Identifying Fire Types and Causes

 

Understanding the origins of fire and the correct classification for effective response.

• Causes of Fire: Identifying the most common origins of fire in the workplace, primarily through negligence.

• Causes covered include: electricity, spontaneous combustion (ignition without a flame), chemical reactions, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

• Classes of Fire​

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Fire Prevention and Legal Compliance

 

Establishing workplace housekeeping standards and adhering to safety legislation.

• Good Housekeeping Practices: Reducing the possibility of fire by controlling waste, avoiding the buildup of flammable materials, and properly storing hazardous substances.

• Electrical Safety: Turning off electrical equipment when not in use and ensuring machinery is well-ventilated and regularly cleaned.

• OHS Act and Safe Practices: Explaining fire prevention in relation to the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) and company-specific procedures.

• Risk Mitigation: Implementing strategies like banning smoking near flammable materials, regularly testing electrical equipment, and training employees in fire safety.

• Consequences of Non-Adherence: Understanding the legal, financial, and personal consequences of failing to comply with fire safety practices.

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Operating Basic Firefighting Equipment

 

Practical identification and demonstration of use for primary fire control tools.

• Equipment Identification: Identifying basic equipment provided by the organisation, including fire extinguishers, hose reels, fire blankets, and sand buckets.

• Extinguisher Operation (P.A.S.S. System): Demonstrating the proper technique for using an extinguisher: Pull the Pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the lever, and Sweep side to side.

• Hose Reel Operation: General instructions for use, including the two types of operations (Auto and Manual Reel), controlling the jet, and safety warnings (Do NOT use on electrical or flammable liquid fires).

• Agent Selection: Matching the correct extinguisher type (Water, Foam, Powder, CO₂) to the specific fire class (A, B, C, D).

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Performing Basic Firefighting Procedures

 

Executing initial containment and extinguishing techniques.

• General Strategies: Implementing methods to extinguish fire, such as smothering by removing oxygen (e.g., using a blanket and rolling a person whose clothes are on fire) and isolating the burning material (e.g., letting it die down).

• Oil and Grease Fires: The procedure for a fire in the pantry area, including covering the utensil and immediately turning off the stove to cut off fuel and heat.

• Electrical Fires (Class C): The critical step of converting a Class C fire to a Class A fire by turning off the electrical supply, and the warning against using water or foam based agents on live electrical equipment.

• LPG Cylinder Procedures: Safety procedures for LPG cylinder-related fires, including keeping the cylinder upright and avoiding a fire around the base which could cause an explosion.

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By the End of this Programme, Learners Will Be Capable Of:

 

• Identifying and correctly classifying different fire types and their specific causes.

• Implementing fire prevention and good housekeeping practices in the workplace.

• Safely operating basic firefighting equipment using the P.A.S.S. system and selecting the correct extinguishing agent for the fire class.

• Performing critical basic firefighting procedures for containing and fighting small fires until professional assistance arrives.

• Applying safety requirements and working effectively in a team when responding to a fire.