Fire Safety and Utility Controls

1. Fire Safety and Utility Controls CERT Basic Training Unit 2

2. Unit Objectives • Explain role of CERTs in fire safety • Identify and reduce potential fire and utility risks • Describe CERT sizeup process • Conduct basic sizeup for a fire emergency • Explain basic safety precautions • Identify hazardous materials • Extinguish small fires using a fire extinguisher CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

3. Unit Topics • Fire chemistry • Fire and utility hazards in the home, workplace, and neighborhood • CERT sizeup • Fire sizeup considerations • Firefighting resources • Fire suppression safety • Hazardous materials CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

4. CERT Priorities • Help in emergencies before professional responders arrive • Rescuer safety is number one priority • Always work with a buddy • Always wear safety equipment CERT Goal: Do the greatest good for the greatest number CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

5. CERT and Small Fires • V What would you do? Video-Tree 2-4

6. CERT and Small Fires CERTs play a very important role in fire safety by: • Extinguishing small fires • Preventing additional fires by removing fuel sources • Shutting off utilities • Assisting with evacuations, when necessary 2-5

7. The Fire Triangle (Tetrahedron) • Heat • Fuel • Oxygen • Chemical • Reaction CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

8. 5 Classes of Fire • A: Ordinary combustibles • B: Flammable and combustible liquids • C: Energized electrical equipment • D: Combustible metals • K: Cooking oils CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

9. REMEMBER: CERT SIZEUP IS A CONTINUAL PROCESS CERT Sizeup • Gather Facts • Assess Damage • Consider Probabilities • Assess Your Situation • Establish Priorities • Make Decisions • Develop Plan of Action • Take Action • Evaluate Progress CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

10. CERT Fire Sizeup • Helps responders decide: • Whether to attempt to suppress a fire • A plan of action • Answers these questions: • Do my buddy and I have the right equipment? • Are there other hazards? • Is the building structurally damaged? • Can my buddy and I escape? • Can my buddy and I fight the fire safely? Remember: The safety of individual CERT members is always the top priority CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

11. Firefighting Resources • Portable fire extinguishers • Wet standpipes • Confinement • “Creative” resources CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

12. Fire Extinguishers • Use on small fires (never more than one extinguisher attempt) • Different types/different effects Dry chemical (type A, B & C) Water (type A fires) Carbon dioxide (type B & C) Specialized fire extinguisher CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

13. Extinguisher Rating/Labeling • Labels show types of fires that extinguisher is used for: • Class A fire ratings: 1A to 40A • Class B fire ratings: 1B to 640B • Higher number on label = greater amount of extinguishing agent CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

14. Examples of Labels CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

15. How To Use An Extinguisher • Sizeup: is fire small enough? • Does team have the right type? • Test extinguisher after pulling pin • Aim nozzle at base of fire (not flames) (Manual pg 2-25 to 2-29) 2-14

16. Fire Suppression Safety Safety of CERT members is top priority • Always fight fire with a buddy • Feel door with back of hand from bottom up (enter only if cool) • Get down low before entering (heat, smoke & gases are up high) • Always locate two exits • If uncomfortable due to heat or smoke, GET OUT! CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

17. Interior Wet Standpipes • Usually in commercial buildings or apartments • Work in two-person teams when using wet standpipes CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

18. Fire Suppression Don’ts • Don’t get too close • Don’t try to fight a fire alone • Don’t try to suppress large fires • Don’t enter smoke-filled areas CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

19. Reducing Electrical Hazards • Avoid the “electrical octopus” • Don’t run cords under carpets • Check for and replace broken or frayed cords • Maintain appliances CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

20. Electrical Emergencies • Know where power shutoffs are for: • Appliances • Circuit breakers • Fuses • Post shutoff directions next to all utilities • Know procedures for turning power back on CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

21. Types of shutoffs House Main Panel switch Sub panel for individual circuits Circuit breaker or Fuse Traditional or “Smart” meters switch the same 2-20

22. When to Shut off Electricity • Building collapse or major structural damage (details Unit #5) • Arcing or smoke seen • Smell of burning material • Blackened area around switches and plugs • Loss of power accompanied by burning smell 2-21

23. Natural Gas Hazard Awareness • Install natural gas detector and carbon monoxide detector in home • Test batteries for natural gas and carbon monoxide detectors every month Change batteries every 12 months • Locate and label gas shutoffs Have proper non-sparking tool CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

24. Natural Gas Hazards • Asphyxiant (suffocates) Robs body of oxygen Lighter than air (rises) • Explosive Can easily ignite Beware of sparks • Watch for leak indicators CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

25. Gas Shutoff • Locate and label gas shutoff valves • If not automatic, know procedures for shutting off gas CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

26. When To Shut Off Gas • When odor or sound of gas is detected • Building has major structural damage or fire • Gas meter wheels are turning rapidly (look at smallest) • Never turn back on! 2-25

27. Propane Gas Hazards • Asphyxiant (suffocates) Robs body of oxygen Heavier than air (sinks) • Explosive Can easily ignite Beware of sparks • Shipped and stored in pressure tanks as liquid with shutoff knob valve CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

28. Hazardous Materials • Corrode other materials • Explode or are easily ignited • React strongly with water • Are unstable when exposed to heat or shock • Are otherwise toxic to humans, animals, or the environment through absorption, inhalation, injection, or ingestion CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

29. Hazardous Materials HazMat are many types and everywhere!! • Kitchen • Garage • Bathroom • Patio (Manual pgs 2-30 & 2-31) 2-28

30. L.I.E.S. • Always read labels • Use L.I.E.S. storage procedures (Limit, Isolate, Eliminate, Separate) CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

31. Ways HazMats Enter the Body • Inhalation – Most Common, Fastest • Absorption – Skin, Eyes • Ingestion – Eating or Drinking • Injection – Puncture Wounds 2-30

32. Where HazMat are Found Obvious Locations Less Obvious Locations 2-31

33. Identifying Stored Hazmats • NFPA sign • shows hazards: • Red=fire danger • Blue=biological • yellow=explosive • 4=HIGH;1=LOW • White Quadrant: • W: reacts with water • OX: oxidizer CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

34. CERT Response • If you suspect hazmats-- • Overturned Containers • Pungent or Bad Odors • Bubbling Liquids • Vapors • Dead Vegetation • Dead Animals or People Action: Only Warn & Deny Entry CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

35. Red & Orange Red White Red White White Blue Yellow Black & Red & Yellow & White White White Hazmats in Transit Hazard placards on trucks and packages CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

36. 1203 3 UN and NA Placards Symbol Symbol Chemical Number Name Chemical Class Chemical Class CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

37. Haz Mat Rule of Thumb If the hazard area looks bigger than your thumb, you are TOO CLOSE! • Do NOT enter building or area even if victims are there • Stay Uphill and Upwind • Isolate, Warn and Deny Entry • Evacuate Downwind Area if needed • Notify Team Leader and Fire Department 2-36

38. Greater Than 1? Remember! All hazardous material placards are a stop sign for CERTs CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls

39. Unit Summary • You should know: • Keys to effective fire suppression • CERT sizeup and fire sizeup considerations • Classes of fire and types of fire extinguishers • Utility Controls • P.A.S.S. and L.I.E.S. • How to identify hazardous materials Always have a buddy – personal safety comes first! CERT Basic Training Unit 2: Fire Safety and Utility Controls