Fire Safety

Fire Safety Awareness

Nakheel Landscapes/ AG Middle East shall continually evaluate the risks to our workforce, our
clients and the environment. Comprehensive risk assessment will provide the necessary
information to reduce risk and mitigate the impact of our operations on Health, Safety and the
Environment.

Commitment & Leadership

Policies and Objectives Improvement

Organisation and Resources

Contractor and Supplier Management

Corrections
 Risk Management

Design and Planning

Implementation and Monitoring Control

Assessment and Continuous

Improvement
 How Fires Start?

Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or

burning of a fuel.
It needs three elements to occur:

Oxygen

Fuel Heat Source

 How Fires Start?

FUEL
 Fuel can be any combustible material - solid, liquid or gas. Most solids
and liquids become a vapor or gas before they will burn.

OXYGEN
 The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. Fire only needs an
atmosphere with at least 16 percent oxygen.

HEAT
 Heat is the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to
a point where sufficient vapors are given off for ignition to occur.
 How Fires Start?

CHEMICAL REACTION
 A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire are
present in the proper conditions and proportions.

 Fire occurs when this rapid oxidation, or burning takes place.

 Fire Classification

Do you know the different types of fire?

Do you know the US Classification?

Do you know the EU Classification?

 Fire Classification
* Solids Class A (US, EU) * Electrical Equipment Class C (US)
* Tires * or E (EU)
* Wood * Appliances
* Paper * Panel boxes…
* Material…

* Liquids Class B (US, EU) * Metals Class D (US, EU)

* Diesel * Aluminum
* Oil * Sodium
* Solvents * Magnesium…
* Grease
* Paints...

Remember that it is the vapors of these fuels which burn

 Heat Source

Anything which has enough energy to initiate combustion.

* Electricity: Defective wiring, motors, switches, circuit breakers...
* Friction: Bearing running dry, grinding, chiseling, drilling...
* Naked flames: Torch, matches...
* Impact: Steel against steel, steel against concrete...
* Spontaneous combustion: organic oil/fiber slowly oxide and heat...
* Cutting and Welding.

Most dangerous ignition source is static electricity!

 Fire Prevention

Keep Fuel and heat source isolated

Oxygen
Heat
Fuel
Source
Oxygen

Oxygen Oxygen
 Fire Prevention

Class A - Ordinary combustibles:

* Keep storage and working areas free of trash Place oily rags in
covered containers.
Class B - Flammable liquids or gases:
* Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space,
especially in the presence of an open flame such as a furnace or water
heater.
* Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment while it's hot.
* Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly closed, self-closing, spill-proof
containers. Pour from storage drums only what you'll need.
* Store flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources.
* Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas.
 Fire Prevention
Class C - Electrical equipment:
Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings.
Report any hazardous condition to your supervisor.
* Prevent motors from overheating by keeping them clean and in
good working order. A spark from a rough-running motor can
ignite the oil and dust in it.
* Utility lights should always have some type of wire guard over
them. Heat from an uncovered light bulb can easily ignite ordinary
combustibles.
* Don't misuse fuses. Never install a fuse rated higher than specified
for the circuit.
* Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells
strange. Unusual odors can be the first sign of fire.
 Fire Prevention
* Don't overload wall outlets. Two outlets should have no more than
two plugs.
Class D - Flammable metals:
* Flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium generally take a
very hot heat source to ignite; however, once ignited are difficult to
extinguish as the burning reaction produces sufficient oxygen to
support combustion, even under water.
* In some cases, covering the burning metal with sand can help
contain the heat and sparks from the reaction. Class D extinguishing
agents are available (generally as a dry powder in a bucket or box)
which can be quite effective.
We are not a fire brigade!
 Fire Fighting

Procedure
* Raise the alarm.
* Select the suitable fire extinguisher close to you and try
it before going close to fire.
* Check wind direction (use the wind to protect
yourself).
* Fight fire at flames base.
* Do not waste fire extinguisher.
* Never turn back after extinguishing a fire.
* Cool the area with water.

Ask your self: Can I handle it? Where can fire extend?
 Fire Fighting

Starvation
 Prevents more fuel from feeding it
Smothering
 Stops oxygen to reach fire
Chemistry
 Interrupts combustion process

After fire always cool down the area!

 How to Extinguish a Small Fire?

Class A - Ordinary combustibles:

 Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material
below its ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to
prevent re-ignition.
 Use pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose (ABC-rated)
dry chemical extinguishers.
 DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry
chemical extinguishers on Class A fires.
 How to Extinguish a Small Fire?

Class B - Flammable liquids or gases:

 Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or gases by
removing the oxygen, preventing the vapors from
reaching the ignition source or inhibiting the chemical
chain reaction.
 Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical,
multi-purpose dry chemical, and halon extinguishers may
be used to fight Class B fires.
 How to Extinguish a Small Fire?

Class C (or E) - Electrical equipment:

* Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an
extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting electrical
currents.
* Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-
purpose dry chemical and Halon* fire extinguishers may be
used to fight Class C fires.
* DO NOT USE water extinguishers on energized electrical
equipment.

Halon is being phased out in favor of agents less harmful to the environment
 How to Extinguish a Small Fire?

Class D - Flammable metals:

 Extinguish combustible metals such as magnesium,
titanium, potassium and sodium with dry powder
extinguishing agents specially designated for the material
involved.
 In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material,
cooling it below its ignition temperature.
 Fire Extinguishers

Extinguishing agent
 Product which is contained in the extinguisher and which creates the
action of fire extinction.
Capacity
 Mass or volume of extinguishing agent for which the extinguisher is
certified.
Load
 Mass or volume of extinguishing agent effectively contained in the
extinguisher.
Servicing
 All fire extinguishers must be regularly serviced.
 Fire Extinguishers

Effective range:
▪ Portable extinguishers:
 Pulverized water: 2 to 3 m
 Foam, powders: 3 to 4 m.
 CO2 : around 1m
▪ Wheel extinguishers:
 Pulverized water: 5 to 10 m.
 CO2: 1 to 2 m
▪ Opacity:
 Powders should not be used when panic factor is to dread.
 Fire Extinguishers

Carbon dioxide CO2 extinguishers

 For class “B” “C” fires
 Have a LARGE "tapered" nozzle (horn)
 Are VERY HEAVY (15-85 lbs.)
 These are all high-pressure cylinders.

Function:
Extinguishes small fires in an enclosed space by excluding air.

Ventilate any space in which CO2 has been used

 Fire Extinguishers

 ABC multi purpose dry powder extinguishers

 For class “A” “B” “C” fires.
 Almost always RED in color with Cream sticker.
 Have either a long narrow hose or no hose (just a with short nozzle).
 Are very light (5-25 Lbs. total weight)
 Halon extinguishers look virtually identical to ABC multipurpose dry
chemical extinguishers.
Function:
Interferes with the chemistry of the fire.

Do not direct straight at the fire, the pressure will scatter burning fuel
 Fire Extinguishers

Water extinguishers
 For class “A” fires.
 Have a flat bottom.
 Have a long narrow hose, are quite large (2-1/2 gallons).

Function :
Cool the burning material below its ignition temperature.
Cool tanks & pipes to prevent the fire from affecting them.

Water is not efficient and can be lethal (conduct electricity) for B & C fires
 Fire Extinguishers

Foam extinguishers
 For class “B” and sometimes “A” fires.

Function:
Float a continuous blanket over the surface of fire to prevent the
inflammable vapors from escaping.

Foam blanket must completely cover the fuel

 How to Use Fire Extinguishers?
Remember the acronym, "P.A.S.S."
P Pull the Pin
A Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames
S Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher upright
S Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area
of the fire with the extinguishing agent
 REMEMBER:
 Should your path of escape be threatened,
 Should the extinguisher run out of agent,
 Should the extinguisher prove to be ineffective,
 Should you no longer be able to safely fight the fire,
 ...THEN LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!
 Fire Extinction

Techniques
▪ Running fires
 Start at the base of the flames & sweep upward
▪ Wide fires
 Each man with a fire extinguisher cover 8 feet
▪ Car engine fire
 Open the bonnet slightly
▪ Fire at fill hatch
 Close the hatch or use dry powder
▪ Man in fire
 Use dry powder & roll him into a blanket
 Fire Extinction

To be efficient fire extinguishers must:

 Sit on a hook, 1.5 m from ground level.

 Be accessible and visible.

 Have a seal, a pictograph and a checking sticker.

 Fire Fighting Rules

Panic
 Sudden overpowering terror, often affecting many people
 Product of the imagination makes you feel lost
 Contagious, and it may spread to you
 Often irreversible and seems to grow
 Make you do things that can kill you & others
 People are in such state that they are rarely able to save themselves

To avoid panic, you have to understand

 What is going on
 What to do
 Where to go & how to get there
 Fire Fighting Rules

TO AVOID PANIC:
All should be familiar with
•Alarms
•Emergency Exits
•Positions of Extinguishers and
what type they are
•Emergency Procedures

Emergency exit should be free of obstruction

 Fire Fighting Rules

Where there is
smoke there is not
necessarily fire!

Panic & smoke will kill you more surely than fire
 Fire Fighting Rules

Smoke
▪ Where there is smoke there is not necessarily fire
 Smoldering mattress produces great amount of smoke
 Air ducts may pick up smoke from other rooms & carry it to yours

▪ Smoke will start to accumulate at the ceiling

 Fresh air is at or near the floor
 Smoke strongly irritates the eyes to the point where you cannot open them

Panic & smoke will kill you more surely than fire
 Fire Fighting Rules
Checking the EXITS
 Go to your room & drop your luggage
 Locate EXIT door in corridor
 Open EXIT & check what’s is behind
 Return to your room counting doors
 Take a good mental picture
 Place keys always in same place

 Checking your room

 Check if the bathroom has vent
 Have a good look at the window
 Practice opening/closing the window
 Fire Fighting Rules

 Waking up with smoke in the room

 Roll off the bed & grab the keys
 Go to the door on hands & knees
 Feel the door with palm of hand
 Open the door & judge the situation
 Get in the corridor & shut your door
 Make your way to EXIT against wall
 Go down, hands on the rail

 If blocked by smoke
 Turn around & go to roof prop door open
 Stay windward side of building
 Fire Fighting Rules

 Waking up with smoke in the room

 Door is too hot! Stay in your room
 Same when corridor is charged with smoke
 Open window if no smoke outside
 Let someone know you are in
 Flip on bathroom vent
 Fill tub with water
 Wet sheets & towels stuff the cracks of door
 Bail water on door & walls
 Put mattress against door
 Wet towel around your nose/ swing towel around room
 If fire outside pull down curtains
 Fire Fighting Rules

 Avoid elevators like plague

 Fire Fighting Quiz

Can you correctly answer TRUE or FALSE for each question below?
1. Fire requires fuel, oxygen and heat for ignition to occur. Taken any one
away and the fire cannot occur.
2. Fire needs an atmosphere of 21 percent oxygen - the same as the air we
breathe - to sustain ignition.
3. Class A fires are fueled by ordinary combustible or fibrous material, such as
wood, paper, cloth and some plastics.
4. Class B fires include flammable or combustible liquids, greases and gases,
such as gasoline, paint and propane.
5. Class C fires include electrical equipment, such as motors and heaters that
are not connected to a power source.
 Fire Fighting Quiz

6. Combustible metals (Class D) are difficult to extinguish, because once

ignited, they give off sufficient oxygen to support combustion.
7. Class D fires can be extinguished with water.
8. Keeping the work area free of litter is one way to help prevent Class A fires.
9. Gasoline-powered equipment can be refueled while hot if refueling is done
in a well-ventilated area.
10. You may use a higher-amp fuse than is specified for an electrical circuit if
you first tag the fuse box to mark the change.
11. Unusual odors from electrical equipment can be the first sign of a potential
fire.
 Fire Fighting Quiz

12. If the fire you are fighting begins to spread, leave the area and call for help.
13. Do not use carbon dioxide or ordinary dry chemical extinguishers on Class A fires.
14. Do not use water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment.

15. An Emergency Action Plan should designate one person to evacuate all
disabled people in the building.
16. Fire drills are necessary to test the Emergency Action Plan.
17. The last person to evacuate a room should lock the door to prevent vandalism
or theft of equipment.
18. Elevators may be used to evacuate a building as long as they remain operable.
 Fire Fighting Quiz

19. You should occasionally pull the pin and briefly squirt all fire extinguishers to
ensure they are properly charged and in good working order.
20. As soon as you evacuate a burning building, go home. No need to hang around.

Answers:
1-T, 2-F, 3-T, 4-T, 5-T, 6-T, 7-F, 8-T, 9-F, 10-F, 11-T,12-T,13-T,14-T,
15-F, 16 T, 17-F, 18-F, 19-F, 20-F