Fire Safety Training

Environmental and Occupational

Health Support Services

Wentworth House, Room 115

Ext 24352

The Fire Triangle

All three elements are needed to start a fire. To extinguish a fire, one side must be removed.

Oxy

gen H

eat

Fuel

Chemical Reaction

Types of Fuel

Regular Flammables – paper, wood

Liquid Flammables – Gasoline, paint thinner

Electrical – Anything that is plugged in

Metals – Potassium, sodium. Typically found in a lab setting.

Types of ExtinguishersThree main types

Water (APW)– Class A fires only

CO2 – Class B and C fires only

Dry Chemical - For ABC or BC fires

D class extinguishers are typically specific to the fuel

• Extremely Toxic• Spreads Rapidly• Displaces Oxygen• People Become:

disoriented impaired blinded confused

SMOKE

Using the Extinguisher

P.A.S.S. P

A

S

S

ull the pin

im at the base

queeze the lever

weep from side to side

•Leave the building immediately!• •Testing is posted on a yellow sign at your main entrance.

•You will see fire wardens identified by a bright orange vest. Follow their direction and report any pertinent information.

• Re-Entry is authorized by the Fire Department only. Be Certain the building as been cleared for entry.

EVACUATION

Static ElectricityStatic Electricity may become a serious hazard if:

A static electric charge is generated under the operating conditions

The charge is accumulative

Discharges will cause a spark

There is an ignitable mixture (e.g., solvent vapour or dust in the air) in the area where a static electricity discharge occurs

The discharge generates an incendive spark, i.e. a spark that has enough energy to ignite the mixture in air

Where a solvent or fuel is used, then static electricity can be a fire / explosion hazard

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/flammable_static.html

Static Electricity cont’d Flammable and combustible liquids become hazardous depending on

their ability to generate static electricity, their ability to conduct electricity (conductivity), and their flashpoint.

Ignition sources: Sparks

•Electric tools•Welding/Cutting•Grinding/Crushing•Rotating belts

Open Flames•Portable torches•Heating units•Boilers & Pilot lights•Ovens & Driers

www/ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/flammable_static.html

Bonding and GroundingDefined: Providing an electrically conductive pathway between a

dispensing container, a receiving container, and an earth ground.

Complete Bonding and Grounding System

http://www.labsafety.com/refinfo/ezfacts/ezf255.htm

Bonding and Grounding Liquids with a flash point lower than 37.8 °C need to be bonded and

grounded during dispensing.

If the containers are not properly bonded and grounded, the resulting static spark could be capable of raising the flash point, causing an explosion.

Electric charges can build up in flammable liquids when the liquids flow through piping systems or when they are agitated in their storage containers as a result of mechanical movement or splashing.

The proper bonding and grounding of the piping system is enough to control this static build-up.

http://www.gov.mb.ca/labour/safety/pdf/staticsituations.pdf

http://www.labsafety.com/store/dept.asp?dept_id=5688

How to Stay Safe

1) Reduce flow rates

2) Avoid splashing in tank

3) Allow for “relaxation” time

4) Check that bonding and grounding cables/clamps/conductors are in good condition

http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/flammable_static.html

Recent Fires on CampusLab Fire 2005/04/04

Electrical Fire 2005/05/16

Questions??Questions??

Contact us at ext. 24352Contact us at ext. 24352

Visit us at Wentworth House room 115Visit us at Wentworth House room 115

Visit us at our websiteVisit us at our website

www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohsswww.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss

Safety is No Accident