Fire prevention and management deals with the avoidance, detection and extinguishing of fires, as well as such less important activities such as studies on the sources of fire, education of employees about fire hazards, and the preservation and development of fire-fighting equipment. Little official attention was given to fire prevention prior to World War II.

The answer to fire safety is basically to avoid fire starting in the first place but an understanding of what makes fire is necessary to recognize how to prevent it. The fundamental things necessary for fire include: some type of fuel, oxygen and heat. This is known as the “fire triangle.” Fire is a self-sufficient chemical reaction that by its very nature will grow.

The seat of a fire can easily reach hundreds, if not thousands of degrees Celsius. However, the main hazard with fire is not the high temperature or the flames, but the smoke. Fires can be categorised depending on the materials that are involved:

• Class A - fires involving materials such as wood, paper and textiles.
  
• Class B - fires involving combustible liquids or solids that can liquefy, such as candle wax.
  
• Class C - fires involving gas.
  
• Class D - fires involving flammable metals.
  
• Class F - fires involving cooking oils or fats.

Anything that gets hot, gives off sparks or has naked flames - whether in the normal operating condition or if a fault should develop – is a potential fire source. There is a greater risk of fire when these things are placed close to flammable materials than if they were separated. This leads onto the first "rule" of fire prevention - avoid placing things that could catch fire close to the things that could ignite the fire or remove the ignition source completely.

This rule is at times difficult or impossible to put into practice, in which case we need to use a second method: fire proofing. Special fire resistant paints are available and the one that has the best fire retardant qualities is known as "Class 0".

Take Precautions

Never overload circuits or extension cords. Follow the manufacturer’s safety precautions when using appliances. Your chances of surviving a fire increase greatly when fire sprinklers are installed. New technology will allow sprinklers to be connected to your standard plumbing system. Sprinklers also increase property value and lower insurance rates.

Preventing fire from starting basically requires you to be conscious of the things that could catch fire and those things that could start a fire and then taking action to reduce the possibilities as low as possible. Take care of all your equipment and keep the building in a good state of repair. Equipment like heaters must be treated with care. Keep in mind that paints, cleaning solutions and many other chemicals used in the workplace are flammable.

Immediately follow these procedures if you notice a fire or see/smell smoke:

1. Inform the local fire brigade.
   
2. Set off the building alarm.
   
3. If you can leave the building safely, do so, but first cut off the area by closing windows and doors.
   
4. If possible, shut down equipment in the immediate area.
   
5. Use a portable fire extinguisher if possible and if you have received the proper training, to:
   (i) Assist yourself to evacuate
   (ii) Assist others to evacuate
   (iii) Control a small fire
   
6. Leave the area of the fire right away and walk, do not run to the exit and designated gathering spot; do not collect personal or official items.
   
7. You should give the fire/police squads particulars of the problem upon their arrival.

Have you ever parked a vehicle in front of a fire hydrant or in a fire lane? If you answered “yes” you are perhaps typical of most people. “I need this space now and the fire brigade does not,” seems to be the thinking. As citizens concerned about fire prevention, we need to be aware of the threat to life safety when a hydrant is blocked or a fire lane is obstructed. After all, no one can tell when or where a fire will break out.