NEBOSH Fire

Certificate
Element 4 Part 2

Issue Oct 2011

Fire Protection in Buildings

FIRE EXTINGUISHER LOCATION,

IDENTIFICATION AND USE

FU
EL

ST
AR
VA
TI

G
IN
OL T
CO
EA

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE

PROVIDED TO REMOVE
PARTS OF THE TRIANGLE
OF FIRE THEREBY
PREVENTING COMBUSTION
FROM CONTINUING.

ON

Fire Extinguisher

OXYGEN

SMOTHERING

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES
There is not a universal fire-extinguishing agent and
therefore there is a possibility that using particular types
of fire extinguishers on ignited materials or liquids may
make the fire considerably worse and place the fire
fighter at risk.
Under British Standard EN-2 (Classification of Fires),
fires have been divided into broad classifications for
extinguishing purposes. This will assist in selecting the
most effective fire-extinguishing agent to be used, on the
most appropriate type of fire and burning material

SIGN, COLOUR &

PICTOGRAM

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES

Wood /
Furnishings Etc

CLASS A:
All solid materials, usually organic origin nature
(contains compounds of carbon) and generally
produce glowing embers - i.e. wood, textiles, curtains
furniture and plastics

Flammable Liquids Class B:

& Solids
All flammable liquids and solids, which can also be
sub-divided into:
Non-miscible with water (i.e. petrol, oils, solvents,
paints & waxes)
Polar Liquid Fires (Hydrophilic/Miscible) with water
(e.g. alcohol, methanol, acetone, propanol, & ethanol
etc) - sometimes known as Polar Liquids.
Note: Hydrophilic = having an affinity with water /
Miscible = 'capable of being mixed'
Fires involving
Gases

CLASS C:

Class C fires involve Natural Mains Gas, Liquid

Petroleum Gases (e.g. LPG - Butane & Propane etc)
and Medical or Industrial gases.

SIGN, COLOUR &

PICTOGRAM

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES

Fires Involving
Metals

CLASS D:
Class D fires involving metals or powdered metals etc (where water
is generally ineffective and / or dangerous).
Specialist Dry Powders are produced for certain Class D fires (i.e.
M28), particularly those involving alkali metals such as Sodium &
Potassium. These Dry Powders extinguish metal fires by fusing the
powder to form a crust, which excludes oxygen from the surface of the
molten metal. A specific agent is added to prevent the powder from
sinking into the surface of the molten metals

Electrical

Electrical fires are not considered to constitute a fire class on their

own, as electricity is a source of ignition that will feed the fire until
removed. When the electrical supply has been isolated, the fire can
be treated (generally) as Class A for extinguishing purposes.
However, you should always isolate the supply before fighting the fire;
if this is not possible then a non-electrical conducting extinguishing
agent is to be used regardless of the power status, on all occasions.
Warning Note! - Some electrical equipment can store in capacitors,
lethal voltages even if their power supply has been isolated. Always
use extinguishers containing a non-electrical conducting extinguishing
agent specifically designed for use on electrical equipment such as
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) or Dry Powder.

High Temperature
Cooking Oils

CLASS F:
New class specifically dealing with high temperature ( 360C)
cooking oils used in large industrial catering kitchens, restaurants and
takeaway establishments etc. Cooking oil fires, because of their high
auto-ignition temperatures, are difficult to extinguish.
Conventional extinguishers are not effective for cooking oil fires, as

Fire Extinguisher Colour Scheme

European legislation dictates that all extinguishers have
to have a Red body with an identifying label or band on
it. The following colour codes apply:

WATER

Red body with

WHITE label
Red body with CREAM

FOAM
label
CO2
Red body with BLACK
label
DRY POWDER Red body with BLUE
label

9 LTR WATER

Red body with white labelling

Used on CLASS A fires involving solid materials such as paper,
wood, solid plastics
Extinguishing method: COOLING & SMOTHERING
Do NOT use on Oil based fires, electrical fires or fires associated
with electrical equipment.

9 LTR FOAM
Red body with a cream coloured
identifying label or band
Used on CLASS B fires involving
flammable liquids or liquefiable solids
such as Petrol, Paint solvents
Extinguishing method:
Smothering
can also be used on class A fires

Dry Powder
Red body with blue labelling
Used on All CLASSES of
fires
(except chip or fat pan fires)
Extinguishing method:
SMOTHERING

Dry Powder
STANDARD DRY POWDER knocks down flames. Best for liquids such
as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol (except chip or fat pan fires).
MULTI-PURPOSE DRY POWDER knocks down flames and, on burning
solids, melts to form a skin smothering the fire. Provides some cooling effect.
Best for wood, cloth, paper, plastics, coal etc. Fires involving solids. Liquids
such as grease, fats, oils, paint, petrol etc (except chip or fat pan fires).
Danger
This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and care has to
be taken that the fire does not re-ignite. Additionally, although it is safe to
use on live electrical equipment, it does not readily penetrate spaces
inside the equipment and similar care has to be taken to ensure the fire
does not re-ignite
The simplest method of which is usually to isolate the power supply.
Smoldering material in deep seated fire such as upholstery or bedding
can cause the fire to start up again.

CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)

Red body with a black coloured identifying band or label

Provided for use where fires could be started by
electrical equipment
Extinguishing method:
Smothering

WARNING: Gas from CO2 extinguishers can be harmful if

used in confined spaces as it displaces oxygen in the air.
Ventilate the area as soon as the fire has been extinguished.

HOSEREELS
Red body with white labelling
Used on CLASS A fires
involving solid materials such
as paper, wood, solid plastics
Extinguishing method:
COOLING & SMOTHERING
Do NOT use on Oil based
fires, electrical fires or fires
associated with electrical
equipment.

FIRE BLANKET
Red body case with white
labelling- Blanket in side
Used on fires such as
Chip or fat pan fires, persons on
fire
Extinguishing method:
SMOTHERING
Fire blankets are made of fire resistant materials. They are
particularly useful for smothering fat pan fires or for wrapping
round a person whose clothing is on fire.

FIRE BLANKET
How To Use:
Pull out the blanket from its case
Check the fire is smaller than the blanket.
Hold it well up in front of you by the top
corners and keep your hands tucked in
behind the blanket.
Place it over the fire and smother it.
Turn off power source. i.e. Gas/Electric

Don't take it back off for at least half an hour!

That will let the material cool down.

Portable Fire Fighting Equipment

Duration & Range of Discharge

3KG= 6 seconds
6 KG=9 seconds
10KG= 12 seconds
> 10kg= 15 seconds (all timings approx)
Range will vary check with manufactures data to ensure
that you will not put the operator in danger by being too
close to the seat of the fire

Portable Fire Fighting Equipment

Siting
On escape routes
Near to danger points (not too near that if required
you would increase the danger to the operator)

Near to room exits (inside or out)

Multi story buildings same location on each floor
If possible in groups to form fire points
Travel no further than 30m to reach an
extinguisher
If possible in a wall recess handle about 1m
from floor (wall mounted) or on floor stands
Away from excesses of heat & cold

Portable Fire Fighting Equipment

Maintenance
Monthly Inspection- Located in proper place, if discharged,
correct pressure, any obvious damage

Annual Inspection & Maintenance- Thorough inspection, gas

cartridges & replacement charges should be carried out by a

competent person, may include internal & external inspection
Test by discharge intervals of 5 years (co2 10 years)
British Standards recommendations

Portable Fire Fighting Equipment Training

Requirements
RRFSO 2005 does not specify training for fire
extinguishers it does state Suitable & sufficient
instruction & training on the appropriate precautions....to
be taken by employee
Further requires training should be carried out
periodically.
Any person who may be called on to use a fire
extinguisher should be trained in selection & practical
use.

Passive Fire Fighting Systems

Passive systems are either fully automatic or allow fire
fighting to be done remotely
Most are water systems but foam or gas may also be
used
Their action is primarily containment and minimising
damage caused by fire spread
Extinguishment is secondary

System Types
Sprinklers
Water based system fully automatic or semiautomatic
Deluge/Drenching
Water or gas based system fully automatic or semiautomatic
Ventilation/Smoke Control

Sprinklers
Various types

Wet pipe, Dry pipe, Alternate

Pre-action.

Siting and number

depends on fire risk

Typical Components

How Sprinklers Work

Head fits onto water pipe

Glass vial or bi-metal closure prevent operation
Heat causes breakage/release releasing water under
pressure
Deflector plate ensures spread & coverage

Drenchers
Provides curtain of water to
protect against radiant heat
Only vulnerable structures
need cover
Fire resistance protects
other structures

Drench in Action

Gaseous Systems

Work by displacing air in workroom

Combustion cannot continue
Precautions required to prevent loss of life to occupants

INERGEN Storage

Ventilation/Smoke Control
Not fire fighting as such
Ventilation cut off to prevent fire spread
Smoke removed to allow evacuation in breathable
conditions

Effects of Smoke

Ventilation

Shopping Malls

Smoke Control of Common Escape

Route in Flats
There should be some means of ventilating common
corridors/ lobbies to control smoke and so protect common
stairs
This offers individual protection to that provided by the fire
doors to the stair

Guidance on the
design of smoke
control systems using
pressure differentials
is available in BS EN
12101-6:2005.

B5 Access and Facilities

The building shall be designed and
constructed as to provide reasonable
facilities to assist fire fighters in the
protection of life.
Reasonable provision shall be made
within the site of the building to enable fire
appliances to gain access to the building.

Fire Service Access

Vehicle access for pump appliance within 45m of all pointsto
blocks of flats
Or: provide fire mains (not in f/f shaft)
Fire mains
New standard BS 9990
Wet mains required for buildings over 50m
Dry mains
Access for pump within 18m

Fire Fighting Shafts/ Fire Mains

Private Fire Hydrants

Smoke Ventilators

Liaison with Fire Authority on Arrival

Liaison established before emergency situation
Procedures implemented & staff trained (ensure enough
staff are available to carry out procedures(disabled
evacuation etc)
Information pack plans of buildings, info on fire alarm
system, water supplies, gas/ electric shut off valve
locations, build construction hazards (asbestos)
Contents of building COSHH, acetylene
Out of hours procedures (emergency box location)