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1. Flammable Liquids Type C Electical Fires Information about fire extinguishers A fire extinguisher is your best defense against fires that have just begun to burn IF you are properly trained and feel comfortable using them Fire extinguishers can e give you enough time to escape from a burning structure e put out fires completely if used properly Not using the correct type of extinguisher can make the fire spread It is crucial to know the type of fire you are trying to put out before you attempt to use an extinguisher If you have any doubt GET OUT Pull any fire alarms if applicable on the way out Call 9 1 1 from a safe location Proper locations for fire extinguishers Fire extinguishers should be located in rooms that the family gets the most use out of They should always be in plain sight and easily accessible Do not conceal them behind curtains under tables in a closet or on the ground At least one extinguisher should be kept on each floor of your household They should also be kept in basements and garages e Extinguishers should be on walls no higher than five feet from the floor and near the exit and hazard areas e Determine the hazard areas in your home office or other commonly used dwelling Fire extinguisher guidelines Only attempt to extinguish fires when they are small no larger than a small trash can Time is valuable Keep time on your side by knowing what s what and where to find it Remember fi2. FIRE SAFETY INFORMATION Fire Exit Drills in the Home Being ready is the Key to surviving a home fire There are three things YOU can do to protect your family They are simple but they are very important Do them now before fire strikes 1 Install smoke alarms on every level of your home 2 Test smoke alarms monthly to be sure they are working and replace batteries at least once a year If your smoke alarm makes a chirping sound replace the battery immediately 3 Plan and practice home fire drills Make a Home Escape Plan Fire strikes quickly often in the middle of the night while your family is asleep Establish a plan now for evacuating each member of your family Then if fire does strike everyone will know what to do and where to go One of the ways to keep your family safe is by practicing E D L T H Exit Drills In The Home Many injuries are caused by people of all ages reacting improperly when there is a fire in their home They may be affected by smoke disoriented by being awakened abruptly and frightened It is critical that every household have a step by step plan for escaping a fire and practice it by having a Home Fire Drill at least twice a year Remember your primary route should be the quickest most direct way out For example through the front door to your meeting place or through a window to a roof or balcony where you can safely wait for help The secondary route should be the next safest most dir
3. astic trash can DO put ashes into a non combustible metal container with a lid DO pour water into the container to make sure the ashes are cool DO keep your can OUTSIDE the home away from combustibles DO teach all family members to be safe with ashes from your fireplace or wood stove As always please make sure you test your smoke alarms monthly and replace batteries twice a year Practice and plan a family home escape plan Automatic Fire Sprinklers Council Bill 25 03 Effective 1 14 2004 Requires Fire Sprinkler Systems In New Single Family Homes Council Bill 25 03 Background Requires Fire Sprinkler Systems In New Single Family Homes Automatic fire sprinklers have been in use in the U S since 1874 Fire sprinklers are widely recognized as the single most effective method for fighting the spread of fires in their early stages before they can cause severe injury to people and damage to property When one fire sprinkler head goes off to fight a fire the entire sprinkler system does NOT activate Sprinklers react to temperatures in individual rooms The chances of a fire sprinkler accidentally going off are extremely remote Installation of fire sprinklers can provide discounts on insurance premiums The costs for installing fire sprinkler systems in buildings 6 to 8 stories high ranges from under a dollar to about 2 00 per square foot in most new construction and from about 1 50 to 2 50 per square foot for retrofi
4. e a grill unattended once it is lit e Use long handled utensils to avoid burns and splatters e Never attempt to move a hot grill e If using a charcoal grill gasoline should never be used in place of charcoal lighter fluid And never reapply charcoal lighter fluid after the fire has started the flames can ignite the vapors and travel up to the can causing an explosion Consumers should use caution when storing LP gas containers Always keep containers upright Never store a spare gas container under or near the grill or indoors Never store or use flammable liquids like gasoline near the grill To avoid accidents while transporting LP gas containers consumers should transport the container in a secure upright position Never keep a filled container in a hot car or car trunk Heat will cause the gas pressure to increase which may open the relief valve and allow gas to escape Consumers should use extreme caution and always follow manufacturer s instructions when connecting or disconnecting LP gas containers Grills manufactured after October 1 1995 are required to have three additional safety features to eliminate leak hazards a device to limit the flow of gas in the event of hose rupture a mechanism to shut off the grill and a feature to prevent the flow of gas if the connection between the tank and the grill is not leak proof Consumers should consider purchasing grills that have these safety features Sources U S Consumer Prod
5. e multiple staff and volunteers in leadership positions that may often result in inconsistent security Also such facilities often become targets because of what they represent How Can You Help Reduce the Risk of Arson and vandalism e Keep doors and windows locked when the building is unoccupied e Light all sides of the building and parking areas e Trim shrubbery to prevent it from being used for hiding e Remove loose material combustibles and trash from the property e Have police routinely check premises e Become involved in a Neighborhood Watch program Religious Worship centers Community Awareness The Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service will work with each and every community in an effort to prevent deter persons from burning religious places of worship in our community e Have your members of the congregation check your the building daily Leaders of congregations should appoint appropriate members to familiarize themselves with the risk assessment guidelines and work with community e Report all suspicious persons vehicles or activities in or near your place of worship The goal of this intiative is to involve the citizens that live in the immediate area of places of worship to unify and be trained on surveillance and observation methods that can be a deterrent to crime e Encourage neighbors and church members to take note of strangers spending time in the neighborhood both on foot or in cars to record tag numbe
6. ect path out For example through the window of the room next door Unless your children are infants don t have them wait for your help In a fire parents may be blocked from their children s bedrooms by smoke or flames As soon as they are able each child should know how to escape a fire and be taught to do so as soon as he or she smells smoke or hears the sound of the smoke alarm Practice your plan with a HOME FIRE DRILL Make sure everyone understands what to do and assess each escape route realistically to be sure it can be used in an emergency Walk through the primary and alternative escape routes ensuring that all exits are accessible to all members of your household For example will windows open easily Are ropes and ladders required to escape from second story windows If you choose to have escape ladders always practice using a ground floor window Practice your plan at night because things look very different in the dark If windows or doors in your home have security bars make sure that the bars have quick release mechanisms operational from the inside so that they can be opened immediately in an emergency Quick release mechanisms won t compromise your security but they will increase your chances of safely escaping a home fire Go outside to see if your house number is clearly visible from the street Numbers must be visible to ensure that responding emergency personnel can find your home In Montgomery County Maryland exist
7. el of life safety Statistics demonstrate that there has never been any multiple loss of life in a fully sprinklered building Property losses are 85 less in residences with fire sprinklers compared to those without sprinklers The combination of automatic sprinklers and early warning systems in all buildings and residences could reduce overall injuries loss of life and property damage by at least 50 Cooking Safety Tips e Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires Three in every 10 reported home fires start in the kitchen more than any other place in the home e Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles i e potholders towels rags drapes and food packaging e Keep children and pets away from cooking areas by creating a three foot one meter kid pet free zone around the stove e Turn pot handles inward so they can t be bumped and children can t grab them e Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup which can ignite e Wear short close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire e Never use a wet oven mitt as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated e Always keep a potholder oven mitt and lid handy If a small grease fire starts in a pan put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by care
8. fully sliding the lid over the pan You may also use baking soda Turn off the burner Don t remove the lid until it is completely cool Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen actually spreading the fire e If there is an oven fire turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing Call 9 1 1 from a safe location e Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen Close supervision is essential whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching e If there is a microwave fire keep the door closed and unplug the microwave If safe to do so Call 9 1 1 from a safe location Remember that food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot Remove the lids or other coverings carefully to prevent steam burns e Double check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house Make sure all other appliances are turned off Outdoor Grilling Safety The onset of warm weather signals the beginning of Barbecue Season Fire Chief Richard Bowers of the Montgomery County Fire amp Rescue Service wants you and your loved ones to enjoy this season SAFELY Below are some tips from the National Fire Protection Association that he hopes will help e Always supervise a barbecue grill when in use e Position the grill well away from siding deck railings and out from under eaves and overhangin
9. g branches e Keep children and pets far away from grills declare a three foot safe zone around the grill e With charcoal grills only use charcoal starter fluids designed for barbecue grills and do not add fluid after coals have been lit NEVER use gasoline e With gas grills be sure that the hose connection is tight and check hoses carefully for leaks Applying soapy water to the hoses will easily and safely reveal any leaks e All propane cylinders manufactured after April 2002 must have overfill protection devices OPD OPDs shut off the flow off propane before capacity is reached OPDS are easily identified by their triangle shaped hand wheel e Always follow the manufacturer s instructions and have the grill repaired by a professional if necessary e Remember to keep your grill clean Periodically remove grease or fat buildup in trays below grill so it cannot be ignited by a hot grill e Wear short close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking Loose clothing can dangle onto grill and catch fire e REMEMBER Propane and charcoal BBQ grills must only be used outdoors If used indoors or in any enclosed spaces such as tents they pose both a fire hazard and the risk of exposing occupants to toxic gases and potential asphyxiation Grilling Safety According to the Barbeque Industry Association three out of four households in the United States own a barbeque grill From making a quick dinner to barbequing a feast for famil
10. gns block the view of the building e Many religious buildings have basement entrances that are hidden Secure these entrances by locking them when a gathering or worship is not in session e Ladders stairways and other fire escapes that allow access to the roof should be secured e Use white paint or light colored brick to construct the building of worship so that human figure can easily be identified in the dark e Consider fencing the areas that are not easily visible to patrols and neighbors e Consider video surveillence Checklist e Install night lighting e Secure buildings with strong locks on windows and doors e Eliminate woodpiles paper and leaves that are around the church that could fuel a fire e Secure flammable liquids and other materials inside the church that could fuela fire e Limit the number of entrances into the building while still providing adequate emergency exits e Be alert to unusual activities in the neighborhood e Install a central station security and fire detection system e Keep valuables locked up and out of sight e Prevent unauthorized access to the roof fire escapes and stairwells e Assign personnel to secure the building e Limit keys to management only e Leave some interior lights on at night Source http www6 montgomerycountymd gov content frs safe resources index asp
11. ing residential home numbering can be 3 1 2 inches high however new residential homes must be at least 5 inches high and if you replace existing numbers they must be at least 5 inches high Numbers should be placed on a contrasting background with a reflective coating on the numbers for easy visibility at night Escape first and then call 9 1 1 from a neighbor s house In the event of a fire do not stop for anything Do not try to rescue possessions or pets Closing doors on your way out slows the spread of fire giving you more time to safely escape Go directly to your meeting place and then call the fire department from a neighbor s phone Every member of your household should know how to call the fire department Get out and stay out Once you are out of your home do not go back for any reason If people are trapped firefighters have the best chance of rescuing them The heat and smoke of a fire are overpowering Firefighters have the training experience and protective equipment needed to enter burning buildings Establish a meeting place outside your house and everyone should proceed to this location immediately to take attendance and make sure everyone has escaped Crawl low under smoke Smoke contains deadly gases and heat rises During a fire cleaner air will be near the floor Teach your family that in a fire they must stay low to the floor to avoid smoke and intense heat If you encounter smoke when using your primary exit use your al
12. l help to control the spread of smoke and fire e If your escape route has smoke crawl low under the smoke Stay close to the floor where the air is less toxic and the visibility is better e Count the number of doors between your door and the nearest stairway or exit if there is a fire you may have to find the stairwell while crawling down the hall in the dark e NEVER use an elevator in a fire the elevator might lose power or might unexpectedly open at the fire floor e Go directly outside instead of to the parking garage e Once you are outside go to your meeting place not your car e Remember to call 9 1 1 from a safe location e Do not go back inside until the fire department has told you it is okay to do so if you think someone is still trapped inside stay outside so you don t become an additional victim and so that you can tell the firefighters exactly where to search If there is no safe way out or you are unable to physically leave the building e Put as many doors rooms as you can between you and the fire Seal all vents and cracks around doors with towels or clothing e Open a window slightly for fresh air but not a lot because that will only feed the flames e Call the 9 1 1 dispatcher to explain exactly where you are e Let firefighters know you re trapped by waving a bright white or yellow cloth in the window or by using a flashlight at night Fire Extinguishers wy AY Type A Trash Wood Paper Type B
13. re can double in size approximately every sixty seconds e Call the fire department by dialing 911 from a safe location e Fire extinguishers should be maintained and ready for use at all times e Pressure gauges and carbon dioxide containers should be checked monthly If your extinguisher does not have a pressure gauge be sure to get one that does e All containers should be checked on a regular basis by all family members Make it apart of everyday life e Proper training conducted by trained professionals is the key to correct use of an extinguisher Keep detailed records Always keep track of usage and service of your fire extinguisher Records can also be helpful after a fire incident Insurance companies may ask questions about extinguishers and their history Keep your fire extinguisher serviced and maintained properly Know the proper signs and symbols of fire extinguishers Research the best kind of fire extinguisher s you might need for your home or office Most fire extinguishers have universal symbols and or pictograph systems This helps classify which extinguisher fights a certain kind of fire Different types of fires use different types of extinguishers Buying an extinguisher can be confusing Each contains substances that extinguish different classes of fires Some are multi purpose extinguishers that can be used for more than one kind of fire PSRs o Equorex e Type A Fire Extinguisher for fires that need a
14. rs of suspicious vehicles and to inform the proper authorities of suspicious activities e Alter activities at your church Use it on different days and times Schedule events and activities throughout the week e Ask everyone living near your place of worship to keep an eye on the building Involve the community e When appropriate check for proper identification from utility and service technicians seeking to gain access to the church facility Remember vandalism and burglary may precede arson Be vigilant Internal Security e Use properly installed deadbolt locks on all doors e Windows that can be opened should have adequate locks e Consider decorative iron protection for windows Windows that are used for emergency exits must be able to open in case of emergency e Solid wood or sheet metal faced doors provide extra security e Install adequate fire burglar alarm system preferably with a phone dialer e Be sure to have a list of the individuas who have access to the building keys and change locks periodically e Consider video surveillence External Security e Install lighting on the exterior as well as the entrance of the building Install perimeter floodlighting e Install motion activated lighting near windows and doors e Keep trees and other shrubs trimmed so that passing patrols can easily see the building e Ifin a rural area make sure that crops are far from the building to allow proper lighting e Do not have si
15. ryers and all major appliances Clothes Dryer DON Ts DON T place clothing or fabric stained with a flammable substance such as alcohol cooking oils gasoline spot removers or motor oil in the dryer Flammable substances give off vapors that could ignite or explode Instead dry the materials outdoors DON T leave a dryer operating if you are not home DON T forget to read the manufacturer warnings in the user manual and on the inside of the dryer door DON T dry any item containing foam rubber or plastic such as bathroom and non slip rugs and athletic shoes DON T dry any item that contains glass fiber materials such as a blouse or sweater with glass buttons or decorations DON T overload the dryer with wet clothes Children and Smoke Alarms Statistics point to a fifty percent reduction in fire fatalities since the introduction of smoke alarms into the home Although 90 of all residences have smoke alarms today no smoke alarms were present in 42 of residential structure fires where fatalities occurred Smoke alarms were present in 58 of fatal residential structure fires but only operational in 37 of those fatal fires That means that most often where smoke alarms are present in a fatal fire the smoke alarm is nonfunctional due to dead or missing batteries What is imperative at the moment is for our citizens to understand the need not to rely solely on smoke alarms as the entire answer to escaping from fire These recent ne
16. stem will be more extensive than fire damage Fact Water damage from a home sprinkler system will be much less severe than the damage caused by water from fire fighting hose lines or smoke and fire damage if the fire goes unabated Quick response sprinklers release 8 24 gallons of water per minute compared to 50 125 gallons per minute released by a fire hose Myth 2 When a fire occurs every sprinkler head goes off Fact Sprinkler heads are individually activated by fire Residential fires are usually controlled with one sprinkler head 90 of all fires are controlled with six or fewer heads and a study conducted in Australia and New Zealand covering 82 years of automatic sprinkler use found that 82 of the fires which occurred were controlled by two or fewer sprinklers Myth 3 A smoke detector provides enough protection Fact Smoke detectors save lives by providing a warning system but can do nothing to extinguish a growing fire or protect those physically unable to escape on their own such as the elderly or small children Too often battery operated smoke detectors fail to function because the batteries are dead or have been removed As the percent of homes in America that were protected with smoke detectors increased from zero to more than 70 the number of fire deaths in homes did not significantly decrease Myth 4 Sprinklers are designed to protect property but are not effective for life safety Fact Sprinklers provide a high lev
17. substance like water to cool burning materials down below ignition level Burning paper cloth wood rubber and plastics e Type BC Extinguisher contains chemicals that fight 1 Class B fires flammable liquids gases and greases and 2 Class C fires energized electrical equipment electrical fire and burning wires The BC extinguisher never contains water because water conducts electricity and spreads burning oils or solvents e Type ABC Extinguisher multi purpose extinguishers that fight all three types of fires REMEMBER the basics of using extinguishers Make sure you place yourself in a position to safely exit the area if you need to get out fast Have the fire in front of you and your back to an exit so you can back out DO NOT turn your back on a fire Remember to NEVER go past a burning fire to retrieve an extinguisher You may end up trapping yourself A A Lad Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep The safety pin atthe top The nozzle horn or hose Or press the From side to side at the base the extinguisher at the base of the flames handle of the fire until it goes out Fireplace and Wood Burning Safety Fireplace and wood stove ashes retain enough heat to ignite other combustible materials for several days after a fire It is important to learn the following ways to dispose of fireplace and wood stove ashes properly DO NOT discard your ashes into any combustible container like a paper or plastic bag a cardboard box or a pl
18. ternate escape plan If you must exit through smoke crawl on your hands and knees keeping your head 12 to 24 inches above the floor Revise your escape plan as circumstances change in your household Make sure everyone including young children older adults and people with disabilities are included Remember children sleep very deeply Adults need to make sure that children know the sound of the smoke alarm and what to do if they hear it You can find out who can hear the smoke alarm if you have a fire drill when everyone else is sleeping If anyone in your home does not wake to the smoke alarm or requires assistance getting out plan to designate an adult to help them escape General High Rise Fire Safety Tips Before there is a fire e Obtain a copy of your building s fire evacuation plan e Learn the parts of the evacuation plan that affect you e Plan and Practice TWO ways out of the building Building management staff and residents should conduct at least one fire drill a year e Be sure that your smoke alarms have battery back ups if they are electric powered you will still be protected if the power is out e Learn how to test your smoke alarms check them once a month and change your smoke alarms batteries at least twice each year If there is a fire Mic if Le Rie pm Hi eE Vel Mabaso 2 ies aa e Pull the fire alarm on your way out Close the door s to the room containing the fire Closing the door s wil
19. tting sprinklers in existing buildings The installation of fire sprinklers in new residential construction is estimated to make up around 1 of the total building cost Similar to the cost of new carpet e Over 200 U S communities have residential sprinkler laws Roughly 100 of these communities are in California In downtown Fresno for example there has been fire damage of only 42 000 during a 10 year period in which its sprinkler law has been in effect e According to the National Fire Protection Association property damage in hotel fires was 787 less in structures with sprinklers than it was in structures without sprinklers during the years 1983 87 Average loss per fire was 2 300 in sprinklered buildings and 10 300 in unsprinklered buildings e Nearly half of all hotels and motels according to a 1988 survey by NFPA have sprinkler systems e NFPA has no record of a fire killing more than two people in a completely sprinklered building where the system was properly operating except in an explosion or flash fire or where industrial fire brigade members or employees were killed during fire suppression operations MYTHS AND FACTS ABOUT AUTOMATIC FIRE SPRINKLERS Automatic sprinkler systems have enjoyed an enviable record of protecting life and property for over 100 years Yet there are still common misunderstandings about the operation and effectiveness of automatic fire sprinkler systems Myth 1 Water damage from a sprinkler sy
20. uct Safety Commission and NFPA Clothes Dryer Fire Safety Tips While most home appliances are used without incident the U S Consumer Product Safety Commission estimates that 15 500 fires associated with clothes dryers occur annually causing an average of 10 deaths 310 injuries and more than 84 4 million in property damage A lack of maintenance buildup of lint placing inappropriate items in the dryer and inadequate venting are frequently cited as contributing factors Did You Know The U S Consumer Product Safety Commission CPSC estimates that 15 500 clothes dryer fires occur annually causing an average of 10 deaths 310 injuries and more than 84 4 million in property damage Eighty percent of American homes have clothes dryers A full load of wet clothes placed in a dryer contains about one half gallon of water As the clothes dry lint forms and builds up reducing airflow in the dryer s vent potentially causing the dryer to work improperly or overheat Clothes Dryer DOs DO clean the lint screen filter before or after drying EACH load of clothes DO clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically DO have a certified service technician clean and inspect the dryer and venting system regularly DO replace plastic or vinyl exhaust hoses with rigid or flexible metal venting which provides maximum airflow DO keep the area around the dryer clean and free from clutter Always use the appropriate electrical outlet for d
21. ws events serve to reinforce the need for home escape planning Smoke alarms are a tool in the planning process Parents need to clearly understand their supporting roles in the escape plan After going over the plan with your family you should conduct a walkthrough of the plan When you feel comfortable with your plan hold a fire drill at night activate your alarm while your children are sleeping so that you and they can determine the appropriate response to a smoke alarm Prevent Arson amp Protect Your Property Important Numbers e Fire Police Ambulance Emergency 9 1 1 e Fire and Explosive Inv Office 240 777 2255 e Arson Tip Line 240 777 2263 e Crime Solvers Tip Line 240 773 5038 e Police Community Relations 301 840 2690 e Non Emergency Police voice tty 301 229 8000 e Non Emergency Fire Rescue Service 240 777 2400 e Fire Safety in the Neighborhood 240 777 2476 Religious Worship Centers Arson is one of the leading causes of all commercial building fires People associated with your place of worship can decrease the chances of arson by organizing and investing in a fire and crime prevention program You and your organization can also take other measures to protect your facility from fire Use this guide to learn more about risk reduction and fire prevention for your organization Why are Churches and Religious Organizations Particularly Vulnerable to Arson Most places of worship have predictable schedules They also hav
22. y and friends when lighting a charcoal or gas grill it s important to remember that a savory barbeque is a safe barbeque e According to the National Fire Protection Association NFPA gas and charcoal grills cause an annual average of 1 500 structure fires and 4 200 outdoor fires in or on residential properties resulting in a combined direct property loss of 29 8 million Make Fire Safety a Priority Protection can be relatively simple and inexpensive To help prevent fire fatalities and injuries at your home this summer e Only use your barbeque grill outside Grills are not designed to be used in a trailer tent garage or house Carbon monoxide can build up and poison you e Set up a grill in an open area away from buildings overhead combustible surfaces dry leaves or brush Be sure to avoid high traffic areas and always barbeque in a well ventilated area Be aware of wind blown sparks e Always read the owners manual before using the grill e Never use a grill indoors Use the grill at least 10 feet away from your house or any building Do not use the grill in a garage breezeway carport porch or under a surface that can catch fire e Keep a multipurpose fire extinguisher within easy reach e When purchasing a fire extinguisher choose the largest size that can be handled comfortably e Wear clothing that does not have hanging sleeves or apron strings and use flame retardant mitts when adjusting hot vents e Never leav
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