Fire is a chemical reaction that takes place when a

materialoxidizes (i.e. reacts with oxygen)rapidly.

In order for this process to occur, the three elements

of the fire triangle must be present:

Fuel + Oxygen +Heat

 Fire Hazards and Prevention

Fuel can be any combustible or flammable material, and

may be a solid, a liquid or a gas

Oxygen makes up approximately 21% of the air (by volume)

that we breathe. To sustain a fire, a ratio of 16%
oxygen (or greater) is required.

Heat sustain it (many types of fires will generate their own

heat once burning, feeding the process
 Methods of Fire Spread

Generally, there are four ways that fire can spread via heat transfer. These are
through convection, conduction, radiation, and direct burning.

CONVECTION – This is defined as the transmission of heat

within a liquid or gas and is due to their difference in density.
Heated liquid or gas expands and becomes lighter, thereby
becoming displaced by their heavier counterpart. When this
happens, oxygen is drawn in, further inciting the chemical chain
reactions. The rising gases, meanwhile, go up to fuel the upper
floors. In an enclosed setting, such as in a confined office space,
the movement of the fire will most likely be forcing the gases
lower in height as the heated gases spread along ceilings and
walls. Superheating then occurs in the fire, thereby causing it to
rise further, but this time, carrying with it products of incomplete
combustion, such as embers.
CONDUCTION – Conduction is the transmission of heat
through materials. When there is sufficient heat present, it
may be enough to ignite fuel through other objects.
Combustible materials, for example, are most susceptible to
heat transmissions.
RADIATION – This is the transmission of heat by waves
travelling until heat is absorbed by other objects. An example of
this would be a bar heater or open fireplace radiating onto a
drying rack or curtain.
DIRECT BURNING - This is the simplest way to spread fire:
direct application. A lit match can easily burn paper, for
example. The more objects the fire gets in contact with,
therefore, the bigger the probability that the fire will be able to
spread faster. Because of the characteristics of fire, which is
very transient and can affect other objects, it makes it very
susceptible to spreading. Once it spreads, it can go from one
place to another, making it very difficult to control.
Class A:
Wood, paper, cloth, trash, plastics, solid combustible materials
that are not metals

Class B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, grease,

acetone. Any non-metallic material in the liquid state.

Class C: Electrical; energized electrical equipment, as long as

it
is plugged in it is considered a class C fire.

Class D: Metals such as potassium, sodium, aluminium,

magnesium.
Parts of Fire Extinguisher
 Fire Hazards and Prevention

When to use an extinguisher

• The fire is small.
• You know what materials are burning.
• You have the proper extinguisher.
• You have considered the possible dangers in the area.
• You know how to operate the extinguisher.
• You are sure you have an unobstructed escape route.

When to evacuate
• You are not sure which extinguisher to use.
• You do not know how to use an extinguisher.
• The fire is starting to spread.
• The fire is becoming smoky.
• The only exit could become blocked.