FIRE SAFETY

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Occupational Safety
Fire and
Safety
Health Center
 OBJECTIVES
At the conclusion of this session, the participants
will be able to:

• Recognize the causes and extent of fire incidents.

• Describe the chemistry, behavior and concept of
fire.
• Understand the principles of fire prevention,
suppression and control.
• Recognize the important elements of an effective
Fire Safety Program
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Fire Safety
 FIRE STATISTICS
(Analysis of more than 25,000 fires from U.S.)

• Electrical 22 %
• Incendiarism 10 %
• Smoking 9%
• Hot Surfaces 9%
• Friction 7%
• Welding & Cutting 7%
• Spontaneous Ignition 5%
• Static Electricity 2%
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Fire Safety
 CAUSES OF FIRES
(PHILIPPINE DATA)
1. Electrical 4. Smoking and Matches
a. Defective/Faulty 5. Friction
Wiring 6. Combustion Sparks
b. Overloaded Circuits 7. Static Electricity
c. Inoperable Safety 8. Lightning
Devices 9. Spontaneous Ignition
d. Overheating 10. Nature
2. Open flames and
candles
3. Liquefied Petroleum
Gas (LPG)
*BFP Data

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Fire Safety
2008 BFP FIRE INCIDENT REPORT

• Total of 7,726 fire incidents

• Death = 179
• Injuries = 609
• Damages = P 3.093 Billion*

*Losses sustained from social dislocation & cancelled

business opportunities in terms of unemployment,
destruction & pollution to the natural environment not
included.

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Fire Safety
TRAGIC FIRE INCIDENTS IN THE
PHILIPPINES
1996 Manila, Philippines
ƒ OZONE DISCO, QC
162 DEATHS + more than 100 injured
2001 Manila, Philippines
ƒ MANOR Hotel, QC
75 DEATHS + injured
2006 Leyte, Philippines
ƒ STORE fire, Ormoc City
24 DEATHS + injured

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Fire Safety
 CAUSES OF FIRE DEATHS
1. Inhalation of Toxic fumes:
– Carbon Monoxide (CO)
– Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
– Hydrogen Cyanide (HCn)
– Nitrous Oxide (N2O) / Nitrogen
– Dioxide (NO2)
– Fluorides (F) and Chlorides (Cl)

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Fire Safety
 CAUSES OF FIRE DEATHS
2. Insufficient oxygen (Asphyxia)
3. Effects of heat (Hyperthermia)
4. Bronchial and pulmonary swelling
(Edema) with blood congestion
(Hyperemia)
5. Ventricular fibrillation
6. Backdraft or smoke explosion

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Fire Safety
 FIRE SAFETY
• FIRE PREVENTION – Preventing occurrence of
destructive fire or reduce likelihood of
destructive fire.
• FIRE SUPPRESION – Extinguishing unwanted/
uncontrolled destructive fire. Means of
mitigation. Reduce the effect of destructive fire.
• FIRE EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS –
Preparing persons in the eventuality of a fire
emergency.

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Fire Safety
FIRE PREVENTION PRACTICES
•Correct all defective wiring systems.
•Never overload a power outlet.
•Unplug all appliances that are not in use.
•Never bypass fuses or circuit breakers.
•Never play with matches or lighters
•Always keep stoves that use LPG’s in good condition
•Practice safe storage of chemicals
•Smoke only in designated smoking areas.

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Fire Safety
PRINCIPLES OF FIRE PREVENTION
AND CONTROL
• Prevent the Outbreak of Fire
• Provide for Early Detection
• Prevent the Spread of Fire
• Provide for Prompt Extinguishment
• Provide for Prompt and Orderly Evacuation

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Fire Safety
 WHAT IS FIRE?

• It is frequently referred to as “rapid

oxidation with the evolution of light and
heat.”
• Fire is a chemical reaction between a
flammable or combustible material and
oxygen.
• Is the chemical union of heat, fuel and
oxygen produced in the proper proportions
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Fire Safety
 TRIANGLE OF FIRE

FUEL
Reducing Agent

Any material that will burn is classified as fuel

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Fire Safety
 FUEL
Flash point - is the lowest temperature at w/c fuel gives off
flammable vapors.

Flammable material – a material having a flashpoint below

100°F (37.8°C).

Flammable Substances Flashpoint

°F °C
Gasoline -45 -42.8
Ether -49 -45
Acetone 0 -17.8
Alcohol 55 12.8
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Fire Safety
 FUEL

Combustible material – a material having a flashpoint at or

above 100°F (37.8°C).

Combustible Substances Flashpoint

°F °C
Fuel Oil 100 37.8
Kerosene 100 37.8
Quenching Oil 365 185.0
Mineral Oil 380 193.3

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Fire Safety
WHICH IS MORE DANGEROUS?

Question: A substance with low flashpoint or a

substance with a high flashpoint?
Answer: The lower the flashpoint, the more
dangerous a substance is.

Question: How would you know the flashpoint of a

substance?
Answer: By looking at the label or even MSDS. Or
even by searching in the internet.
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Fire Safety
 OXYGEN

OXYGEN
Oxidizing Agent

Normally, air is 21% oxygen and 78% nitrogen.

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Fire Safety
 OXYGEN

• When oxygen content of air drops below

16%, the fire will normally go out for lack of
oxygen.
• In an atmosphere of pure oxygen, many
substances not normally considered
combustible will burn rapidly. Atmosphere
of pure oxygen or even oxygen enriched air
will produce fire of great intensity.

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Fire Safety
 HEAT

HEAT

Flames, cigarettes, matches, hot surfaces,

lasers, thermal sparks, welding torches, friction, etc
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Fire Safety
 SOURCES OF HEAT

• Electrical Heat Energy

• Arcing
• Welding and Cutting Sparks
• Mechanical Heat (friction heat)
– Slipping belt against pulley
• Friction Spark
– Dropping steel tools on a concrete floor
• Open Flames
– Cigarettes, matches, welding torch, internal
combustion engines
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Fire Safety
 HOTWORKS

• Welding and Cutting Sparks

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Fire Safety
 HOT WORK PERMIT
• An administrative
control of
controlling fire
hazards (fire
prevention).

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Fire Safety
 ELEMENTS OF FIRE
(FIRE TRIANGLE)
FROM AIR HEAT SOURCE

OXYGEN HEAT
Oxidizing Agent
Chemical
Reaction

FUEL
Reducing Agent

GASES LIQUIDS SOLIDS

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Fire Safety
 CLASSES OF FIRE

Class A - Ordinary
Combustibles
A
A E.g. wood, paper, rubber,
plastic etc
Class B - Surface Fire
B
B (flammable/combustible liquids
and gases)
E.g. gasoline, alcohol, paints,
thinner, grease, LPG release
of gas
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Fire Safety
 CLASSES OF FIRE
Class C - Electrical Fire (Involves live
C electrical equipment)
E.g. motors, electric fan, air-
conditioning unit, computer etc
D
D Class D - Combustible Metals
E.g. magnesium, sodium, titatium, etc.
Class K – Kitchen Fires
Recently recognized by NFPA 10.
Fires involving combustible vegetable
or animal non-saturated cooking fats
in commercial cooking equipment.
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Fire Safety
 STAGES OF FIRE

Incipient
Phase Free-burning
Phase Smoldering
Phase

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Fire Safety
 FIRE DETECTION AND
ALARM SYSTEM
• complete protective signaling
and control system i.e. fire
detection, alarm and
communication primarily
intended to provide the
indication and warning of
abnormal conditions,
• summoning of appropriate aid
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Fire Safety
 TYPES OF DETECTORS

• Smoke detectors
• Flame detectors
• Thermal/heat detectors

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Fire Safety
 HEAT TRANSFER
(HOW FIRE IS SPREAD)
• Conduction – transfer of
heat from molecule to
molecule
• Convection – caused by
movement of heat gasses
produced by any burning
material
• Radiation – transfer of heat
rays in straight rays
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Fire Safety
 EXTINGUISHMENTS OF FIRE

• Removal of Fuel

• Excluding or Limiting Oxygen

• Cooling

• By Interrupting the Chain Reaction

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Fire Safety
PERMANENT FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• Standpipe and Hose

• Automatic Sprinkler System
• Fire Hydrant
• Fire Pump
• Fire Truck
• Automatic fixed fire extinguishing system
(Ex. FM-200)
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Fire Safety
PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
WATER AFFF

DRY CHEMICAL HCFC-123

CARBON DIOXIDE DRY POWDER

D
D
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Fire Safety
PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
CONTAINER TYPES

STORED CARTRIDGE WHEELED

PRESSURE TYPE TYPE
TYPE

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Fire Safety
 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
REQUIREMENTS

• Approved Type
• The Right Type for the Class of Fire
• Sufficient Quantity
• Accessibly Located
• Maintained in Operating Condition
• Operable by Trained Personnel

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Fire Safety
USING FIRE EXTINGUISHER
P = Pull the Pin

A = Aim the Nozzle

S = Squeeze the trigger

S = Sweep side to side

at the base
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Fire Safety
 USING FIRE EXTINGUISHER
• Start approximately 6-8 feet from the fire then
squeeze the trigger slowly while moving towards
the fire
• 10-lb fire extinguishers lasts only 10-20
seconds. It should be used correctly.
• When the fire is extinguish, stop pulling the
trigger. In the event of a re-ignition, at least there
would still be contents inside the unit.
• Ensure that you have an escape path in case
the fire is not extinguished

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Fire Safety
PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
STANDARDS

FIRE CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES (PD 1185)

• PD 1185, Rule 6 Div. 1, Section 6.101-B states that “

Portable fire extinguishers should be available as a
requirement for fire fighting appliance”
• PD 1185, Rule 6, Div 1, Section 6.103 “Portable Fire
Extinguisher’s which have been installed shall be
maintained in an operative condition at all times and
shall be replaced or repaired when defective”

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Fire Safety
PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
STANDARDS
OCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH
STANDARDS

• OSH Rule 1944.05 (1a) “All places of employment shall

be provided with portable fire extinguishers for protection
against incipient fires”
• OSH Rule 1944.05 (1f) “All Extinguishers shall be
inspected monthly, to determine physical damages and
that they are in good operable condition”
• OSH Rule 1944.05 (1f) “All Extinguishers shall be
conspiciously located in unobstructed areas”

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Fire Safety
 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
INSPECTION
TRIGGER
1. Visually Check the following MOUNTING
(2 minutes)
Trigger: No Rust PIN
Mounting: Stable, no loose
screw GAUGE
Pin: Seal Intact
Gauge: Normal Range
(pointed in green area HOSE

Hose: No cracks, holes

Nozzle: Not blocked
Tank: No rust, corrosion NOZZLE
(esp. at the base) (DISCHARGE OUTLET)

Label/Instructions: visible
TANK

TANK BASE LABEL/INSTRUCTIONS

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Fire Safety
 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
INSPECTION
2. Slowly shake the fire extinguisher by turning it upside
down twice using both hands (one holding the trigger
and one holding the base) (10 Seconds)

RIGHT HAND

LEFT HAND

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Fire Safety
 FIRE EXTINGUISHER
INSPECTION
3. Write on the inspection tag the
following: (50 secs)
Date: Date inspected
Inspected By: Inspector
Pressure:
Full/Overcharged/Undercharged
Physical Condition: OK if it meets
condition stated in # 1
If condition not met, write the
observation (ex. “rusted tank”,
“no seal”, etc)

4. Undercharged units must be

refilled and defective units must
be replaced. INSPECTION TAG

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Fire Safety
 EXIT SAFETY

Travel
Distance
Clear,
Unobstructed &
Lighted
At least 2
ways out

Correct Exit
Design
Regular
Exit Drills

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Fire Safety
 FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATIONS
• Republic Act 9514 “Fire Code of the Philippines of 2008”
signed by President Arroyo on December 19, 2008
– Creation of a Fire Protection Modernization Trust Fund to
support the BFP’s modernization program
• 80% of the Fire Code fees will be remitted to the
National Treasury for the BFP Modernization Trust
Fund
• 20% shall be set aside by the city or municipal
government concerned for the use and maintenance of
the local fire station
– Gives the BFP chief the authority to issue closure orders
for buildings or structures declared as fire hazards,
notwithstanding any permits, clearances or certificates
earlier issued by local authorities
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Fire Safety
FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATIONS
– Order the removal of hazardous materials or halt
hazardous operations of business establishments
whose physical layout is prone to industrial-related fire
incidents, or order the work stoppage of structures still
being constructed for the absence or violation of any
approved construction plan
– Increase in administrative fines from the old rate of
P12,000 to P50,000 for violating the provisions of the
Fire Code, and from P20,000 to P100,000 for failure to
correct the deficiency or abate the fire hazard with
punishment of imprisonment of one to six years, in
addition to the payment of damage to victims if the
violation leads to the loss of life and damage to property
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Fire Safety
FIRE SAFETY LEGISLATIONS
– Imposes accountability on public officials or employees,
through reprimand, suspension, or removal, as well as
criminal penalties for negligence, malfeasance, or
misfeasance in performing their sworn duties to the
country

– Public officials who violate the law will be punished by a

jail term of six months to six years or a fine of not
more than P100,000 or both

– Requires that private fire volunteers and fire practitioners

should undergo a mandatory training and competency
evaluation to be conducted by the BFP. During firefighting
operations, fire volunteers shall be under the direct
operational control of the BFP fire ground commander.

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Fire Safety
 FIRE SAFETY PROGRAM
An effective Fire Safety Program must have the following:
• Fire Detection and Alarm System
– Fire Alarms, Detectors,
annunciators
• First Aid Fire Protection System
– Portable Fire Extinguisher
• Fixed Fire Protection System
– Sprinklers, Hydrants, Fire Hose/
Fire Hose Cabinets
• Fire Exit Doors, Fire Exit Signs,
directional arrows
• Fire emergency evacuation route
maps/evacuation plans
• Inspection and maintenance system
of fire detection, alarm, control and
suppression systems.
• Hot work permit system
Fire Safety
• Fire Safety Training
• Fire Principle
• Use of Portable fire Extinguishers
and other fire fighting equipment.
• Conduct of drills
• Working/active fire brigade team/
emergency response team
• Working/updated Emergency
Response Plans
• Response Procedures (What to
do’s)
• Emergency contact numbers
• Contingency and communication
plan
• Assembly area/assembly plan.
• Compliance to standards (OSHS, Fire
Code)
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 IMPORTANT
• IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE BEST
TIME TO STOP FIRE IS BEFORE IT
STARTS. AND THE BEST WAY TO
PREVENT THE OCCURRENCE OF
DESTRUCTIVE FIRE IS “TO HAVE NO
FIRE AT ALL”.

National Fire Protection Association

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Fire Safety
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION
• Better understanding of fire
will lead us to a prompt and
correct extinguishments of
fire.
• The key to having a
OX
EL

successful fire safety

YGE

program is having an
FU

effective fire prevention

program.

HEAT • Fire suppression equipment

are effective only when
properly maintained.

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Fire Safety