FIRE PREVENTION

The goal of fire prevention is to educate the public to take precautions to prevent potentially harmful fires, and be educated about surviving them. It is a proactive method of reducing emergencies and the damage caused by them.

1. Class A Fires -  includes fires of ordinary combustible materials present in the laboratory such as wood, plastics, paper and textiles.
2. Class B Fires -  includes fires of flammable liquids and gases.
3. Class C Fires - includes fires in energized electrical equipment, which require for their extinguishment the use of nonconductive media.
4. Class D Fires -  includes fires of combustible and reactive metals such as sodium, potassium, magnesium and lithium. These fires pose special problems of control and extinguishment, since spreading and explosion can easily occur.

Fires prevention in your workplace consists of four steps:

1. Implement a program that includes preparation, prevention, and recognition of fire hazards.
2. Make sure you practice proper handling of combustible and flammable material.
3. Maintain safe housekeeping practices that reduce the risk of fire danger.
4. Always keep adequate fire suppression equipment in your work area to extinguish fire before it goes out of control.

     Prevention, detection and extinguishment of fires are the basic aims of a fire protection program. An effective fire safety program must involve both laboratory management and workers. Management is responsible for the development of the program and for the training of personnel. Laboratory workers are responsible for following the safety standards required by the program in the daily operation of the laboratory. :)