20. Explain how to prevent fires from starting or spreading

For
many years, people have remembered the fire triangle.
This helps to remember that in order for a fire to start
there needs to be heat, fuel and oxygen.

Oxygen: The main source of
oxygen is in the air around us. Sometimes there could be oxygen found in
chemicals or oxygen cylinders.
Heat: A common cause of
fire is a carelessly discarded cigarette. This, along with lighters, matches,
naked flames like candles, faulty electrical equipment, hot surfaces, lighting,
electric or gas heaters, cooking equipment are all sources of ignition.
Fuel: Sources are empty
boxes, rubbish, paper, wood, upholstered furniture, flammable chemicals,
rubber, clothes and curtains can all provide sources of fuel and help a fire to
spread.

Recent research has added a fourth element; a chemical
chain reaction which is also necessary for fire to occur.  The fire triangle has been adapted into a fire
tetrahedron to reflect this fourth element. The most important
thing to know is that a fire cannot start or continue if one of
these elements is
missing.

Our fire
safety course will provide you with more detailed information.
Your organisation may ask you to attend a classroom fire
safety course as part of its company policy. You will be required to understand
fire evacuation procedures for the place or places you work and follow these in
an emergency. Fire exits will be clearly marked and you will meet your
colleagues at the “Assembly Point” where they will check if everyone is
present. You will practise fire evacuation regularly. You must not return to
the building until an appointed person tells you it is safe. Each home will
have specific arrangement about what happens with the residents if the fire
alarm rings.
 
Make sure you have an emergency plan for your
own home as well.
If you work in an
individual’s home or in the community, you will need to
consider emergency evacuation plans. Each place will be different and
individuals have different needs in mobility, communication and comprehension
about what might be happening. 

You can support the individual to know how to make their
own home more secure by checking they have a working smoke alarm. You can
consider together how you will leave the building if there is an emergency. If
you can simulate and practise evacuation, this could save lives. We recommend
you do this at home as well with your family.

For now, these are some essential fire safety principles
you need to be aware of:

1. Be aware and take extra caution when people
are smoking, using lighters, candles, cooking, working with hot
surfaces and around electric or gas heaters. Don’t smoke near naked flames
or hazardous chemicals. Observe no smoking signs.
2.  Ensure equipment is not used with faulty
wiring. Keep appliances and switches turned off and unplugged where
possible. Do not leave mobile phones, tablets or laptops on charge
overnight, especially under a pillow.
3.  Keep escape routes clear making sure
furniture or empty boxes are disposed of safely outside the building in
the appropriate places. Don’t allow large amounts of rubbish to gather as
this could provide fuel for a fire.
4. Fire doors will help prevent fire from
spreading. They should always be kept closed, unless they are fitted
with automatic door release system linked to the fire alarm system.
 
Fire doors should never be blocked or wedged open.