FIRE DETECTION AND

WARNING
 TYPES OF FIRE DETECTORS
 Heat Detector
 Smoke Detector
 Flame Detector
 TYPES OF HEAT DETECTORS
• Fixed temperature heat detectors
alert to the dangerous situation when a particular
temperature is exceeded. They usually get activated when
the temperature rises above 135 degrees.
How it works
 RATE-OF-RISE HEAT DETECTORS
• ROR heat detectors work on the rapid increase in the
element temperature of around 12°F – 15°F per
minute
• is a detector that triggers the fire alarm when the rate of
temperature increase in the surroundings rises above a
certain rate. The air in the air chamber will expand and close
the contact.
Mechanism of Rate of Rise Heat Detector
SMOKE DETECTORS
 What is smoke
• What is smoke?
• Smoke is the collection of airborne solid and
liquid particulates and gases emitted when a
material undergoes combustion, mixed with the
quantity of air that is mixed into the particulate
mass.
• Smoke particulates are generally grouped in
three particle sizes. Depending on particle size,
smoke can be visible or invisible to the naked
eye.
 Photoelectric Smoke detector
• Photoelectric smoke alarms are generally
more responsive to fires that begin with a long
period of smoldering (called “smoldering
fires”).

How they work: Photoelectric-type alarms aim a

light source into a sensing chamber at an angle
away from the sensor. Smoke enters the
chamber, reflecting light onto the light sensor;
triggering the alarm.
 Ionization Smoke Detector
• Ionization smoke alarms are generally more
responsive to flaming fires.

How they work: Ionization-type smoke alarms

have a small amount of radioactive material
between two electrically charged plates, which
ionizes the air and causes current to flow between
the plates. When smoke enters the chamber, it
disrupts the flow of ions, thus reducing the flow
of current and activating the alarm
 Inside the smoke alarm, there

1 are two tiny metal plates

called electrodes that are
connected to a battery.

Inside, there is a substance called Americium-241. This converts air molecules

2 into positive and negative ions. Because opposite attracts, negative ions move
towards the positive plates and positive ions to the negative plate thus creating
a path of electricity
 When the smoke enters, the

3 ions bond with the smoke,

breaking the path of
electricity.

4
When the flow of electricity is reduced, the alarm goes
off.
 FLAME DETECTOR
is a sensor designed to detect and respond to the
presence of a flame or fire, allowing flame detection.
Responses to a detected flame depend on the
installation, but can include sounding an alarm,
deactivating a fuel line (such as a propane or
a natural gas line), and activating a fire suppression
system. When used in applications such as industrial
furnaces, their role is to provide confirmation that
the furnace is working properly; in these cases they
take no direct action beyond notifying the operator or
control system. A flame detector can often respond
faster and more accurately than a smoke or heat
detector due to the mechanisms it uses to detect the
flame
Optical
Flame
Detector
• Damper - A normally open device installed inside an
air duct system which automatically closes to
restrict the passage of smoke or fire.

• Fire Trap - A building unsafe in case of fire because

it will burn easily or because it lacks adequate exits
or fire escapes.

• Fire Alarm - Any visual or audible signal produced

by a device or system to warm the occupants of the
building or fire fighting elements of the presence or
danger of fire to enable them to undertake
immediate action to save life and property and to
suppress the fire.

• Fire Door - A fire resistive door prescribed for

openings in fire separation walls or partitions.
• Fire Hazard - Any condition or act which
increases or may cause an increase in the
probability of the occurrence of fire, or which
may obstruct, delay, hinder or interfere with fire
fighting operations and the safeguarding of life
and property.

• Sprinkler System - An integrated network of

hydraulically designed piping installed in a
building, structure or area with outlets arranged
in a systematic pattern which automatically
discharges water when activated by heat or
combustion products from a fire.
 Classes of Fire

CLASS A - Ordinary Combustibles

such as wood, paper,
rubber, plastic, cloth, etc.

CLASS B - Surface Fire

(Flammable/Combustible
liquids and gases) such as gasoline,
alcohol, paints, thinner, grease,
LPG release of gas
CLASS C - Electrical Fire
(Involves live electrical equipment)
such as motors, electric fan,
air-conditioning unit, computer, etc.

CLASS D - Combustible Metals

such as aluminum, magnesium,
sodium, titanium, etc.
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 (i.e., no escape route, smoke, explosion
hazard, etc.), or otherwise requires the expertise of a fire brigade.
Types of Fire Extinguisher and their
Uses
P.A.S.S. METHOD
 Siting and Installing Fire
Extinguishers
1. Locate your extinguishers in conspicuous
positions centrally placed in the building so that
they will be readily seen, if possible position
them along fire escape routes
2. Don’t fixe on walls behind opening doors or hide
away in cupboards.
3. Don’t place the extinguisher randomly on the
bare floor where it can be overturned or
damaged
4. Position the extinguisher in such a way that no
 SIGNAGE
A sign reading "EXIT" with an
arrow indicating the direction
shall be placed in every location
where the direction of travel to
reach the nearest exit is not
immediately apparent.

Internally illuminated signs shall

be provided in all occupancies
where reduction of normal
illumination is permitted, such as
in motion picture theaters.
Size of sign Every exit shall have the word
"EXIT" in plainly legible letters not less than
fifteen centimeters (15 cm) high with the
principal strokes of letters not less than
nineteen millimeters (19 mm) wide,
 Means of exit
• Minimum width= 915 mm
• Number of means of Exit:
when occupation load is 500-1000; at least 3
1000 above; at least 4
• Elevator lobbies shall have access to at least
one exit. Such exit access shall not require the
use of a key, a tool, special knowledge, or
special effort.
 National Building Code
• Section C: Doors
1. Swing. Exit doors shall swing in the direction of
exit travel when serving any hazardous areas, or
when serving an occupant load of 50 or more.
Double acting doors shall not be used as a part of
fire assembly, nor equipped with panic hardware.
A double acting door shall be provided with a
view panel of not less than 1300 square
centimeters (200 square inches).
2. Type of Lock or Latch. Exit door shall be openable
from the inside without the use of a key or any
special knowledge or effort: Except, That this
requirement shall not apply to exterior exit doors
in a Group E or F Occupancy if there is a
conspicuous, readily visible and durable sign on or
adjacent to the door, stating that the door is to
remain unlocked during business hours. The
locking device must be of a type that will be
readily distinguishable as locked. Flush bolts or
surface bolts are prohibited.
(3) Width and Height. Every required exit doorway
shall be of a size as to permit the installation of a
door not less than 90 centimeters (3 feet) in width
and not less than 2.00 meters (6 feet, 7 inches) in
height. When installed in exit doorways, exits
doors shall be capable of opening at least 90
degrees and shall be so mounted that the clear
width of the exitway is not less than 70
centimeters (2 feet, 4 inches). In computing the
required exit width, the net dimension of the
exitway shall be used.
(4) Door Leaf Width. No leaf an exit door shall
exceed 1.20 meters (4 feet) in width.

(5) Special Doors. Revolving, sliding, and

overhead doors shall not be used as required
exits.

(6) Egress from Door. Every required exit door

shall give immediate access to an approved
means of egress from the building.
(7) Change in Floor Level at Doors. Regardless of
the occupant load, there shall be a floor or
landing on each side of and exit door. The floor
or landing shall be level with, or not more than 5
centimeters (2 inches) lower than the threshold
of the doorway: Except, That in Groups A and B
Occupies, a door may open on the top step of a
flight of stairs or an exterior landing providing
the door does not swing over the top step or
exterior landing and the landing is not more
than 19 centimeters (7-1/2 inches) below the
floor level.
(8) Door Identification. Glass doors shall conform to the
requirements specified in Section 10.05.05. Other exit
doors shall be so marked that they are readily
distinguishable from the adjacent construction.

(9) Additional Doors. When additional doors are

provided for egress purposes, they shall conform to all
provisions in the following cases: Approved revolving
door having leaves which will collapse under opposing
pressures may be used in exit situations: Provided, That
such doors have a minimum width of 2.00 meters (6
feet, 7 inches); or they are not used in occupancies
where exits are required to be equipped with panic
hardware; or at least one conforming exit door is
located adjacent to each revolving door installed in a
building, and the revolving door shall not be considered
to provide any exit width
WHAT TO DO
INCASE OF FIRE
If you discover a fire, immediately sound the
alarm.

If you hear the building’s fire alarm, prepare to

leave immediately according to established
evacuation plan.

If you have no designated responsibilities. Do as

your FIRE BRIGADE members tell you or leave
the building quickly and quietly by indicated route.
DO NOT TRY TO USE THE ELEVATORS.
Try to close doors and windows as you make
your way to fire exits.

If smoke is thick or heavy crawl to the nearest fire

exit. The air from the floors and 15 inches above is
smoke free.

If you have to dash through smoke or flame, hold

your breath. More people have been killed by smoke
than by flames.
If you are outside the building, take no chances in
entering the burning building to save property.
Only the saving of lives justifies personal risks.

Do not jump out off an upper floor window.

When a fire breaks out and there is a panic rush for

the main stairways, keep out of the crowd and use
any of the other fire exits.
Feel any closed door to see if they are hot before
they are opened.

If all your escape routes are cut off. DON’T PANIC,

close the door or the room you are in and go out to a
window and wait to be rescued, make a lot of noise to
draw the attention of rescuers.

If you are injured, seek medical treatment as soon

as you can. Many burns or smoke inhalations,
which at first do not appear serious can be fatal.
In case of fire, just remember the acronym
RACE to be able to respond properly:

R = RESCUE anyone in immediate danger

from the fire, if it does not endanger your life
A = ALARM: sound the alarm by calling Fire
Department and activating a pull station alarm
box
C = CONFINE the fire by closing all doors
and windows
E = EXTINGUISH the fire with a fire
extinguisher, or EVACUATE the area if the
fire is too large for a fire
extinguisher.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE CATCHES ON FIRE:

STOP where you are DROP to the floor, and ROLL around the floor.

This will smother the flames, possibly saving your life.

STOP, DROP AND ROLL.
WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE CATCHES ON FIRE:

If a co-worker catches on fire, smother flames by grabbing

a blanket or rug and wrapping them up in it.

KNOWLEDGE, AWARENESS AND PREPARATION-

these are your keys to preventing and surviving fires
wherever they occur.
AFTER:

-DON’T Re- enter or permit anyone to enter the

building, unless the fire officials have given permission
to enter.
-HEADCOUNT.
-Confirm that all employee/students have reached their
homes safely.
-Review the fire risk management plan and evacuation
plan.
-Implement / execute recommendations by Fire
Department and /or building professional before
reopening school for classes or resuming business
operations.
AREA OF REFUGE AND THE REQUIREMENTS

What is an Area of Refuge?

An area of refuge is a designated location within a building
specially designed to hold people safely during an
emergency. The area of refuge is set aside for situations
when evacuation may not be possible or is otherwise unsafe.

For example, patients in a hospital may not be able to use a

stairwell to exit the building when there is a fire. People can
wait in the area of refuge safely until rescued by firefighters
or emergency rescue teams. This area may also have the
name “area of rescue assistance.”
Who may utilize an area of refuge?

-Elderly people
-People with disabilities
-Hospital patients
-Sick people
-Very young children or infants
-Operators in a critical facility who cannot leave their
station (military base, power station, prison)
-Any person who cannot access an escape route
-Any person assisting another person who is unable to
escape
-People on the upper floors of a building who cannot
safely take stairs through lower levels where a fire is
present
What is required to create an area of refuge?

-Location adjacent to an emergency exit path

-Signs designating where to go for shelter
-A fire barrier for protection
-Fresh air intake
-Emergency lighting for power outages
-A two-way voice communication system
-Large enough for wheelchair accessibility
-Located where it doesn’t block others trying to escape
-In public buildings, it must exist on every floor above
ground level
Communication systems for an area of refuge:
-A two-way voice communication system
-Call button for those awaiting rescue in area of refuge
-A confidence light to indicate an active call button
-An acknowledgment light to show that someone at the
central control point knows about the call for help