“In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you
can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one.”
(Ephesians 6:16)
Let’s look at a fire triangle.
A fire triangle is a model for conveying the components of a fire. The
fire triangle’s three sides illustrate the three elements of fire, which are
heat, fuel and oxidization. The
three elements must be combined in the right proportions for a fire to occur.
In case there is a fire, we want to:
1) Contain it so it won't spread
2) Put it out
How a fire may be suppressed depends on how
the building is equipped and what firefighting tools are available. Not only can fires be extinguished by people,
they can also be put out by installed fire suppression systems. Going back to the Fire Triangle, a
fire is put out by taking away any one of the three elements. Most of our firefighting efforts are attempts
to smother the fire, cut off its oxygen. However, before trying to put out the fire, always
call 9-1-1.
The best way to put out a fire is with a fire extinguisher. A fire extinguisher may be rated for one or
more classes of fire, depending on the type of extinguishing agent used (Water,
Dry Chemical, CO2, and Dry Powder). In addition to the letter rating, colors,
symbols and pictures may be used to show what class of fire the extinguisher is
rated for.
Fire extinguishers are divided into classes by
the kinds of fires they are made to put out:
1) Class A: fires occurring in ordinary
combustible materials, such as wood, paper, and plastic.
2) Class B: fires occurring in flammable and
combustible liquids and flammable gasses.
3) Class C: fires occurring in energized
electrical equipment, such as panel boxes, motors, and fans.
4) Class D: fires involving combustible
metals, such as potassium and magnesium.
5) Class K: fires involving cooking greases
and fats. [1]
Class A extinguishers are rated from 1-A through 40-A. The number
in front of the A represents an amount of water or, if another extinguishing agent
is used, how much fire that extinguishing agent will put out as compared to the
rated amount of water. A Class 1-A water extinguisher contains 1 1/4 gallons of
water; a Class 2-A extinguisher contains 2 1/2 gallons of water, or twice the 1-A
capacity.
Class C is an added qualifier meaning that the ingredients will not conduct
electricity. For instance Class BC is
for flammable liquids of gas and is not electrically conductive, so it can be
used on an oil fire where electricity runs through (this could be a transformer
fire). [2]
The placement of fire extinguishers is also important. Most experts recommend the placement of fire
extinguishers be placed relative to the potential fire hazards (where certain
fires are more likely to occur). Class A
extinguishers (which should be everywhere) should be within 75 feet walking
distance from a fire (which means no more than 150 feet apart). Class B extinguishers should be no more than
50 feet from the hazard for flammable liquids or gasses (such as where the lawn
mowers and their fuel are stored or a garage for church vehicles). Class D extinguishers are rarely needed in
churches, unless someone is performing metal work. A Class K extinguisher should be within 30
feet of ranges, ovens, and fryers.
When using a fire extinguisher, first pull out the safety pin. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire and
pull the trigger/lever. Sweep from side-to-side. The action of these extinguishers is to either
cool down the fire or to smother it. But
removing fuel is another way to control a fire. For instance, move combustibles away from the
fire if you can safely do it. Turn off
the gas line (your church should have an emergency turn-off with a key). While you're at it, if the fire is in any
electrical equipment, turn off the power supply. If there is a Class A fire outside, it's OK to grab a
water hose (if it is there and attached) and turn it on. If no one is in the room and the fire cannot
be put out, close the door to contain it. This will give others time to evacuate.
There are several kinds of fire suppression systems, depending on
the locations and kinds of fires they are intended to counter. An advantage of this kind of system is that,
if working properly, it will be triggered by fire in the target area, even when
no one is there. Another advantage is
that (usually) a fire suppression system triggers an alarm when it is activated. By the time you discover a fire has started,
the fire department is already on its way.
This is most common and best-known means of fire suppression. It is a series of pipes connected to a water
supply. Along the pipes are sprinkler
heads. When a sprinkler head is
triggered, usually by excess heat or a rapid rise in temperature, it sprays
water over its area. If the fire
spreads, more sprinklers come on. Now common in all types of buildings,
sprinklers have proved their worth.
Another common fire suppression system is designed for kitchens. This is used in most restaurants and
institutional kitchens and is installed above ranges and fryers. It is recommended for church kitchens. With volunteer help who are often called away
or otherwise distracted, the hazard of unattended ranges, ovens, and fryers
left on is increased. There are fire
suppression systems designed for specific environments, such as furnace rooms,
vehicle repair areas, and paint rooms. Unless
your church has a vehicle maintenance shop, the furnace room will be the only
one besides the kitchen with a special fire suppression system, especially if
it uses oil heat. If it is electric heat, the system must be charged with a
Class C suppressant. Even with oil heat,
the blower fan means that you need a Class C suppressant.
Fire extinguishers and automatic fire suppression systems need to
be periodically inspected and tested. This
is especially true for fire extinguishers. They are out in the open where anyone can use
them if needed. However, this means that
they are also available for misuse and tampering. Also, the charge in an
extinguisher won’t last forever. They will
eventually need recharging. Use half of
them for fire extinguisher training, then have them recharged. Use the others in the next training/practice
session. There, you have them all
recharged.
The church should also have fire barriers, such as long-time burn-through
walls, fire doors, and fire-stops where utilities pass through walls, ceilings,
and floors. The intent is to stop or
slow down the spread of fire. Most
building codes require fireproof doors and fire-resistant walls in furnace
rooms and kitchens.
Train the Safety Team, staff, teachers, and other volunteers to close doors
when evacuees have passed through. Even
an ordinary door can slow the spread of a fire. Also train them to keep the furnace room door
closed at all times.
When using a fire extinguisher, always
remember the mnemonic PASS:
P -
Pull (pull the pin that locks
the handle)
A -
Aim (aim the nozzle at the base
of the fire)
S – Squeeze (Squeeze
the handle to discharge the extinguishing agent)
S
- Sweep (Sweep the nozzle from side to side, to cover
the fire)
For Class A fires, the extinguisher should be
aimed at the base of the fire then moved up or out as the fire is extinguished.
For Class B fires, the extinguisher should be
aimed at the base of the fire and spread along the surface of the liquid, not
into it. The extinguishing agent should be placed on top of the fuel to smother
the fire.
Aim at the base of the fire:
[1] “Fire Extinguisher Selection and Distribution," Great American
Insurance Group, © 2016 [https://www.greatamericaninsurancegroup.com/docs/default-source/loss-prevention/f13830a-(07-09)-fireextinguisherselectionanddistribution.pdf].
[2] “Fire Extinguisher
Information," South Brazos County Fire Department, © 2008-2016 [http://sbcfd.net/PublicSafety/FireExtinguishers].
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