FIRE SAFETY
Steps to Effective Prevention, Detection and Response

By Michael Stroberger, CPO, CSS, CPOI, CLSD, CPP

Fire is one of the most feared threats to life and property. Once initiated, fires spread rapidly and can become extremely hard to control or extinguish. The best defense is to prevent fire situations. Through effective controls and inspection, this threat can be significantly reduced. But, it also is important to be prepared to respond swiftly and appropriately should the need arise.

Prevention

For fire to occur, the Fire Triangle must be in place: fuel, oxygen and heat.

Without the presence of all three components, a fire cannot begin or be sustained. This leads to the basic concept of cleanliness as a major contributor to the prevention of accidental fires. If all available fuel is stored in a manner consistent with fire prevention practices, they will be sufficiently removed from identified sources of heat and the chance of combustion is almost eliminated.

As a general rule, cluttered areas tend to have a higher chance of fire hazards and should be frequently inspected and properly cleaned. When inspecting for fire hazards (a key component of every security patrol), it also is essential to correct, identify and prevent identified hazards from recurring.

Typical hazard areas to inspect include:

• Boilers, heaters and furnaces
• Cooking areas
• Electrical equipment and breaker rooms
• Storage areas for flammable liquids
• Vehicle storage areas
• Work areas that contain oils, paint thinners or other combustible liquids
• Smoking areas

Detection

If prevention methods fail and a fire begins, the matter changes to detecting the hazard and implementing a response program. The two methods of fire detection are human observation and electronic systems.

Human observation is often more effective, since it allows for the use of reasoning and judgment to determine the nature of the situation. Patrol officers have excellent opportunities to identify potential fires through smell, sight, and even sound and touch.

Electronic detection also can be highly effective, especially in areas unlikely to be observed due to infrequent travel or visual obstructions. Electronic detection systems can include sensors that watch for smoke, rapid increases in temperature, temperatures above certain levels (regardless of how quickly that temperature is reached) and even early combustion airborne particles. Unfortunately, electronic sensors can trigger alarms due to reasons other than fires. Therefore, all alarms must be investigated to determine the actual cause.

The ideal detection program is, of course, a combination of human observation and electronic monitoring. By thoroughly training the protective force and offering basic training to all other people who will be in the area and using an electronic system as a backup to these components, the likelihood of identifying fire situations greatly increases.

Response

In the event of a fire, its type determines the correct response. Fires fall into four basic types as determined by the nature of the fuel component.

Type A: These fires generally have common solid combustible materials as their fuel. This would include fuel such as wood, paper and cloth.

Type B: This fire is fueled by liquid or gaseous fuels, such as gasoline, kerosene and compressed gas tanks such as propane.

Type C: This represents fires initiated by, or containing an element of, electrical involvement. Fires in a breaker box, power strip, frayed extension cord or item of powered equipment fit this category.

Type D: Burning metals, such as magnesium, fall into this category. These fires often are extremely intense and require special equipment to handle.

For the most part, small class A, B or C fires can be contained and extinguished by a person using an appropriate extinguisher. Class D fires require such specialized equipment, however, that most responders will not be able to handle them effectively.

Extinguishers. The most critical aspect of deciding whether to try to extinguish a fire is determining if you can do so without serious risk to your safety or the safety of others. Make no mistake: Fighting a fire is dangerous. Care should be taken to ensure the responding person understands the dangers and the equipment to be used, as well as its limitations.

When working with extinguishers you might not have used before, try to obtain a test unit, even in a group setting, so the affected area, and limits of range and duration of use, can be explored. When deciding if it is appropriate to attempt to extinguish a fire, make sure the equipment selected matches the fire type. Mismatching the extinguisher and fire types can result in a marked increase in the level of personal danger to which the responder is exposed.

With this in mind, some of the more common extinguisher types, and the class of fires for which they are intended to be used, are as follows:

• Dry chemical — A powder that is expelled from the nozzle in a stream of pressurized, nonflammable gas. Dry chemical extinguishers usually are classified as usable on Class A, B, and C fires. These extinguish the fire by coating the fuel of the fire, making it unavailable for combustion.

• Carbon dioxide — This produces a cloud of “snow-like” particles that quickly evaporate into a carbon dioxide layer. The layer reduces the available oxygen and cools the area, breaking the Fire Triangle. Carbon dioxide extinguishers commonly are classified for Type B and C fires.

• Water-based — Water is a good extinguishing agent for Class A fires, but can aggravate other types of blazes. If used on burning liquids (Class B fire), water can spread the fuel enlarging the fire area. If used on electrical fires (Class C), water can cause serious harm to the responder, as it can conduct electricity, causing a shock to be delivered to the person holding the extinguisher, or to people standing nearby.

• Halogenated units — Referred to as “clean agent,” these extinguishers contain a chemical that leaves no residue upon evaporation. They cool and smother fires, which typically makes them usable on Class A, B and C fires. A halogenated unit is ideal if responding to fires in computer and other delicate electrical equipment; they are far less likely to damage that equipment in the process of extinguishing the fire.

• Foaming agents — These units produce a foam layer that blocks the flow of oxygen to the fire area. As such, this is very effective against Class A and B fires. Unfortunately, these often contain a water-based agent, and so should not be used on Class C fires.

Permanent Extinguishing Hardware. In addition to extinguishers, there also are more elaborate devices installed into buildings. Options include: automatic sprinklers, range-hood systems in kitchen areas, and stand pipes that allow for the connection and supply of fire hoses.

Containment Systems. In addition to the actions of responders, and the use of various systems and equipment, there are usually architectural designs that aid in fire containment. Fire-resistant doors, for example, are intended to resist the spread of fire for certain periods of time. However, to be effective, the doors must be in their proper position and working in accordance with their design. As part of every officer’s patrol, confirming that fire doors are in proper condition and not propped or wedged open is a must.

This article is derived from “Fire Prevention, Detection & Response,” a unit in the newly released Protection Officer Training Manual, Seventh Edition, developed by the International Foundation for Protection Officers (www.ifpo.org) and published by Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann. For more information or to order the manual, visit the publisher online at books.elsevier.com/security.