REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA

ZAMBIA NATIONAL FIRE SERVICE TRAINING SCHOOL

BASIC FIREFIGHTER’S COURSE

FIRE PREVENTION

STANDARD NOTE NO. 02

1|Page
 CONTENTS
I. OBJECTIVES
II. INTRODUCTION
CHAPTER ONE
1. CHEMISTRY OF COMBUSTION
2. CLASSES OF FIRES BY FUEL
CHAPTER TWO
1. LOCATION OF SEAT OR ORIGIN
2. COMMON CAUSES OF FIRES
3. FIRES OF ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
4. SMOKING IN PLACES OF WORK
5. OTHER CAUSES OF FIRES
CHAPTER THREE
1. MEANS OF PREVENTION
2. GOOD HOUSE KEEPING
3. WASTE COLLECTION
4. PROBLEMS WITH WASTE
5. STORAGE OF WASTE
6. SECURITY MEASURES
CHAPTER FOUR
1. WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER
2. PLANNING FIRE SAFETY IN INDUSTRIES
3. REPORT WRITING
4. FIRE DRILL
SUMMARY
REFERENCES

2|Page
 I. OBJECTIVES
At the end of this course, leaners are expected to know:
 The combustion process
 The classes of fire by fuel
 How to locate the origin of fire
 The common causes of fires
 The means of preventing fires
 Understand the work and responsibilities of a fire prevention officer

3|Page
 II. INTRODUCTION
In order for the students to understand “FIRE PREVENTION”, some basic knowledge of
chemistry of combustion and fire extinction at recruit’s level is important. It is also essential that
students are given a detailed talk on the distinctive classes of fire as will be seen later in this
note, it is also important that students are aware of the high, medium and low fire risk buildings.
Having done this, the student will then have been put in a better position to understand what is
required of him when trying out fire prevention inspection.
Fire prevention - entails the precautionary measures or activities aimed at stopping fire
outbreaks e.g. Education, Inspection and Reduction of hazards where possible.
Fire protection - is the theory and practice of reducing loss of life and property by fire. There
are two types of fire protection-”Active” and “Passive”
Active fire protection - include sprinklers and other detection systems and training of occupants
in fire drills etc.
Passive fire protection - are presented by structural measures e.g. fire retardant treatment,
adequate and controlled ventilation etc. This is not directly involved in the extinguishment of
fire. This will just delay the effect for a predetermined time then the material will burn out.

4|Page
 CHAPTER ONE

1. CHEMISTRY OF COMBUSTION
Combustion is a chemical reaction, or series of reactions, in which heat and light are evolved.
When the rate of reaction is very slow only heat is produced and a slow oxidation occurs such as
rusting. Combustion represents a rapid rate of reaction in which light is emitted as well as heat.
In scientific terms, Fire can be considered an exothermic chemical reaction between fuel and
oxygen (Heat is given off). Fire is not always destructive. It can be thought of in two ways:
Controlled burning is used for the benefit of humans, e.g. for cooking, light, heat, motor vehicles
and aircraft engines.
Uncontrolled burning is (most often) unintentionally started and grows into raging infernos if the
conditions are suitable; e.g. scrub fires, forest fires, house fires, explosions and other large
destructive fires.
Fire Triangle and Fire Tetrahedron
The combustion process was once depicted as a triangle with three sides. Each side represented
an essential ingredient for fire. Heat, Fuel, and Oxygen were thought to be the essential elements.
As the scientific study of fire progressed, it became evident that a fourth ingredient was
necessary. That fourth element was the actual chemical reaction that permitted flame
propagation. A new four sided figure was created to represent the essential ingredients for fire,
the Fire Tetrahedron.
The fire tetrahedron is a pyramid shape describing the heat, oxygen, fuel and chemical reaction
necessary for combustion. The four element of the fire tetrahedron must be present in order to
support the combustion process.
The figure below shows the fire tetrahedron;

5|Page
Removing one or more of the elements in the fire tetrahedron will result in an end to the
combustion process. Basic firefighting strategies are based on this principle of removing an
element of the fire tetrahedron to halt the combustion process and put out the fire.

2. CLASSES OF FIRES BY FUEL

Learning to recognize and react to different fire classes is an essential requirement to every
firefighter. All fires have the potential to endanger lives, destroy property, business and the
environment, therefore, it is important to recognize the differences between the various types of
fire known as ‘class’. The class of fire is determined by the type of fuel that is burning and
allows appropriate extinguishing media to use.
According to the BS-EN2:1992, there are currently five classes of fire i.e., Class A, B, C, D and
F. Below is a brief explanation on each class and the material involved.
Class A
These are fires involving solid materials normally of organic nature (compounds of carbon) like
wood, paper, cloth, rubber and many other plastics. Class A fires are probably the most common
type of fire and the most effective extinction agent is generally water in form of a spray or jet.
Class B
These are fires involving flammable liquids petrol, diesel and many other petroleum products.
For the purpose of choosing effective extinguishing agents, materials involved in this class are
divide into two groups;
i. Those that are miscible with water like methylated spirit and alcohol, and
ii. Those that are immiscible with water like petrol.
Depending on (i) and (ii), the extinguishing agents include water spray, foam, carbon dioxide,
vapourizing liquids and dry chemical powders.
Class C
These are fires involving gases or liquefied gases like methane, propane, butane etc. foam, or dry
chemical powder can be used to control fires involving gases and leaks or spills. Water in form
of spray is generally used to cool the containers or cylinders.
Class D
These are fires fueled by ignited metals such as magnesium, aluminium, lithium, titanium,
potassium etc. Metal based fires are not common as not all metals are flammable. Due to the
excessive temperatures needed to ignite flammable metals, these types of fires are often extreme
in nature. Extinguishing agents containing water are ineffective and even dangerous, carbon
dioxide and the bicarbonate of dry chemical powders may also be hazardous if applied to most
metal fires. Powdered graphite, powdered talc, soda ash, limestone and dry sand are normally
suitable for Class D fires.
6|Page
Class E
This class involves fires caused by electrical equipment such as TVs, computers, faulty wiring,
frayed cables, broken electrical appliances/tools, short circuits, overloading multiple adaptor
plug sockets, hairdryers etc. once electrical item is removed the fire changes class. Electrical
fires are not given their own full class as they can fall into any of the other classifications. After
all, it is not the electricity that is burning but the surrounding material that has been set alight by
the electric current. The best extinguishing agent is carbon dioxide or dry chemical powder.
Class F
These are fires involving fats, cooking oils, grease etc. Class F fires consists of cooking oils and
fats that have been ignited. The high flash point of cooking oils and fats and the extremely high
temperatures necessary to cause a blaze with these materials led to the designation of its own fire
class. These kind of fires are most common in restaurants and commercial kitchens. A fire
blanket is often the best solution for smaller cooking oil/fat fires, eradicating the need to clean up
any debris from the use of chemical suppressants. However, the best extinguishing agent used to
tackle a class F fire is wet chemicals.

7|Page
 CHAPTER TWO

1. LOCATION OF SEAT OR ORIGIN

To know where the fire started, the officer in charge, will look for the area of most extensive
burning but again this should not be regarded as conclusive, it might be the result of certain
flammable materials being present in a particular place or that there was a greater supply of air
present. The fire may have originated in a room above slowly burnt through the floor and then
ignited materials of greater flammability. If a certain part of the roof or structure of the building
is more severely damaged than any other spot and consequently points to the possible points of
origin.
After large fires, it may sometimes be necessary to shift a vast amount of debris to locate the
origin of a fire. During this work, the officer in charge should be constantly vigilant for any
article or evidence of the cause of the fire especially if there is any suspicion that the fire is not
anything but accidental in origin.
The search for the place of origin of the fire should be made at the earliest possible moment and
even, circumstances permitting, before the fire is out.

2. COMMON CAUSES OF FIRES

People are the common cause of fires. They generally cause fires in one of the three ways:
i. Carelessness
ii. Ignorance and
iii. Thoughtlessness

i. Carelessness
There are persons who carelessly throw away cigarette ends on dry grass, combustible
materials or leaving flammable materials near the fire.
ii. Ignorance
Overloading of electrical points or circuits etc.
iii. Thoughtlessness
Use of petrol or flammable liquids whilst smoking. All these are causes of fires which can be
avoided.

8|Page
 3. FIRES OF ELECTRICAL ORIGIN
Listed below are some of the more common causes of fires of electrical origin:
i. Incorrect fuse rating
ii. Badly made joints and connection
iii. Conductive materials in place of fuses
iv. Breakdown in insulation
v. Misuse of multi-plug adaptors and
vi. Overloading of circuits.

4. SMOKING IN PLACES OF WORK

Prohibition of smoking in places of work, may be unreasonable and may lead to illicit smoking,
but it is essential where hazardous materials are dealt with or processes are carried on.
Smoking should be prohibited in stock and other rooms not under continuous supervision. Where
smoking is allowed, provision should be made for easily accessible non-combustible receptacles
for cigarette ends and other smoking materials. Smoking should cease half an hour before
closing down of the premises.

5. OTHER CAUSES OF FIRES

a. Careless disposal of lighted cigarette ends or matches. Setting fire to dry grass in open
grounds.
b. Careless disposal of hot ashes setting fire to heaps of rubbish.
c. Children playing with matches, setting fire to dry grass in open grounds.
d. Children playing with matches setting fire to papers or waste materials in the premises
having basements.
e. Deliberate burning of waste materials or rubbish spreading fire to nearby buildings.
f. Embers from fires incinerators igniting waste stocked near incinerators for collection.
g. Embers from welding machines igniting combustible materials in close proximity.
h. Sparks from bars or defective electric wiring igniting insulations or petrol vapour on
vehicles.
i. Sparks from battery terminals igniting petrol vapours during vehicle repairs.
j. Smoke issuing out of wheel drums due to vehicle being driven with an unreleased hand
brake.
k. False alarm with good intent. (Good intent is when a person suspects a fire or any
emergency and decides to call the fire brigade so that they can come effect an operation
to save either property or a life in danger).

9|Page
 CHAPTER THREE

1. MEANS OF PREVENTION
Fire occurrences are becoming more frequent due to modern technology. The impossibility of
living in a world entirely free from risk must be accepted more openly by the public at large. The
attitude to accept reality can only be changed by education and the availability of information
which is acknowledged as unbiased and accurate.
The moral, economic and legal consequences of a failure in any system can have a significant
impact upon a business. A serious fire in a workplace that result from inadequate management of
fire safety matters can begin a spiral of events that may result in total business failure.
Fire prevention measures are precautions and practices that ensure that fires do not occur; that if
they do occur, they are likely to be controlled or contained quickly, effectively and safely; or
that, if a fire does occur and grow, everyone within the premises is able to escape to a place of
total safety easily and quickly.

2. GOOD HOUSE KEEPING

Good house-keeping measures are the precautions taken to reduce the fire risks of waste and
rubbish in industrial, commercial, institutional and other premises.
All these premises produce large quantities of waste produced by some manufacturing processes
to unsaleable waste produced by some manufacturing processes to unsaleable rubbish.
Waste can be a major fire hazard at premises for a number of reasons:
 Waste may be the cause of a fire, it provides the tinder which is first ignited by a
cigarette, a spark or a hot surface. Some waste is liable to spontaneous combustion.
 Waste is used by arsonists to start fires.
 Waste may spread fires rapidly and can help a small fire to grow into a large dangerous
and costly fire.
 Waste may endanger people or assist by causing obstruction. Accumulated waste may
block exit routes for the occupants and access to the fire by fire fighters or it may conceal
the location of the equipment.

3. WASTE COLLECTION
The collection of waste should be an essential part of planning fire safety and should carefully be
sought out. Different types of waste should be collected in separate containers e.g. paper waste.
Oily rags and discarded smoking materials.

10 | P a g e
They should be collected in metal bin containers, which have close fitting lids and are clearly
marked. Regular emptying of these bins is essential. Purpose built trolleys into which bins are
emptied are a useful means of removing waste from departments.
Finely divide waste is best collected using industrial vacuum cleaners. The nozzle permits dust,
fluffy of fly to be removed from otherwise inaccessible areas, areas e.g. machinery, extraction
for grilles and dust work.

4. PROBLEMS WITH WASTE

PACKING, CARDBOARD,PAPER,STRING, PLASTIC FILM AND FOAMED PLASTIC
Easily ignite by cigarettes and other small ignition sources.
DUST, POWDERS, FLUFF AND FLY
Easily ignited by even the smallest ignition sources such as sparks, explosion, when in cloud
form spreads over floors ledges and other surfaces.
SHAVING, OFF CUTS AND DIPPINGS E.G. FROM WOOD, PLASTIC AND CLOTH
PROCESSING, OILY RAGS USED BAGS AND FLAMABLE LIQUIDS E.G USED
CLEANING SOLVENTS AND PUMP OIL
Easily ignited by small ignition sources. May smoulder readily. Easily ignited and readily
combustible, may be susceptive to spontaneous combustion. May be easily ignited and usually
burn fiercely when ignited, special disposal arrangements are needed.
HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS
If the chemical is explosive, flammable reactive, toxic, poisonous, special disposal arrangement
with specialist firms will normally be needed.

5. STORAGE OF WASTE
Waste material awaiting disposal should be stored in a safe place, rubbish dumps and stores
should be sited away from buildings. A special waste store is preferable. It should be constructed
with fire resisting walls and doors to contain an outbreak, as far as possible.
6. SECURITY MEASURES
Where waste is left lying around, the possibility of a deliberately started fire is more likely,
particularly where intruders can easily enter the premises. This provides additional reason why
waste should be cleared away at the end of each day and put in a secure place while awaiting
disposal.

11 | P a g e
 CHAPTER FOUR
1. WORK AND RESPONSIBILITY OF FIRE PREVENTION OFFICER
The term ‘fire prevention officer’ is an ambiguous one that may be used to refer to a fire officer
within the fire service who assesses the organisation’s building to determine whether they are
compliant with fire prevention legislation.
Fire prevention officers are former operational firefighters who have completed recognised
courses on fire prevention and are gazetted under a government gazette. Fire prevention officers
must be collaborative team players, needing to maintain the continuity of their team’s workload
as well as communicating and liaising with other relevant authorities. The role may involve
inspections and assessments.
Having to inspect buildings for compliance requires a fire safety officer to be proficient at
reading and interpreting building plans, with suitable knowledge to identify inconsistencies or
risks relating to electrical safety standards, sprinkler systems, fire safety regulations and so on. A
significant part of a fire safety officer’s job involves oral and written communications. They
must be comfortable with public speaking to different types of audience. Detailed written reports
of investigations and inspections are also frequently required.

2. PLANNING FIRE SAFETY IN INDUSTRIES

Safeguarding industries from the threat of fire is a complex business. Complete protection of
factories and warehouses against fire involves a wide knowledge of many principles of
management as well as the mechanics of fire prevention. Therefore, when planning fire safety in
industries the following should be taken into consideration and acted upon.
 The procedures to follow in the event of fire.
 Means of escape in case of fire.
 Fire protection in storage areas.
 Fire protection equipment.

3. REPORT WRITING
Fire prevention officers should make arrangements for giving of advice when requested on fire
prevention. This is aimed at domestic property, offices, shops and also the large premises.
There are certain words which are used to indicate whether or not it’s obligatory to carry out the
work in question. These are listed below with explanations:
a. Requirements; Means that you must do whatever is listed.
b. Recommendations; Means that you are not obliged to carry out, but is advisable to do
so.

12 | P a g e
 4. FIRE DRILL
Fire drill is a practice exercise which is done by occupants of premises in order to guarantee the
safety of persons and that of property in the event of a fire outbreak.
And this is best done by strictly following these events:
 Sounding an Alarm- immediately a fire outbreak is discovered, an alarm has to be
sounded.
 Informing the Fire Brigade- even if the fire is small, big, has been extinguished or not,
the fire brigade has to be informed.
 Evacuation- when the alarm is sounded all occupants must go to safe places outside.
 Assembly- after evacuation, occupants have to assemble at appointed assembly points
according to their sections or departments.
 Roll Call- responsible persons such as heads of section, heads of department or
supervisors must conduct roll call, by calling the register.
 Fire Fighting- fire has to be extinguished immediately it breaks out so that it does not
grow big. And this has to be done using the suitable available firefighting equipment, by
trained personnel.
 Switching off power supplies- if it is total evacuation, all electrical appliances should be
switched off.
Meaning, that what occupants of a premise are expected to do should be made known by them,
before a fire breaks out, so that there is no delay in doing any of the sequence of events.

SUMMARY
Fire prevention is the set of practices intended to reduce the destruction caused by fire. Fire
safety measures include those that are intended to prevent ignition of an uncontrolled fire and
those that are used to limit the development and effects of a fire after it starts. Fire safety
measures include those that are planned during the construction of a building or implemented in
structures that are already standing, and those that are taught to occupants of the building.

13 | P a g e
 REFERENCES
Life safety dev, (2020). Fire safety. UK.
Fire Service Manual vol 1. Fire service technology and equipment. UK
ZNFSTS. Fire Prevention Note 01. Kabwe.

14 | P a g e