| With a large amount of residents physically unable | | | | When a fire starts healthcare workers need to |
| to move themselves, fires are a particular | | | | act quickly. The best way to insure this is an |
| problem for the healthcare industry. Many facilities | | | | emergency action plan. The plan will carefully |
| have been designed to be fireproof, however | | | | define how to report a fire, who will fight the fire, |
| because burning materials often release toxic | | | | who is responsible for patient safety, evacuation |
| vapors fire prevention has and always will be a | | | | procedures and lastly care of patients during an |
| top priority. All employees can make a difference | | | | emergency. |
| with fire prevention. With the proper training all | | | | The R.A.C.E. acronym is an easy way to |
| healthcare facilities can become much safer | | | | remember what to do. |
| institutions. | | | | The first thing you should do is RESCUE. If |
| To help prevent fires employees need to know | | | | anyone is in immediate danger get them out of |
| what starts them. All fires involve three elements: | | | | the room and shut the door. ALARM is next. |
| Heat, Fuel and Oxygen. Removing any of these | | | | Make sure the fire alarm is activated and 911 has |
| elements will stop a fire. Fires are started with | | | | been called. Thirdly CONFINE the fire. Make sure |
| heat as the ignition and heat can be generated by | | | | doors are shut and the flames or smoke won't |
| anything that is hot - open flames, chemical | | | | spread to other parts of the facility. The last step |
| reactions, Faulty electrical, overheated equipment | | | | is EXTINGUISH. If you have been trained to use a |
| and hot surfaces. Once a fire starts it will grow | | | | fire extinguisher this is the time to use it, but |
| hotter and it will not stop until one of the three | | | | make sure you are not in danger first. Always, |
| elements has been vanquished. | | | | evaluate whether you will be safe during the |
| Flames are created by vapors coming off of a | | | | extinguishing process. Never try to put out a fire |
| flammable material. The temperature at which a | | | | if you are not trained, the fire has grown too |
| material gives off flammable vapors is known as | | | | large, or if you have to open the door to where |
| a flashpoint. The flashpoint can change depending | | | | the fire is. |
| on how much oxygen is in the air. For instance an | | | | In office and industrial settings all staff is advised |
| ordinary cleanser that would have a high flashpoint | | | | to exit immediately during a fire situation, |
| in normal air might be flammable in an area where | | | | however in healthcare facilities this is not practical. |
| a patient is being given oxygen. | | | | All non-essential personal and visitors are advised |
| What fuels a fire determines what will be used to | | | | to follow posted escape routes, but in most |
| extinguish it. Anesthetic gases can be extinguished | | | | cases patients are "defended" from the fire and |
| by shutting off the gas, however most fires are | | | | not moved. In many cases, moving patients is |
| extinguished by applying a material that eliminates | | | | more dangerous than the fire. When evacuating |
| the oxygen or the fuel. Applying the wrong | | | | make sure you NEVER use the elevator, make |
| substance can be devastating though. For | | | | certain the all doors are cool to the touch and if |
| instance, using water can cause burning liquids to | | | | smoke rises crawl on the floor if necessary. |
| spread and water conducts electricity at electrical | | | | The best way to fight a fire is to make sure it |
| fires. | | | | doesn't start in the first place. Cigarettes are by |
| Fires are separated into four classes: A, B, C | | | | far the most common cause of fires in healthcare |
| & D. Class A fires involve normal substances | | | | facilities. Laundry areas, kitchens, storage closets |
| like wood, paper or cardboard. These fires can be | | | | and nurses stations are some of the most |
| extinguished with water. Class B fires are fueled | | | | common areas for fires to start. You need to be |
| by flammable liquids and gasses. Chemical foams | | | | very careful around flammable liquids and in areas |
| are the best way to extinguish these types of | | | | where oxygen is being administered. |
| fires. Class C Fires are electrical and involve | | | | In conclusion, everyone is an important part of |
| electrical equipment. They are extinguished by | | | | your facilities fire prevention plan. Employee |
| non-conductive agents. Class D fires are fueled by | | | | training on fire prevention is crucial and can save |
| combustible metals. These type of fires are | | | | lives. Have an emergency plan with clear |
| extremely difficult to put out and must be left to | | | | instructions and make sure all employees know |
| professional to take extinguish. | | | | their part in a fire emergency. |