To survive fire accidents use common sense - Chief fire officer

To survive fire accidents use common sense - Chief fire officer

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, June 07, 2014:  People should not only depend on fire services but should be aware of the norms and skills to survive fires by the use of common sense. Chief Fire Officer H S Varadarajan says  making no proper human effort can simply bring one to danger .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Speaking at a fire fighting demonstration organised by Mangalore Productivity Council at SDM Law College here on June 5, Varadarajan said that fire is a chemical reaction between combustible materials, Oxygen and heat. It can be mitigated by breaking this chain of action. Normally it is  byproducts of the fire that is dangerous and kills people.

When fire spreads, one can’t see things, breathing becomes difficult, eyes vant be opened and panic is the result. One should be calm during the fire mishaps and sound the warning. One should tie a handkerchief around the nose and crawl to escape from the fire and smoke. Never use lifts escalators and so on during fire.

“Removing  combustible materials near fire is vital to prevent its spred. Pouring water may help too. But, water can not be used in the case of fire mishap due to electrical shocks, oils and/ or  some metals being present.

Some metals explode if water is poured when hot. Foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical powder are to be used in such cases. Oxygen supply can be stopped through simple methods like covering with cloth (if it is a person), or beating with leaves or other things,” he said.

Varadarajan explained how the irresponsible behaviours of humans can  end in fire accidents causing  huge loss of life and property. Electrical overloading, lose connections, damaged installation, smoking, negligence of electricity maintenance rooms in apartments, negligence in using fuse, are some he listed out. Most of the time, electricity causes fire, especially poor maintenance results in accidents.

The Fire Officer said that LPG cylinders are like bombs  if it is not used properly. When LPG leaks, one should open the doors and window panes and should not switch on electricity switches, mobiles or any other things which may cause fire.

LPG cylinders should not be dragged or rolled, as, if there is any leakage, a spark may cause a blast. It is better not to smoke in auto rickshaws and cars having LPG cylinders, he said.

The fire brigade personnel also demonstrated fire extinguishing methods using various equipment. Fire servicemen doused fire using water, foam, carbon dioxide and with an instrument which can be used to douse both for electric and oil fire.

The demonstration with various fire extinguishing water jets attracted the onlookers. Varadarajan said that the Mangalore fire service unit is expecting an advanced aerial platform to reach a height of  above 30 metres.


Public Lack of know-how is a hurdle:   Chief Fire Officer H S Varadarajan lamented that the lack of knowledge about the use of fire extinguishing techniques and tools is too poor. He said “ At the Bajpe plane crash, the fire servicemen had to use foam to douse fire. But, though educated, most of the people failed to understand the use of foam instead of water.

They said that we caused more trouble by putting ‘white foam’. In that situation, we had to convince them that usage of water on metals may cause blast. Even during recent Volvo bus accidents in various places people couldn’t escape because of lack of knowledge. Though we are ready to teach people, hardly any body shows interest and most dont have time till the end.”

Karnataka Bank Limited Chief Security Officer K S Ponnappa also spoke on the occasion. Mangalore Productivity Council President U Rama Rao, Secretary P B Saralaya and others were present.