RUTHCHELL A.

CIRIACO
1 BS ACCOUNTANCY- C
BASIC ELEMENTS OF
FIRE
There are four fundamental elements required for fire
in any setting:
1. Fuel
There must be a substance to burn in order for a fire to
ignite, and this is referred to as the fuel. Any combustible
material, such as paper, oils, wood, gases, fabrics, liquids,
plastics, and rubber, can be used as fuel. The moisture
content, size, shape, and quantity of a fire's fuel are
typically characteristics that determine how quickly the
fuel can burn and at what temperature.
THERE ARE FOUR FUNDAMENTAL ELEMENTS REQUIRED FOR
FIRE IN ANY SETTING:
2. Heat
In order for ignition to occur, heat must be present. All
flammable materials emit flammable vapors that
ignite when heat is applied. Heat is also responsible
for the spread and maintenance of fire because it
removes moisture from nearby fuel, warms the
surrounding environment, and pre-heats fuel in its
direction, making it easier for it to migrate and
expand.
There are four fundamental elements required for fire in
any setting:
3. Oxygen
Fires require oxygen in addition to fuel and heat to remain alight. The
oxidising agent in the chemical reaction is ambient air, which contains
about 21% oxygen and is used so most fires only take at least 16
percent oxygen to burn. As the fuel burns, it mixes with the oxygen in
the air to produce heat and combustion.
There are four fundamental elements required for fire in
any setting:
4. Extinction of the fire
Each of the three parts of the fire triangle must be
eliminated to put out a fire. So, if a fire runs out of
gasoline, it will smolder; if you can cool it down, it will
lose heat and go out; and if you strip out the oxygen, it
will suffocate. As a result, efforts to put out a fire and
even to suppress one are founded on these ideas. Fire
covers, for example, keep out a fire by withdrawing
oxygen and thereby suppressing it. Similarly, fire
extinguishers are intended to kill all of the three
components – for example, water fire extinguishers
cool the fire and prevent all flame.
There are four fundamental elements required for fire in
any setting:
4. Extinction of the fire
Fire mitigation strategies have also formulated in
regards to the chemical reaction that happens after a
fire occurs, following the same standards of conduct.
It's important to take precautions including putting
flammable liquids away and making sure stacks of
paper or clothing aren't left near any potential heat
sources.
The incidence of fires and the harm they inflict can
be greatly decreased by employing this specific fire
safety awareness.
CLASSIFICATION OF FIRE
Class A (Solids)

• Class A fires are fires involving solids. This type of fuel could be paper
and cardboard, common in offices and manufacturing. It could be
furniture, or fixtures and fittings. It could even be the structure of the
building.
• This is one of the most common types of fire because solids are the most
common type of fuel and one that is hard to eliminate. Good
housekeeping should help to keep materials like packaging and waste
reduced, minimising risks.
• The only type of fire extinguisher you should use on a class A fire is the
water extinguisher. This is the most popular type of extinguisher because
it can handle most fires involving solids. But, as a conductor, it should
never be used near electrical equipment.
Class B (Liquids)
• Class B fires are fires involving liquids. Many of the fluids, liquids and chemicals
used in workplaces can be flammable or explosive. Like cleaning fluids,
solvents, fuels, inks, adhesives and paints.
• According to statistics, in 2010/11 flammable liquids accounted for only 2% of
fires, but a massive 21% of fatalities. These fires are rare but more deadly than
other types of fire.
• Make sure you know what flammable liquids are used in your workplace, and
carry out a COSHH assessment. COSHH assessments are a legal requirement, for
any hazardous substances. This about safe storage and use of these substances,
keep them in labelled containers and away from sources of ignition.
• Should a class B fire ignite, foam or powder extinguishers are the best types of
extinguishers to attack this type of fire.
Class C (Gases)

• Class C fires are fires involving gases. This could be natural gas, LPG or
other types of gases forming a flammable or explosive atmosphere.
• Work with gas is dangerous, and increases fire risk. Keep stored gases in
sealed containers in a safe storage area, and ensure that gas work is
carried out by competent persons.
• While extinguishers can be used on class C gas fires, the only safe
method to attack this type of fire is to shut off the gas supply. The best type
of extinguisher to put out the fire only the supply of gas is cut off, is a dry
powder extinguisher.
Class D (Metals)

• Metals are not often thought of as a combustible material, some types of

metal can be, like sodium. Metals are also good conductors, helping a
fire spread. All metals will soften and melt at high temperature, which
can be a big problem when metal joists and columns are present in a fire
as structural elements.
• Water can actually act as an accelerant on metal fires, so how would you
tackle a class D fire? There are dry powder extinguishers developed to
tackle metal fires. The powder inside the extinguisher may vary
depending on the type of metal risk it is designed for. Small metal fires
can sometimes be smothered with dry earth or sand.
Electrical Fires
• This is not strictly a class (class E) of fire, because electricity is more or
a source of ignition than a fuel. However, fires in live electrical
equipment are an additional hazard. You don't want to be using water, or
any other conductor as that could be fatal.
• Electrical fires are not given their own full class, as they can fall into any
of the classifications. After all it is not the electricity burning but
surrounding material that has been set alight by the electric current.
• Making sure electrical equipment and installations are installed
correctly, and inspected and maintained, will help to reduce the risk of
this type of fire.
• While you shouldn't use water to attack an electrical fire, you can use
other types of fire extinguishers. Like carbon dioxide, and dry powder in
low voltage situations. Always turn off the power supply if you can.
Class F (Cooking Fats & Oils)

• Deep fat frying and spillages of flammable oils near to heat sources
in kitchens can result in a class F fire.
• Never leave food or frying equipment unattended during use. The
only type of extinguisher approved for use on cooking oils and fats
is the wet chemical extinguisher. For small class F fires, you could
also use a fire blanket.
HOW FIRE SPREAD?

A fire spreads by
transferring heat
energy in three
ways: Radiation,
Convection,
and Conduction.
RADIATION

• Radiation refers to the emission of energy in rays or waves. Heat moves through
space as energy waves. It is the type of heat one feels when sitting in front of a
fireplace or around a campfire. It travels in straight lines at the speed of light. This is
the reason that when facing the fire, only the front is warmed. The backside is not
warmed until the person turns around. The earth is heated by the sun through
radiation. Sunburns are a fact of life when people are exposed to the sun very
long. Most of the preheating of fuels ahead of a fire is by radiation of heat from the
fire. As the fire front gets closer, the amount of radiant heat received is increased.
CONVECTION

• Convection is the transfer of heat by the physical movement of

hot masses of air. As air is heated, it expands (as do all
objects). As it expands, it becomes lighter then the surrounding
air and it rises. (This is why the air near the ceiling of a heated
room is warmer than that near the floor.) The cooler air rushes in
from the sides. It is heated in turn and it also rises. Soon a
convection column is formed above the fire which can be seen by
the smoke that is carried aloft in it. This �in-draft� of cooler air
from the side helps to supply additional oxygen for the combustion
process to continue.
CONDUCTION

• Conduction is the transfer of heat within the material itself. Most

metals are good heat conductors. Wood is a very poor conductor
so it transmits heat very slowly. This can be illustrated by the fact
that a wooden handle on a hot frying pan remains cool enough to
be held by the bare hands. Conduction is not an important factor
in the spread of forest fires.
DEMONSTRATION
• Light the candle again that we used in the
previous demonstration. (Note that you can
hold the match while the other end burns
because wood is not a good conductor of
heat.) Now hold your hand out beside the
candle and move it closer until the heat can
be felt. The heat from the candle is reaching
your hand by radiation. Move your hand in
closer to the candle. What happens to the
hand? It gets warmer because the radiant heat
did not have to travel as far. Now hold your
hand over the candle and move it as close as
you can. Can you hold it as close as you can
from the side? You can't because of the
convection heat rising from the candle in
addition to the radiant heat.
METHODS OF
EXTINGUISHING FIRE
COOLING
• One of the most common methods of extinguishing a fire is by cooling
with water. This process depends on cooling the fuel to a point where it
does not produce sufficient vapour to burn, with the reduction in
temperature dependent on the application of an adequate flow of water
to establish a negative heat balance. For example, if the rate at which
heat is generated by combustion is lower than the rate at which it is lost
from the burning material, burning will not continue.
• To extinguish a fire by cooling, the rate at which heat energy is lost from
the burning material must be increased by removing some of the heat
energy. This reduces the temperature of the burning mass, reducing the
heat release rate. Eventually, the rate at which heat is lost from the fire
may be greater than the rate of heat production and the fire will die
away.
SMOTHERING
• If the oxygen supply to the burning material can be sufficiently
reduced, burning will cease. The general procedure is to prevent
fresh air from reaching the seat of the fire, allowing the
combustion to reduce the oxygen content in the confined
atmosphere until it extinguishes itself, for example by:
1. 1. Snuffing out candles
2. Smothering a pan with a fire blanket
3. Wrapping a person in a fire blanket
4. Applying a blanket of foam over the burning surface, thus
separating the fuel from the air
STARVATION
• In some cases, a fire can be extinguished simply by removing the fuel source. This may be
accomplished in a number of ways, such as stopping the flow of liquid or gaseous fuel,
removing solid fuel in the path of the fire or allowing the fire to burn until all of the fuel is
consumed.
• Fires can be starved of fuel by removing potential fuel from the vicinity of the fire, for
example:
1. Back burning forestry fires
2. Draining fuel from burning oil tanks
3. Removing cargo from a ship's hold
4. Creating firebreaks in peat, heathland and forest fires
5. Removing vehicles in the proximity of the fire
6. Creating firebreaks in thatch roofs
7. Removing tyres not affected by the fire from a tyre dump
PARTS OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER
In general, regardless of the class of extinguisher and the type of
extinguishing agent they may contain, you can expect a fire
extinguisher to have a:

• Cylindrical Tank
• Valve
• Carry Handle
• Operating Lever
• Pull Pin
• Tamper Seal
Each of these parts has a vital role to play, and some work
together to perform one main function of the extinguisher.

• Pressure Gauge
• Discharge Hose
• Discharge Nozzle
• Instruction Label
• Monthly inspection tag
• Annual inspection tag
• Extinguishing Agent and Propellant
EMERGENCY PROCEDURE FOR FIRE
(evacuation and response)
Fire and evacuation alarms are intended to alert
building occupants that a fire or other life-
threatening situation exists. Upon hearing the
alarm, everyone should leave the building
immediately. In the event of a fire, the following
steps should be taken to ensure the safety of all
building occupants:
1. Activate the fire alarm.
2. Call 911 immediately and provide information.
3. Assist injured personnel or notify emergency responders of the medical emergency.
4. Exit the building following emergency maps.
5. Assist physically impaired individuals to a secure area and notify emergency
responders.
6. Ensure all personnel are out of the building.
7. Do not use the elevators.
8. Use a fire extinguisher only if safe to do so and you have been trained.
9. Assemble personnel at a remote location noted on evacuation maps.
10. Report hazardous conditions.
11. Stay low if confronted with smoke. Check closed doors for heat before opening.
12. Stay away from the building until it is safe to return.