FIRE SAFETY ENGINEERING AND MANAGEMENT BY

C.V.RAGHUNATHAN,B.TECH;DIS(HONS);MIE;MSEA

DY.CHIEF SAFETY MANAGER

FIRE GOOD SERVANT BAD MASTER

The seriousness is not felt till the effects are experienced Most of the fires are caused by careless and ignorance Destroys everything in one stroke The industry should identify the the fire hazards and plan for the prevention, control and protection

WHAT IS FIRE?

Fire is a chemical reaction in which a combustible material combines with oxygen in the atmosphere to give out heat and light. When a substance undergoes chemical change by combining with oxygen, it liberates heat. This process is called OXIDATION The process of oxidation accompanied by the evolution of heat is called COMBUSTION Fire is the visible light energy as flame liberated by the reaction

RATE OF CUMBUSTION

The rate of combustion varies from substance to substance SLOW COMBUSTION :- A chemical reaction accompanied by slow evolution of heat but not light (Eg:- Cotton waste burning in ill ventilated space) RAPID COMBUSTION:- A chemical reaction accompanied by the rapid evolution of heat and appreciable amount of light.(Eg:- Petroleum ) SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION:Combustion by by absorbing atmospheric oxygen at normal temperature without application of external heat (Eg:- Paint scrap, saw dust exposed to steam, phosphorus in contact with wood)

CONDITIONS REQUIRED FOR THE STARTING AND MAINTAINING A FIRE

FUEL (REDUCING AGENT) OXYGEN (OXIDISING AGENT) HEAT (EXTERNAL ACTIVATING AGENT) CHAIN REACTION When the above conditions join together a fire takes place To extinguish the fire remove any one or more of the above conditions

FIRE EXTINGUISHING TECHNIQUES

STARVATION:- Remove the fuel/Shift the

combustible material from the neighbouring place(Closing the valve, stopping the pump etc.) SMOTHERING:- Deprive oxygen supply by diluting or introducing inert media. BLANKETING:- Cut off oxygen and cut off flame from the burning surface. COOLING;- Reduce the temperature of the fire below that is necessary for continued combustion.

CLASSIFICATION OF FIRES

CLASS A :- Fires involving ordinary

combustible materials such as paper, textiles dry grass etc.

CLASS B:- Fires involving flammable liquids

such as oil,petrol, paint etc. CLASS C :- Fires involving flammable gases such as methane,butane, propane, LPG etc.

CLASS D :- Fires involving metals such as

sodium, potassium, magnesium. Aluminium etc.

STAGES OF FIRE

INCIPIENT STAGE:- Products of

combustion not visible. No visible smoke, flame and heat. SMOULDERING STAGE:- Product of combustion visible as smoke. Flame and heat not observed. FLAME STAGE:- Actual fire is seen. Heat follows instantaneously. HEAT STAGE:- Uncontrolled heat rapidly expanding.

SOURCES OF IGNITION

OPEN FLAMES:- Gas cutting/Welding FRICTION:- Bearings/Rollers ENTANGLEMENT:- (of foreign substances) SMOKING/MATCHES:ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT:(Wiring,Cables,Transformers, Motors) STATIC ELECTRICITY:LIGHTNING EXOTHERMIC RUNAWAY REACTION HOT SURFACES OVERHEATED MATERIALS SPONTANEOUS IGNITION ENGINE EXHAUST

FIRE CONTROL SRATEGY

FIRE PREVENTION

(SAFETY SYSTEMS AND PROCEDURES) FIRE PROTECTION PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION

PASSIVE FIRE PROTECTION

STRUCTURAL

FIRE PROTECTION

MEANS

OF ESCAPE

STRUCTURAL FIRE PROTECTION

SELECTION OF SUITABLE MATERIALS FOR CONSTRUCTIONS To prevent the start of fire To slow down the growth rate of fire To prevent the unrestricted spread of fire To avoid structural failure

SELECTION OF MATERIALS

Non combustibility Flammability Heat release Smoke emission Fire resistance

ACTIVE FIRE PROTECTION

FIRE

DETECTING SYSTEMS FIRE QUENCHING DEVICES

FIRE DETECTORS

SMOKE DETECTORS (Ionisation &Optical detectors) HEAT DETECTORS (Fixed,Rate of rise of temp) FLAME DETECTORS (Infrared & Ultraviolet)

FIRE QUENCHING DEVICES

Portable fire extinguishers (Water,Foam,DCP,CO2) Fixed installations (Dry and Wet risers,Sprinklers, water spray systems external hydrant points) Fixed installations flooding CO2,Inert gas,Foam)

PREVENTION OF FIRES IN THERMAL PLANTS

Proper Housekeeping Prevention of accumulation of coal/lignite dust/combustible waste. Quenching of lighted materials before disposal Proper lubrication of all moving parts to prevent frictional heating Work permit systems for gas cutting/welding Wetting the coal/lignite to prevent spontaneous combustion. Arresting all the oil leaks immediately Periodically checking the electrical installations such as protective devices, electrical joints, earthing arrangements

Removal/Safe disposal of dry vegetation

FIRE SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROACTIVE APPROACH ENGINEERING CONTROL MEASURES Safe Design Safe Construction Safe Transportation/handling of materials Safe Selection Safe Erection & Commissioning Safe Protection Safe Operation & Maintenance

FIRE SAFETY MANAGEMENT PROACTIVE APPROACH PROCEDURAL CONTROL MEASURES Human Performance (Induction,Training,Motivation,Supervision, Discipline,Information,Instruction) Work Methods/Procedures/Permit Systems Provision/Usage of PPE

FIRE SAFETY MANAGEMENT REACTIVE APPROACH

Emergency Plan Emergency Equipment First Aid Treatment Fire Fighting Systems