BASIC FIRE FIGHTING TRAINING by Fastlane Emergency Consultancytx

BASIC FIRE EXTINGUISHER
TRAINING
Prepared and
presented by:
Allen D Likando
Training Specialist
Time: 4-6 Hours
Defining Excellence
Tel:+264857549595. Email: info@flec.com.na
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Course objectives
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• Define fire
• Describe the four components of the Fire Tetrahedron
• Describe the three properties of fuel
• Describe the four types of heat
• Describe the methods of heat transfer
• Define flashover and describe the hazards associated with it
• What is combustion?
• Understand the combustion process and different fire classes
• Describe the Products of Combustion
• Understand fire extinguisher types and operating procedures
• Understand the concept of basic firefighting

Consequences of Fire
• Loss of life
• Loss of friends or family
• Injury or disability
• Loss of home, workplace, income, job
• Loss of irreplaceable belongings
• Financial (uninsured losses and premiums)
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What Is Fire?
• Fire is defined as a rapid oxidation of a fuel producing heat
and light.
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The Fire Tetrahedron
Four components must be present in order for a fire to
occur:
• Fuel,
• Heat,
• Oxygen,
• Uninterrupted Chemical Chain Reaction.
When one of these four components is removed, burning will
cease.
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Fuel
• A fuel is any substance that can undergo combustion and is
classified as organic and inorganic.
• Organic fuels contain carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen, These
fuels include wood, plastics, gasoline, and natural gas.
• Inorganic fuel typically do not contain carbon and include
magnesium and sodium.
• Fuel exists in three different forms. Solids, Liquids and
Gases
• Solids and liquids must be converted into a gaseous state in
order for combustion to occur.
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1.Solid fuel
• Solid fuels include woods, plastics, cloth, synthetics and metals.
• A solid must first be heated to a sufficient temperature to pyrolyze
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2. Liquids
• Liquid fuels include gasoline, kerosene, diesel, cooking oil,
molten solids, solvents, and thinners. Like solids, liquid fuels
must be vaporized, or turned into a gaseous state in order to
burn.
• A liquid fuel’s flash point is the temperature at which it will
give off enough vapors to ignite but not sustain combustion.
• Fire point is the temperature at which a liquid will give off
enough vapors to ignite and sustain combustion.
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3. Gases
• Gas is the physical state of a substance that has no shape or
volume of its own and will expand or compress to take the
shape of the container or enclosure it occupies. Gaseous fuels
include propane, methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen.
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Oxygen
• Most fires require an oxidizing agent to support the
combustion process.
• Oxygen is a naturally occurring element in air. Air is a
mixture of approximately 21% oxygen, 78% nitrogen, and 1%
other elements.
• Oxygen is the most commonly occurring oxidizer, but others
include, ammonium nitrate, fluorine, and chlorine
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Heat
• A form of energy characterized by the vibration of molecules
and capable of initiating and supporting chemical changes
and changes of state
• The heat component is a heat energy above the minimum
level necessary to release fuel vapors and cause ignition. The
amount of heat produced by a fire or any heat source is
measured in calories.
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Types of heat
Chemical
• For chemical ignition to occur, the oxidation must be rapid
enough to reach the fuel’s ignition temperature.
Electrical
• When electric current flows through a conductor, heat is
produced. When the current exceeds its design limits it can
overheat and become an ignition source.
Mechanical
• Mechanical heat energy is generated by friction or compression, .
When two surfaces are rubbed together, heat is caused by friction.
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Principles of Heat Transmission
Conduction
• Conduction is the transfer of heat
within a solid and occurs when one
portion of the object is heated Cooking
• Utensils, such as a pot or pan, metal
pipes and conduit, and even wood are
examples of solids that can conduct
heat
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Convection
• Convection is the transfer of heat
energy by the movement of heated
liquids or gases from the source of
heat to a cooler part of the
environment
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Radiation
• Radiation is the transfer of heat
energy from a hot surface to a cooler
surface by electromagnetic waves
without the need of an intervening
medium,
• Radiation is the method of
heat transfer that is responsible
for fire spread and flashover in
the advanced stages of a fire
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Direct Flame Impingement
• Heat transfer from direct flame contact is a
combination of both convective and radiated
mechanisms
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Uninhibited Chemical Chain
Reaction
• Combustion is a complex set of chemical chain reactions that
result in the rapid oxidation of a fuel, producing heat, light,
and chemical by-products. Slow oxidation, such as rusting or
the yellowing of a newspaper, produces heat so slowly that
combustion does not occur.
• If this process is interrupted, for example, by the
introduction of dry chemical extinguishing agents, the fuel
will become isolated from the oxidizer and burning will cease
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Phases of Fire
Ignition
• The process of initiating self sustained combustion. Pilot
sources include small flames, sparks, and hot objects. For
ignition to occur, there needs to be a fuel item, a competent
ignition source, and an event that puts them together.
• The ignition source needs to have sufficient temperature,
sufficient heat energy and be capable of transferring that
energy to the fuel long enough to raise the fuel to its ignition
temperature.
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Sources of Ignition
• Smoking
• Electrical equipment
• Heaters
• Process machinery
• Contractors tools and equipment
• Torching
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Source of ignition (cont.)
• Fuel/Gasoline
• Paper and boxes etc.
• Packaging (polystyrene beads)
• Plastics
• Solvents( grease, oil)
• Soft furnishings (mattresses, cushions)
• Metals (magnesium, Sodium, potassium, titanium)
• Waste materials (rubbish, old pallets)
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Phases of Fire
Incipient Phase
• This is the beginning or growth stage of the fire after ignition. The
flames are localized in the first fuel ignited and a free burning open
flame is typical
• There is a plume of hot gases rising from the flame. The contents of the
plume may vary, but include soot, water vapor, carbon monoxide,
carbon dioxide, and other toxic gases
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Phases of Fire(cont.)
Free Burning Phase
The fire grows in intensity as more fuel is being involved. Convection and
radiation spread the flames upward and outward from the initial fuel
package until nearby fuels reach their ignition temperatures and begin
to burn.
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Phases of Fire(cont.)
Smoldering Phase
• Is when combustibles are completely consumed or the
available oxygen has been depleted, the fire will transition
to the smoldering or “decaying” phase.
• When the involved room is not adequately ventilated, open
flame burning becomes less prevalent and smoldering
combustion dominates. The fire can now be characterized as
“ventilation controlled
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Flashover
• Transition stage of a fire where all contents in a
compartment reach their ignition temperature by
thermal radiation and subsequently ignite,
resulting in full room involvement. “Flashover is
the transition from a fire in a room, to a room on
fire.
Hazards associated with flashover
• Temperature, smoke, oxygen, carbon dioxide,
irritants and poisonous gases.
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Fire Point
• The temperature to which a liquid must be heated
in order to sustain burning after the removal of an
ignition source. Typically, only a few degrees
higher than the flash point.
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Flash Point
• The lowest temperature at which a liquid produces
a flammable vapor.

What is combustion?
• A chemical process of oxidation which occurs at a rate fast
enough to produce heat and light in the form of either a glow or
flame.
.
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Flame and Glow

Types of combustion
• Rapid combustion – A combustion in which a substance
burns rapidly and produces heat and light with the help of
external heat, e.g. burning of LPG
• Spontaneous combustion - A combustion in which a
substance burns spontaneously and produces heat and light
without the help of external heat. E.g. phosphorous at room
temperature
• Explosion – A combustion in which a substance burns
suddenly and produces heat, light, and sound with the help
of heat and sound. E.g. Crackers.
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The Combustion process
• Three components makes up
combustion process
• All three components are needed to
start a fire
• Fire extinguishers may remove one
or more of the components.
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Fire Triangle

Products of Combustion
Heat
• Heat is a by-product of combustion causing burns,
dehydration as well as heat-exhaustion.
• Each of these conditions can be mild to severe and
ultimately life threatening.
• The amount of heat energy released over a certain
period of time is called the heat release rate.
• Heat release rates are influenced by the quantity and
type of burning materials
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Products of Combustion
Light
• Certain types of fuels burn with a very intense
light that can cause temporary or permanent
damage to eyesight.
• Examples include the burning of metals such as
magnesium,
• Electrical arcing can also be harmful to eyesight.
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Products of Combustion(cont.)
Smoke
• When a fuel burns, it can
produce both visible and
invisible chemical products of
combustion such as carbon
monoxide, carbon dioxide, and
water vapor.
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Classifications Of Fire
• If the wrong type of fire
extinguisher on the wrong class of
fire is used, it may cause the
situation worse
• Understand the four different fire
(fuel) classifications.
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Fires are classified according to the type of fuel that is burning.

Class A - Ordinary Combustibles
• Class A fires involve ordinary
combustibles.
• The materials are wood, paper, cloth,
and most plastics.
• Fires in homes, workshops, businesses,
places of and also wildfires in the urban-
interface environment are typically
considered a Class A.
• The majority of fires encountered by
firefighters fall into this category
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Class B – Flammable Liquid & Gas
Fires
• Class B fires involve flammable and
combustible liquids and gases such as
gasoline, alcohol, paint or pressurized
flammable gases. fuels must vaporize
or convert to a gas to burn.
• Vaporization is the process in which
liquids are converted to a gas or vapor
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Class C Energized Electrical Fires
• A class C fire is one where electrical energy is
creating heat. Electrical heat that causes
arcing can create temperatures in excess of
2000 degrees Fahrenheit and actually cause
metals to melt or fuse. Computers, fax
machine, other energized electrical equip
• The same heat can obviously heat and ignite
nearby class A or B materials.
• The control of a class C fire starts with a
control of the electricity
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Class D Combustible Metal Fires
• Class D fires involve combustible and pyrophoric
metals such as magnesium, titanium, sodium and
potassium and are usually found in industrial or
storage facilities.
• Pyrophoric refers to materials that can ignite
spontaneously in dry or moist air
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Class K Fires
• The most recent class of fire, it was
added in 1998 to describe fires in
combustible cooking fuels, such as
animal and vegetable oils and grease.
Class K fires have similar properties
and fire behavior to class B fires,
however, utilize different
extinguishing methods.
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Common Combustible Metals
• Titanium – Used in aerospace industry and electronics;
• Lithium – Used in electronics and batteries
• Magnesium – Commonly used in mobile phones, laptop
computers, cameras, and other electronic components.
• Zinc – Commonly used in the process of galvanization, which
is the coating of iron or steel to protect against corrosion.
• Sodium – Used mainly as an alloy with other metals to
improve their strength and structure
• Potassium – Mainly used to produce fertilizer. It will create
hydrogen gas and react violently when it comes in contact
with water
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Basic Fire Prevention
• Be mindful of Fire Safety
• Don’t block fire exits, call points or
extinguishers, know your exits.
• No smoking policy.
• Take care with any hot process, follow
manufacturers instructions.
• Maintain any machinery.
• Observe good security.
• Don’t block Fire Doors
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On hearing the alarm?
• Adhere to instructions in your building evacuation plan.
• Provide assistance to other persons
• Consider evacuating area by area
• Walk quickly but don’t run, closing doors behind you
• Leave the building immediately by the nearest exit
• Do not delay your exit to collect your belongings
• Do not use lifts
• Attend the Fire Assembly Point and report to the Fire
Warden or responsible Person
• Do not return until told to do so
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Don'ts of Fire prevention
Do Not Fight a Fire if
• It is bigger than a waste paper bin
• One extinguisher is not enough
• Smoke is affecting your breathing
• You cannot see the way out
• Gas cylinders or chemicals are involved
• Your efforts are not reducing the size of the fire
• There is any risk to yourself
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If you discover the fire!!!
• Raise the alarm
• Fight the fire if you are competent and you
consider it safe to do so (generally only to
facilitate escape)
• Evacuate as per normal fire procedure
• Inform the Fire Warden or Responsible
Person
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Fire Emergency Response Plan
R - Rescue
A - Alarm
C - Contain
E - Extinguish
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Fire Extinguisher Anatomy
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DISCHARGE LEVER
DISCHARGE LOCKING PIN
AND SEAL
PRESSURE GAUGE
(not found on CO2
extinguishers)
CARRYING
HANDLE
DATA PLATE
BODY
DISCHARGE ORIFICE
DISCHARGE NOZZLE
DISCHARGE HOSE

Fire Extinguisher Classification
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A Trash Wood Paper
B Liquids Grease
C Electrical Equipment
A Trash Wood Paper
B Liquids Grease
PRESSURIZED WATER
• Class “A” fires only
• 2.5 gal. water (up to 1 minute discharge
time)
• Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity
check
• 30-40 ft. maximum effective range
• Can be started and stopped as necessary
• Extinguishes by cooling burning material
below the ignition point

Fire Extinguisher Classification
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A Trash Wood Paper
B Liquids Grease
A Trash Wood Paper
B Liquids Grease
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
• Class “B” or “C” fires
• Carbon dioxide is a non-flammable gas that takes
away the oxygen element of the fire triangle. Without
oxygen, there is no fire. 8-30 seconds discharge time)
• Has NO pressure gauge--capacity verified by weight
• Extinguishes by smothering burning materials
• Effectiveness decreases as temperature of burning
material increases.

Fire Extinguisher
Classification(cont.)
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A Trash Wood Paper
B Liquids Grease
A Trash Wood Paper
B Liquids Grease
• Class “A”, “B”, or “C” fires
• 2.5-20 lb. dry chemical (ammonium
phosphate) 8-25 seconds discharge time)
• Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity
check
• Extinguishes by smothering burning
materials.
MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL

Summary
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EXTINGUISHER TYPE WORKS BY EFFECTIVE AGAINST
COOLING
SMOTHERING
MULTIPURPOSE DRY
CHEMICAL
SMOTHERING
PRESSURIZED WATER
CARBON DIOXIDE

How to Use A Fire Extinguisher
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P
A
S
S
Pull the pin
Aim low at
the base of flames
Squeeze the handle
Sweep side to side

How to Use A Fire
Extinguisher(cont.)
Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep
• Pull the pin this will allow you to discharge the
extinguisher
•Get the hose or nozzle ready for use
•Aim at the base of the fire to hit the fuel
• If you aim at the flame the extinguishing agent will
pass through and do no good
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How to Use A Fire
Extinguisher(cont.)
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• Squeeze the top handle, this depresses a button
that releases the pressurized extinguishing
agent
• Sweep from side to side until the fire is
completely out
• Remember: Start using the extinguisher from a
safe distance away, say 2-3m, and then slowly
move forward.
• Once the fire is out, keep an eye on the area in
case it reignites.

Fire Extinguisher Requirement
Labeling:
• Easily seen
• Easily located in an area
Inspections:
• Monthly – This can be done in-house by
A qualified/knowledgeable/trained person or by a qualified 3rd
party.
• Annually – Qualified 3rd party
• Hydrostatic – Done Periodically, per manufacture specification
(~6 years), by a qualified 3rd party
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Fire Extinguisher
Requirement(cont.)
Accessibility:
• Easily retrieved
• No obstruction or reaching over anything.
• 3-foot clearance around the extinguisher.
• Nothing stored in front of it, PERIOD.
• Keep these guidelines in consideration when storing
extinguishers in or on vehicles.
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Locations and Signs
• Readily accessible
• – 75 feet—Class A
• – 50 feet—Class B
• – 50–75 feet—Class C
• – 75 feet—Class D
• – Highly visible sign
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Use a portable extinguisher
ONLY if:
• Fire Department Building is being evacuated (Fire alarm has been
pulled) has been called
• Fire is NOT spreading (small and contained)
• EXIT IS CLEAR (fight fire with your back to an exit )
• Proper extinguisher is at hand, and...
– You have been trained and know how to use it!
– You use “Buddy System” - have someone back you up!
• Get assistance BEFORE trying to fight a fire!
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UNTRAINED PEOPLE
Cannot use a fire extinguisher safely because they are:
• UNABLE to evaluate a fire
• UNAWARE of DANGER due to...
LACKING JUDGEMENT regarding:
• – Safe and correct use of, and
• – Limitations of portable extinguishers
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Fire Blanket
• Any color body or label but they are usually
red or white
• For use on any type of fire but best on
small contained class B (flammable liquids,
may include small cooking pans) fires and
people on fire
• Can be used on microwaves
• Extinguishes by smothering
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Maintenance and Inspection
• Detection and Alarm systems should be tested
• weekly and inspected by a competent person periodically
• Fire extinguishers and other fire fighting equipment
should be checked at a frequency determined by risk (but
at least monthly) for location, condition and state of
charge and serviced by a competent person annually
• Any Fire fighting device must be replaced, serviced or
checked by a competent person after any use
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END OF
PRESENTATION
QUESTIONS ARE
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BASIC FIRE FIGHTING TRAINING by Fastlane Emergency Consultancytx

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