Last Updated on December 29, 2024 by James R. Cole
Fire safety awareness training for security guards is crucial as the security guard can avoid fire by detecting hazardous materials in the workplace. A well-trained security guard can save people’s lives by conducting a safe rescue operation if needed during the fire.
Fire Safety Training Overview
The fire safety training for the security guard is divided into three key lessons:
Lesson 1: Understanding Fire
In this first lesson, you will gain insight into:
- The Nature and Causes of Fire:
- Classification of Fires:
- Methods of Fire Spreading:
Key Information in Fire Safety Training
- Rapid Fire Growth:
Fires can double in size every 40 seconds, making quick response critical. - Emergency Response Times:
The average response time in most countries is 10–15 minutes. - Fire Causes:
Approximately 25% of fires worldwide are caused by smoking cigarettes.
Fire can kill, burn, and displace people by destroying workplaces and homes. With proper training, security guards play a pivotal role in fire prevention, early detection, and ensuring the safety of individuals and property during emergencies.
Nature and causes of fire
Fire occurs when three essential elements are present in the right proportions. This combination is known as the fire triangle, and the process of fire starting and sustaining itself is called combustion.
The three components of the fire triangle are:
Fuel
Heat
Oxygen
1. Heat
Heat is the source of ignition that provides the necessary energy to start a fire. Examples of heat sources include:
- Welding sparks
- Oven or stovetop
- Open flames
- Embers or coals
- Heat generated by friction between surfaces
Without sufficient heat, a fire cannot ignite or sustain itself.
2. Fuel
Fuel is any material that can burn in a fire. It can exist in solid, liquid, vapor, or gas forms. Common examples of fuel include:
- Solids: Wood, paper, cardboard, furniture
- Liquids: Petrol, oil, lubricants
- Gases: Methane, butane, propane
- Other materials: Plastics, fabrics
The availability of fuel determines how long and intensely the fire burns.
3. Oxygen
Oxygen supports combustion by feeding the fire. This element is readily available in the surrounding air. Fire cannot take place or continue burning without oxygen.
Controlling Fire
Fire can be controlled effectively by targeting the fire triangle—removing one of its three essential components: fuel, oxygen, or heat. There are three primary methods to control a fire:
1. Starving
Definition:
Starving involves removing the fuel source from the fire.
How It Works:
By eliminating combustible materials, the fire no longer has a substance to sustain combustion, causing it to extinguish.
Examples:
- Turning off a gas supply.
- Moving flammable materials (e.g., wood, paper) away from the fire.
- Isolating the fire in a controlled area.
2. Smothering
Definition:
Smothering restricts the fire’s access to oxygen, cutting off the air supply required for combustion.
How It Works:
Without oxygen, the fire cannot sustain itself and will be extinguished.
Examples:
- Using a fire blanket to cover a fire.
- Applying foam or dry powder extinguishers.
- Covering a pan fire with a lid.
3. Cooling
Definition:
Cooling removes the heat from the fire, lowering the temperature below the point where combustion can occur.
How It Works:
By reducing the heat, the fire’s energy source is eliminated, stopping the combustion process.
Examples:
- Using water to extinguish flames.
- Spraying a fire hose to cool down hot surfaces.
.Classification of Fires
Fires are classified based on the type of fuel that sustains them. Understanding these classifications is crucial for selecting the appropriate firefighting technique and equipment to control the fire safely and effectively.
Classes of Fire
- Class A – Solid Materials
Fires involving combustible solid materials such as:
- Wood
- Paper
- Fabric
- Plastic
Example: Burning furniture or wastepaper.
2. Class B – Liquids
Fires fueled by flammable liquids like:
- Petrol
- Oil
- Grease
- Paint
- Kerosene
Example: Oil spills catching fire.
3. Class C – Gases
Fires caused by flammable gases, including:
- Methane
- Butane
- Propane
Example: Gas leaks igniting in kitchens or industrial areas.
4. Class D – Metals
Fires involving flammable metals, such as:
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Aluminum
- Magnesium
Example: Industrial fires in manufacturing plants using reactive metals.
5. Class E – Electrical
Fires caused by electrical equipment or wiring. These are not a separate fuel source but are often categorized to highlight the need for non-conductive extinguishing agents.
Example: Short circuits or overloaded power lines.
Methods of Fire Spreading
Fire spreads when it continuously receives heat, fuel, and oxygen. Understanding how fire propagates is crucial for controlling and preventing it. There are four main methods of fire spreading: convection, conduction, radiation, and direct burning.
1. Convection
Definition:
Convection occurs when heat transfers through hot gases rising in the air.
How It Works:
- When substances burn, the hot gases rise and accumulate in a space, heating other nearby materials.
- As the heat rises, cooler air (rich in oxygen) moves downward to feed the fire.
- This creates a cycle that allows the fire to grow and spread rapidly.
Example:
Hot air from a fire in a confined room spreads to the ceiling and ignites other materials.
2. Conduction
Definition:
Conduction is the transfer of heat through solid materials.
How It Works:
- Heat moves through solid objects, increasing the temperature of nearby materials.
- Once these materials reach their ignition point, they catch fire, spreading the flame.
Example:
An iron rod placed with one end in a fire becomes hot throughout, eventually heating nearby flammable objects.
3. Radiation
Definition:
Radiation transfers heat without physical contact, using the infrared spectrum.
How It Works:
- Heat radiates outward from the fire source and raises the temperature of nearby materials.
- Once the materials reach their ignition temperature, they catch fire.
Example:
The heat from a campfire radiates outward and ignites dry grass or leaves at a distance.
4. Direct Burning
Definition:
Direct burning occurs when flames come into direct contact with fuel or combustible materials.
How It Works:
- Fire spreads when a burning material touches another flammable substance, transferring the flame.
Example:
A lit cigarette dropped into a trash bin ignites papers or other flammable items, causing a fire.
Conclusion
Fire safety awareness training for security guards provides essential knowledge about the methods of fire propagation. This understanding enables security professionals to identify potential fire hazards before a fire starts and take effective measures to control fires that have already ignited. With proper training, security guards can play a pivotal role in preventing fires, minimizing damage, and ensuring the safety of people and property.
