We have seen the four stages of fire ie The Incipient, The Growth, The Fully Developed and The Decay in my last blog. In this blog let us understand the methods of fire fighting so that we can put out the fire and also understand the ways in which fire spreads from one place to the other.

Based on the fire triangle that we have studied, fire extinction can be done by removing any one element from the triangle consisting of Fuel, Oxygen and Heat. These 3 ways are called Starvation, Blanketing or Smothering and Cooling.

Starvation : It is the method of removing the Fuel element from the fire triangle. In this method the materials surrounding the area near the seat of fire are removed and the fire is made to starve without the supply of fuel. As the fire feeds on fuel when this is removed the fire does not get anything to burn and hence dies out by itself. This method of fire fighting is usually adopted by the fire fighters putting out fires which happen in homes with thatched roof. Not only do they pour water on the roof that is burning but they remove the thatched roofs from the nearby houses to contain the fire.

Blanketing/Smothering : In this method the oxygen supply to the fire is cut off. Naturally the fire is put off due to the lack of oxygen. I know many of us will remember our science lab in school where the teacher used to cover a lit candle, with a glass and show us the lack of oxygen. This method of putting out fire is also the same. It is a well known fact that human beings can survive without oxygen beyond 5 minutes but Fire cannot survive without oxygen even for a few seconds. The cutting off of oxygen supply can be done in homes by closing the doors and windows to the room which has caught fire, and also by using materials like blankets and wet towels when oil pans catch fire in the kitchen. If an oil pan catches fire in the kitchen the same can be put out by first switching off the gas supply and then covering the pan with a wet cloth or blanket. Even some of the fire extinguishers use this method to put out fires.

Cooling : In this method the heat element is simply removed from the fire. This can be done by using water over the fire as water is a great absorber of heat. Water can be used on solid fuels like paper, coal, leaves etc but cannot be used on flammable liquids, gases and electrical fires. On fire where you cannot pour water directly the water can be used in areas adjacent to the fire to cool the heat and not allowing the fire to spread. The firemen use this method most often in fires in buildings and homes.

Fire Spread happens due to transfer of heat and the methods of heat transfer are Conduction, Convection and Radiation. We shall discuss these methods in my next blog.

As the festival of lights DIWALI, is fast approaching just wanted to give my readers a few Safety Tips.

1. Burst Fireworks in open areas only.
2. Do not wear synthetic clothing while lighting fireworks.
3. Keep 2 buckets of water near the place where you light fireworks to render any first aid for fire burn.
4. Parents should supervise children when lighting fireworks.
5. Wear tight clothes rather than loose ones while lighting fireworks.
6. While lighting crackers ensure a safe distance between the body and the crackers.
7. Do not get too close to any misfired Crackers.
8. Always store the fireworks in a safe place well away from sources of heat.
9. Buy Fireworks from reputed manufacturers only.

For many Indians Diwali is a festival which brings in a lot of prosperity and joy in lives. Enjoy the festival by meeting and greeting your friends and loved ones but at the same time be careful with fireworks.

WISHING ALL MY READERS A VERY HAPPY DIWALI/DEEPAVALI.

Till my next blog be safe and stay safe.

Seshadri Varadrajan,
Sr. Corporate Trainer.
Usha fire Safety Equipments Pvt Ltd.
Chennai.

Call: 9840814353.
Email seshadri3225@gmail.com