The Fire Safety Seminar in the Second Half of 2014
Author: Terrence Zheng
Through the practical knowledge of fire regulations during the workshop, we’ve learned a lot and mastered some basic knowledge of fire safety. We hope, by this workshop, colleagues would enhance the awareness of disaster prevention, as well as gain the ability to protect them from hazards.
The general knowledge of fire are summarized as below:
First, usually fire accidents can be classified in four types:
  1. Class A: Normal fire:
    The normal combustible items are wood, paper fibers, cotton, cloth, plastic and so on.
  2. Class B: oil fire:
    The combustible liquids are oil, flammable gases, ethane, acetylene gas or paint.
  3. Class C: electrical fire:
    The electrical equipment, such as electrical appliances, transformers, wires, power strips, are the causes of this term of fire.
  4. Class D: Metal fire:
    Active metal such as magnesium, potassium, lithium, titanium and other banned substances leads to this kind of fire.
Secondly, there are several types of fire extinguishers:
  1. Dry powder fire extinguisher:
    There are classes of A, B, C of fire extinguisher, corresponding to three different classes of fire accident. The extinguishers are also divided into pressure and accumulation types by its appearances.
  2. Halon fire extinguisher:
    The extinguisher does apply to Class A, B and C fires. The only disadvantage of Halon fire extinguishers is that it will destroy the ozone layer. As the result, the international convention in 1994 ruled the forbiddance of the production as well as consumption of Halon fire extinguisher.
  3. Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher:
    The extinguisher does apply to Class B and, C fires, but it has far less efficiency than dry powder and Halon fire extinguisher.
  4. Water fire extinguishers:
    The extinguisher is the best fire-extinguishing substance. It is suitable for Class A and B fires, but it is less common in our country.
  5. Clean extinguishers (the alternative of Halon):
    This fire extinguisher is the latest product.Some manufacturers produce these agents. However related testing standards of the product is not available in our country.
  6. Foam fire extinguisher:
    This extinguisher is rare. It’s suitable for Class A and B fires. It should be put upside down before use.
Third, the most suitable fire extinguisher for home:
  1. Realistically speaking, clean fire extinguisher should be the most suitable type for family use. It possess advantages such as no pollutions, no expiry date if preserved well, and no need to replace the chemicals inside. However, there is one disadvantage. The price of it is high.
Fourth, according to the law, carbon monoxide detection device should be placed at home.
Double protections at the same time – devices detecting both carbon monoxide and smoke. As the most accurate and reliable carbon monoxide sensor applications in the world, the innovative electrochemical devices can show the concentration of carbon monoxide in the air continuously and accurately. (From 30ppm to 999ppm)
Learning and mastering the knowledge and skills of prevention of fire accidents are especially important for people. Fire is the natural enemy of mankind. It takes places around us. People are likely to become victims at any time. As a consequence, we all should do our best to prevent the hazards. It relies on the effort from each of us to avoid repeating the tragedies. To strengthen people's awareness of disaster prevention is the paramount target. We should eemphasize the education of disaster prevention as well as self-help skills. Apparently, being calm is the key factor to escape from the fire.