When fires break out... A - Z Operation
Another new year has dawned and a whole new world is waiting to be
unfolded as the days go by. We at the Junior Observer decided to step in
and help you unravel at least some of the marvellous things that take
place around you. It is our new year gift to you, our valuable readers
who are thirsting for knowledge.
Starting today, we will take you on a journey of operations giving
you an insight into how certain products are made or services are
carried out.
Hope you enjoy this journey with us through 'Operation A to Z' which
will appear on this page once a month. Have fun reading on...
We decided to enlighten you today about a valuable service carried
out by a dedicated and courageous group of men in our country, which we
normally take for granted. So, our first destination will be the Fire
brigade. Let's check out what exactly happens from the moment a call
goes through to them, informing of a fire taking place somewhere....
Once the emergency call is made...
Whenever someone dials 110, the call is received by the personnel at
the control room of the fire brigade.
The caller's name, telephone number and the place on fire is then
recorded. However, if the call is made from a telephone booth, the
caller is requested to immediately inform the nearest police station
about it. Then the control room personnel will call the police station
to clarify if it is true.
This needs to be done because there are some who make such calls for
fun. Don't ever do so and waste the valuable time of the fire brigade
personnel. You may be blocking the line for a genuine caller.
Now, getting back to what happens next. Once the call is verified as
a genuine call, the fire alarms are immediately set off.
There are different ring tones to indicate the type of emergency and
the need.
For instance, if the alarm rings continuously, it signals a fire. If
it rings twice with a pause in between, it means the call is for a
rescue operation and if it goes in a sequence of three rings with a
pause, the need is for an ambulance.
By this time, all the firemen are on alert and ready to go into
action. Those in their rest rooms upstairs will promptly come down to
ground level where the equipment and vehicles are kept, using a pole
that
connects the two floors.
Time is precious, so no staircases are used. Everyone could be seen
rushing around, getting into their special suits and organising the
gear.
How equipment and vehicles are selected
There are different types of emergencies and it's important to have
the right equipment to deal with the situation.
Now, how would the firemen know if the fire reported is a small one
or a large-scale one? From the details the callers give and of course
the number of calls coming through. If the control room is inundated
with calls, it's a sure sign that the fire is a major one.
Then more personnel and vehicles would be needed to combat the fire
and action will be taken accordingly. If the fire is taking place in a
high-storeyed building, then the vehicle with ladders will be sent.
Once the initial crew, which may number four to five personnel per
vehicle, go out carrying the necessary equipment and water, additional
crew will be sent out on the request of the officer-in-charge.
As the water content in the vehicles may not be enough, the water
bowser too follows the main crew.
In the event an electrical fire occurs, the control room operators
first inform the Ceylon Electricity Board (CEB), especially if a
transformer is involved.
Until such time the CEB personnel arrive, the firemen go into action
to control the fire. The fire is usually controlled by disconnecting the
electrical line and spraying of CO2.
What happens on arrival
Once the fire brigade reaches the place which is on fire, they go
into action immediately, fixing and unwinding the hose pipes, extending
the ladders to reach higher elevations and rescuing people trapped
inside.
The OIC will request for more personnel and bowsers if the fire
cannot be controlled with the initial crew.
If necessary, the 54 metre sky lift too will be called for along with
assistance from the forces depending on the strength of the fire they
are combating. Going into burning buildings could be dangerous but the
firemen have to take the risk and go in as far as they could to douse
the fire. It is their job.
They wear necessary gear such as masks and goggles and carry oxygen
tanks, and various other equipment when they go into buildings to fight
the flames.
Types of fires and how they are controlled
There are many types of fires involving different types of materials.
While some fires could be doused by water, others need more than just
water to be put off.
Ordinary fires
These are very common types of fires and the material involved is
wood, cloth or paper. These fires can be put off by spraying water.
Liquid and gas fires
Fires caused by LP gas leaks is very common.
These types of fires cannot be controlled with only water. The
firebrigade personnel take CO2 (carbon dioxide) gas and dry chemicals
also to control such fires.
Electrical fires
For this type of fires too, water or CO2 gas is used to bring it
under control. Short circuiting is the major cause of these fires.
Metal and chemical fires
Usually foam, dry powder and water are used. But the decision is
taken according to the situation.
Oil fires
These oil fires cannot be controlled with only water so foam is used
to douse them.
Equipment and gear
Fire extinguishers come in three colours for easy identification.
The red fire extinguishers contain water
The cream extinguishers contain foam
The blue extinguishers contain dry powder
The black extinguishers contain CO2
According to the European standards, all the fire extinguishers come
in red with what it contains indicated by a stripe in the relevant
colour. About 50 per cent of the extinguishers used in our country are
these.
* There are four kinds of fire suits. They are chemical suits,
asbestos suits, fire suits and hash pack suits.
* The rescue vehicle is equipped with all the tools needed to open
doors and get through various obstacles to rescue people.
* The water curtain is used to protect the people and vehicles from
the flames and the heat. This is mostly used when there is a difficulty
to get through the flames.
* Dry powder extinguishers help to control fires quickly, but they
leave behind a deposit. This is suitable for open spaces.
* CO2 will not leave any deposits so they are the best to be used in
places such as kitchens and computer rooms.
* Asbestos blankets are used to stop the fires from spreading.
* The hose-pipes used to spray the water, foam and chemicals are
about 15 m long and 2.5 inches wide.
The fire brigade conducts fire drills in offices as well as in public
places to educate the people about the correct action that should be
taken during the fire.
They also conduct training programmes and schools and could call them
to arrange such a training session in their schools.
Don't you think the fire brigade is doing a great service, not just
dousing fires and saving buildings, but also putting their own lives at
risk trying to rescue others?
Janani Amarasekara |