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Fire Safety
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Introduction
Fire kills on average 350 people in Britain every year and injures thousands more. Knowing how to prevent a fire may save lives. This talk covers fire prevention, precautions, types of extinguisher and actions on fire.
Fire prevention
• Many solids, liquids and gases can catch fire and burn. It only takes a source of ignition, which may be a small flame or an electrical spark, together with air.
• Don’t hang clothing over or near heating equipment.
• Do not smoke within 10 metres of a building or combustible materials or within prohibited areas.
• Maintain good housekeeping standards; clearing up waste as you work and removing any flammable material.
• Use purpose made containers when handling or storing flammable liquids, not open tins or buckets.
• Don’t overload electric sockets- one socket, one plug.
• Handle flammable liquids at a safe distance away from possible sources of ignition. Keep lids on containers when not in use.
• Ensure there are no adjacent flammable materials before using torches and welding/ cutting equipment.
• Ensure hot works finished at least 1 hour before end of shift and working area checked for smoulder. Ensure a hot work permit is completed, where applicable.
• When electrical equipment is not in use, switch it off.
Fire precautions:
• Make sure you know what to do in case of fire.
• Make certain you know your escape route and assembly point.
• Keep escape routes clear and unobstructed.
• Don’t obstruct access to fire- fighting equipment.
• Ensure there is a fire extinguisher within the working area during hot works and use of any grinding/ cutting equipment.
• Only attempt to fight a fire if you have been trained to select and use a fire extinguisher.
• Ensure fire extinguishers are checked regularly and are fully charged, serviced (every 12 months) and accessible.
Fire extinguishers:
• All extinguishers should now be coloured red with a contrasting colour panel to indicate the contents:
o Water (red) for use with paper, wood, textile and solid flammables.
o CO2 (black) for use on liquid and electrical fires.
o Foam (cream) for use on fire caused by liquid.
o Powder (blue) can be used for liquid and electrical fires.
o Wet chemical (yellow) for use on wood, paper, textile, cooking oil and solid material fires.
In the event of a fire
• Raise the alarm and then call the fire brigade.
• Close doors and windows to prevent the spread of fire.
• Evacuate the building or area you are working in.
• If trained and you need to, fight the fire with extinguishers provided. Don’t put yourself at risk. Always ensure you have an escape route.
Questions/ notes
1. What should flammable liquids be stored in?
2. What actions should you take in the event of a fire?
3. How can you help prevent fires on site?
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