Fire Safety

(image from http://www.safetyworld.com/images/1114.gif)

A Public Fire Safety Talk was held at the Information Department yesterday. Although in the end it was all about the selling their product - Fire Extinguisher at a special promotional price, there are useful knowledge that I gained in this talk. Loss of lives could happen due to lack of knowledge on fire safety and prevention.

1) Know the emergency numbers: 991 - Ambulance; 993 - Police; 995 - Fire Brigade

2) Run for your life immediately if there is a fire, not securing your valuables!

(from http://www.do2learn.com/games/safetygames/activity_sheets/activity_firesafety.htm)

3) Crawl or get down to about half a metre from the floor to avoid from engulfing in the choking toxic smoke (fresh Oxygen usually still available at the bottom)

4) As fire breaks out, you probably cannot see clearly which direction to escape, so follow the wall and you will be eventually led to the exit

5) When you are close to the exit, do not open the door if it is hot to touch, as this indicates a major fire is behind the door.

6) Do not jump from a tall building unless you are confident you will land safely (upright, without damaging your spine).

7) Install fire prevention equipments, Smoke Detector, Sprinkler System, Fire blanket, Fire Extinguisher.

8) Use a wet cloth to extinguish a burning pan. This is strictly not suitable be used over electrical appliances.

9) If clothing catches fire, roll yourself on the floor (not on an oily floor)


Classes of Fire

(from http://www.delaufire.com/size_&_type.htm)

Class A fires involve thing that are easily catch fire such as wood, paper, cotton, plastics & rubber.

Class B fires are from the liquid combustibles.

Class C are from the electricals.

Class D are metal & metal alloy.


Types of Extinguisher

1) Dry chemical ==> for fires A, B, C
toxic and corrosive, to be sprayed within 1.5m from the fire, extinguisher to be refilled after used, and to be serviced and inspected regularly

2) Water ==> for fire A

3) Foam ==> for fires A, B

4) Carbon Dioxide ==> for fires B, C
the CO2 is compressed at a high pressure and a temperature of -78 deg C (use a glove or cloth to hold the nozzle)

For more information on Fire extinguishers, please visit Wikipedia.