A-5 Fire Safety Introduction
As a trades worker, you have a responsibility to work safely, and fire prevention is a primary concern. Many of the work tasks you carry out include the application of heat and flame. You should be able to apply fire prevention practices, identify fire causes, and identify and apply fire-extinguishing agents to control or extinguish a fire. You are not expected to be an expert firefighter, but you may have to deal with a fire to protect your safety and the safety of others.
Learning Objectives
Once you have completed this section, you will be able to:
- Describe how fires start.
- Identify the fire triangle.
- Name the components of a fire triangle and explain how the fire triangle works.
- Identify and name the classes of fire.
- Identify and name the types of fire extinguishers.
- State the letters used to identify fire extinguishers.
- Select the correct type of extinguisher for each type of fire.
- Describe the procedures for extinguishing small fires.
- Describe proper methods for preventing fires.
You will be required to reference publications and videos available online at WorkSafeBC.
Terminology
The following terms will be used throughout this section. A complete list of terms for this section can be found in the Glossary.
- autoignition temperature: The temperature at which a substance ignites on its own without a spark or flame. (Section A-5.1)
- chemical chain reaction: A continuing chemical process that keeps a fire burning once it has started. (Section A-5.1)
- class of fire: A category that describes the type of material that is burning. (Section A-5.2)
- combustible material: A substance that can catch fire and burn. (Section A-5.1)
- combustion: Burning; a chemical reaction that produces heat and often light. (Section A-5.1)
- construction heater: A portable heater used at building sites to keep the air warm while workers are constructing or repairing a building; helps to dry materials like paint or concrete; keeps workers safe and comfortable in cold weather; can run on electricity, propane, natural gas, or diesel fuel. (Section A-5.3)
- cooling: In fire safety, means lowering the temperature of a fire, usually by adding water, so it no longer has enough heat to keep burning. (Section A-5.1)
- dry chemical extinguisher: A fire extinguisher that uses powder to put out a fire. (Section A-5.2)
- energized electrical equipment: Electrical equipment that is connected to power. (Section A-5.2)
- extinguishing agent: A substance used to put out a fire. (Section A-5.1)
- flammable: Able to catch fire easily. (Section A-5.2)
- flashpoint: The lowest temperature at which a liquid gives off vapour that can ignite with a spark or flame. (Section A-5.1)
- fuel: In fire safety, any material that can burn. (Section A-5.1)
- fire tetrahedron: A model that adds a chemical chain reaction as the fourth part needed to sustain a fire. (Section A-5.1)
- fire triangle: A model showing that fuel, oxygen, and heat are needed for a fire to start. (Section A-5.1)
- fire watch: A trained person who watches for fires during and after hot work. (Section A-5.3)
- fume inhalation: Breathing in harmful smoke or gases. (Section A-5.4)
- hot work permit: A written safety approval required before doing work that creates heat or sparks. (Section A-5.3)
- hydrocarbons: Chemical substances made of hydrogen and carbon that can burn, such as gasoline. (Section A-5.3)
- ignition temperature: The temperature at which a substance starts to burn. (Section A-5.1)
- incipient-stage fire: A very small fire that has just started. (Section A-5.4)
- means of egress: A safe way to exit a building during an emergency. (Section A-5.4)
- multipurpose extinguisher: An extinguisher that can be used on more than one class of fire. (Section A-5.2)
- oxidation: A chemical reaction where a substance combines with oxygen. (Section A-5.1)
- oxidation agent: A substance that helps something burn by providing oxygen or a similar effect. (Section A-5.1)
- ozone layer: A protective layer in the atmosphere that shields Earth from harmful sun rays. (Section A-5.2)
- portable fire extinguisher: A small device you can carry that sprays chemicals or water to put out a fire. (Section A-5.4)
- pressurized cylinder: Strong containers that hold gases under high pressure. (Section A-5.3)
- purged: Cleaned out to remove gases or dangerous substances. (Section A-5.3)
- reignite: To start burning again after being put out (Section A-5.4)
- residue: Material left behind after something is used. (Section A-5.2)
- short circuit: An electrical problem where electricity flows the wrong way and can cause sparks or fire. (Section A-5.3)
- smothering: In fire safety, means putting out a fire by cutting off its oxygen supply, so the fire cannot continue to burn. (Section A-5.1)
- space heater: A portable heaters used to warm a room or work area. (Section A-5.3)
- starvation: In fire safety, putting out a fire by removing its fuel source so it no longer has anything to burn. (Section A-5.1)
- static grounding system: A safety system that removes built-up electricity to prevent sparks. (Section A-5.3)
- ventilation: The movement of fresh air into a space to remove harmful gases or fumes. (Section A-5.3)
