FIRE
Fire is the rapid oxidation of a material in the exothermic chemical process of combustion, releasing heat, light, and various reaction products. Fire in its most common form can result in conflagration, which has the potential to cause physical damage through burning.
FEATURES OF FIRE
Listed below are 9 common sonic features of fire and their causes.
• 1) lapping – combustion of gasses in the air (flames)
• 2) cracking – small scale explosions caused by stresses in the fuel
• 3) hissing – regular outgassing, release of trapped vapour
• 4) bubbling – boiling of liquids
• 5) creaking – internal stress of fuel expansion or nearby structures
• 6) fizzing – ariel conflagration of small particles
• 7) whining – periodic relaxations during outgassing
• 8) roaring – low frequency O2 cycle
• 9) clattering – settling of fuel under gravity
FIRE SAFETY
Fire safety refers to precautions that are taken to prevent or reduce the likelihood of a fire that may result in death, injury, or property damage, alert those in a structure to the presence of an uncontrolled fire in the event one occurs, better enable those threatened by a fire to survive in and evacuate from affected areas, or to reduce the damage caused by a fire. Fire safety measures include those that are planned during the construction of a building or implemented in structures that are already standing, and those that are taught to occupants of the building.
FIRE FIGHTING
Firefighting is the act of extinguishing fires. A firefighter fights fires to prevent loss of life, and/or destruction of property and the environment. Firefighting is a highly technical skill that requires professionals who have spent years training in both general firefighting techniques and specialized areas of expertise.
FIGHTING EQUIPMENTS
Fire Fighting Equipment are the tools and gear used to put out fire. Below is a list of the most common equipment used. Bungendore Rural Services supplies these products to the Palerang and ACT regions.
1) Fire Fighting Blankets: The use of a blanket in putting out a fire is to deprive it of oxygen and stifle it. A blanket can be put over a car to prevent the fire from spreading to others. A blanket can also be used on a person who has caught fire to put it off and prevent further injuries.
2) Fire Hose: This is a high pressurised hose used by fire fighters to put out fire. The hose is used to carry foam or water. The hose can be attached to a fire hydrant or engine when putting out a fire outdoors or a building standpipe indoors.
3) Fire Nozzles: They enable fire fighters to control the flow rate and pressure of water or the foam being used to put out the fire.
4) Fire Hose Couplings: These are metal pieces that are put at the end of a fire hose to enable it to connect to another fire hose or hose equipment. Couplings are normally made of aluminium, brass, stainless steel and come in many different designs.
5) Automatic Sprinkler: It directs water automatically to a fire after the sprinkler is heated. The pipe normally is filled with pressurised water or foam depending on the type of fire being put out.
FIRE PREVENTION
Fire prevention is a function of many fire departments. The goal of fire prevention is to educate the public to take precautions to prevent potentially harmful fires, and be educated about surviving them.
The following important aspects of fire safety program;
1) Install a smoke alarm on every level. Change the batteries at least once a year. Better yet, grab a pack of whatever batteries your smoke alarm requires at a warehouse store like Costco or Sam’s Club. Therefore, when they beep to be changed, your default reaction isn’t to take out the battery but to replace the battery.
2) Keep anything that’s flammable away from stove, including pot holders, drapes, paper towels and kitchen towels.
3)Keep clutter away from any type of heater or furnace. For example, never store newspapers or family photos around a furnace. One loose spark could start a large fire in minutes.
4) One of the number one causes of fire are clothes dryers. The # 1 way to prevent fires starting is to clean the lint trap after every use.
5) Install carbon monoxide detectors throughout home, especially in bedrooms. Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless, and very combustible.
6) Any outdoor cooking such as grilling or deep frying should be done at least ten feet from the house.
7) Hide any matches and lighters away from children.
8) Never overload an extension cord or outlet. In addition, make sure all cords don’t contain any frayed wiring.