FIRE TRIANGLE

Alright People, we started the FIRE SAFETY series yesterday.
Out of a recognition that Fire is the most ravishing of all the elements of nature.

It may be HIGHLY DESTRUCTIVE but my dear friends, you are not entirely powerless against it's rage if you understand the DYNAMICS OF FIRE!

Yes People exactly what I mean, there is a dynamics to Fire.
If you understand the chemistry of Fire, it becomes easy to curb and that's what the FIRE TRIANGLE seeks to explain today!

Just stick with me.....

I remember saying Yesterday that,
A fire needs three elements - HEAT, OXYGEN and FUEL.
These 3 elements form what is referred to as FIRE TRIANGLE, with one of the elements on each side of the Triangle.

Without HEAT, OXYGEN and FUEL, A FIRE WILL NOT START OR SPREAD.

Now with this in mind, I'm going to be breaking down this elements.....
Starting with;

HEAT
Heat can be generated by work processes and is an essential part of some processes such as cooking.
In other words, one cannot completely avoid the presence of heat.

This heat must be controlled and kept away from fuel,unless carefully controlled can cause lot's of Damage!

Heat generated as a by-product of a process must be dealt with properly.

Heat may be generated from

Plants and equipments

Ranging from lack of maintenance to friction of machine parts as a result of not applying Lubricants properly.

Hot work: From metal constructions especially welding

Electrical Processes and Malfunctions: Defective electrical appliances that we most times like to manage

Arson; Fires set intentionally, including bush burning etc

Kitchen Fire;Gas leaks, Overheating Oils, Burnt food

Smoking

Other Household fires like candle etc

OXYGEN

The air we breathe contains about 21% oxygen.
Pure oxygen at high pressure, such as from a cylinder, can react violently with common materials such as oil and grease.

Nearly all materials including textiles, rubber and even metals will burn vigorously in oxygen.

A leaking valve or hose in a poorly ventilated room or confined space can quickly increase the oxygen concentration to a dangerous level thus making the start of fire easy.

In simple English, Let's say a room is filled to the brim with items and has little or no space, OXYGEN BECOMES CONCENTRATED and a Fire can easily start.

Oxygen gas is used for;

Helping people with breathing difficulties in hyperbaric chambers as a medical treatment.
for food preservation and packaging
In welding, flame cutting and other similar procesesses
steelworks and chemical plants

FUEL
In relation to fire, fuel can be described as any flammable material.
Flammable material is material that burns readily in a normal atmosphere.

Flammable materials include flammable liquids (e.g. petrol),
Flammable gasses (e.g. propane and butane) and
Flammable solids (e.g. charcoal, paper).

It is important to identify all flammable materials that are around you so as to ensure proper HOUSEKEEPING!

HOUSEKEEPING is a HEALTH and SAFETY Jargon and will require a lengthy explanation, but a simple summary to HOUSEKEEPING would be keeping items in their RIGHT PLACES rather have them lie carelessly around!

Being Tidy!
For some people, it just doesn't come naturally to them to keep things in their proper places.
This may not be considered a terrible character flaw but as far as Fire safety goes, it is considered the MOST DANGEROUS.

PRECAUTIONS FOR FLAMMABLE MATERIALS
It may not be completely possible to eliminate flammable materials from around your work or residential area but taking precautions is one thing you must do.

Identify all flammable materials so that proper controls can be put in place
Identify substances with flammable vapours (e.g. some adhesives, what we call "super glue" in Nigeria)
Reduce quantities of flammable materials to the smallest amount necessary for running the your household and keep away from escape routes e.g doors.
Let the area around you're Doors be less cluttered at all times to make for easy escape in cases of fire Emergency
Replace highly flammable materials with less flammable ones
Store remaining stocks of highly flammable materials properly outside, in a separate building, or separated from your main building

Provide clearly marked separate storage for flammable chemicals, gas cylinders, and waste materials

Now having explained the elements of the FIRE TRIANGLE let me give examples using the concept of the FIRE TRIANGLE.

Example 1
A Woman is Frying in the Kitchen and her pot catches Fire,
The Oil simply put is the FUEL,
The stove or Cooker is the Source of HEAT and the Air in the Kitchen is Your OXYGEN....

Now the FIRE TRIANGLE Say's that if I can take one or more of these 3elements out of any FIRE, the FIRE DIES.

So Here's what to do,
If it's a pot, quickly put it's cover on it.
There by taking Oxygen out of the FUEL which is Oil.....
Then put of the source of HEAT which is the stove....
And trust me that's how the fire dies....

Example 2
Let's say someone set some Old clothes outside to burn and the fire goes out of control,
Once again identify the 3 elements of fire in this Particular fire.
FUEL will be the Old Clothes (flammable, remember?)
HEAT will be the fire you set to it and
OXYGEN will be the Natural Air available in the environment....

Solution
Again attack one or more of the 3elements,
First remove all other flammable materials from around the Fire,
Secondly, attack the source of HEAT by applying water!
The fire Dies....

Simple Right?
Well not so simple because Fire fighting requires calmness.

If you're not calm you will be unable to remember the FIRE TRIANGLE, Much less take out one or more of the elements....

I would like you to know there are about 5CLASSES of Fire, with different techniques of taking them out, using Your KNOWLEDGE OF THE FIRE TRIANGLE....

But that will be a lesson for tomorrow, CLASSES OF FIRES, with examples on how to take them out!

I really hope this lessons are easy for you to learn, but where you need more clarity, please leave me a Facebook message @ CHIOMA AGWU MBA and I'll be glad to answer your questions.....

Join me tomorrow on CLASSES OF FIRE,
You need the complete approach to fighting fires, without which you cannot be said to be knowledgeable in FIRE SAFETY.
I'll plead with you to still stay with me tomorrow, Let's partner to save lives!

With Lot's of Love,
Your Fragile Giant!