In Australia, fire is a significant hazard to people, property and the environment. A fire at home can mean more than just a few days off. You, could be badly injured or even killed.

Even if no one is injured, a serious fire can mean that you could lose your home and personal possessions.

» Approximately 100 fatalities per year from structure fires.

» Approximately 3000 injuries per year from structure fires.

» On average, 83 homes per year are lost to bushfire, costing the country millions of dollars, although this does vary yearly.

E.g. In 2003, the Canberra bushfires destroyed over 500 properties, killed 4 people and cost AUD$300 million

Which is the odd one out?

» Fire alarm systems» Smoke alarms» People» Fire and Rescue Service» Emergency Exits» Fire extinguishers

» Fire alarms, exits, wardens, FRS etc., are "re-active" forms of fire safety. They only work once a fire has started.

» People are the only potential "pro-active" form of fire safety. They can prevent a fire before it happens.

»With basic, fire awareness, we can stop fires from even starting

»Understand how fire behaves and safely use each type of common fire extinguisher

»Have the knowledge to prevent and/or safely react to a fire situation.

Fire extinguishers work by removing one or

more of the sides of the Fire Tetrahedron.

HEA

T

FUEL

CHEMICAL CHAIN REACTION

Seal compartments, rooms, buildings, etc.

Use of smothering agents:CO2

Fire blanket

Foam

Sand or Earth

SMOTHERING

Reduce or remove the supply of oxygen to the fire:

STARVING

Reduce or remove the source of fuel.

Gas Fires or Liquid Fuel Fires – Isolate valves

Bush Fires – Fire breaks, Back burning

COOLING

Reduce or remove the heat

Water Foam

» A CLASS˃ Combustible, Carbonaceous

Materials+ Wood, Paper, Textiles

C CLASS

Flammable Gasses

LPG, Acetylene, Natural Gas

B CLASS

Flammable Liquids

Petrol, Oil, Lubricants.

» D CLASS˃ Combustible Metals

+ Magnesium, Aluminium, Iron Filings+ Special portable extinguishers used

E CLASS

Electricity

Ensure extinguishing agent should be

NON CONDUCTIVE

F CLASS Hot Cooking Oil and Fats

Water

Class A

Foam

Class B

DCP

Class C

CO2

Class E

WetChemical

Class F

WATER

Most suitable for Class A fires

Cools

FOAM

Most suitable for CLASS B fires Smothers, Cools Designed for most B class fires –

flammable liquids

CARBON DIOXIDE Extinguishes CLASS B, E and F fires Displaces oxygen Most suitable for electrical fires Limited effect on Class A fires

DRY CHEMICAL POWDER

Extinguishes CLASS B, F and E fires

Interferes with the chemical chain reaction, Smothers

WET CHEMICAL

Most suitable for CLASS F fires, also Class A

Smothers by turning hot fats or cooking oils into a

combustion resistant soap

Application of Extinguishing Medium

WATER – seat of fire

CARBON DIOXIDE (C02) – between fuel surface and flames

DRY CHEMICAL POWDER (DCP) – flame zone

FOAM – Surface of fuel

WET CHEMICAL – Surface of fuel

1.. Raise Alarm (“Fire Fire Fire”)

ask yourself:

Are there any hazards (trips etc)? Are there any people in the building? What is the class of fire? What is the exact location of fire? How big is the fire?Do you need to call FESA

Decide if you have appropriate equipment and you can safely extinguish the fire.

2. If safe attempt to extinguish fire

(ensure you have an escape route)

Ask yourself……

• Is the extinguisher suitable?

• Is the extinguisher big enough?

• What hazards are nearby?

3. Evacuate if you are unable to fight the fire successfully and safely.

REMEMBER:

If in any doubt….

GET OUT

STAY OUT

CALL US OUT