Fire Fighting Awareness Training Service | in Dammam - Riyadh - Jeddah - Makkah

1. Introduction to Fire Fighting Awareness

• Fire statistics and impact including (workplace fires annually, injuries, fatalities, property damage, business interruption, prevention importance)

• Fire safety responsibilities including (employer duties per OSHA 1910.38/157, employee awareness, prevention, safe response, evacuation)

• OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157 requirements including (fire extinguisher provision, training, inspection, maintenance, employee education)

• Incipient versus advanced fire including (incipient early/small/controllable, advanced spreading/dangerous/professional firefighter only)

• Employee response scope including (awareness level evacuate and alert, incipient firefighting limited if trained, when to fight versus flee)

• Course objectives including (fire science understanding, hazard recognition, extinguisher use, evacuation, personal safety priority)

2. Fire Science Fundamentals

2.1 The Fire Triangle and Fire Tetrahedron

• Fire triangle components including (heat ignition source, fuel combustible material, oxygen typically air, all three needed for fire)

• Heat sources including (open flames, electrical, friction, chemical reactions, hot surfaces, sparks, static electricity)

• Fuel sources including (solids wood/paper, liquids gasoline/solvents, gases propane/natural gas, combustible materials)

• Oxygen including (atmospheric 21%, combustion needs minimum 16%, enriched oxygen accelerates burning, oxygen-free extinguishment)

• Fire tetrahedron including (fourth element chemical chain reaction, self-sustaining combustion, modern fire science, suppression methods)

• Extinguishment methods including (remove heat cooling, remove fuel starvation, remove oxygen smothering, break chain reaction chemical inhibition)

2.2 Classes of Fire per NFPA 10

• Class A fires including (ordinary combustibles wood/paper/cloth/plastics, leaves ash, water effective, extinguisher symbol green triangle)

• Class B fires including (flammable liquids gasoline/oil/paint/solvents, smothering/chemical suppression, extinguisher symbol red square)

• Class C fires including (energized electrical equipment motors/appliances/wiring, non-conductive agent, de-energize becomes A or B, extinguisher symbol blue circle)

• Class D fires including (combustible metals magnesium/titanium/sodium, specialized dry powder agents, no water, extinguisher symbol yellow star)

• Class K fires including (cooking oils/fats/greases commercial kitchens, wet chemical agents, saponification, extinguisher symbol black hexagon)

• Multi-class extinguishers including (ABC most common, combination capabilities, appropriate selection, labeling)

2.3 Fire Behavior and Spread

• Fire stages including (incipient, growth, fully developed, decay, flashover danger, backdraft risk)

• Fire spread methods including (direct flame contact, convection heated air rises, conduction through materials, radiation heat transfer)

• Smoke characteristics including (toxic gases, oxygen depletion, visibility reduction, heat, inhalation danger primary killer)

• Compartment fire including (room fire dynamics, ventilation effects, door/window impact, containment importance)

3. Fire Hazard Recognition and Prevention

3.1 Common Workplace Fire Hazards

• Electrical hazards including (overloaded circuits, damaged cords, improper wiring, heat-producing equipment, extension cord misuse, lack of maintenance)

• Flammable materials including (improper storage, inadequate separation, containers open, accumulation, poor ventilation, ignition sources nearby)

• Smoking materials including (cigarettes, designated areas violations, improper disposal, combustibles ignition)

• Hot work including (welding, cutting, grinding, sparks, permits, fire watch, combustibles cleared)

• Housekeeping including (waste accumulation, dust, clutter, blocked exits, obstructed extinguishers, access impediments)

• Cooking equipment including (unattended cooking, grease buildup, combustibles near heat, commercial kitchen hazards)

• Heating equipment including (space heaters, furnaces, clearances, portable heater misuse, thermostat malfunction)

3.2 Fire Prevention Measures

• Good housekeeping including (regular cleaning, waste removal, combustible management, clutter elimination, orderly storage)

• Proper storage including (flammable liquids in approved cabinets/rooms, separation, quantity limits, labeling per NFPA 30)

• Electrical safety including (qualified repairs, avoid overloading, inspect cords, surge protectors not daisy-chained, turn off when not in use)

• Smoking policy including (designated areas only, proper receptacles, enforcement, signage, disposal procedures)

• Hot work permits including (authorization, fire watch, extinguisher available, combustibles removed/protected, post-work monitoring)

• Equipment maintenance including (scheduled inspections, cleaning, repairs, manufacturer guidelines, preventive maintenance)

• Fire door integrity including (never prop open, self-closing, unobstructed, rated for compartmentalization, smoke seals)

3.3 Fire Safety Systems Awareness

• Fire detection systems including (smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors, alarm activation, testing, no tampering)

• Fire alarm systems per NFPA 72 including (manual pull stations, automatic detection, audible/visual signals, annunciation, monitoring)

• Fire suppression systems including (sprinklers most common, deluge, pre-action, foam, clean agent, kitchen hood systems)

• Sprinkler systems per NFPA 13 including (automatic activation, heat-sensitive element, water discharge, coverage area, not for extinguishment)

• Emergency lighting including (exit signs illuminated, emergency backup, egress path lighting, battery backup, testing)

• Fire extinguishers including (locations throughout facility, proper type for hazards, accessible, inspected, training required)

4. Portable Fire Extinguisher Fundamentals

4.1 Types of Fire Extinguishers and Selection

• Water extinguishers including (Class A only, cooling effect, pressurized water, 2.5 gallons typical, never electrical/flammable liquid)

• Dry chemical ABC extinguishers including (multi-purpose monoammonium phosphate, most common, interrupts chain reaction, residue cleanup)

• Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers including (Class B and C, smothering, no residue, cold discharge, limited range 3-8 feet)

• Wet chemical extinguishers including (Class K commercial kitchens, saponification, foam blanket, cooling, special for cooking oils)

• Clean agent extinguishers including (Halon replacements, Class B and C, no residue, safe for electronics, expensive)

• Class D extinguishers including (dry powder specific to metal, copper/G1/sodium chloride based, specialized application)

• Extinguisher selection including (match to fire class, most common ABC, location appropriateness, rating adequate, compliance)

4.2 Fire Extinguisher Ratings and Labels

• Numerical rating including (Class A number 2A/3A/4A water gallons equivalency, Class B number square feet coverage)

• UL rating including (Underwriters Laboratories testing, performance standard, reliability, third-party verification)

• Extinguisher labeling including (pictograms, class symbols, instructions, inspection tag, manufacturer, capacity)

• Mounting requirements per NFPA 10 including (height maximum 5 feet top 40 lbs or less, conspicuous, accessible, signage if obstructed)

• Travel distance including (Class A maximum 75 feet, Class B 50 feet, readily available, distribution throughout facility)

4.3 Inspection and Maintenance Awareness

• Monthly inspections per NFPA 10 including (in place, accessible, seal intact, visible damage, pressure gauge green, inspection tag)

• Annual professional inspection including (qualified person, discharge test sampling, internal examination rotation, recharge, certification)

• Pressure gauge including (green zone operational, red zone recharge needed, never use if pressure inadequate)

• Tamper seal including (intact indicates no discharge, broken requires recharge even if pressure shows, inspection verification)

• Deficiency reporting including (damaged, discharged, missing, blocked, report immediately, tag out of service, replacement)

5. Fire Extinguisher Operation - PASS Technique

5.1 When to Use a Fire Extinguisher

• Decision criteria including (fire small incipient, correct extinguisher available, trained, safe exit route, no smoke/heat, fire department called)

• Size limitation including (wastebasket size or smaller, contained area, not spreading, ceiling not involved, manageable)

• Safety first principle including (personal safety priority, if in doubt get out, never fight fire blocking exit, never turn back to fire)

• Fire department notification including (always call first before attempting extinguishment, pull alarm, emergency services even if extinguished)

• Evacuation trigger including (fire spreading, smoke increasing, heat excessive, extinguisher empty, no progress, uncomfortable)

5.2 PASS Technique Demonstration

• P - Pull the pin including (break tamper seal, remove safety pin, test discharge briefly if unfamiliar, hold upright)

• A - Aim at the base including (nozzle/horn at base of fire, not flames, fuel source, low angle, proper distance 6-10 feet)

• S - Squeeze the handle including (lever/trigger, steady pressure, controlled discharge, release to stop, side-to-side sweeping)

• S - Sweep side to side including (broom motion, covering base, forward approach as fire diminishes, don't walk through area, back away)

• Discharge duration including (10-20 seconds typical, know extinguisher limits, use entire contents, watch for re-ignition)

5.3 Fire Extinguisher Use Best Practices

• Positioning including (back to exit, escape route clear, wind at back if outside, proper distance, stable footing)

• Team approach including (buddy system if available, one fights one monitors, communication, assistance, alternating if needed)

• After extinguishment including (watch for re-ignition 15+ minutes, remove fuel/heat if safe, ventilate, investigate cause, report)

• What NOT to do including (never turn back, never let fire get between you and exit, never empty extinguisher on large fire, never assume out)

• Limitations awareness including (limited discharge time, limited range, limited capacity, not for advanced fires, not substitute for evacuation)

6. RACE Fire Response Protocol

6.1 RACE Sequence Overview

• RACE acronym including (Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate, priority order, immediate action steps, systematic response)

• Protocol application including (fire discovery, immediate assessment, sequential actions, life safety priority, property secondary)

• Training standardization including (healthcare common, industry adoption, consistent approach, team coordination, clear communication)

6.2 R - Rescue

• Rescue priority including (people in immediate danger, alert others, assist those needing help if safe, no heroics)

• Immediate danger including (room/area on fire, smoke-filled, blocked exit, unable to evacuate independently)

• Rescue limitations including (within capability, safe exit for rescuer, smoke/heat tolerable, brief assistance only)

• Who to rescue first including (fire room occupants, adjacent areas, those requiring assistance, systematic evacuation)

6.3 A - Alarm

• Activate fire alarm including (pull station, building evacuation initiated, fire department dispatch, immediate notification)

• Call emergency services including (dial emergency number, provide specific location building/floor/room, fire description, stay on line)

• Internal notification including (supervisor, safety department, security, emergency response team, communication chain)

6.4 C - Confine

• Confine the fire including (close doors and windows, smoke/fire compartmentation, contain spread, limit oxygen, protect escape routes)

• Fire doors including (close not lock, rated construction, delay spread, smoke seal, no propping open)

• Fire/smoke dampers including (HVAC shutdown if appropriate, automatic closure, smoke migration prevention)

• Compartmentalization including (NFPA 101 design, fire-rated walls/floors, protected egress, time for evacuation)

6.5 E - Extinguish or Evacuate

• Extinguish if safe including (incipient stage, trained, proper extinguisher, conditions permit, attempt only if all RACE steps completed)

• Evacuate if necessary including (fire beyond incipient, unsafe conditions, extinguisher ineffective, smoke/heat increasing, default action)

• Evacuation priority including (life safety paramount, property protection secondary, disciplined evacuation, accountability)

7. Emergency Evacuation Procedures

7.1 Evacuation Triggers and Signals

• When to evacuate including (fire alarm sounds, announcement, observed danger, smoke/heat, official direction, when in doubt)

• Fire alarm signals per NFPA 72 including (continuous/pulsing horn/bell, distinctive tone, building-wide, voice evacuation systems)

• Emergency announcements including (public address, voice alarm, instructions, areas affected, directions, updates)

• Never ignore alarm including (assume real emergency, no waiting to verify, immediate response, no assumption of drill)

7.2 Evacuation Execution

• Immediate actions including (stop work, secure hazardous processes if seconds only, grab personal items if immediately available, proceed to exit)

• Exit route selection including (nearest safe exit, primary route, alternate if blocked, stairwells only never elevators, follow signs)

• Exit route per OSHA 1910.36 including (two exits minimum, clearly marked, adequate width 28 inches minimum, unobstructed, proper lighting)

• Evacuation pace including (urgent but not panic, orderly flow, assist others if safe, no running causing falls, stay low if smoke)

• Door procedures including (feel door before opening, close doors behind, never prop open, smoke barrier maintenance)

7.3 Assembly Point and Accountability

• Assembly point including (designated location outdoors, safe distance 150+ feet, upwind, clear of emergency access, supervision)

• Headcount procedures including (supervisor accountability, buddy checks, visitor tracking, report missing immediately, do not re-enter)

• Stay at assembly point including (await all-clear, official permission only, emergency personnel need information, full accounting)

• Re-entry restrictions including (fire department clearance, structural safety, hazard elimination, official authorization, organized return)

8. Special Fire Situations and Hazards

8.1 Electrical Fires

• Electrical fire hazards including (energized equipment, shock risk, water danger, non-conductive agent needed, Class C extinguisher)

• De-energization including (shut off power if safe and accessible, circuit breaker, disconnect switch, becomes Class A fire)

• Electrical fire response including (Class C extinguisher CO2 or dry chemical, never water, call electrician, investigate cause)

8.2 Flammable Liquid Fires

• Flammable liquid characteristics including (rapid spread, high heat, vapor ignition, Class B fire, special extinguishers)

• Flammable liquid fire response including (Class B extinguisher CO2/foam/dry chemical, smothering, avoid water splash spread)

• Spill fire prevention including (contain spills, eliminate ignition sources, ventilation, absorbents, proper cleanup, disposal)

8.3 Special Hazards

• Cooking fires including (grease fires, never water, Class K extinguisher or pot lid, turn off heat, commercial hood systems)

• Vehicle fires including (evacuate vehicle, safe distance, fuel tank, tire explosions, call fire department, extinguisher if very small)

• Wildfire/brush fire including (outdoor areas, wind-driven, rapid spread, evacuation priority, professional firefighters only)

• Confined spaces including (never enter smoke-filled, oxygen depletion, toxic gases, professional rescue only, secondary victims common)

9. Post-Fire Actions and Investigation

9.1 After Fire Extinguishment

• Monitoring for re-ignition including (watch fire area 15+ minutes minimum, smoldering materials, heat pockets, ember revival)

• Ventilation including (if safe and fire out, open doors/windows, exhaust fans, clear smoke, breathable air restoration)

• Scene security including (preserve evidence if possible, no unnecessary disturbance, investigation needs, photography)

• Extinguisher service including (even partial discharge requires professional recharge, remove from service, tag, replacement interim)

9.2 Reporting and Documentation

• Incident reporting per OSHA 1904 including (injury/damage documentation, supervisor notification, safety department, investigation cooperation)

• Information to provide including (date/time, location, fire origin, materials involved, size, actions taken, witnesses, injuries/damage)

• Fire department report including (incident number, findings, recommendations, official documentation, records)

• Insurance notification including (carrier contact, claim process, documentation, loss assessment, recovery)

9.3 Fire Investigation and Prevention

• Investigation participation including (factual information, observations, sequence of events, no speculation, cooperation)

• Root cause analysis including (ignition source, fuel, circumstances, contributing factors, prevention opportunities)

• Corrective actions including (hazard elimination, procedure updates, training, equipment, controls, implementation verification)

• Lessons learned including (sharing information, safety meetings, procedure updates, awareness, continuous improvement)

10. Fire Safety Culture and Continuous Awareness

10.1 Personal Responsibility

• Individual accountability including (hazard awareness, prevention practices, reporting hazards, training participation, safe behaviors)

• Housekeeping responsibility including (work area cleanliness, waste disposal, combustible management, exit access maintenance)

• Reporting obligations including (fire hazards, equipment deficiencies, near-misses, unsafe conditions, proactive safety)

10.2 Fire Drills and Training

• Fire drill purpose including (practice evacuation, familiarity with routes, timing verification, procedure testing, readiness)

• Drill participation including (take seriously, follow procedures, feedback provision, improvement identification, preparedness)

• Ongoing training including (annual refresher required, new employee orientation, procedure changes, extinguisher practice, awareness maintenance)

10.3 Emergency Preparedness

• Know your workplace including (exit locations, extinguisher locations, alarm pull stations, assembly point, emergency equipment)

• Personal preparedness including (exit route awareness, emergency contacts, visitors notification, situational awareness)

• Family preparedness including (home fire safety, smoke detectors, escape plan, practice, emergency contacts)