COMBUSTIBLE DUST FIRES AND

EXPLOSIONS

Fire Triangle
 Each of these three elements must be present at
the same time to have a fire. A fire will burn until
one or more of the elements is removed.
Fuel
Any combustible material solid, liquid or gas

Heat
Oxygen
The energy necessary to
The air we breathe is
increase the temperature of
about 21% oxygen
fuel to where sufficient
fire needs only
vapors are given off for
16% oxygen
ignition to occur
 There are 4 classes of fire:
Class A
Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as
wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and some plastics.
Class B
Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline,
kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane.
Class C
Energized electrical equipment, such as appliances,
switches, panel boxes and power tools.
Class D
Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium,
titanium, potassium, and sodium.
 To Prevent Fires

Class Ordinary Combustibles:

Keep storage and working areas free of trash.

Place oily rags in covered containers.

Class Flammable liquids or gases:

Dont refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space,

in the presence of an open flame, or while the equipment is hot.

Keep flammable liquids stored in a tightly closed container and

away from spark producing sources.

Use flammable liquids only in well ventilated areas.

Class Electrical Equipment:

Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for the circuit.

Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells

strange. Unusual odors can be the first sign of a potential fire.

Utility lights should always have some type of wire guard over
them.
Class Flammable metals:

Knowledge of the properties of the metals and using good judgment

and common sense will assist you in controlling or avoiding
potential fires/reactions.
Workers are exposed to fire hazards in restaurants from heat-
producing equipment such as burners, ovens, and grills due
to:Working around open flames

Un-emptied grease traps (possible grease fires)

Dirty ducts (possible flue fires)

Improper storage of flammable items

Faulty or frayed electrical cords

Poor housekeeping
Solution that we must take to avoid explosion and fire happen

Never carry or move oil containers when oil is hot or on fire.

Never throw water on a grease fire; this will make the fire worse.

Empty grease traps frequently; do not allow them to overfill.

Understand the fire safety procedures in your workplace, including how to

call for help, and follow them in a fire or other emergency.
Make sure that if you are working in a commercial kitchen that you
know where to find and how to manually activate the cooking appliance
fire suppression system.

Keep grilling surfaces clean and free from grease accumulations that
might ignite and cause a fire.

Avoid cooking areas unless your work requires you to be there.

Do not use frayed cords or defective equipment.

 EMPLOYERS SOLUTIONS

Employers have the primary responsibility for protecting the safety

and health of their workers. Employees are responsible for following
the safe work practices of their employers. A fire is the most common
type of emergency for which small businesses, such as restaurants must
plan. A critical decision when planning is whether or not employees should
fight a small fire with a portable fire extinguisher or simply evacuate. Use
the following references to help in making this decision.

NOTE: Portable fire extinguishers must only be used if the PROPER

TRAINING has been provided, if it can be done SAFELY and only after
sounding an alarm, summoning the fire department, and activating the
fixed fire suppression system.

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER

If you are trapped in smoke or heat:
Before you open any door, feel the door with the back of your hand.
If the door is warm to the touch, DO NOT attempt to open the door.

Stuff the cracks around doors with towels, rags, clothing or tape,
and cover vents to keep out smoke.

Stay low to the floor, and if possible, cover your mouth and nose
with a damp cloth or dust mask to help you breathe.

If there is a phone in the room where

you are trapped, call the fire department
to tell them exactly where you are located.
Do this even if you see fire apparatus
on the street below.
If you are trapped at buildings:

Wait at a window and signal for help. Do not panic or jump!!

WAIT!

If possible, open the window at the top

or bottom, but do not break it, you may
need to close the window if smoke rushes in.

Be patient. Rescuing all the occupants

of a building can take several hours.
Examples of fire injuries
 How to first aid for burns

1.Remove the heat source from the patient, or the patient

from the heat source, whichever is easiest and safest.
2.Cool the injured area
Immediately cool the affected area for up to 20minutes using cool running
water from a tapor shower. In the absence of water any coolclean fluid
(beer, soft drink, etc.) can be used.
A first aid burn gel may be used in place of water, provided there is enough
to cover the burn.
If any clothing is wet with hot liquid or affected by a chemical splash,
remove it quickly and carefully.
Remove any tight clothing, watches, rings or jewellery from the injured
area, if possible, because of the risk of swelling.
If the patient is badly injured, or the burn is causing significant
pain, or involves the eyes, or is larger than half the patients arm
call111 for an ambulance.
See a doctor if the burn is causing ongoing significant pain, or
involves the face, hands, joints or genitals.
3.Position patient
If the patient is feeling faint lay them down.
The injured part (depending on the location of the burn) can
be placed in a bowl or bucket of cold water if this is easier
than pouring water over the burn.
4.Apply a sterile dressing
After cooling the injured area for up to 20 minutes, apply a sterile dressing.
Use a non-adherent dressing or a piece of clean plastic kitchen wrap.

DO NOT break blisters or remove peeled skin.

DO NOT try to remove any fabric that is stuck to a burn.
DO NOT apply creams, ointments, lotions or butter to any burn injury because
infection may occur and complicate the injury.
DO NOT place small children or babies in a cold bath or shower for a full 20
minutes, as this can cause hypothermia.
Remember that any substance applied to a burn injury may have to be removed
later in hospital and may also delay the healing process.
Avoid using adhesive tape on the skin around the burn because this may cause
further tissue damage.
 SUMMARY

Though they can often be reduced in magnitude or even

sometimes designed out, many of the hazards that can
lead to fires/explosions are unavoidable
Eliminating at least one side of the Fire Triangle
represents the best chance for avoiding fires and
explosions
 In the event of a fire,
your personal safety is your
most important concern.

Remember you are

not required to fight a fire.