Brigham Young University - Idaho

Dealing with kitchen fires

These are dramatic videos about how to  deal with a common kitchen fire ... oil in a frying pan. Please read the  following introduction and then watch the show .. It's a real eye-opener  !!
At the  Fire  Fighting Training school they would  demonstrate this with a deep fat fryer set on the fire field. An  instructor would don a fire suit and using an 8 oz cup at the end of a 10  foot pole toss water onto the grease fire. The results got the attention  of the students.
The water, being heavier than the oil, sinks to  the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated. The explosive force of  the steam blows the burning oil up and out. On the open field, it became a  thirty foot high fireball that resembled a nuclear blast. Inside the  confines of a kitchen, the fire ball Hits the ceiling and fills the entire  room.
Also, do not throw sugar or flour on a grease  fire. One cup creates the explosive force of two sticks of  dynamite.
Please view these video clips here.

  

Responsibilities of the Safety Office

The BYU-Idaho Safety Office is responsible for the following activities:

1.  
   1. Development of the written fire prevention plan for regular and after-hours work conditions.
   2. Immediate notification of the campus police and Rexburg Fire department, and the campus emergency operations counsel in the event of a fire affecting the university.
   3. Integration of the fire prevention plan with the existing general emergency plan covering the occupied facilities.
   4. Dissemination of procedures for reporting a fire, the location of fire exits, and evacuation routes to each employee.
   5. Provision of training with respect to drills to acquaint employees with fire procedures.
   6. Facility inspections and fire code compliance consultation.
   7. Training of designated employees in the use of fire extinguishers and the application of medical first-aid techniques.
   8. Facilitation of planning and training with campus police, university personnel and local fire officials to promote a coordinated response to fire emergencies and accessibility of equipment and resources needed for management of the fire scene and displaced persons.
   9. Monitoring fire response activities and communication of pertinent information to the university emergency operations counsel.
   10. Training of building coordinators with respect to evacuation procedures to ensure that:

•  

  • All employees are notified and a head count is taken to confirm total evacuation of all employees.

  • When practical, equipment is placed and locked in storage rooms or desks for protection.

  • Appropriate security protection is provided at fire scenes to protect persons and property.

Fire Prevention Plan

OSHA's Fire Prevention Plan regulation, found at 29 CFR 1910.38, 29 CFR 1926.24 and Subpart F requires a written plan that contains specific program elements. This plan addresses fire emergencies that could possibly occur on the campus of BYU-Idaho.

 

Workplace Fire Hazards

It is the intent of this university to assure that hazardous accumulations of combustible waste materials are controlled so that a fast developing fire, rapid spread of toxic smoke, or an explosion will not occur. Employees should contact the safety office (496-2414) for information concerning the hazardous properties of materials in their workplaces, and the degree of hazard each poses.

 

Potential Ignition Sources

Flammable or combustible materials will generally not ignite without an external source of ignition.

 

Fire Protection Equipment

The following fire detection, notification and suppression equipment is installed, inspected and maintained in operational condition in campus facilities.

1. Fire extinguishers are installed pursuant to NFPA standards in all campus buildings. They are inspect on a monthly basis.
2. Smoke and heat detectors are installed in pertinent campus areas and are inspect on an annual basis.
3. Heat activated sprinkler systems are installed in many, but not all campus buildings and water flow is tested on a quarterly basis.
4. Fire hose cabinets, although not required by current fire code regulations, are located in many older facilities.
5. Warning horns and/or strobe lights are installed in campus buildings and are tested on an annual basis.
6. A computerized notification system is monitored on a 24 hour-a-day basis by the university police department. The system has generator back up and a redundant capability.
7. Emergency phones with direct notification to the university police communications enter are strategically located throughout campus and in all elevators.
8. The university telephone system has an enhanced 911 capability that immediately notifies the university police communications center of the location of any emergency call.

 

Maintenance of Fire Protection Equipment

As indicated, campus fire protection systems are periodically inspected to insure functionality by the university fire protection officer. Any maintenance issues are immediately reported to the Physical Plant fire systems maintenance technician through a computerized work order system and needed repairs are promptly accomplished.

The safety office web page has an electronic hazard reporting system that is accessible to all university students and employees. Individuals are encouraged to use the system to promptly report any observed hazards or needed equipment repairs. People can also telephone the safety office directly at 496-2481 to report observations.

 

Housekeeping Procedures

The university endeavors to control accumulations of flammable and combustible waste materials and residues so that they do not contribute to fire hazards. University waste generators should follow the instructions contained in the Toxic and Hazardous Waste Contingency Plan located on the safety office web page and periodically notify the safety office for the transportation and disposal of hazardous waste accumulations. At no time should individual waste generators accumulate more that 55 gallons of hazardous waste at their respective workplaces and they are encouraged to request removal and disposal whenever five or more gallons of flammable or combustible waste is generated. Hazardous waste shall be accumulated by the safety office at a remote campus site and shall be disposed of according to EPA and DOT regulations by a contracted, licensed transportation, storage and disposal company.

 

Regulated accumulations of flammable and combustible liquids should be stored in UL listed flame retardant storage cabinets pursuant to fire code regulations. Any questions concerning regulated accumulations should be conveyed to the safety office (496-2457).

All university employees are expected to maintain their work areas in a relatively clean and orderly condition so as to minimize the unwarranted accumulation of combustible materials.

 

Fire Safety Training

 

1. Fire Prevention Plan - At the time of a fire, employees should know what type of evacuation is necessary and what their role is in carrying out the plan. In cases where the fire is large, total and immediate evacuation of all employees is necessary. In smaller fires, a partial evacuation of nonessential employees with a delayed evacuation of others may be necessary for continued plant operation. Employees are expected to take the personal initiative to learn what is expected of them during a fire to assure their safety. The safety office web page is a valuable resource for information concerning fire protection and emergency evacuation. Safety office personnel may be contacted at 496-2481 to provide individualized training, to answer questions and to otherwise assist students and employees with learning fire safety procedures. The safety office also conducts periodic fire safety training available to all university personnel. The schedule is disseminated via the institutional e-mail system and the faculty and staff bulletin.

Fire safety training includes:

°  What to do if employee discovers a fire

°  Demonstration of alarm, if more than one type exists

°  How to recognize fire exits

°  Evacuation routes

°  Assisting employees with disabilities

°  Measures to contain fire (e.g., closing office doors, windows, etc. in immediate vicinity)

°  Head count procedures (see EAP for details)

°  Return to building after the "all-clear" signal

Any students or employees who do not understand the available training information are encouraged to contact the safety office for additional instruction. Because failure to comply with university policy concerning fire prevention can result in OSHA citations and fines as well as employee injury, an employee who does not comply with this program may be subject to disciplinary action through established procedures.

 

2.  Fire Prevention Equipment

°  Types of fires

°  Types of fire prevention equipment

°  Location of fire prevention equipment

°  How to use fire prevention equipment

°  Limitations of fire prevention equipment

°  Proper care and maintenance of assigned fire prevention equipment and

°  Risk minimization techniques

 

Employees must demonstrate an understanding of the training and the ability to use the equipment properly before they are allowed to use of the equipment.

If a previously trained employee does not have the understanding or skill required to utilize fire protection equipment, the employee must be retrained.

All persons who receive fire protection training shall be tested for verification of attendance at a training session and shall sign a training record as documentation of the receipt of such training.