This document provides information on fire safety procedures and fire extinguisher use. It discusses the fire triangle, classifications of fuels, types of fire extinguishers, and how to operate them. The PASS method is outlined for using a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep from side to side. Proper inspection and recharging of extinguishers is also covered.

1. Unit 151
Carry Out Procedures in the Event
of a Fire.
• The fire triangle.
• Classification of fuels.
• Fire procedures & regulations.
• Types of fire extinguishers & how to
use them.

2. Fire Triangle.
In order to understand how fire
extinguishers work, you first need to
know a little bit about fire.

3. Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid
oxidation (burning) of a fuel four
things must be present at the same
time in order to produce fire:
1. FUEL - any combustible material - solid,
liquid or gas. Most solids and liquids
must vapourise before they will burn.
2. OXYGEN - sufficient oxygen must be
present in the atmosphere surrounding
the fuel for fire to burn.

4. 3. HEAT - sufficient heat energy must
be applied to raise the fuel to it's
ignition temperature.
4. Chemical, exothermic reaction - this
reaction can occur when all three of
the above elements are present in the
proper conditions and proportions. Fire
(rapid oxidisation) is the result of this
chemical reaction.

6. How to Put Out Fires.
• Starvation of fuel source.
A fire requires fuel to burn, if you can
starve the fire of fuel it will die out.
Remove or turn off the fuel.
• Smothering of oxygen.
A fire requires oxygen to burn, if you
remove the oxygen the fire is more
controllable.
• Cooling of heat source.
A fire requires a source ignition to burn, if
you cool the heat then it will die.

7. Classification of fuels.
• Not all fuels are the same, and if you
use the wrong type of fire
extinguisher on the wrong type of
fuel, you can, in fact, make matters
worse.
• It is therefore very important to
understand the four different
classifications of fuel.

8. • Class A - wood, paper, cloth, plastic.
• Class B - flammable liquids: petrol,
kerosene, oil, grease, acetone, paint.
• Class C - flammable gasses: LPG, butane,
acetylene, and hydrogen.
• Class D - metals: potassium, sodium,
aluminium, magnesium.

9. • Class E - electrical: fires involving live
electrical equipment
as long as it's "plugged in," it would be
considered a class (E) fire.
• Class F - oil or fat.

10. Why Are Fires Dangerous?
When a fire occurs in a building it is a
threat because:
• Toxic fumes: are given off as various
materials burn, especially foam and
plastic. These fumes can be deadly.
• Smoke: given off from the fire can
also be poisonous, but smoke causes
choking, reducing vision and can lead
to panic.

11. • Burning: heat is produced from any
fire and can cause serious damage not
just to from skin burns but also by
inhalation where lungs can be
damaged.
• Structural damage: building
structures can be weakened by fire
and therefore there is a risk of
collapse.

12. Fires Are Caused by.
• Poor judgement.
• Lack of thought.
• Failure to follow instructions.
• Human error.
• Ignorance.

13. Possible causes of fires
within the workplace.
Any fire is a frightening experience for
everyone. The common reasons for
fires starting in the workplace are:
• Mechanical. Old equipment that is not
serviced regularly can cause over
heating and cause fires.
• Human Error. This category could
account for many fires that happen in
catering. Such as fat fryers.

14. • Electrical . Can be dangerous often
smouldering wires can develop unseen
overnight and be the cause of major
incidents. You should check regularly.
• Arson. Fortunately arson is a rare
occurrence. It might happen due to a
grudge between employee and
employer, or insurance fraud.
• Chemical. Not very common now due
to the COSHH regulations.

15. Preventative actions needed
to reduce the risk of Fire.
All workplaces should have the
following:
• Fire Certificate.
• Fire Emergency Plan.
• Assembly Points clearly marked.
• Fire Drill training sessions.

16. • Regular fire drills & induction’s for
new staff.
• Regular fire checks for fire hazards
such as:
– Rubbish storage areas.
– Kitchen ventilation.
– Gas & Electrical equipment.
– Flammable chemicals.

17. Preventing a fire from
Starting.
• Hazardous areas must be prominently
signed, Store flammable materials
safely.
• Ensure staff are trained and updated
on fire training.
• Make sure “No Smoking” signs are
evident and strictly implemented.
• Be vigilant to the risk of fire.

18. Fire Procedures and
Regulations.
To safeguard people, the law insists
that fire regulations are in place to
minimise the risk to the public and
staff for any given establishment.
The fire Precautions Act 1971 covers
most catering business, with the
exception of very small
establishments.

19. FCOT Fire Regulations.
The College is governed by the following
regulations:
• The Fire Precautions (Workplace)
(Amendment) Regulations 1999.

20. Fire Procedures.
Fires can be very dangerous and you
should always be certain that you
would not endanger yourself or
others when attempting to put out a
fire. For this reason, when a fire is
discovered:
Assist any person in immediate danger
to safety, if it can be accomplished
without risk to yourself.

21. Action on Discovering a Fire.
• Raise the alarm. Break the glass of
the nearest alarm point.
• Call the fire services.
• If safe to do so tackle the fire, if in
doubt get out.
• Leave the building via the nearest
exit calmly. DO NOT run or use lifts.
• Evacuate the premises and report to
your designated assembly point.

22. On hearing the Alarm.
• Leave the building via the nearest
exit.
• Do not run.
• Do not use lifts.
• Go to your designated assembly point.

23. When Not to Fight a Fire.
• Fire Extinguishers are designed to fight small,
developing fires. If a fire starts to burn out
of control, it is not safe to try and extinguish
it yourself.
• NEVER try to fight a fire if:
• The fire is no longer contained and starts
spreading beyond where it started.
• You can't fight the fire with your back
towards an open escape route.

24. • The fire could spread and block your only
escape route.
• you don't have the right type of fire
extinguisher.
• you don't know how to use your fire
extinguisher.
• In any of these situations, CALL FOR HELP.
Don't fight the fire yourself.

26. Air Pressurised Water
Extinguishers

27. • APW stands for "air-pressurized
water." APWs are large, red
extinguishers, which are filled about
two-thirds of the way with ordinary
tap water, then pressurized with
normal air.
• In essence, an APW is just a giant
squirt gun.
• APWs extinguish fire by taking away
the "heat" element of the fire
triangle.

28. • Water (APW) Extinguishers are
designed for Class A (wood, paper,
cloth) fires only.
• Never use water to extinguish
flammable liquid fires. Water is
extremely ineffective at
extinguishing this type of fire, and
you may, in fact, spread the fire if
you try to use water on it.

29. • Never use water to extinguish an
electrical fire. Water is a good
conductor, and there is some
concern for electrocution if you
were to use water to extinguish an
electrical fire.
• Electrical equipment must be
unplugged and/or de-energized
before using a water extinguisher
on it.

31. • Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers are filled with
non-flammable carbon dioxide gas under
extreme pressure.
• You can recognize a CO2 extinguisher by its
BLACK BAND, large wide nozzle shield and lack
of pressure gauge.
• They range in size from 2kg to 45kg or larger.
In the larger sizes, the wide nozzle will be
located on the end of a long, flexible hose.

32. • CO2s are designed for Class B and (E)
flammable liquid and electrical) fires only.
• Carbon Dioxide is a non-flammable gas that
extinguishes a fire by displacing oxygen, or
taking away the oxygen element of the fire
triangle.
• The carbon dioxide is also very cold as it
comes out of the extinguisher.

33. • CO2 extinguishers may be ineffective at
extinguishing Class A fires because they
may not be able to displace enough oxygen
to successfully put the fire out. Class A
materials may also smoulder and re-ignite.
• CO2 extinguishers will frequently be found
in laboratories, mechanical rooms, kitchens,
and flammable liquid storage areas.

35. • Dry Chemical Extinguishers come in a
variety of types. You may see them
labelled:
• "DC" short for "dry chem"
• "A B (E)" indicating that they are
designed to extinguish class A, B and (E)
fires, or "B (E)" indicating that they are
designed to extinguish class B and (E)
fires.

36. • These fire extinguishers are filled with a
fine powder, which stops the chain
reaction (flame) and also reduces air
available to the fire. Nitrogen is used to
pressurize the extinguishers.
• ABC extinguishers are red with a white
band. They range in size from 2kg to 9kg.

37. • Dry chemical extinguishers put out
fire by coating the fuel with a thin
layer of dust, separating the fuel
from the oxygen in the air.
• The powder also works to interrupt
the chemical reaction of fire, so
these extinguishers are extremely
effective at putting out fire.

38. Fire Blanket
• Fire blankets are used to
cover small fires to
exclude the oxygen, they
come in a self contained
sleeve.
• Used on oil and fat fires
or to wrap around a
casualty.
• Use on 'Class A, B & D'

39. General Instructions for
use:
• Read instruction plate before use.
• Ensure that you are positioned between the fire and a
safe exit/escape route.
• Pull tapes to remove blanket from container.
• Hold blanket by the tapes and cover burning material
completely (using the blanket to shield your face &
hands).
• Leave to cool for a least 30 minutes, keeping out of
the smoke.
• Turn off the electrical or gas supply and leave the
area closing all doors behind you.

40. Dry Powder.
• Red canister with a
blue band.
Contains dry powder.
Can be used on Class D
and E fires. (Burning
liquid and electrical
fires).
• Very messy and not
good in a confined
space.

41. Foam Extinguisher
• For use on burning
liquid fires.
• NOT to be used on
electrical or
Flammable Metal
fires.
• Class B fires.

43. PASS
• It's easy to remember how to use a
fire extinguisher if you can
remember the acronym PASS which
stands for
• Pull
• Aim
• Squeeze
• Sweep

44. Pull the pin.

45. Aim at the base of the fire.

46. Squeeze the top handle or lever.

47. Sweep from side to side.

48. Recharging & Inspecting Fire
Extinguishers.
• Legal requirements dictate that
extinguishers should be recharged
within 24 hours.
• All equipment should be inspected
once a year, however FCOT inspect
their equipment twice a year
depending on the type.

49. Always Remember
Fire Can Kill.
Get Out and Stay out.