D Part 11 Fire Revision

Fire Precautions (Workplace) Regs 1999

Detection & warning

Means of escape

Fighting fire

Staff Training

Risk Assessment

Management of H&S at Work Regs 1999

Class A: Carbonaceous materials Class B: Liquids or liquefiable solids Class C: Gases Class D: Metals Class F: Cooking oils or fats

Identify potential fire hazards Decide who might be harmed and how Evaluate risks and decide whether more

needs to be done Record findings – tell employees Review from time to time and revise when

necessary

FUEL

OXYGEN

IGNITION

SOURCE

Other examples:

Smokers materials

Heating equipment

Cooking

Lighting equipment

Arson

Static electricity

Friction

Metal impact

Flammable liquids, solvents and chemicals Wood Paper and card Plastics, rubber and foam Flammable gases Furniture Textiles Waste material Consider construction of building

Main source is air around us:

Natural airflow (doors, windows etc.)

Mechanical air conditioning)

Some chemicals (oxidising materials) Oxygen supplies from cylinder and piped

systems

Identify:

Who may be at risk of fire;

How they will be warned; and

How they will escape.

Consider employees, customers, visitors, contractors etc. and where they may be

Decide whether existing precautions are adequate, or whether more should be done

Consider: Chance of fire occurring;

Precautions in place;

Warning systems;

Means of escape; and

Means of fighting fire.

Convection Radiation Conduction Direct Contact

Smoke rises

Ever-deepening layer of

smoke

If more than 5 employees Record significant findings & people at risk Record could be simple list (see below), or

layout plan, or a combination of both

Significant hazards People/groups at

risk from hazards

Existing controls

and risks which are

not adequately

controlled

Further action

required

-by when?

-by who?

Review when no longer valid or significant changes

No need to review in light of trivial changes Fires or near misses should initiate review Ensure precautions are working effectively

Shouting “Fire” may be sufficient in small workplaces

Electrical fire warning system with manual call points is likely to be required

Automatic fire detection may also be necessary

Alarm should be loud enough for everyone to hear it

Should normally be an alternative means of escape

Each escape route should be independent of any other

Should lead to a place of safety Should be wide enough for number of

occupants Should not normally reduce in width Should be available for use and clear at all

times

Consider what people are doing when alarm sounds: Operating machinery that will have to be

switched off

Sleeping etc. Disabled may need help to evacuate Corridors should be 1m wide Stairways should be of sufficient width Should be sufficiently lit, and have

emergency lighting where necessary

Portable fire fighting equipment:

Water (red)

Foam (cream)

Powder (blue)

Carbon Dioxide (black)

Halon (green)

New extinguishers

FOAM CO2WATERPOWDER