Chapter 8:
Fire Hazards

It includes all types of live flames, causes of
sparks, hot objects, and chemicals that are potential
for ignition.
It includes all types of potential threats to fire
prevention practices, fire fighting, built-in fire safety
systems and situations that restrict the escape of
people from an affected building.
Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12

1. All types of flames used for any work
Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Common Fire Hazards
2. Electric wires, higher loads, loose connections
and old electrical equipment.
3. All cooking and heat generating appliances
4. All works and situations where fire is essential
such as welding, cutting, metal casting etc.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Common Fire Hazards
5) Improper storage of tools, equipment and items
during and at the end of the day’s work.
6. Smoking and personal lighters and matches.
7. Fireworks, pyro-techniques, ammunitions and
explosives.
8. Improper and unauthorized storage of flammable
and hazardous materials and chemicals especially
the flammable ones.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Common Fire Hazards
9. Insufficient capacity and numbers of emergency
exits and stairs.
10. Hindrance to sight or reach fighting equipment,
markings and alarm system.
11. Insufficient numbers and types of fire
extinguishers
12. Absence of fire detection and alarm system
13. Violation of building and fire codes.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Elements of the Fire Triangle
Fire triangle or combustion triangle is a simple
model for understanding the necessary ingredients
for most fires.
Heat, fuel and an oxidizing agent
A fire naturally occurs when the elements are
present and combined in the right mixture,
meaning that the fire is actually an event rather
than a thing.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Top Causes of Fire
Cooking equipment is the leading cause of home
structure fires and home fire injuries.
Smoking is the leading cause of civilian fire deaths.
Heating equipment is the second most common
cause of home fire fatalities.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Kitchen Stoves
When left unattended .
Electric cords, curtains, tea towels and even cloths
are so close to the stove top.
When long flowing sleeves are contacting gas
flames

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Faulty Wiring
Capacity overload
If installation was not done by qualified electrician
If safety switches and correct fuses were not
installed
Smoking in Bed
Smoking in bed can cause fire – tiny embers can
smolder unnoticed and burst into flame much later.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Lighting
Poor light fittings can cause heat build up
Lampshades are so close to light globes and lamp
bases that can be knocked over easily.
Recessed down lights are not properly insulated
from wood paneling or ceiling timbers.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Flammable Liquids
When flammable liquids such as petrol, kerosene,
methylated spirits are not stored properly. Storage
should be away from heat.
Unsafe handling and use of flammable liquids is a
potential fire hazard

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Candles
When candles are left unattended. Do not sleep
with a burning candle.
When curtains and other flammable items are close
to burning candles.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Children
When children are playing with fire. Keep all
matches, lighters and candles out of reach of small
children
Children are not well oriented about fire hazards
and fire safety.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident
R – Rescue: Rescue people from the immediate
area of smoke and/or fire. Make people aware that
there is a fire alarm activation or actual fire within
the building.
A - Alarm: Activate the nearest fire alarm station.
When telephone is available, call the Police or Fire
Department hotlines. Provide your name, exact
location of emergency, telephone number from
which you are calling and type of emergency you
are reporting.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident
C – Contain: Contain the smoke or fire by closing all
windows and doors to rooms, stairways and
corridors.
E - Extinguish: Extinguish the fire using the
appropriate fire extinguisher for the type of fire
being fought.
This is to control fire and smoke from spreading .

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident
Remarks: Only attempt to fight the fire if you are
comfortable using a fire extinguisher and the fire is
small, contained, and not spreading beyond the
immediate area.
R - Relocate: Relocate to safe area.
When inside building, relocate outside of the
building and away from the main entrance.
Do not use elevators, within the building as a
means of exit. Use the stairways, only.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Basic Response Procedures during a Fire Incident
S - Secure: Secure first important documents,
money and heirlooms when fire brakes out inside
your own residence.
These things are easier to take as you go out from
the house than the appliances which can be
replaced easily.

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan
is a written document which includes the action to
be taken by all staff in the event of fire and the
arrangements for calling the fire brigade.
salient components:
 Fire evacuation strategy
 Action on discovering a fire
 Action on hearing the fire alarm

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan
salient components:
 Calling the fire brigade
 Power/process isolation
 Identification of key escape routes
 Fire marshals
 Places of assembly and roll call

Chapter 8: Fire Hazards – SHS Grade 12
Fire Emergency and Evacuation Plan
salient components:
 Fire fighting equipment provided
 Training required
 Personal Emergence Evacuation Plan
 Liaison with emergency services