Welcome to the Fire Safety Website
Nothing is more true of fire than the old adage ”prevention is better than cure”. Regular fire prevention routines are one of the simplest and most effective means of preventing fire. The value of the nightly routine of emptying ashtrays, checking carpets and furnishings for dropped cigarettes, switching off and unplugging electrical equipment (unless the equipment concerned is designed to run continuously), checking that gas fires and gas taps are turned off, and closing the doors to all rooms and staircase enclosures, cannot be over stressed.
In all buildings, particularly residences, protection of human life must take priority over fighting fires. The person discovering a fire must promptly initiate the emergency procedures listed for the premises. Delay can be fatal as, once a fire is out of control, it can spread rapidly and cut off escape routes.
If In Doubt
Get out!
Never Throw Water On A Fat Fire!
Occurrences of fat fires in frying pans, woks and grills are all too frequent in student residential accommodation. The photo above demonstrates what happens when water is applied to a fat or oil pan fire.
- Never apply water or liquid to a frying pan, wok or grill pan fire!
- Never attempt to remove a pan, wok or grill which is on fire from the cooker!
- Never try to move a hot pan after an incident as it needs time to cool!
- Never use fire extinguishers unless trained and confident to do so!
The most effective way of dealing with this type of fire is to turn off the source of heat and cover the pan with a lid or use a fire blanket. Then call University Security or the Fire & Rescue Service who will deal with situation. Never put yourself at risk.
If In Doubt Get out!
Fire, with the possible additional risk of explosion, is a much more acute problem in laboratories and workshops where flammable liquids and gases are often used. Stringent precautions are required in these areas to ensure that no sources of ignition occur. The presence of a Bunsen burner or sparking thermostat may be quite sufficient to start a fire. Welding and cutting equipment should never be used near flammable liquids or combustible materials, unless adequate precautions are taken to prevent ignition occurring. Information on particularly hazardous areas within a Department, such as solvent, chemical and cylinder stores, should be available to the Fire Brigade.
Advice on all aspects of fire prevention may be obtained from the
University Fire Safety Advisor,
Lloyd Morgan ext 2873, email
health.safety@canterbury.ac.uk
