Combustion can be described as the burning of fuel as well as oxidant so as to produce heat. Fire is a special type of the oxidant that is popularly known as combustion. Fire has a triangular characteristics involving high temperature, oxygen and fuel as indicated in the diagram. Lack of oxygen is what causes fire to be extinguished. The presentation will highlight the type of hazards as well as the protection systems needed in fighting fire outbreak.

1. Fire protection presentation
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2. Introduction
 Combustion can be described as the burning of fuel as
well as oxidant so as to produce heat.
 Fire is a special type of the oxidant that is popularly
known as combustion.
 Fire has a triangular characteristics involving high
temperature, oxygen and fuel as indicated in the
diagram.
 Lack of oxygen is what causes fire to be extinguished.
 The presentation will highlight the type of hazards as
well as the protection systems needed in fighting fire
outbreak.

3. Automotive Fires
 Automotive fire is becoming a major concern to both
the manufacturer as well as the owners of vehicles.
 It is worth noting that fire can be considered as both a
financial aspect and a safety aspect when the car is
packed at home.
 It is widely believed that automobile fires are caused by
a default in the engine compartments.
 Furthermore, others believe that automotive fires are
as a result of poor maintenance of the cars.
 Driver errors is also another cause of automotive fires.
 Dropping burning things in cars is also a cause of fires.

4. Automotive Fires
 It is surprising that the Society of Automotive Engineers
do not have published standards for informational
purposes.
 It is vital that there be a guide that recognizes
incendiary factors and arson in automotive fires.
 Most cases of automobile fire are said to be of small
order where the vehicle malfunctions hence igniting the
fire. On the other hand, most fire fighters pay attention
to large order automobile
 A small flare as well as copious amount of smoke can
also be a cause of fire.

5. Automotive Fires
 Tim Gilles notes that gasoline is a major cause of
automotive fires.
 The greatest threats of what catches fire during the
process is the vapors.
 The vapors released from gasoline are usually heavier
than air.
 An arc is a high temperature luminous electric
discharge between polarity or induction gap.
 An arson in automobile fire on the other hand is the act
of deliberately starting a fire.

6. Automotive fires
 Automotive fire have its origin from within the vehicle
as well as in the garage where the vehicle is located.
 Some of the causes highlighted include:
 Collision induced damage.
 Road hazards, conditions and environment
 Maintenance.
 Component design
 Actions by operators
 Arson
 Failed mechanical components

7. Types of Automotive Hazards
 Fire is defined as a chemical process that rapidly takes
place and which involves the combination of heat as
well as oxygen.
 This reaction is known as combustion.
 Fire can only start in automotives if oxygen, heat and
fuel are in plenty.
 On the other hand, fire is likely to be limited if one of
these components is removed from the triangle.
 This is what is known as the fire triangle.

8. Heat in automotive fire
 Fire in vehicles can easily be started by anything that
have the potential to generate heat.
 Heat acts as an important source in the ignition of fire.
 The heat that is produced by a given source is what will
cause ignition and not the source itself.
 Smoking in a vehicle is dangerous for it is likely to
generate heat which might result in automotive fires.
 Overheating within an automotive cal also result in the
emission of heat in the process.

9. Heat in automotive fire
 Friction in cars can also lead to the production of heat
and as a result cause fire.
 Friction in vehicles occurs as a result of pieces of metal
in the car rubbing against each other.
 Friction experienced between the road and the tyres as
indicated in the diagram can also cause automotive
fires.

10. Fuel in automotive fire
 Automotive workshops offer a great risk in automotive
fire as a result of gasoline or petrol.
 Fuel vapor: Rapid vaporization of liquid fuel when it is
split can easily ignite in an open environment.
 Fuel vapor can easily spread within a wide environ due
to its invisibility and heavier than air status.
 For instance, a reckless smoker who lit a cigarette in
this environs will trigger explosive fire.
 The wide range of fuel vapor flammability makes it
ignite in the ratio of 1.4%-7.5% of the mixture.

11. Fuel in automotive fire
 Spillage Risks: Spillage usually occur when technicians
remove the fuel tank sender unit without emptying the
tank first.
 Spills can also occur when the fuel lines have been
damaged and replacement is taking place.
 Draining fuel: Draining of fuel can also cause the fuel to
be split. Furthermore, draining fuel from an inspection
pit uplifts the occurrence of fire.
 Technicians fail to use the fuel retriever when removing
the fuel through the filler neck.

12. Oxygen in automotive fire
 Oxygen that propels automotive fire is usually
generated from the surrounding air.
 Compressed air, pure oxygen in gas cylinders used for
welding or combustion of nitrates, peroxides and
similar chemicals can enhance the presence of
oxygen.
 These elements are usually referred to as the oxidizing
agents.
 All engineering materials as well as metals can react
fast and burn in an oxygen-enriched atmosphere.

13. Oxygen in automotive fire
 In an oxygen-enriched environment, it is not easy to
turn off an oxygen system.
 There is great risk of ignition as well as sustained
combustion within the oxygen system.

14. Fire Protection and Control
 Fire and explosion prevention control entails:
 Eliminating the potential ignition sources as well as fuel
sources.
 One should minimize on the number of ignition sources
that might pose a threat.
 It is important to keep the potential ignition sources far
from potential sources.
 The amount of flammable materials taken from the
ground should be minimized.
 It is important to use fire resistant fluids as compared
to mineral oils.

15. Fire Protection and Control
 Flammable waste as well as rubbish should be
removed on a regular basis.
 Oil filled electrical equipment, bitumen-filled electrical
cable couplers & joints should progressively be
replaced by safer alternatives.
 Automotive industry should use ignition-protected
electrical distribution systems.
 There should be a close monitor of the oil filled
electrical equipment.
 Batter powered vehicles should be used as compared
to internal combustion engines.

16. Fire protection and Control
systems
 Proper lubrications should be observed.
 It is important to remove ignition sources from the
equipments that are out of use for instance car
batteries.
 Smoking should be controlled in vehicles as well as
below ground.
 The electrical equipments should be minimized in
zones that use flammable materials.
 The automobile industry should avoid using internal
combustion engines.

17. Fire protection and Control
systems
 Electric cables, fuels and hydraulic pipes should be
separated from hot components in engine
compartments in diesel vehicles.
 This is usually done through the provision of physical
barriers and routing system.
 Diesel exhaust and space heaters which are hot
components should be shrouded or even enclosed.
 Installation of automatic fire suppression equipment.
 The invention of materials that are able to give off very
toxic fumes should be limited or even avoided.

18. NFPA Codes and Standards
 It is the mandate of the National Fire Protection
Association (NFPA) to develop, publish as well as
disseminate consensus codes as well as standards
that limit the possibility of fire.
 Installation, design and every building is affected by the
NFPA regulations.
 The standard codes are globally accepted as
professional standards.
 It is composed of representatives from several fire
departments, insurance companies, unions as well as
trade organizations.

19. NFPA Codes and Standards
 National Electrical Code (NFPA 70)
 This code entails standards that are adoptable towards
safe installation of electrical wiring. The code is usually
adapted so as to generate safe electrical practices.
 NFPA 1901
 This is the standard for automotive fire apparatus and
comprises of the standards of responding to firefighting
mechanism.
 Minimal standards are set by this code that guides all
equipments associated with fire.

20. NFPA Codes and Standards
 NFPA 1001 illustrates the requirements for all
volunteer as well as career personnel who are involved
in responding to fire outbreak.
 Life Safety Code (NFPA 101
 This code is used as a guide by those charged with the
design of vessels and vehicles.
 It is vital element in the determination of liability in case
of an accident.
 NFPA 101 is employed by insurance companies as
they respond to the set rates and risks.

21. NFPA Codes and Standards
 NFPA 921 is a guide for fire and explosive
investigations.
 Its objective is the establishment of guidelines in the
analysis of explosion or fire accident.
 Various fire investigation certificate examination are
based on passing NFPA 921.
 NFPA 72
 The code illustrates the testing, performance,
maintenance and location of the fire alarm systems in
vehicles and in buildings.

22. References
 Barnett, J.G. (2004). Automotive Fire Analysis: An Engineering
Approach. Arizona: Lawyers & Judges Publishing Company.
 Gilles, T. (2011). Automotive Service: Inspection, Maintenance,
Repair. Connecticut: Cengage Learning.
 HSE. (n.d). Guidance on the prevention and control of fire and
explosion at mines used for storage and other purposes. Retrieved
17th
October 2011
from http://www.hse.gov.uk/mining/festorage.pdf
 NFPA. (2011). List of NFPA Codes and Standards. Retrieved 19th
October 2011 from
http://www.nfpa.org/aboutthecodes/list_of_codes_and_standards.asp
 Great info here