THE DANGERS OF FIRE
Smoke and toxic gases can be as deadly
as heat and flames. Actually, the majority of people die or get
injured
in
fires
because
of exposure
to hazardous smoke and toxic gases and not actual burns. In addition,
smoke often obscures vision and thereby decreases the ability of
fire victims to escape. Carbon monoxide poisoning is the major
cause of death following smoke inhalation.
WHAT IS FIRE?
Fires start in three main ways:
- accidents (e.g. misuse of appliances, dropping a cigarette
or match on a sofa or mattress, etc.)
- deliberate ignition or
arson
- equipment failure including electrical malfunctions
and overheating
Fire
is the result of a chemical reaction between oxygen and some sort
of fuel (for example a TV or sofa). When a heat source, such as
a
candle
or a cigarette, heats the fuel to its ignition temperature,
a combustion reaction is triggered and a fire is the result. |
 |
HOW TO PREVENT FIRE?
The best solution to stop a fire is to prevent
it from starting.
To avoid a fire from developing or spreading,
the chemical reaction between the oxygen, fuel and heat
source has to be prevented or broken.
This
can be done by taking away one of the three elements,
needed to keep the chain reaction going.
And that is exactly
what flame
retardants are designed to do. |
 |
|
