Step 1: Identifying fire hazards
Step 1: Identifying fire hazards
Identify sources of ignition
Look for possible sources of heat that could get hot enough to create a fire, such as:
- Cigarettes, matches and lighters
- Candles, or gas or liquid-fuelled open-flame equipment
- Cooking equipment
- Hot processes or surfaces
- Electrical, gas or oil-fired heaters
Scorch marks, cigarette burns and charred electrical plugs on electrical equipment can help identify hazards.
Identify sources of fuel
Look for the items that you keep in sufficient quantities and that will burn relatively easily. It will provide a fire with fuel and cause it to spread to other fuel sources.
Some common flammable materials include cardboard, paper, flammable liquids, waste, plastics, fabrics, materials and soft furnishing.
Identify sources of oxygen
The main source of oxygen for a fire is the air, either from natural airflow or air conditioning/handling systems.
Other sources of oxygen include fireworks and oxygen from cylinder storage and piped systems (e.g. oxygen used in welding processes and for hospital patients).