The Aquino administration is really serious about stopping corruption in the country since this is the root cause of poverty. And more Filipinos succumb to such a plight as a recent fire broke out in Barangay Vasra, Quezon City which pushed Ballsy and Pinky (P-Noy’s sisters) to distribute bottled water and old clothes to these fire victims.

Firemen may, indeed, receive meager salary but this should not be the basis why they are forced to sell fire extinguishers to consumers especially among building owners of commercial establishments who apply for fire safety certificates. The style is: no fire extinguisher of our brand, no FSIC (fire safety inspection certificate). Not only that, these unscrupulous firemen would even require a yearly refilling which is again not should be the case for the main reason that dry chemical fire extinguishers have 10-12 years chemical efficacy and HCFC fire extinguishers have no expiry. That is why, most legitimate and licensed fire extinguisher manufacturers even grant their customers at least five (5) years warranty.

This practice among BFP personnel is so rampant that anybody from the commercial sector would likely agree.  Fire safety means no to substandard fire extinguishers. Read more from gmanews.tv

FIRE PREVENTION – an action taken before a fire starts to reduce the likelihood of fire
- cleaning grease from kitchen ventilation services
- replacing/fixing expose electrical wiring
- closing lids on outdoor trash bins

* the most important concept of FIRE PREVENTION is potential fuels must be kept away from heat sources

FIRE CONTROL – an action taken to reduce fire spread and severity of fire losses actions taken either before or after a fire starts to reduce the effects of the fire
- closing door after a fire start
- calling the fire department if a fire breaks out
- using portable fire extinguishers

Before you do so:

• Make sure everyone has left, or is leaving, the building.
• Make sure the local or nearest fire department has been called.
• Make sure the fire is confined to a small area and is not spreading.
• Be sure you have an unobstructed escape route to which the fire has no access for further spread.
• Be sure you know how to use the fire extinguisher. Remember the word PASS.
• It is reckless to fight a fire in any other circumstances. Instead, leave immediately and close off the area.

The Bureau of Fire Protection has warned campaigners to avoid hanging posters on power cables to prevent fire due to intense summer heat which may cause insulation melting.

So make the right vote on May 10 and be fire safe always from now on.

1) Ignition Phase – the starting point upon completing the four elements of the fire tetrahedron

2) Growth phase – additional fuel contributes to the fire in which thermal layering begins and continues as long as there is enough oxygen and the fuel source is maintained

3) Fully developed phase – fire has progressed beyond flashover (point between the growth phase and the fully developed phase) wherein all combustibles have ignited and heat is being produced at its maximum rate

4) Decay phase – the final phase in which the fire is running out of fuel, so rate of combustion is slowing down but the atmosphere remains hot and heat energy continues to be released

The fire triangle and fire tetrahedron explain how fire occurs under a favorable condition. The former concept include the three basic elements, namely: fuel, heat and oxygen in order for fire to prosper. These three components permit combustion to happen.

Combustion is defined as a rapid, self-sustaining process that combines oxygen with another substance. This, in turn, results in the release of heat. Thus, in effect, it can be simply put as rapid oxidation. Oxidation, on the other hand, is the process of combining oxygen with another substance to create a new compound.

The fire tetrahedron includes the fourth element, chemical chain reaction, which is a must to maintain a self-sustaining fire. It is a very complicated series of reactions at the molecular level that keeps the fire burning. It has been said that a fire cannot occur without all four components. Under normal conditions, these chain reactions will continue as long as there is sufficient source of heat, fuel and oxygen.

In conclusion, one method of stopping a fire is by way of introducing other chemicals like HCFC-123 to break the sequence of chemical chain reactions.

The following three (3) elements must be present in order for fire to prosper.

1. Fuel: is any material that can burn
- solids such as paper wood, plastic, etc
- liquids like paint, thinner, gasoline, etc
- gases like propane, natural gas butane

2. Heat: needed to raise the temperature of fuel to the point where the fuel burns

- chemical (gas fuel cooking, open flames)
- mechanical (friction sparks from grinding material)
- electrical (static electricity, defective switches and appliances, heating and lighting systems)

3. Oxygen: approximately 16% required
- atmosphere (normal air contains 21% oxygen)
- chemical such as pure oxygen used in hospitals and in some industries

• Install and Maintain Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are good for small or incipient fires. Install them on each level of your home and preferably outside of each sleeping area. Check your fire extinguishers regularly at least once a year like checking the pressure gauge. A non-working fire extinguisher can’t save your life!

• Be Careful While Cooking

Never leave cooking unattended.  If grease catches fire, carefully slide a lid over the pan to smother the flames, then turn off the burner. Never put foil or other metals in a microwave oven.

• Electronic Appliances Need Space

Keep television set and stereos at least three (3) feet or one (1) meter from anything that can burn.

• Use Electricity Safely

If an appliance smokes or has an unusual smell, unplug it immediately and have it repaired. Don’t overload extension cords such as using “octopus” or run under rugs.

• Smokers Need Watchers

Never smoke in bed or when you are drowsy. Carelessly discarded cigarettes are the leading cause of fire deaths.