Week 11 Other Related Geological Hazards

Geological hazards
 are naturally occurring (or man made) geologic conditions capable of causing damage or
loss of property and/or life
 Volcanic eruptions and Earthquakes are the most known
 e.g Rainfall-induced landslides, and sinkholes.
Landslide
 when masses of rock, soil, or debris move down a slope under the force of gravity
 a wide range or ground movement such as rockfalls …
 can occur in a matter of seconds or over the course of weeks and longer
 two terms that refer respectively to material and movement
o earth - mainly composed of sand-sized or finer particles
o debris - composed of coarser fragments.
1. SLIDES (translational or planar) - Down-slope movement of soil and/or rock on a plane
of weak material can occur on relatively moderate to steep slopes, especially in weak
geologic materials
2. ROCKFALLS - Rapid, near vertical, movement of rocks that involves free-falling, bouncing,
and rolling; often occurs in areas with near vertical exposures on rock
3. SLUMPS (Rotational) - Unconsolidated materials (such as soil and debris) move
downslope in a distinctive rotational motion, usually occurs on moderate to steep slopes
4. EARTH FLOWS - Unchannelized flow of water, soil, rock, and vegetation that moves
down-slope, occurs on steep slopes. No failure surface at bottom.
5. DEBRIS/MUD FLOWS - Rapidly moving, channelized slurry flow of water, soil, rock, and
vegetation; occurs mainly in drainage channels.
Cause of Landslide
 Driving forces - the slope to move with the force of gravity
 Resisting forces - the slope and prevent movement
When the driving forces exceed the resisting forces, landslides occur. To prevent or mitigate
landslides, one must increase the resisting forces or decrease the driving forces.
What are the factors that increase the driving force for landslide?
1. Over-steepened slopes 3. Heavy rainfall
2. Adding water to slope from landscape 4. Loading extra material at the top of
irrigation, roof downspouts, broken the slope
sewer and water lines, and poor
storm-water drainage
Earthquakes and heavy precipitation can also trigger landslides on susceptible
slopes.
What are the factors that increase resisting force?
1. Removing excess water from slopes 3. Building retaining walls
2. Adding buttress material at base of a
slope
What are the signs of impending landslides?
 New cracks or unusual bulges in the  Tilted or cracked chimney
ground, street pavements or sidewalks
  Doors or windows that stick or jam  Bulging ground at base of slope
for the first time  Leaning fence posts or retaining
 Outside walls, walkways, o stairs walls
start pulling away from the house  Springs, seeps, or saturated soil in
 Soil moves away from the areas that have been typically dry
foundation  Cracks in the ground
 Plumbing or gas lines develop leaks  Tilted trees or utility poles
Sinkholes
 depressions or openings in the ground surface
 the result of a collapse in the ceiling of an underground cavity or cavern
 typically develop slowly, but can also form suddenly when a collapse occurs.
 naturally occur in areas underlain by soluble carbonate or evaporate rocks
Types of sinkholes
 Dissolution sinkholes
 most intensive where the water first contacts the rock surface
 Aggressive dissolution - where flow is focused in pre-existing openings in the rock
 Rainfall and surface water percolate through joints in the limestone
 Dissolved carbonate rock is carried away from the surface and a small depression
gradually forms
 Cover-subsidence sinkholes
 develop gradually where the covering sediments are permeable and contain sand.
 In areas where cover material is thicker or sediments contain more clay, cover-
subsidence sinkholes are relatively uncommon, are smaller, and may go undetected
for long periods.
 Cover-collapse sinkholes
 develop abruptly over a period of hours and cause catastrophic damages
 occur where the covering sediments contain a significant amount of clay
 Over time, surface drainage, erosion, and deposition of sediment transform the steep-
walled sinkhole into a shallower bowl-shaped depression.
Karst
 type of topography that is formed by dissolution of bedrock in areas underlain
 any land with sinkholes, springs, and streams that sink into subsurface caverns
Causes sinkholes
Florida Department of Environmental Protection - the two most common carbonate rocks
in Florida are limestone and dolomite. These rocks tend to erode when exposed to acidic
water. Most rainwater is already slightly acidic, and may become more so by passing through
decaying plant debris. Limestone is a porous rock, and acidic water can percolate down through
it. Over time, this process of erosion has created “extensive underground voids and drainage
systems in much of the carbonate rocks throughout the state”.
What are the signs of impending sinkholes?
Cracks in interior joint areas, windows or doors Deep cracks and separation of paved concrete
Cracks in your exterior block or stucco walks and drives
Windows and doors become harder to close Circular patches of wilting plants
properly Sediment in you water
Depressions in your yard or the street or other Neighbors have had or confirmed possible
yards near you sinkhole activity
Observation of an actual cavity beginning to
open.

Week 12 Other Related Geological Hazards

GEOLOGICAL MAPS
 uniquely suited to solving problems involving Earth resources, hazards, and environments
 represent the distribution of different types of rock and surficial deposits
 are the primary source of information for various aspects of land-use planning
 It is a special-purpose map made to show geological features
 Rock units or geologic strata are shown by color or symbols to indicate where they are
exposed at the surface
A geological map has the following elements:
 Title – located at the top portion of the geological map.
- It is important because it tells you right away what kind of hazard map it
represents or the area where the map is based.
 Legend – tells you what different colors and signs mean in the map
- Works as a decoder of the data presented in the map.
 Orientation compass – tell us the orientation of the map in reference to the magnetic
north.
 Bar Scale/Ruler – The scale explains the relationship of the data frame extent to the
real world
- This can be shown either as a unit to unit or as one measurement to another
measurement
- 1:10,000 scale means that every one paper map unit represents 10,000 real
world units.
 Coordinates - GPS coordinates are a unique identifier of a precise geographic location
on the earth, usually expressed in alphanumeric characters.
- are points of intersection in a grid system
- GPS (global positioning system)coordinates are usually expressed as the
combination of latitude and longitude.
The MGB map shown in the figure uses four colors
 White: Absent
 Green: low susceptibility to absent
 Orange: moderate susceptibility
 Red: High susceptibility
Some other geological maps use these three colors:
 Yellow: low susceptibility-less likely to be experience landslide; be prepared
 Green: moderately susceptible; be cautious
 Red: highly susceptible; be alert ad ready to evacuate
What to do before a landslide?
 Do not build near steep slopes, close to mountain edges, near drainage ways, or natural
erosion valleys.
 Get a ground assessment of your property
 Contact local officials, state geological surveys or departments of natural resources, and
university departments of geology.
  Watch the patterns of storm-water drainage near your home, and note the places where
runoff water converges, increasing flow in channels. These are areas to avoid during a
storm.
 Learn about the emergency-response and evacuation plans for your area. Develop your
own emergency plan for your family or business
 Minimize home hazards: have flexible pipe fittings installed to avoid gas or water leaks,
plant ground cover on slopes an build retaining walls
What to do if you suspect imminent landslide danger?
 Contact your local fire, police, or public works department.
 Inform affected neighbors
 Evacuate
What to do during a landslide?
 Stay alert and awake.
 Evacuate or stay out of the path of landslide or debris flow.
 Listen for any unusual sounds that might indicate moving debris, such as tees cracking or
boulders knocking together.
 Be alert for any sudden increase or decrease in water flow and for a change from clear to
muddy water.
 Be especially alert when driving. Bridges may be washed out, and culverts overtopped.
 Be aware that strong shaking from earthquakes can induce or intensify the effects of
landslides
What to do after a landslide?
 Stay away from the slide area.
 Listen to local radio or television stations for the latest emergency information
 Watch for flooding, which may occur after a landslide or debris flow.
 Check for injured and trapped persons near the slide, without entering the direct slide
area. Direct rescuers to their locations.
 Help a neighbor who may require special assistance-infants, elderly people, and people
with disabilities.
 Look for and report broken utility lines and danged roadways and railways to appropriate
authorities
 Check the building foundation, chimney, and surrounding land for damage
 Replant damaged ground as soon as possible since erosion caused by loss of ground cover
can lead to flash flooding and additional landslide in the near future
 Seek advice from a geotechnical expert for evaluating landslide hazards or designing
corrective techniques to reduce landslide risk.
What to do if a sinkhole is observed or suspected at a property or home?
This constitutes an immediate potential safety concern. Make appropriate
notifications:
 Notify all parties: occupants, owners, real estate agents, buyers
 Notify the local Water Management District
 Fence or rope the hole off or arrange for this action to be taken immediately
 Keep children away!
 Protect the area from garbage and waste
 The property owner should be advised to contact their homeowners insurance company
 You may inform the parties that there are engineering firms specializing in detection and
evaluation of potential or evident sinkholes
  Record in your report the notifications and action you took

Week 13 Hydro-meteorological Hazards

Hydro-meteorological hazard
 are floods, typhoons and drought
 “by natural processes of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature” - UNESCO in
2017
 includes intense rain, flash floods, heat waves, cold spells and coastal storm surges
 may also result to landslide, forest fires or insect infestation.
 largely climate and weather related
 characterized by so much water or no water at all
 Too much water may result to flooding while limited water may cause drought
The major hydro-meteorological hazards in the Philippines are:
(1)Typhoons
 generally called tropical cyclones
 spiral storms with strong winds moving counterclockwise in an area of low pressure
systems
 Tropical cyclones normally forms in the Pacific Ocean in warm waters near the
equator.
 It usually moves slowly toward the west or west northwest near or passing through
the Philippines
 The average speed is at 19 kilometers per hour
 usually occur during the months of June to December with peaks in the months of
September to October
 in this late period of the year are of super typhoon category
 Supertyphoon Yolanda in 2015 at 315 kph wind intensity and typhoon Nina in
2016 at 255 kph wind intensity happened in the last quarter of the year.
 develops and forms through a process called tropical cyclogenesis
 involves the development of a warm-core cyclone
 warm core is caused by convection or the movement of a lot of warm moist air
 warm sea surface temperature forces air to rise to further fuel the warm core of the
cyclone. This usually heightens a low pressure area
(2)Floods
 overflowing of water in a land that that is normally dry
 result when rivers or waterways overflow due to heavy rainfall
 caused by coastal storm surges that are associated with typhoons, tsunami or high
tide.
 occur over a period of time
 Flood water levels increases as rainfall continues over time
o may stand for a period of time depending on rainfall
o may stand for a time due to debris clogging waterways
 Flash flood is a rapid onset hydro-meteorological event
o happens in a short period of time, only several hours or even less.
(3)Heavy rainfall
 influenced by the monsoons
 The southwest monsoon (Hanging Habagat) is characterized as “wet season”
o caused by warm air streams passing over the ocean in the equator
(4)Drought
 The onset of the El Nino phenomenon may foretell dry spells or a drought
Early signs indicate dry spells with rainfall below the normal level.
If these dry spells extend to 3 months with rainfall less than the normal levels, a
drought is declared
 characterized by shortage of water for domestic and agriculture purposes.
(5)Storm Surge
 anticipated when there is an approaching typhoon
 influenced by the slightest changes on the tropical cyclones’ parameters
 decline of atmospheric pressure and the onset of stronger winds are warning signs
 PAGASA has issued a color-coded warning
 Project NOAH has produced storm surge hazard maps to inform the public of a
specific storm surge prone area.
Typhoon Safety
Tropical cyclone alert
 issued by PAGASA as soon as a tropical cyclone enters the Philippine Area of Responsibility
 informs the public of an impending threat to any part of the Philippines
 issued at 11 am and at 11 pm
 upgraded into a tropical storm warning when the tropical cyclone poses a real threat to
specific parts of the country
When the threat is established PAGASA issues Public Storm Warning Signals based on wind
intensity. The Severe Weather Bulletins are issued four times a day at 5 am, 11am, 5 pm and
at 11 pm with updates every hour.
In the event that Public Storm Warning Signals are issued, the public and community
is advised to:
1. Disaster preparedness is activated to alert status. Flood prone areas are specifically under
close watch considering forecasted rainfall intensity.
2. Outdoor activities are postponed. Travel is not advised. Classes are suspended depending
on the storm signal and school grade levels. Housing with light materials has to be
reinforced.
3. Evacuation centers are identified and are on-standby status. Food stuff, water and
personal belongings are packed in water proof packages in case of evacuation. Secure
medical or emergency kits and flashlights. People are advised to seek strong shelters such
as strong buildings before the typhoon. Likewise, people should avoid riverbanks and
coastal areas.
4. Pre-emptive evacuation should be strictly followed by the community folk to avoid
unnecessary stress and time to rescue workers.
5. During the typhoon, people are advised to be indoors or in properly secured shelters or
evacuation centers. The movement of the typhoon should be closely monitored
particularly the passage of the “eye” of the typhoon. The 1-2 hour lull period indicates that
the area is at the center of the typhoon and the “eye” is currently passing. Strong winds
are expected after the lull period. Venturing outside the shelters or evacuation center is
considered very dangerous during and after the lull period. Usually, it would take 5-8 hours
for a typhoon to pass over an area.
6. After the typhoon:
o check weather bulletins,
o watch out for continued rains and flooding,
o if current conditions and officials permit, inspect your house and be cautious of
broken poles, glass and electric lines,
 o use flashlights not candles,
o watch out for snakes or other dangerous animals in your surroundings,
o check your stored food and water for contamination.

Flood Safety
Flood advisories
 issued by PAGASA to inform and warn people flood levels and status of water levels in
river basins.
 dependent on rainfall data and information about typhoons
Following general advisory to be followed with floods:
1. Move to higher ground immediately.
2. Stay out of floodwaters.
3. Avoid driving through flooded areas.
4. Stay away from power lines and electrical wires.
5. If time allows, turn off electricity and gas
Heavy Rainfall Advisories and Safety
The rainfall advisories are heavily related to the forecast amount of rainfall. PAGASA
calculates the percent chance of rain (PCOR) using vapor satellite image data, processed
Doppler Radar data and statistical evaluation of historical rainfall. This information becomes
the basis for rainfall forecast done 1, 2, 3 and 4 hours lead time. PAGASA’s color coded
rainfall advisory is based on the PCOR.
General advisory about what to do in heavy rains include:
1. Be aware of rainfall alerts and advisory
2. Be aware of flash floods, streams, rivers or waterways
3. If you are in a flood prone area, secure your house and pack belongings, food and waters.
4. Be ready to evacuate upon notice.
5. Disconnect electrical appliances and switch off the main electrical switch 6. Keep away
from flood waters
Storm Surge Safety
Storm surges are considered dangerous and could be fatal if the community is not aware
and prepared.
The wind speed and coverage of the typhoon are information needed to forewarn people
of a probability of a storm surge.
Coping with Drought
Droughts
 often occur in the Philippines
 may happen with the onset of El Nino
 creates water shortage for domestic and agriculture purposes
 Water pumps may run dry
The following may be done to conserve and store water:
1. Recycle water for other purposes (e.g. laundry, washing dishes, cleaning)
2. Store water in covered or sealed containers to avoid water contamination
3. Harvest rainwater
 4. Use small water impounding systems
5. Use irrigation systems efficiently. Practice drip irrigation.
Week 14 Hydro-meteorological Hazards
Hydro-meteorological hazards
 are floods, typhoons and drought
 “by natural processes of atmospheric, hydrological or oceanographic nature” – UNESCO
2017
 includes intense rain, flash floods, heat waves, cold spells and coastal storm surges
Hazard maps
 representation of a specific location highlighting the affected or vulnerable areas of a
hazard
 show a specific hazard or multiple hazards affecting a specific location
 may display hydro-meteorological hazards
 to inform people about the risk and dangers they are exposed to from natural disasters.
Tools for monitoring hydro- meteorological hazards
PAGASA
 one weather bureau in the Southeast Asian region that has established a regional network
of monitoring stations for tropical typhoons and other hydro-meteorological events.
 equipped with equipment to provide weather advisories particularly about tropical
typhoons.
1. Rain gauge.
Rainfall is measured in millimeters through a raingauge. One millimeter of rainfall is equivalent to
1 liter of water per square meter. Rainfall intensity is measured in terms of volume of water rain
that falls for a given time (mm/hr) for a specific place. An increased rainfall over a short time are
indications of an impending stormy weather and probability of floods. A continuing decline in
rainfall over the normal range may mean an onset of a dry spell.
2. Wind vane.
Wind direction is provided by a wind vane. It tells us from what direction the wind is blowing.
3. Anemometer.
Wind speed is measured by an anemometer. Increasing wind speeds are manifestations of
stormy weather. Super typhoons have a wind speed of over 220 kph.
4. Barometer.
Atmospheric or air pressure is measured by a barometer. A rising barometer means sunny and
dry conditions, while a falling barometer means stormy and wet conditions. As such, a low
pressure area may result to a typhoon. Atmospheric pressure is measured in millibars (mb) or in
kilo Pascals (kPa)
5. Thermometer.
A thermometer measures air temperature. Temperature affects pressure fronts. An increase in
temperature in the sea surface may result to a low pressure. Temperature is measured in Celsius
or Farenheit. An increase in temperature is also an indicator to measure drought
6. River water level gauges or sensors.
Gauges used to measure the rise of water levels in bodies of water. The gauges are early warning
devices for flood.

Week 15 Fire Hazard

Fire Hazard
 produced through a process that includes the interaction of its components which are
fuel, heat and oxidizing agent
 Fire becomes a hazard when it obstructs, delay, hinder or interfere with firefighting
operations and the safeguarding of life and property
 defined in RA 10121 is any condition or act which increases or may cause an increase in
the probability of the occurrence of fire.
Fire triangle identifies the three components of fire which are:
1. Fuel
 material or substance being oxidized or burned in the combustion process
 a combustion reaction is known as the “reducing agent” (scientific term)
2. Heat
form of energy that may be described as a condition of matter in motion caused by the
movement of molecules
 the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to a point
 most essential of fire elements
3. Oxidizing agents (oxygen)
 yield oxygen or other oxidizing gases during the course of a chemical reaction.
Fire tetrahedron
 An alternative to the fire triangle model
 adds another element to the fire, which is chemical reaction
What are the stages of fire development?
1. Ignition is the period when the elements of the fire come together and combustion
begins.
2. Growth is the stage when the plume begins to form above the burning fuel. It begins to
draw or entertain air from the surroundings space into the column. It will continue if
enough fuel and oxygen are available
3. Flashover is when the gases generated during this time are heated to their ignition
temperature by the radiant energy from the gas layer at the ceiling.
4. Fully developed fire occurs when all combustibles materials in the compartment are
involved. The burning fuel in the compartment are releasing the maximum amount of heat
possible for the available fuel packages and producing large volumes of fire gases.
5. Decay is when the fire consumes the available fuel in the compartment, the rate of heat
release begins to decline. The amount of fire diminishes and the temperature begins to
decline.
Causes of fire in school
• Intentional fires
These are set by students or staff of the school and can obviously not be predicted. Most of
the time they are started in trashcans or in piles of garbage because it is the easiest thing to
light.
• Cooking Equipment fires
Because schools often have a lot of cooking equipment in the kitchens, there are many
potential problems that can come from them. It could be a small grease fire or a gas fire.
• Heat Source fires
There is also the potential of having something come about due to someone playing in or
around the heating source of the school. Things can easily catch fire with that much heat, and
whether it is intentional or not, does not matter.
• Heating Equipment fires
These are started due to something faulty near the heating source or the equipment. Small
sparks can easily cause bigger flames to grow. Due to the heat around the equipment, it will
not take long to start a bigger fire.
• Electrical fires
These are very common when something shorts out and is near something that can easily
spark and catch fire. These fires can then cause other surrounding areas to catch fire,
especially depending on the material used in building the school, and what is around it.
Causes of fires in workplace or offices
There are five most common causes of fire in the workplace:
 Faulty equipment. Defective electrics such as loose wires, or faulty equipment
that can overheat and cause sparks.
 Clutter. Lack of consistent cleaning, leaving the building untidy and cluttered.
 Combustible on site. Combustible materials such as paper, wood and cardboard
will often accumulate in many workplaces, and if allowed to buildup, can contribute
a significant amount of fuel to any fire that may start.
 Human error. From using equipment incorrectly, not reporting faulty machinery, to
even leaving cooking food unattended
 Arson. Arson makes up a large percentage of fires caused on business premises.
Causes of fires in houses
 Cooking equipment. Pots and pans can overheat and cause a fire very easily if
the person cooking gets distracted and leaves cooking unattended
 Heating
 Smoking in bedrooms. A cigarette that is not put out properly can cause a flame,
as the butt may stay alit for a few hours. It could burst into flames if it came into
contact with flammable materials, such as furniture.
 Electrical equipment. An electrical appliance, such as a toaster can start a fire if it
is faulty or has a frayed cord. A power point that is overloaded with double adapter
plugs can cause a fire from an overuse of electricity. A power point extension cord
can also be a fire hazard if not used appropriately.
 Candles. If left unattended they can cause a room to easily burst into flames.
 Curious children. Kids can cause a fire out of curiosity, to see what would happen
if they set fire to an object.
 Faulty wiring. Homes with inadequate wiring can cause fires from electrical
hazards.
 Barbeques. Barbeques are great for an outdoor meal, but should always be used
away from the home, tablecloths or any plants and tree branches.
 Flammable Liquids
 Lighting. Lamp shades and light fittings can build up heat if they are very close to
light globes

Most common causes of fire.

 Electrical. Faulty wiring is a misnomer. If there is actually faulty wiring, there would
have been no electrical power from the very start when you switch on the circuit
breaker or the main service protective equipment. What actually happens is that the
wires or circuit becomes overloaded due to increase in the load the circuit carries
without changing the size of the wires. The subsequent effect will be weakening of
the insulation of the wires due to overheating in the circuit caused by the additional
load.
 Incendiarism (Arson). It pertains to the malicious burning of property, using
certain chemicals, bombs, etc., and causing fire to start.
 Open flames. Unattended burning candles or kerosene lamps that are placed near
flammable/ combustible material is a fire waiting to happen. Unattended cooking
causes most fires in the homes that occur in the kitchen. Oil or fat starting to smoke
is near the combustion point and can ignite violently.
 Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). LPG is liquid inside the container, but
immediately transforms to the gaseous state when released. It is liquefied so it can
be stored economically and transported easily. A gallon of liquid LPG in a bottle will
expand about 270 times as much when suspended in a vapor form. Like any other
liquid, LPG expands and contracts with changes in temperature. A gallon of liquid
LPG expands at higher temperature and contracts at a lower temperature. This is
why LPGas containers are never filled to their full capacity to give allowance for
expansion of liquid. However, it is heavier than air in vapor form, it pushes out air
inside the room causing a shortage of oxygen and this might suffocate any person
in that room. LPGas is colorless, tasteless and odorless, but an odorizing agent
called “ethyl mercaptan” is introduced to it so that leaks can easily be detected.
LPGas in its vapor form is about half as light as water. This has its significance in
case of gas leaks, so that the tendency of gas flow is to float at lower levels.
 Fireworks. These are beautiful pyrotechnic displays resulting from the occurrence
of certain oxidation, reduction, and reactions. The substances that produce
fireworks are hazardous materials. These must be stored, transported, handled as
oxidizers, and displayed by experienced and knowledgeable professionals.
Implementation of prohibitions in the manufacture, handling and use should be
strictly complied with everyone as fire safety precaution.
 Spontaneous Ignition. This occurs as a result of a chemical reaction within the
material. It is a reaction independent of any outside source of heat. It begins with
spontaneous heating, and some of the common materials that may spontaneously
heat and ignite are animal oils, mixed fish oils, coal, sawdust, hay, grain, and
cotton.
 Static electricity. It involves the movement of electrons between two objects in
contact with each other. Electrical charges are produced on the objects when they
are separated. If the charge builds up, it will develop enough energy to jump as a
 spark to a nearby grounded or less highly charged object. This spark can ignite
flammable vapors, flammable gases or finely dispersed combustible solid materials.
 Smoking. Careless smoking especially in bed is a leading cause of fire in the
homes. In the Philippines it is the fourth leading cause of fire.
Fire safety
 the condition of being safe from the risk or danger of fire.
 It is also the quality or state of not presenting or involving risk or danger of fire.
Precautionary measures:
Fire safety measures should be an essential part of risk management.
A fire prevention plan must be disseminated and drilled for it to be effective in mitigating the
adverse effects of fire hazard.
• Get a fire alarm system – Installing an intelligent fire alarm system that can warn you
immediately of a fire incident before it becomes too large is the first step in fire safety. If
possible, get an alarm system that is connected to a monitoring center, whose safety
personnel can alert the fire department right away in case a fire takes place in your
home.
• Install fire extinguishers and fire blankets – Everyone in the family who is capable
of using fire extinguishers and fire blankets should familiarize themselves with how to
operate them.
• Practice safe cooking – Never leave a cooker unattended, especially if you are deep
frying using a cook-top cooking range. If a grease fire occurs, simply cover the pan or
pot with a metal pan lid or a cookie sheet to deprive the fire of oxygen. Never carry a
burning pan to the sink to extinguish it with water. Not only could you splash the hot
grease on yourself or on someone else, the grease fire will also spread in a ferocious
fireball as the water evaporates. Moreover, never leave a stove on or put combustible
objects (cooking mitts, washcloths) near it. Remember that the kitchen is the primary
source of house fires.
• Keep watch on the fireplace – The chimney and the fireplace can potentially cause a
fire if you don’t use a spark guard. This implement protects your home by preventing
flame sparks from flying onto combustible household objects in your living room.
Schedule your chimney and fireplace for cleaning at least once a year.
• Teach children about fire safety – Prevent juvenile fire setting by teaching your
children safety rules regarding matches, candles, lighters, electric outlets, and heat or
flame producing appliances. Keep potentially risky objects away from children’s reach.
• Don’t leave cigarettes lit – If you are a smoker, make sure that you put out the
cigarettes before leaving them behind.
• Appliances and power sources – Treat heat-producing appliances like stoves,
portable heaters, clothes dryers, ovens, and grills with care. Regularly check electrical
leads, outlets, and other power equipment for any signs of damage, and remember
never to overload them.
• Set fire drills – All family members should be educated about what to do in case a fire
does occur. Memorize the emergency number for your fire department if 911 is not
available in your community. Plan an escape route and a meeting place outside the
home so that you can quickly account for anyone who is missing. Also practice how best
to escape in a smoke-engulfed home, i.e. by crawling towards the nearest exit to avoid
inhaling dangerous fumes. Never re-enter the house to retrieve belongings.
 • Stop, drop, and roll – If ever your clothing catches on fire, you should stop, drop, and
roll to extinguish the flames. While doing so, cover your face to prevent the likelihood of
facial injuries.
How to call the Fire Department?
1. Speak slowly and clearly.
2. Identify yourself to the operator.
3. Give the whole address of your home, including the specific landmarks.
4. Say what is on fire (eg, a two-storey house).
5. Explain if anyone is trapped and what room they are in
Fire extinguishment theory
 the extinguishment of fire based on an interruption of one or more of the essential
elements in the combustion process.
Fire can be extinguished by removing one or two elements of fire. It can be
through:
1. Smothering or the reducing or limiting the amount of oxygen.
2. Cooling or reducing the temperature below the fire point.
3. Starving or taking out the fuel, which is the food of the fire.
4. Inhibition or breaking the chain reaction or inhibiting the formation of flames but bear in
mind that if you use this method, re- ignition is likely to occur.
How to use a fire extinguisher?
1. Grab the fire extinguisher.
2. Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being accidentally
pressed. 3. Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire.
3. Stand approximately 8 feet away from the fire and squeeze the handle to discharge the
extinguisher. If you release the handle, the discharge will stop.
4. Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire. After the fire appears to be out,
watch it carefully since it may re-ignite!