Fire Safety Training

1. Fire Safety Training Environmental and Occupational Health Support Services Wentworth House, Room 115 Ext 24352

2. The Fire Triangle All three elements are needed to start a fire. To extinguish a fire, one side must be removed. Oxygen Heat Chemical Reaction Fuel

3. 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.

4. Types of Extinguishers Three 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

5. SMOKE • Extremely Toxic • Spreads Rapidly • Displaces Oxygen • People Become: • disoriented • impaired • blinded • confused

6. 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

7. EVACUATION • 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.

8. Static Electricity Static 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

9. 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

10. Bonding and Grounding Defined: 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

11. 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

12. How to Stay Safe • Reduce flow rates • Avoid splashing in tank • Allow for “relaxation” time • Check that bonding and grounding cables/clamps/conductors are in good condition http://www.ccohs.ca/oshanswers/prevention/flammable_static.html

13. Recent Fires on Campus Lab Fire 2005/04/04

14. Electrical Fire 2005/05/16

15. Questions?? Contact us at ext. 24352 Visit us at Wentworth House room 115 Visit us at our website www.workingatmcmaster.ca/eohss Safety is No Accident