Means of Egress and Fire Protection

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Means of Egressand Fire Protection
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Objectives

• Understand Alarms and Warning Devices
• Know the location of Exits and Exit Routes
• Understand the RACE and PASS Methods
• Understand the Types of Fire Extinguishers
• Know Proper Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers

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Fire in the United States

• The U.S. has one of the highest fire death rates
  in the industrialized world. Fire killes more
  Americans than all natural disasters combined .
• An average of 3,200 Americans lost their lives
  and another 17,500 were injured annually as the
  result of fire.
• Fire is the third leading cause of accidental
  death in the home at least 80 percent of all
  fire deaths occur in residences.
• Direct property loss due to fires is estimated at
  15.3 billion annually.

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Where Fires Occur

• There are over 1.5 million fires reported in the
  United States annually, of these
• 40 were Outside Fires
• 31 were Structure Fires
• 22 were Vehicle Fires
• 7 were fires of other types
• Fires in the home most often start in the
• Kitchen 29
• Bedroom 13
• Living Room 7
• Chimney 5
• Laundry Area 4

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Warning AlarmsGeneral Requirements

• Fire alarms are required if a fire could start
  without providing adequate warning to occupants.
• Alarms might include
• Voice yell for help/fire/Code Red
• Public Address system (PA)
• Alarm Pull Stations

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Escape Route

• A continuous, unobstructed way of exit from any
  point in a building or structure to a rally
  point.
• Three parts to an escape route
• the path of exit access
• the exit door or opening
• the way of exit discharge.

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RACE Method of Evacuation

• R Remove all persons in danger!
• A Always sound the alarm and notify authorities.
• C Contain by closing the windows and doors.
• E Extinguish the fire only if you are trained and
  confident it is safe to do so.

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Portable Fire ExtinguisherTraining and Education

• Where portable fire extinguishers have been
  provided for employee use in the workplace,
  employees must be provided with an educational
  program on the
• General principles of fire extinguisher use
• Hazards of incipient stage fire fighting
• Employees designated to use extinguishers must
  receive instruction and hands-on practice in the
  operation of equipment

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Types of Fire Extinguishers
Class A ordinary combustibles
Class B flammable liquids, gases, greases
Class C energized electrical equipment
Class D combustible metals
Class K cooking media
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The Fire Triangle

• Heat
• Fuel
• Oxygen

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Extinguisher Rating

• All extinguishers are rated according to the
  class and size of the fire they are designed for.
• Class A and B receive a numerical rating to
  determine the extinguishing potential for each
  type and size of extinguisher.
• Class C is basically a class A or B fire with
  electricity involved. The C designation indicates
  a non-conductive agent.
• Class D extinguishers have no numerical rating,
  however the exact type of metal the extinguisher
  is designed for must be on the label.
• Class K extinguishers have no numerical rating,
  and uses a special wet chemical extinguishing
  agent that is specially suited for extinguishing
  and suppressing these extremely hot fires that
  have the ability to re-flash.

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Extinguisher Rating

• Class A extinguishers are rated 1-A to 40-A. 1-A
  equals 1 1/4 gallons of water and is the
  benchmark even for non-water type extinguishers.
• 2-A has two times the extinguishing capability of
  a 1-A, 10-A ten times a 1-A etc.

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Extinguisher Rating

• Class B extinguishers are rated 1-B to 640-B. 1-B
  equals one square foot and is the benchmark.
• A 60-B extinguisher should be able to extinguish
  60 square feet of flammable liquid fire by a
  non-expert.

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Different Kinds of Extinguishers

• The 3 most common fire extinguishers
• All Purpose Water
• Carbon Dioxide
• Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical
• Each type of extinguisher has a specific use.

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All Purpose Water

• Use on CLASS A fires
• Pressurized water
• Pressure gauge present

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Carbon Dioxide

• Use on CLASS B and CLASS C fires
• No pressure gauge

Caution! Skin can freeze to the discharge horn
during use.
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Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical

• Use on CLASS A, CLASS B, and CLASS C fires
• Fine powder under pressure
• Pressure gauge present

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Decision Making
Leave Immediately
Leave Immediately
Leave Immediately
Leave Immediately
Extinguish The Fire
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Decision Making
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P.A.S.S Method

• Pull
• Aim
• Squeeze
• Sweep
• Test the extinguisher before approaching any fire.

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Fire Suppression Safety

• Do
• Use safety equipment.
• Have two ways to exit.
• Maintain a safe distance.
• Overhaul the fire.

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Fire Suppression Safety

• Do Not
• Try to suppress large fires.
• Get too close.
• Enter smoke-filled areas.

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Maintaining Portable Fire Extinguishers

• Must maintain in a fully charged and operable
  condition
• Must keep in their designated places at all times
  except during use
• Must conduct an annual maintenance check
• Must record the annual maintenance date and
  retain this record for one year after the last
  entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less

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Summary

• Be aware of, and understand, the alarms for fire
  in your work area.
• Escape routes must be marked, lighted, free of
  obstructions, that my impede or prevent escape
• Follow the steps for PASS and RACE
• Fire extinguisher classes and numerical ratings
  help a user understand its capabilities
• Fire extinguishers must be inspected, maintained
  and employees must be trained in how to use them