create a wall
of mist between the fire and the person using the extinguisher, reducing the feeling
of heat.

2. Foam Extinguishers

©Muna 2019
Foam extinguishers are most common type of fire extinguisher for Class B fires, but
also work on Class A fires as they are water-based.
Label Colour: Cream
Use for: Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard, Fabrics and textiles, Wood and coal, Flammable liquids, like
paint and petrol
Do not use for: Kitchen fires, Fires involving electrical equipment, Flammable metals
How foam extinguishers work:
As with water extinguishers, foam extinguishers have a cooling effect on the fuel. On
burning liquids, the foaming agent creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel,
extinguishing the fire.

3. Dry Powder Extinguishers

Standard dry powder extinguishers are also called ‘ABC’ extinguishers because they
tackle class A, B and C fires, however they are not recommended for use in enclosed

©Muna 2019
spaces. This is because the powder can be easily inhaled, and also the residue is
very difficult to clean up after. ABC powder extinguishers can also be used on some
electrical fires. Specialist dry powder extinguishers are used for flammable metals.
Label Colour: Blue
Use for: Organic materials such as: Paper and cardboard, Fabrics and textiles, Wood
and coal, Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol, Flammable gases, like liquid
petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylene, Fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v.
Specialist dry powder extinguishers are only used on flammable metals, such as
titanium and magnesium.
Do not use for: Fires involving cooking oil, Fires involving electrical equipment over
1000v or in enclosed spaces, such as offices or residential properties
How dry powder extinguishers work:
Dry powder extinguishers smother fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and
the source of oxygen.
4. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers

CO2 extinguishers are predominantly used for electrical fire risks and are usually the
main fire extinguisher type provided in computer server rooms. They also put out
Class B fires (flammable liquids, such as paint and petroleum).
Label Colour: Black
Use for: Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol and Electrical fires
Do not use for: Kitchen fires – especially chip-pan fires, Combustible materials like
paper, wood or textiles, Flammable metals
How CO2 extinguishers work:
CO2 extinguishers suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn.

5. Wet Chemical Extinguishers

©Muna 2019
Wet chemical extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, involving cooking
oils and fats. They can also be used on Class A fires although it is more usual to
have a foam or water extinguisher for this type of fire risk.
Label Colour: Yellow
Use for: Cooking oil/fat fires, Organic materials such as Paper and cardboard, Fabrics
and textiles, Wood and coal
Do not use for: Flammable liquid or gas fires, Electrical fires, Flammable metals
How wet chemical extinguishers work:
Wet chemical extinguishers create a layer of foam on the surface of the burning oil
or fat, preventing oxygen from fuelling the fire any further. The spray also has a
cooling effect.
Steps To Take When Using A Portable Fire Extinguisher
Step 1: Pull the safety pin from the handle
Step 2: Aim at the source of the fire not the flames
Step 3: Squeeze the lever at the handle
Step 4: Sweep around the nozzle from side to side

©Muna 2019
©Muna 2019