1 Course Handbook

Fire Safety

1 Course Handbook

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The Big Initiative has published this handbook as part of its training and development programme for people who work with children

and young people.

This guide covers a best practice view of the subject. Providing information that you can download and review in your own

time – this way, you can reflect and remind yourself of the key information you have learnt.

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Learning Objectives

To understand the cost of fire

To know what the Fire Triangle is

To know what causes fires to spread

To learn how to use fire extinguishers and know the different types

To learn how to use a fire blanket

To learn how to prevent fires

To understand fire safety legislation

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The Cost of Fire?

The costs associated with fires are:

● Loss of life● Reputation of business● Loss of employment● Firefighter safety● Financial costs of insurance

premiums/refurbishments/wages/legal

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Loss of Life

In 2018/19 in the UK there were 253 fire-related fatalities, which was a 25% decrease compared to 339 the previous year.

Source: Home Office, 2019

Reputation of Business

The reputation of a carer or a children’s home or any child care agency can be irretrievably damaged by a fire or any episode where a child might be harmed. That may be a complete accident or a lack of care from something that could have been foreseen.

Loss of Employment

A fire may result in the loss of employment for a carer or a whole team of staff of a residential children’s home.

The loss for a team or an individual carer can be financially disastrous.

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Firefighter Safety

In the period of 1986/87 - 2012/13 there were 66 firefighters deaths while on duty.

Source: gov.uk

Financial Costs

In 2008, UK insurers were paying out £3.6m every day to pay for fire damage. It’s hardly surprising that in the same year, it was estimated that fires cost the UK economy £8.3 billion.The cost of wages and refurbishment and legal costs are incredibly high.

Source: Fire Magazine

Fire Injuries

Fire and heat can cause injury in a number of ways, for example: ● Burns● Toxic fumes● Lack of oxygen● Falling debris

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Fire Safety in the Home

In the UK annually there are approximately 200 fire-related deaths. The majority of these occur within the home between 10pm and 6am when people are asleep.

There are about 37,000 house fires a year in the UK, the majority of which are caused by electrical equipment misuse, mainly cooking appliances.

In the year to Sept 2018, 38% of battery operated smoke alarms did not sound during a fire. The biggest cause? Missing, flat or disconnected batteries.

Source: First Alert, 2019

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Fire Statistics

Fire and rescue services (FRSs) attended 557,299 incidents in 2019/20. This was a three per cent decrease compared with the previous year (576,391). Of these incidents, there were 153,957 fires.

Of all incidents attended by FRSs, fires accounted for 28 per cent, fire false alarms 42 per cent and non-fire incidents 31 per cent.

Source: gov.uk, 2020

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The Fire Triangle

The fire triangle (which is also known as the combustion triangle) is a simple model for understanding the chemical reaction which must occur to create a fire.

It is composed of three elements – fuel, heat, and oxygen – which must all be present for a fire to ignite.

It also demonstrates the interdependence of these ingredients in creating and sustaining a fire and teaches us that removing any one of these elements would prevent or extinguish the fire.

The fire triangle is often used as a basic form of fire safety training and looks at the dynamics of fire itself. By looking at and understanding this in more detail, it is much easier to grasp the need for, and details of, fundamental fire regulation.

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Oxygen

As well as fuel and heat, fires also need oxygen to stay alight.

Ambient air is made up of approximately 21% oxygen and, as most fires only require at least 16% oxygen to burn, it acts as the oxidising agent in the chemical reaction. This means that when the fuel burns, it reacts with the oxygen to release heat and generate combustion

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Heat

In addition to a fuel source, heat must be present in order for ignition to take place.

All flammable materials give off flammable vapours which, when heat is present, combust.

Heat is also responsible for the spread and maintenance of fire as it removes the moisture from nearby fuel, warming the surrounding area and pre-heating fuel in its path, enabling it to travel and develop with greater ease.

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Fuel

In order for a fire to start there must be a material to burn – and this is referred to as the fuel.

Fuel is any kind of combustible material, including paper, oils, wood, gases, fabrics, liquids, plastics, and rubber.

The fuel for a fire is usually characterised by its moisture content, size, shape, and quantity; this will determine how easily the fuel will burn and at what temperature.

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How do fires spread?

Fires spread in four main ways:

● Conduction ● Convection ● Radiation ● Direct Contact

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The Causes of Fire Spreading

The causes of fires spreading are: ● Weather conditions● Proximity of flammable materials● Calorific energy of fire● Air movement around the fire● Heat transfer● Escape of fuel or flammable liquids● Collapse of burning roof or ceiling● Escape of flammable vapours/gasses● False ceilings and partitioning● Building service voids

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Fire Extinguisher Types

Carbon based solids – wood, paper, straw, textiles, coal etc.

Petrol, diesel, paints etc.

Mixed – solids, flammable liquids, gases, electrical

Electrical equipment, flammable liquids

Cooking oil/deep fat fryers

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What Type of Extinguisher Should You Be Using?

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How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

A useful acronym to remember when using a fire extinguisher is PASS:

Pull the pin

Aim the nozzle

Squeeze the handle

Sweep from side to side

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How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Many people put out small fires quite safely. However, death or serious injury can occur by tackling a fire that is beyond your capabilities. Only tackle a fire in its very early stages and always ensure you put your own and other people's safety first.

If you cannot put out the fire or if the extinguisher becomes empty, evacuate yourself and everyone in the building immediately, closing all doors behind you as you go and ensure the fire brigade has been called.If there is the slightest doubt or uncertainty about tackling the fire, evacuate the building immediately and call the fire brigade.

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Fire Blankets

The correct way to use a fire blanket is:

1. Remove the fire blanket by pulling down sharply on the tabs hanging from the bottom of the package

1. Protect your hands

1. Place the blanket over the fire

1. Turn off any heat source, such as a stove burner

1. Leave the blanket in place for at least 15 minutes

1. Call for help if needed

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Fire Prevention

Some steps to take to preventing fires are:

● Do not block fire exits and escape routes● Do not wedge open fire doors● Have all electrical items undergo a portable appliance test (PAT)

and risk assessments in place● Safely dispose of waste products● Daily inspection of unoccupied areas/arson prevention● Designated smoking areas● Fully working fire alarms and sprinkler systems

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Emergency Action Plan

What should you do in the event of a fire?

Always: ● Stay calm and act immediately ● Leave the building by the more appropriate escape route● Close windows and doors behind you if you are the last to leave● Assemble at your designated assembly point, and wait to be

checked off Never: ● Delay your evacuation by collecting your belongings, finishing a

task, or waiting for others to react ● Use lifts (unless this is part of a personal evacuation plan ● Tackle a fire unless you are trained and it is safe to do so ● Re-enter the building until you are told it is safe

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Your Building and Equipment

Take a moment to consider the building you’re completing this course in.

How many fire extinguishers are in the building?

How many fire exits are there?

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Fire Signs

Different coloured fire signs denote different meanings and instructions, they are:

Green and White – Denotes emergency exits

Red – Break glass points, Fire extinguisher location

White – Instruction notice

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Fire Test Timetables

Residential placements fire test timetables should follow as:

WeeklyAlarm test

Monthly Emergency light testAutomatic fire doors test

Six MonthlyPlanned fire drill

AnnuallyService of alarm system and fire fighting equipment

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Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 was brought in in October 2006 to replace over 100 other pieces of existing legislation.

The order applies to all non-domestic premises and some outdoor (e.g. marquees).

It places responsibility for compliance on “the responsible person” – usually an employer or the person in control of the building.

It ensures that a person is appointed to implement the emergency plan.

It ensures that the appointed persons and staff are adequately trained.

The order also imposes obligations on the responsible person to have a suitable fire risk assessment carried out on the premises.

It ensures that there are sufficient fire alarms and fire detection equipment and that they are properly maintained.

It also makes sure that there is liaising with local fire and other emergency services.

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Enforcement of Fire Safety Order

A breach of the Fire Safety Order (FSO) is a criminal offence. Serious cases can be heard in Crown Court.It is enforced by local authority fire officers (Fire Safety Audit).FSO permits three types of notice to be issued to the Responsible Person:

● Alterations Notice● Enforcement Notice● Prohibition Notice

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Final Thoughts

Whenever you are in the position of dealing with a fire, it is important to remember:

● How to raise the alarm● Your nearest fire exit/route● Where the assembly points are● The fire safety procedure

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#Young People Matter