The Elements of Fire

This session will cover the training required for fire safety.

As fire safety training is usually tailored to each specific working environment, dependent on which area or group within The XL Team that you work, there may be elements of your training that are not covered here; alternatively, there may be others covered here that are not relevant to you.

In such cases, where you are unsure of whether something applies to your role or workplace, you must refer to local policy or procedures.

What is fire?

Fire:

Is a chemical reaction producing smoke, heat and flames
Produces dangerous and toxic gases which can be fatal
Causes confusion and could make it difficult to find your way out of a building
Damages property
Causes injury or death

A fire needs three elements (the Triangle of Fire):

Oxygen
Heat
Fuel

Take one of these elements away and the fire will be extinguished.

Common Causes of Fire

Some of the most common causes of fires are arson, electrical and smoking materials.

Electrical

To reduce the risk of electrical fire:

All organisations should have a portable appliance test (PAT) procedure in place
Turn off electrical equipment when not in use
Report faulty equipment to the appropriate helpdesk
Follow local procedures for use of extension cables
Where electrical charging devices are provided, ensure that they are in good condition

Arson

In healthcare premises, when arson occurs it can affect the Trust's ability to deliver a service to its patients, as well as affect staff morale. We can reduce the likelihood of arson by following some simple rules:

Do not overfill wastebaskets and ensure that they are emptied
Keep store cupboards tidy and their doors shut at all times when they are not in use
Keep fire hazard room doors shut at all times
Do not overfill waste containers and keep them locked and away from buildings where practicable
Be vigilant; if someone is acting suspiciously, contact security or shared services.

Medical Oxygen

An oxygen-enriched atmosphere will cause fires to burn faster and more aggressively.

Medical oxygen is present in most healthcare setting but:

It introduces an element of risk into the hospital environment
The risk of a fire is significantly higher when oxygen is present
Correct training for staff in oxygen procedures is the key to safety

Staff are expected to be aware of:

The responsible person within the Area for isolating the oxygen if required
Know the location of your oxygen canisters
Good cylinder management is important
Monitor the amount of Oxygen entering the locality, especially those brought in by patients

Remember:

Oxygen supports combustion
Always report leaks
Be familiar with how oxygen is supplied and managed
Know how to turn off cylinders or fixed oxygen supply
Store cylinders properly in designated storage areas
Do not use oils or grease near oxygen. Oil-based creams could contaminate the medical cylinder valve surface when handling the cylinder and lead to an ignition when the valve is turned on
Don’t smoke near oxygen!

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