Fire & Safety

Fire safety policies apply at the construction of a building and throughout its operating life. Building codes are enacted by local, sub-national, or national governments to ensure such features as adequate fire exits, signage, and construction details such as fire stops and fire rated doors, windows, and walls. Fire safety is also an objective of electrical codes to prevent overheating of wiring or equipment, and to protect from ignition by electrical faults.

Classification according to type of material under fire:

• Class A fires; involving solid materials - paper, wood, fabrics and so on. Cooling by water or spray foam is the most effective way of extinguishing this type of fire.
• Class B fires; involving flammable liquids such as petrol, oils, fats; foam and dry powder extinguishers should be used.
• Class C fires; which are fuelled by flammable gases such as natural gas, butane and so on. Priority must be given to shutting off the source of fuel and the fire should be tackled with dry powder.
• Class D metal fires; involving metals such as aluminum and magnesium; special powders are required in such situations.
• Class E fires; in which live electrical equipment is involved (sometimes known as ‘electrical fires’). Non-conducting agents such as powder and carbon dioxide must be used.