How to Prevent and Control Fire Outbreak

How to Prevent and Control Fire Outbreak

Fire prevention is the sum total of efforts made in order to minimize fire outbreak.

 Fire Prevention

This depends on your knowledge of fire triangle i.e. breaking either parts of fire triangle. The emphasis must be from preventing the fire from burning rather than fighting it. The following steps are necessary in fire prevention:

·         Avoid anything that will bring fuel and heat together.

·         Control the fuel and ignition sources.

·         Escape route must be kept clear and properly identified.

·         Detector must be installed on walls for proper action e.g fire alarm, fire detector.

·         Emergency exit must be in a house or office, minimum of two.

·         Fire prevention instructions must be obeyed.

·         Staff training on fire prevention and combat should be adhered to.

·         Inflammable materials should be isolated from electrical appliances.

·         Unplug electric heaters /appliances that are not in use.

·         Avoid running extension wires under carpet/rugs.

·         Use extension gadgets for the right capacity of electrical appliances.

·         During construction avoid using substandard electrical appliances.

Fire Combatment

§  Starvation – remove fuel e.g remove fuel or material from one side before fire get there. In case of bush fire make a demarcation.

§  Smothering – remove oxygen. This is only applicable in a small confined place. In an oil industry, dynamites are thrown in order to remove oxygen. Most times we use fire blankets to cut off oxygen. As well we pour fuel like oil with sand to avoid oxygen from combing with fuel.

§  Cooling: we try reducing the temperature of mater in order not to catch fire.

What to do when there is Fire

·         Raise a fire alarm.

·         Invite the fire service.

·         Leave the building in an orderly manner.

·         Shut all doors/openings to prevent oxygen.

·         Ignore all valuable and personal possessions.

·         Do not panic as this can create mental confusion and loss of sense of reasoning.

·         Do not run when leaving the building but walk out smartly.

·         Do not use lift as you may get trapped in there.

·         Follow the nearest emergency exit to you.

If one follows all these recommendations there may be little or no casualty.