FIRE HINTS / SAFETY
THE FIRE TRIANGLE 
The fire triangle is a teaching method for all fire fighters to understand the makeup and extinguishment of fire. If we take one or more of these properties away by different methods the fire goes out.
HEAT! heat is an ignition source and brings fuel to its ignition temperature. To break the triangle a cooling agent is used i.e. water, thus cooling down fuel resulting in fire going out.
OXYGEN! oxygen is the air around and in the fire,and is needed for the fire to burn. To break the triangle we can smother the fire with sand,fire blanket etc, or do a two in one operation in cooling the fuel with water thus causing a steam vapour which smothers the fire.
FUEL! fuels are either madeup from a solid, liquid or gas substance, these fuels give off flammable vapours which will ignite and burn. To break the triangle, fuels must be removed either by turning off a valve or by removing the fuel solids from the path of the fire.
|
FIRE PREVENTION
OUTSIDE THE HOME:
This is a fire hazard and no safety zones or breaks are around the house.
There are many things we can do to prevent or slow down bushfires and make a safe haven around the house.
(1)Create a 20 metre fuel free zone by cleaning up rubbish and unwanted vegetation.
(2)Keep grassed areas short(mowing).
(3)Clear away over hanging trees onto house roofs.
(4)Put in fire breaks to local government specifications.
(5)Store all flammable liquids in correct containers, away from the house.
(6)Connect hoses to taps, making sure they will reach to all corners of the dwelling.
(7)Have a Family Fire Emergency Plan (F.F.E.P.) and practice it, this could save your life.
(8)Emergency phone numbers, always have by the phone.
Fire Facts:
The majority of houses destroyed by bush fires, usually burn down after the fire front has passed.This is caused by burning embers entering the building through open windows, vents and under eaves.
Always remember never panic in any fire situation, this can lead to irrational ideas, stay calm at all times and think what you have to do next.
FIRE PREVENTION:
INSIDE THE HOME:There are many things we can do inside the home to prevent and warn us of fire.
(1)Kitchen, never leave food cooking unattended on the stove, if oil or fat catches fire , do not attempt to move it, cover it with a fire blanket, a saucepan lid or extinguish it with a fire extinguisher . Do not use tea towels, clothes around stove tops that are on, for removing dishes etc, and dont leave them near stove tops to dry.
(2)Living Room, open fires should at all times have a fine mesh guard around it, and make sure it is extinguished before going to bed.Portable heating should be kept clear from drapes and flamable materials (clothing).Extinguish candles, oil burners and cigarettes before leaving the room.
(3)Bedroom, never smoke in bed, electric blankets to be turned off at the power point before going to sleep and they are to be kept flat on the bed.
(4)Chimney (stove flue)should be cleaned of soot and checked for leaks, make sure there is nothing against the flue in the roof cavity i.e. insulation.
(5)Smoke Alarms
These come in two types, battery & mains power. Place these alarms in strategic positions around the house (hallways, kitchens, bedrooms, laundry.)Remember to test as instuctions indicate, these do save lives .
(6)Family Fire Emergency Plan Always have a fire plan, and have two escape routes with a common place to meet at.
Did you know when you go to sleep your sense of smell goes to sleep too , thats why SMOKE ALARMS are important.
FIRE BUGS
Fire Bugs, they come in Two Sizes: Adult & Children, they are also Male or Female. When you see one you should take down these particulars: The type of vehicle,the number plate number, the colour of the vehicle and who was in the vehicle, and if it was a child/Teenager get a good description of them, what they were wearing, hair colour, and in which direction they went from the fire scene, give this information to the Fire Brigade attending the fire or the Police.
  
|
