Depending on the environment, a fire can get out of control in 30 seconds or less if flammable materials and substances are in the vicinity. Within 1 minute smoke can fill a room. After 3 minutes, the temperature can reach over 300 degrees and will spread to other rooms within the building. When the fire has been burning for around 5 minutes, the heat from the source of the fire will begin to ignite the remaining combustible materials surrounding it. Once they reach their fire points, they will also ignite. This is called a ‘flashover’.
During the phase which follows a flashover, flames burn throughout the enclosed area. This is when the highest temperatures of the fire spread are reached. At this point, the condition and quality of the passive and intumescent fire protection elements within the building are tested.[1]
Flammable and combustible liquids themselves do not burn. It is the mixture of their vapours and air that burns. Gasoline, with a flash point of -40°C, is a flammable liquid. Even at temperatures as low as -40°C, it gives off enough vapour to form a burnable mixture in air. Some of the items which are considered flammable, and which regularly contribute to workplace fires include:
A study by the National Fire Protection Association has revealed interesting statistics about fires in the workplace:
Proper fire safety training in the workplace can eliminate fire hazards and allow personnel to respond efficiently and quickly. Without suitable training, a small incident can grow rapidly and become a crucial incident with catastrophic outcomes.
Strat Training not only provides a number of training courses (detailed below), but also conducts a fire protection compliance inspection service, which is carried out in accordance with government guidance and regulations. It offers a comprehensive report detailing if and where any breaches in fire compartmentation have been compromised. This gives the client a clear indication of how they can avoid any future liability issues.
All learners who are actively involved in any one of these three courses will learn the following, as well as other skills:
Basic Firefighting (Fire Marshal)
This firefighting course is in accordance with Unit Standard 11506 and is focused on the role of the designated Fire Marshal. Suitable candidates are those who are interested in, or responsible for the process of overseeing fire safety as well as anyone who is required to know how to use a fire extinguisher.
The firefighting training course is broken up into nine modules covering topics such as the role of a fire marshal, liaison with the fire service, action to be taken upon discovery of a fire and aspects such as the chemistry of a fire.
(Unit Standard: 252250 – NQF Level: 1 – Credits: 3) – Apply firefighting techniques
Basic Firefighting (Level 1)
This course teaches the application of firefighting techniques in terms of NQF level 1 and is in accordance with Unit Standard: 12484.
Aimed at an organisation’s selected firefighters, the course hones in on the importance of the required skills of firefighting. These skills are to be practised on a regular basis to ensure full integration. It covers a set of five modules that will range from an introduction to understanding and extinguishing fires as well as the relevant emergency procedures.
Basic Firefighting (Level 2)
This course teaches the application of firefighting techniques in accordance with Unit Standard: 13961. This course is designed teach employees the correct use of hand-operated firefighting equipment for the effective extinguishing of fires.
Over a span of six modules topics covering the triangle of combustion, the tetrahedron of combustion and means of spreading will be discussed. It also pays attention to the identification and use of water supplies; the properties of water and fire hydrants; evacuation procedures and actions to be taken in case of fire; setting up a fire assembly point; how to prevent fires in the first place.
(Unit Standard: 13961 – NQF Level: 2 – Credits: 4) – Demonstrate Knowledge and Use of Hand Operated Firefighting Equipment
[1] https://www.nationalfireltd.co.uk/how-fast-does-fire-spread-in-a-building/
[2] https://coggno.com/blog/why-fire-safety-training-should-be-a-part-of-workplace-training-in-every-organization/
