Hyperbaric Fire Fighting And Fire Prevention Procedures Peter
Manz
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To prevent fires a good knowledge of why they start is
important
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Fuel Oxygen IGNITION FIRE A FIRE REQUIRES PLUS A FOOL TO PUT
THEM TOGETHER FIRE OOOPS
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Electrical, electrostatic or break arc Hot surface, friction
spark or heated wire Heated gases independent of surfaces,
generated by adiabatic compression or jets of hot gas Exothermic
chemical reaction Mechanical source of friction heating and
particle impact Laser sources
This process begins at any increase over 21 % oxygen by volume
at 1 ATA Burn rate starts to accelerate considerably after 23.5%
oxygen by volume. Therefore at no time will any chamber oxygen
level be over 23.5 % If this is not known, consideration should be
given to aborting the treatment
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Cook Diagram
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When pressure and or oxygen levels increase burns rates also
increase (Cook Diagram). These changes also effect ignition
temperature, which decreases, significantly Therefore the friendly
HBOT system atmosphere is unfortunately well suited to easier
ignition and faster burning of fire
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Is determined by available oxygen and fuel Control of fuel and
oxygen is fundamental in fire management Low oxygen, low fuel, slow
/ low spread of flame
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Mattress Pillows Sheets Clothing, NO POCKETS Paper, books
magazines Newspapers? If hot enough and O2 then almost anything
will burn
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Cotton sheeting NFPA Ch 19 table 5.3.2.8 This shows that
increasing oxygen levels combined with raised pressure, lowers the
ignition temperature
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All occupied chambers must have some pockets of differing gas,
Heterogeneous (not well mixed) Therefore it is possible that the
measured oxygen concentration may be high in pockets Sheffield
showed that this may be minimal PP Curve disperses gas quickly, but
possibly not quite evenly New evidence suggests that oxygen may
collect near or under the floor plates
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We should only have A Class material in a chamber If careful
control of all material in a chamber is taken (NO POCKETS) Use fire
retardant products (seating materials etc) A Class material is
effectively controlled by using water Also Fires need time to
become established
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This must be possible No electricity No matches, lighters (NO
POCKETS) Nothing should be taken in. Only have what is allowed in
the chamber.
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If a fire starts water must be available Regular system tests,
tx pre tests, and bi annual full tests, must be fastidiously
carried out, and the results carefully logged No deaths have
occurred, in any chamber when water is quickly available, and the
oxygen level is less than 23.5% this is a very achievable goal, and
it NEEDS TO BE COMPLIED WITH !!
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Water is best medium to fight hyperbaric Fires It must be
available quickly Water storage. Water pressure controls
delivery
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NFPA Independent Air Source Deluge and Hand Held Hoses Minimum
Flow for 60 seconds (one minute) How often do you test? Do you
record the results?
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All occupants on BIBS, protect your own airway FIRST
Immediately deluge with water. Inform all of the Team Start an
emergency ascent These actions should be almost simultaneous
Prepare to assist occupants on surfacing Fire may re-ignite on door
opening
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All events that may occur in a hyperbaric chamber should be
considered and planned for. Normal procedures and those that
deviate from Normal are should be covered in the Units Standard
Operational Procedures Manual All procedures need to be practiced -
regularly These should include the emergency ones
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Technical Emergencies Medical Emergencies Fire Emergencies
General Emergencies
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Loss of pressurizing gas air Loss of primary oxygen Rapid
Increase in chamber pressure Rapid decrease in chamber pressure
Loss of back up pressurizing gas Loss of back up oxygen source
Contaminated breathing gas either source or chamber environment
Loss of communications Loss of power
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Management of Seizures CNS Oxygen toxicity Cardiac arrest,
including defibrillation Barotraumas during descent/ ascent
Claustrophobia and acute anxiety Suspected pneumothorax Aggressive
or violent patient
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FIRE Fire inside the HTS (Chamber) Fire in the room, adjacent
area Accidental fire deluge activation GENERAL Omitted
decompression. Incapacitation of the technician Illness of the
attendant Emergency entry of the outside assistant Requesting help
in the chamber area Emergency decompression.
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Sources of Ignition: Matches, Lit cigarettes, Cigarette
lighters, pocket warmers, Electrical items, radios, torches,
batteries, Heat packs, or chemicals, Friction toys, welders spark
gun, Unsuitable clothing (Synthetics and pockets) Sources of
contamination: Oil, Smell, HP Cylinders, Other Gases, Mercury
(Thermometers, BP Devices), some ointments.
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Sources of additional fuel: Newspapers, Extra Magazines,
Bedding, Unsuitable clothing (Synthetics and having pockets), oily
materials, Bandages and ointments. Documentation and Procedures
ONLY TAKE IN ESSENTIAL APPROVED MATERIALS, NOTHING ELSE !!!
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We should only have A Class material in a chamber If careful
control of all material in a chamber is taken (NO POCKETS) A Class
material is effectively controlled by using water Also Fires need
time to become established
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Fire hazard from high oxygen concentrations Potential explosion
of badly handled cylinders Depletion of oxygen supply
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The compressed energy of a HP gas cylinder is enormous It will
kill, destroy buildings if allowed to Always firmly fix cylinders
when stored large ones upright, small ones on side Always use a
cart for larger cylinders (fix to cart) Never leave standing up
unless it is firmly fixed SNIFT before connecting Always turn on
slowly, only use correct pressure rated equipment
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The atmosphere By fractional distillation Produces very pure
gas Decanted, compressed further into HP cylinders Assures quality
Absorption swing system, less pure oxygen
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Draws in air Removes CO2, dust, Oil Compressed, cooled to turn
gas, air into a liquid. (-196 deg K at ~ 600kPa) Distilled stored
Compressed evaporated into cylinders HP pure gas ready for use
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Oxygen here is Green (Same as USA), Germany it is blue, UK/
Australia Black with white top Be sure of your gas Analyze is best
to be sure be careful when traveling
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HP Gas storage cylinders Oxygen manufacture Oxygen hazard
Calculating gas supply duration/ needs Hyperbaric oxygen
environment (fire risk)
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Oxygen supports combustion High oxygen concentrations
accelerates burn rate Always ventilate the area Never have exposed
flame etc, no smoking where oxygen is being used Oxygen is odorless
colorless. It can be present in large dangerous quantities, without
being aware of it