Electricity - Fire Safety

Safe Systems of Work

Where work is to be undertaken on electrical apparatus or part of a circuit, a formally operated, safe system of work is essential. This commonly takes the form of a Permit to Work system, which ensures the following procedures and precautions:

• Switching off and locking out the electricity supply, i.e. isolation;
• Checking by the use of an appropriate voltage detection instrument that the circuit, that part of same to be worked on, is dead before work commences;
• High levels of supervision and control to ensure that work is undertaken correctly and that Permit to Work procedures are followed;
• Paying particular attention to the precautions where electrical installation or maintenance work is to be undertaken in wet surroundings, in external areas and in confined spaces;
• Examining appliances by a competent person on a regular basis, including the leads, and any extension leads used that may have become damaged;
• Implementing physical precautions, such as the erection of barriers and signs restricting access to the area; and
• Formal cancellation of the Permit to Work once the work is completed satisfactorily and return to service of the appliance, plant or system in question.

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Warning signs – General

Harmful or irritant material’ warning sign
(black cross on a yellow triangle warning sign)

Intrinsic features:
(a) Triangular shape;
(b) Black pictogram on a yellow background with black edging (the yellow part to
take up at least 50% of the area of the sign).

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Fire extinguishers are colour-codes

Fire extinguishers are colour-coded; each colour denotes the type of extinguishing agent that is contained in the extinguisher.

The different types are: Water, AFFF Foam, Dry powder, Carbon Dioxide and Wet Chemical.

Fires are Categorised into Classes:

Class A - Flammable solids or freely burning material
Class B - Flammable liquids,
Class C - Flammable gases,
Class F - Cooking oils. There is also the hazard of electrical fires involving electrical appliances or wiring.

It is always important to use the correct extinguisher on each type of fire. Use of the wrong type could cause the fire to flare up.

Class A fires should be tackled with Water, AFFF foam or dry powder extinguishers.

Class B fires should be tackled with AFFF foam, Dry powder or carbon dioxide extinguishers.

Class C fires should be tackled by isolating the gas/liquid supply and not primarily by use of a fire extinguisher. Only a Dry Powder extinguisher should be used.

Class F fires should be tackled with only a Wet Chemical fire extinguisher.

Electrical hazards should be tackled with either Dry Powder or Carbon Dioxide extinguishers.

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Safe Storage and Use of Flammable Liquids

When considering the storage or use of flammable liquids, the follwing safety principles should be applied:

V - Ventilation - Plenty of Fresh Air
I  -  Ignition - Control of Ignition Sources
C - Containment - Suitable Containers and Spillage Control
E - Exchange - try to use a less flammable product to do task
S - Separation - Keep storage away from process areas, by distance or a physical barrier, For example, a Wall or Partition. 

Storage in the Workplace

Control Measures for Storage in the Workplace:

• In a suitable container, to prevent spills and sealed to prevent loss of vapour
• In a suitable cabinet, bin or other store container
• In a designated area of the workplace
• Away from ignition sources, working oa process areas
• Capable of containing any spillage
• Provided with hazards warning signs to illustrate the flammability of the contents
• Prohibition signs for smoking and naked flame
• Not contain other substances or items

Storage in Open Air

Control Measures for Storage in the Open Air:

• Formal storage area on a concrete pad, with a sump for spills
• Bunded all around to take content of largest drum plus an allowance of 10%
• Away from other buildings
• Secure fence and gate 2m high
• Marked by signs warning of flammability
• Signs prohibiting smoking or other naked flames
• Protection from sunlight
• If lighting is provided within store it must be flame proof
• Provision from spill containment materials
• Fire Extinguishers located nearby - consider powder type
• Full and Empty containers separated
• Clear Identification of contents

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Methods of Reducing the Risks of Fire in the Workplace

FIRE PREVENTION

Having measures to reduce the risk of fire starting such as controlling ignition sources (hot work permit, discipline smoking, controlling electricity, etc.., )

Controlling fuel/burning material (inventory control/controlled storage of flammable, controlled burning of rubbish, good housekeeping, etc .., ) and

Controlling oxygen ( preventing oxygen enrichment – leaking oxygen house ).


FIRE PROTECTION

Having measures to reduce the risk of fire spreading such as passive and active fire protection measures .passive fire protection measures include compartmentation , intumescent coatings etc..,

To gain integnity against smoke/flames, to maintain stability of structures by ensuring thermal insulation .

Active fire protection measures include equipment's and systems available for fire fighting (fixed and portable).

FIRE PRECAUTION

Having measures to reduce risk to occupants in the event of fire such as detection systems (smoke/heat/flame detectors- adequate and appropriately sited).

Automatic alarms with manual backup, means of escape (safe design with necessary resource provision) ,safe assembly point with arrangements for recovery and rescue off-site.

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Principle of Fire Triangle

The fire triangle represents the fuel, oxygen and a source of ignition, heat or ignition source/energy-that must be present for combustion to occur.

For the fire to occur, all these sides are to be complete, otherwise the fire will not occur. so to extinguish fire any of the three viz. fuel, oxygen or the heat source should be removed or isolated.

Cooling: Removing the heat from fire to extinguish it ; eg : water type fire extinguisher does cooling.

Smothering: Cutting off the oxygen supply to fire or sealing off the oxygen not to reach the fire to extinguish fire; foam type fire extinguisher forms a blanket/film of foam layer disallowing air to reach thus extinguishes fire.

Starving: The fire and fuel; in this process all the adjacent burning material are removed from the scene of fire (or) the fuel supply value /knob is shut off or closed to avoid any further fuel available to continue / sustain burning, thus the fire does not have burning material to spread further, thus extinguishes due to starvation. 

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Common Fire Hazards

Fire safety is the arrangement of practices planned to diminish the obliteration created by flame. Fire safety measures incorporate those that are expected to avoid ignition of an uncontrolled fire, and those that are utilized to restrain the improvement and impacts of a fire after it begins.

Some common fire hazards are:

• Kitchen fires from unattended cooking, such as frying, broiling, and simmering
• Electrical systems that are overloaded, resulting in hot wiring or connections, or failed components
• Combustible storage areas with insufficient protection
• Combustibles near equipment that generates heat, flame, or sparks
• Candles and other open flames
• Smoking (Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, lighters, etc.)
• Equipment that generates heat and utilizes combustible materials
• Flammable liquids and aerosols
• Flammable solvents (and rags soaked with solvent) placed in enclosed trash cans
• Fireplace chimneys not properly or regularly cleaned
• Cooking appliances - stoves, ovens
• Heating appliances - fireplaces, wood burning stoves, furnaces, boilers, portable heaters
• Household appliances - clothes dryers, curling irons, hair dryers, refrigerators, freezers
• Chimneys that concentrate creosote
• Electrical wiring in poor condition
• Leaking Batteries
• Personal ignition sources - matches, lighters
• Electronic and electrical equipment
• Exterior cooking equipment - barbecue

Learn About Fire Safety - FIRE PREVENTION

• Try not to leave electrical machines unattended
• Switch off electric machines after use and remove the socket. It is fire safe practice. 
• Try not to over-burden electrical circuit; it may cause short circuit and a fire
• Don't keep electric wiring hanging, secure appropriately. 
• Try not to utilize light the in the event of force disappointment. Client battery worked tourches. 
• Smoke just in the Smoking Zone, use non-flammable ashtrays for storing lit smoking material 
• Use ashtray while Smoking 
• Keep matches, saltines, lighters far from the kids. 
• Try not to permit kids to play with fireworks. 

• Do not light fire works near the structures . 
• Close the windows and openings appropriately to counteract entrance of lit flying saltines. 
• Try not to leave lit oil lights, agarbattis or candles on the floor or close ignitable material. Put them off before resigning to bed. 
• Do not store scrap/combustible material in and around the building; dispose it regularly.
• Keep L.P.G. Stove/Segree/Burner on raised non-ignitable stage. 
• Turn off both the L.P.G. gas barrel valve and burner handle of the gas segree/cooking extent and so on when not being used in the wake of cooking. 
• Ventilate the whole room if L.P.G. chamber is spilling and don't switch on/off any of the electric switches the room in . Supplant L.P.G. supply tube intermittently or as and when prompted by Mechanic. 
• In the event that L.P.G. barrel is spilling 

                - Close the principle barrel valve.
                - Ventilate the whole room.
                - Do not work electric switch.

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Utility of fire extinguishers

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user (i.e., no escape route, smoke, explosion hazard, etc.), or otherwise requires the expertise of a fire department. Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a hand-held cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent which can be discharged to extinguish a fire.

Utility of fire extinguishers

S: Suitable
NS: Not suitable
U : Can be used in case of emergency but not much effective. * :

Special dry powder can be used. Taking into consideration the views of technical authority, the number and size of first aid fire appliances that are installed in any particular premises for protecting building structure and occupancy hazard are according the following factors.

Fixed fire fighting equipment

The Fire Alarm system consists of smoke/heat detectors, hooters, manual call points, and a Fire Monitor Panel.

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Do & Don't In case of Fire - Fire Protection

Do's

Familiarize yourself with the design of the departure courses, staircases, shelter regions and the area of flame alerts.

Keep always closed the fire doors of staircases, main entrance to the factory building/ company

All the fire protection installations such as fire pumps, wet riser-cum-downcomer, sprinkler installation, fire extinguishers etc should be kept in a good state. Timely use of these will help in controlling/extinguishing the fires in the early stages, thereby minimising life losses and property losses.

Always maintain good house keeping.

Ground all the lifts, including FIRE LIFT, in case of a fire.

Practice evacuation drills periodically.

Irrespective of the magnitude of fire, summon the Fire Brigade at the earliest.

Seek the advice and guidance of Fire Brigade Department in the matter of fire safety.

In case of fire, guide the Fire Brigade Department personnel about the location and extent of fire, information about trapped persons, if any, and provide any other information they may request. Help them to help you.

Remember, FIREMAN IS YOUR FRIEND .

Dont's

Do not decorate walls and ceilings of common corridors with combustible material such as wooden paneling etc. They create unwarranted fire risk in the escape route in case of fire.

Do not allow Fire fighting tanks to be misused or remain empty. Do not block access to the tank. You/Fire Service may need them for use at any moment.

Avoid damage to wet riser system. It has been provided for your use to extinguish/check spread of fire before arrival of Fire Brigade. It's good maintenance ensures your safety.

Do not 'switch off' Fire/Smoke Detection System. This may lead to fire remaining unnoticed till it assumed large magnitude

Do not 'switch off' electricity of the entire building in the event of a fire. This will cause stoppage of all the fire protection and fire fighting system installed in the building.

Do not carry out additions and alteration in the building. Consult Fire Brigade before undertaking such works.

Do not allow encroachments or storages in the courtyards of the building. Open courtyards are required for placing and operating the fire and rescue appliances in case of emergency.

Do not allow storages or obstructions in the common corridors and staircases. These exit routes, if maintained clear, will help easy escape in case of fire.

Do not allow the Fire doors of the staircases to be kept open. In case of fire, heat and smoke enters the staircases and prevent the escape of people.

In case of fire, do not use LIFTS for escape. They may fail midway trapping people inside. Use only staircases.

Do not allow Electric Meter Rooms to be used as storages, dumping places or as living quarters for servants. They are potential fire hazards.

During Diwali Season, do not keep any combustibles in the balconies. Do not dry clothes in the balconies or outside the building line. Flying crackers have caused serious fires.

Do not use the basement for any purpose other than permitted purpose. Because of ill-ventilation, habitation or working in the basement will make a death trap for people.

Continuous electrical ducts through the height of the building enable the fire to spread from one floor to another. Seal them at each floor slab level.

Do not allow Air-Condition ducting to pass through one floor to another, because fire, heat and smoke travel through these ducts and spread to the other part of the building. Sectionalise them, as far as practical even on a particular floor, so as to limit the spread of fire, heat and smoke, and minimise the damages.

Never paint or coat fire detectors or sprinkler heads. If done, they will become ineffective.

Do not re-enter the ire affected building to collect the valuables or for any other purpose. It may cost your life.