Every 15 seconds, a fire department responds to a fire
somewhere in the United States. A residential fire occurs every 66 seconds. There is one
civilian fire death every 118 minutes. There is one civilian fire injury every 18 minutes.
Fires are likely to start in many places in
the home including the kitchen, living room, bedroom and storage areas such as, the attic,
basement, workroom or storeroom. Causes of fire include overheated or overloaded
electrical wire, cigarette ashes, smoldering ashes in the couch, sparks from the
fireplace, unattended outdoor fires and barbecues, appliances in poor repair and
unattended cooking in the kitchen.
To understand the dangers of fire in the home,
first understand the nature of fire. Fire occurs any time four elements are present -
fuel, heat, oxygen and the chemical chain reaction. When these four elements are together,
fire occurs. If any one element is removed, fire is prevented. These elements are
collectively known as the "Fire Tetrahedron" or the "four faces" of
fire.
Fuel, such as wood, paper or clothing
(essentially anything that can burn) provides the energy for the fire. Oxygen, found in
the air we breathe, is required for the burning process to occur. Heat provides a source
of ignition, such as a match or a lighter, and causes the continued vaporization of solids
such as wood in flammable gases. The chemical chain reaction or high molecular activity is
needed to keep the fire burning. If any one of the four components is missing, fire cannot
start. Removal of any one of these four causes fire to be extinguished. When fire occurs,
an oxidation/reduction reaction takes place. This chemical term means a fuel, such as
wood, is "reduced" in form in the presence of an oxidizing agent, oxygen and
changes chemical make-up. Fire and heat cause the wood that is composed primarily of
hydrogen and carbon molecules, to decompose thereby releasing energy in the form of more
heat and flame. The wood is reduced and gives off carbon dioxide and hydrogen gases into
the atmosphere and turns into ash (primarily carbon molecules).
Products with a high carbon and hydrogen
content are the most effective fuels or "reducing agents." The most common of
these are "complex hydrocarbons" such as gasoline, propane, butane and natural
gas.
An oxidizing substance provides oxygen that is
necessary for the burning or oxidations/reduction process to happen. The purest oxidizing
substance is oxygen gas itself. Of the air we breathe, 21 percent is composed of oxygen.
Thus, air is the most common oxidizing substance found. Other oxidizing substances include
chlorine, bromide, iodine and ozone. For something to burn, it must first reach ignition
temperature. Consider an unintentional fire in a trash can. A match that burns at more
than 400 degrees Fahrenheit is dropped into a trash can. The embers ignite paper in the
can and a fire begins. Once the fire starts, significant heat is generated. This heat
causes unburned paper next to the flame to increase its molecular activity. The unburned
paper vaporizes and turns to a gas. This flammable gas provides more fuel to the fire and
it continues to burn.
The chain reaction means that the burning
process must be allowed to continue in order for fire to burn. The collision of molecules
in the oxidation/reduction process causes heat to build up, which sustains the combustion
process.
Anytime just one of the four sides of the fire
tetrahedron is removed, the possibility of fire is eliminated. A home fire inspection does
just that. When a fire hazard is identified, one side from the fire tetrahedron has been
removed. For example, we know that "Smokers Need Watchers." If a live cigarette
ash is discovered behind a couch after a party and extinguished, the heat side of the fire
tetrahedron is eliminated.
If a pile of rubble lying next to the house is
discarded, the fuel for a potential fire is removed from the fire tetrahedron. If a grease
fire is covered with a lid, oxygen is removed from the fire tetrahedron. If the fuel cells
are removed from a nuclear reactor, the chain reaction is reduced.
One of the best ways to prevent fire in the
home is to do a home inspection specifically looking for the fire hazards or preparing for
emergency measures in case of a fire. Inspect your home one section at a time:
Kitchen
All electrical appliances and tools should have a testing agency label. Have the
appliances repaired if they aren't working right. If an appliance gets wet, have it
serviced.
Check the cords on all appliances. If they
are worn or frayed, have them repaired.
Don't overload the outlets.
Make sure appliance cords are kept on the
counter to prevent them from being pulled down by young children.
Don't store things over the stove. People
get burned while reaching.
Turn pot handles so children can't pull them
down.
Wear tight sleeves when cooking.
Loose-fitting garments can catch fire.
Check to see if curtains or towel racks are
close to the stove.
Check to see if the stove and oven are clean
of grease and oil.
Be sure a fire extinguisher is placed in the
kitchen. The Phoenix Fire Department recommends a minimum 2A10BC extinguisher.
All cleaning products and other chemicals
should be stored out of the reach of young children, not under the sink. Cleaning products
and other chemicals also should be stored separately from foods.
Be sure microwave ovens have room to
"breathe," all the vents are cleared of obstructions.
Living room or family room
Be sure portable space heaters are at least
three feet away from anything that can catch fire including walls and curtains.
Use a metal or glass fireplace screen. Have
the chimney checked and cleaned regularly.
Put lighters and matches where small
children won't find them.
Too small or too full ashtrays are no good.
Ashtrays should be large, deep and emptied frequently, but only when all signs of heat and
burning are gone.
Before going to bed, look under cushions for
burning cigarettes. Check carpeting where ashtrays have been used.
Allow plenty of air space around the TV and
stereo to prevent overheating. If these appliances are not working correctly, be sure to
have them repaired. In the meantime, unplug them.
Check for worn or frayed extension cords or
other electrical cords.
Extension cords should not run under rugs
and carpets or be looped over nails or other sharp objects that could cause them to fray.
Check for overloaded outlets or extension
cords.
Electrical sockets should be covered with a
child-proof fitting.
Lamp and light fixtures should be used with
bulbs with wattage at or below maximum prescribed by the manufacturer.
Bathroom
Check for overloaded extension cords and
outlets.
Don't place or use any appliances near
water.
Make sure all medicines and cosmetics are
kept out of the reach of small children. Install safety latches on drawers, cupboards and
medicine cabinets if the home has small children.
Dump old or outdated medicine into the
toilet.
Bedrooms
Smoke detectors should be tested regularly
to be sure they are functioning correctly.
Have a working flashlight next to each bed.
Again, check for overloaded outlets,
extension cords and heaters that are too close to combustible items.
Each member of the family should know what
to do in the event of a fire.
Do all family members know the fire escape
plan?
Plan two escapes from each bedroom in case
of a fire.
If you smoke, DO NOT smoke in bed.
Basement, Garage and Storage
Store gasoline and other flammables in tight
metal containers. Don't use flammable liquids near heat, a pilot light or while smoking.
Have heating equipment checked yearly.
Clean up workbench.
If a fuse blows, find the problem. Be sure
to replace a fuse with one the correct size.
Don't store things near the furnace or
heater.
Get rid of stored newspaper or other
rubbish. Newspapers stored in a damp, warm place may ignite spontaneously.
Oily, greasy rags should be kept in labeled
and sealed non-glass containers, preferably metal.
Keep all chemicals, paints, etc. in their
original containers.
Set your water heater at 130 degrees
Fahrenheit.
Outdoors
Is your roof fire retardant? Roofing
material, whether it is asphalt shingle, shake shingle, tile or slate can be treated with
fire retardant processes.
Don't ever use gasoline on a grill. Once the
fire has been started, never use lighter fluid or gasoline. Use dry kindling to revive the
fire.
Move the lawnmower away from gasoline fumes
before starting. Allow the engine to cool before refueling.
Smoking in bed, in a chair, or on the sofa
when tired, drinking or under medication.
Spraying aerosols while smoking or near a
space heater, range or other ignition sources.
Using a cigarette lighter after spilling
fluid on the hands or clothing.
Leaning against a range for warmth or
standing too near a heater or fireplace.
Single deadbolt locks with inside thumb
turns wherever possible. When a double key deadbolt is used, such as in a door with
windows or other openings, a key should be left in the interior lock whenever anyone is
inside the home.
If window security bars are desired, install
or retrofit windows with bars that have a single action quick release. Every bedroom must
have minimum of one exit that can be opened to the outside of the home. You must be able
to use the exit without special tools. A key is considered a special tool. The Pasadena
Fire Department advises that bars on windows should have a single action quick release
device.
