Fire Safety Training

F. S. T. Course Agenda• Why do we provide this training to our SDKC colleagues?

• What are the most common causes of fire in the workplace?

• What is expected of me in the event of a fire?

• How to determine the classification of a fire.

• How to determine the correct fire extinguisher in the event of a fire.

• How to use a fire extinguisher.

• Who is responsible for reporting and prevention of fires?

• When should you attempt to put out a fire?

• Helpful tips to prevent a fire in your area.

Why do we provide “Fire Safety Training” to our employees?

• To provide our employees with a workplace that is educated on not only the prevention of fires, but also the tools necessary to assess a situation and possibly extinguish a fire to prevent personal or equipment injury.

• OSHA mandated.

What does OSHA say?1910.157(g)(1): Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting.

1910.157(g)(2): The employer shall provide the education required in paragraph (g)(1) of this section upon initial employment and at least annually thereafter.

Causes of Fire• Faulty Electrical Equipment/Wiring

• Poor House Keeping

• Overloaded Electrical Circuits

• Over Heating of Equipment/Servers

• Carless Disposal of Cigarettes

• Spontaneous Combustion(Exposed to

Sun/Direct Heat)

What to do in the event that a Fire should occur:

R = RESCUE anyone in immediate danger from the fire, as long as it does not put your life in danger.

A = ALARM: sound the alarm by yelling “FIRE FIRE FIRE”, calling 333 on any SDKC phone line, and by activating a pull station alarm box.

C = CONFINE the fire by closing all doors and windows, restricts oxygen from fueling the fire.

E = EXTINGUISH the fire with a fire extinguisher, orEVACUATE the area if the fire is uncontrollable.

Classifications of Fire• Class A: Fires involving ordinary combustible materials,

such as paper, wood and textile fibers.

• Class B: Fires involving flammable liquids such as gasoline, thinners, oil based paints and greasers.

• Class C: Fires involving electrically energized equipment.

• Class D: Fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium, sodium, potassium, titanium, and aluminum.

• Class K: Fires involving commercial cooking appliances with vegetable oils, animal fats, or fats at high temperatures.

Choosing the Correct Fire Extinguisher

• Water normally used to cool and blanket the fire.

• Carbon dioxide, dry chemical and halogenated agents.

• Carbon dioxide, a nonconducting gaseous clean agent, used to smother the fire.

• Special dry chemical agent required for specific hazardous metal.

• Most of our portable fire extinguisher are designed to be used on multiple type fires, a similar label will be affixed to the extinguisher identifying its purpose.

How to use a Fire ExtinguisherTo use a fire extinguisher correctly, remember

the P.A.S.S. acronym:

P = PULL the pin on the fire extinguisher.

A = AIM the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.

S = SQEEZE or press the handle.

S = SWEEP from side to side until the fire is out, and use the extinguisher until it is completely empty.

PULL the Pin

AIM the nozzle

SQUEEZE the handle

SWEEP from side to side

Use a portable fire extinguisher ONLY when:

• Building is being evacuated.

• Fire Department/Security has been called (dial 333).

• Fire is NOT spreading (small and contained).

• EXIT IS CLEAR (fight fire with your back to an exit).

• You have been trained and know how to use an extinguisher!

• You use the “Buddy System” – have someone back you up!• Get assistance before trying to fight a fire!

Unforeseen HazardsTOXIC FUMES:

If the fire is producing large amounts of smoke that you would have to breathe in order to fight it, it is best not to try. Any sort of combustion will produce some amount of carbon monoxide, but when synthetic materials such as the nylon in carpeting or foam padding in a sofa burn, they can produce highly toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide, acrolein and ammonia in addition to the carbon monoxide. These gasses can be fatal in very small amounts.

Fire Prevention!!!10 Ways to Prevent a Workplace Fire:

1. Practice good workplace housekeeping. Clutter contributes to fire as

a fuel source.

2. Properly dispose of oily rags in a labeled covered metal container.

3. Maintain machinery to prevent overheating and friction.

4. Report electrical hazards. Only qualified persons can make repairs.

5. Never block sprinklers, fire fighting equipment or emergency exits.

6. Use and store hazardous chemicals safely, be familiar with its MSDS.

7. Use all precautions to prevent ignition when exposed to flammable

liquid vapors.

8. Smoke only in designated areas, and fully extinguish smoking

materials.

9. Post emergency telephone numbers as well as the company address

by the phone.

10.Learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher.