Fire Safety BasicsPresentation by: Tauni Aikin, Safety and Risk ConsultantOmniSure Consulting Group, LLC

Goals of This Training• Understand the basic components of fire safety• Gain a basic understanding of the classifications of fires• Gain a basic understanding of the classifications of

extinguishers• Identify risks related to specific fire hazards• Fire safety tips

Basic Components

The three contributing elements of a fire are: • Fuel

• Source of ignition

• Oxygen

FIRE IS A RESULT OF THE PROCESS OF COMBUSTION

Fire Classifications

• Class A Fires: Ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper.

• Class B Fires: Flammable and combustible liquids and gases.

• Class C Fires: Energized electrical equipment.• Class D Fires: Combustible metals.• Class K Fires: Cooking Oils and Fats.

Fire Classifications • "Class A fire" means a fire involving ordinary combustible

materials such as paper, wood, cloth, and some rubber and plastic materials.

• "Class B fire" means a fire involving flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases, greases and similar materials, and some rubber and plastic materials.

• "Class C fire" means a fire involving energized electrical equipment where safety to the employee requires the use of electrically nonconductive extinguishing media.

• "Class D fire" means a fire involving combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium.

• “Class K fire” means a fire involving cooking oils and fats.

Extinguisher Classifications • "Extinguisher classification" means the letter classification

given an extinguisher to designate the class or classes of fire on which an extinguisher will be effective.

• New addition is Class K

Extinguisher Classification• Class A – ordinary combustibles (wood, cloth, paper)• Class B – flammable liquids, gases, greases• Class C – energized electrical equipment• Class K – cooking media

ATrash, Wood, Paper

BLiquids, Grease

CElectrical Equip.

KCooking Media

Portable Fire Extinguishers

• Requirements• Placement• Use• Maintenance • Testing

Maintaining Portable Fire Extinguishers

• Must maintain in a fully charged and operable condition

• Must keep in their designated places at all times except during use

• Must conduct an annual maintenance check• Must record the annual maintenance date and

retain this record for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less

Portable Fire ExtinguisherTraining and Education• Where portable fire extinguishers

have been provided for employee use in the workplace, employees must be provided with an educational program on the:• General principles of fire

extinguisher use• Hazards of incipient (beginning)

stage fire fighting• Employees designated to use

extinguishers must receive instruction and hands-on practice in the operation of equipment

Portable Fire Extinguishers • General Requirements

• Mount, locate and identify extinguishers so that they are readily accessible• Only approved extinguishers shall be used• Maintain extinguishers in a fully charged and operable condition

• Selection and Distribution• Based on Classes of anticipated workplace fires• On size and degree of hazard• Inspection, Maintenance and Testing

• Extinguishers shall be:• Visually inspected monthly• Maintained annually• Hydrostatically tested periodically IAW

• Training and Education• Employees shall be educated in

• Use of extinguishers• Associated Hazards• Initially and Annually

• Employees designated to use fire fighting equipment shall be trained

Identify Fire Hazards• Related to:

• Environment• Tasks• responsibilities and job duties

• Conduct• Home Assessments• Office Assessments

• To the degree you can, be prepared!

In the Event of a Fire• REMAIN CALM• Exit quickly closing doors behind you to slow the spread of

the fire• Follow your Plan!

• Never use elevators• Touch the door with the back of your hand, not palm• Drop low if you encounter smoke, count desks, doors, etc. to exit

• Account for your employees at the area of refuge and report any missing employee to emergency personnel immediately

Making it Personal• Develop a home plan• Have an Emergency Kit (back pack with change of clothes,

medication and shoes) ready and available to use in the event of an evacuation.

• Know your exit routes• Keep clothes and shoes by your bed • Check into Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).

Many communities are setting these up (would be good for clients too)