Possible Fire Threats

Building fires threaten both life and property in numerous ways. In order to design adequate protective measures, it is first necessary to identify possible threats that building fires present 

Heat and flames may be most direct threats. Contact with an object at 65 °C may cause burns within 1 s. Air heated above 150°C may cause edema (blockage of the respiratory tract), exhaustion, and dehydration. However, direct contact with flames (which are more than 10 times hotter) may cause immediate burns [20]. 

---

One further and final area of possible development will be in the smart textile field where there is a desire for fibres which may have a heat-sensing property which may then enable them to either alert the wearer (in protective clothing, for instance) or transfer electronic or other signals when embedded in a composite should a potential fire threat arise. This latter will be of increasing importance as the continued increase in use of textile and fibre-reinforced composites replaces conventional materials in the transport sectors, for example. 

We pointed out earlier that most emergency plans address fire, medical emergencies, and the accidental release or spills of hazardous materials. Note that the development of emergency response plans should also factor in other possible emergencies— natural disasters, floods, explosions, and/or weather-related events that could occur and certainly will occur. Now, emergency response to terrorist activity or threats must also be added to the list. 

Proceed to the area away from the building designated in the fire drill policy. Do not enter vehicles parked nearby. Take attendance. Make mental notes about any missing personnel or any questionable activity in or near the building. If you received the actual threat, record as much information as possible gender,... 

If stockpiles for waste tires are carefully monitored, the fire hazard can be reduced. Shredded tires pose less of a threat for fires. Tire shreds behave differently than whole tires when burning and because they have less air space, they can be extinguished more easily by allowing water to smother the fire (4). Other precautions that may reduce the fire hazards of tire stockpiles are mandatory fire lanes and fire plans so that a fire can be attended to as quickly as possible (3). 

Also Chinese documents from the Shang Dynasty (1523-1027 BC) reveal the threats posed by insects. Therefore, attempts were made to battle, for example, the migratory locust Locusta migratoria maniiensis with fire. In Greek and Roman writings, there are reports of plant damage, preventive measures, and pest control possibilities. For instance, Phny the Elder describes the use of ashes, crushed cypress leaves and diluted urine as insect repellents. 

Many possible sources of threats like fire hazard, loss of stability etc. has been intentionally omitted in this article, although its importance. Nor individual neither social risk models were presented in full scale, due to the fact, of keeping subject of article at some general assmnptions level. 

Hmnan beings exhibit immense variation. It is possible for a single, small caUbre bullet to kill one person, while another person takes ten larger rounds before they stop returning fire. Nevertheless, it is still necessary to estimate the likelihood of incapacitation for each threat. What levels of incapacitation are important Which areas of the body are vulnerable to each attack How do multiple injuries combine ... 

Fire is a real threat at construction sites. Storage and use of flammable liquids increases the threat substantially, and also increases the possibility of a tragic accident involving burns to workers. Respect for, and proper use and care of dangerous liquids, is critical to a safe jobsite. 

On the other hand, the threat of prosecution hung over the company throughout much of this period. Soon after the fire the minister announced that no decision about prosecution would be made until after the initial inquiry report was handed down, thus putting the company on notice that a prosecution was a distinct possibility. It would be unrealistic to argue that this threat of prosecution had no impact at all. 

Marine fires, such as fires aboard a ship and land based fires (e.g. bush or forest fires) pose a threat to nuclear safety through the possibility of smoke and toxic/hot fumes entering the building and effecting persormel and equipment and also by restricting access to the site or affecting offsite power. Man made external fire hazards may arise from fixed hazardous facilities or from transport of eombustible material and these hazards should be assessed on a site-specific basis. 

Step 4 Eliminate, control or avoid the threat Where possible, action should be taken to remove potential sources of ignition, flammable liquids and combustible materials from the workplace. It may be possible, for example, to replace a flammable solvent with a non-flammable one with similar properties. Checks of the premises should be made last thing at night, especially when contractors have been present. A fire risk assessment should be undertaken and appropriate action taken as necessary. 

Many possible incidents may affect the enterprise, both from within the boundaries of the organization and from without. Some of these incidents may be natnral, such as severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, floods, and severe winter weather. Many others may be manmade such as flammables, toxins, reactive gases, fire, power failure, explosion, bomb threat, and hazardous materials accidents. 

---