Fires in Buildings During a fire the occupants of a building are exposed to two main hazards; one is the exposure to the flames and radiant heat from the fire itself. This hazard is confined to a small area in the vicinity of the fire and the danger decreases rapidly as the distance from the fire increases. The second hazard, and the more dangerous of the two, comes from the smoke and toxic gases given off by the fire. Most fire deaths are caused by the inhalation of hot smoke or toxic gases, or both, and the danger from this hazard is present at considerable distances from the fire itself. Even relatively small fires produce large quantities of smoke and gases. These products of combustion obscure the vision, often to the point that visibility is reduced to practically zero. In this situation, occupants familiar with their surroundings often experience great difficulty in locating means of egress. This problem is compounded for occasional visitors to the premises. Although the modern building is constructed largely from incombustible materials, there is a tendency to divide floor areas with partitions of light construction which may be highly combustible. Added to this, most of the furnishings are combustible and when burning will give off large quantities of smoke and toxic gases. An appreciation of fire safety awareness should be developed by all personnel. All personnel should take part in training in the following fire prevention and fire safety procedures at least once a year. Procedure in the event of fire. Uses and methods of operation of all installed fire equipment, including portable fire extinguishers. Common causes of fire and the factors necessary for combustion. Fire exit drill procedure and emergency evacuation action.
Posted on: Mon, 12 Jan 2015 05:07:08 +0000
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