We hear the word and we speak of it but do we truly understand what fire is and its impact? People who have been a victim would know the in depth meaning and the unexplainable feeling of being caught on fire.
Fire may spread far more quickly before one may grab a fire extinguisher. One small fire may get out of control especially when it starts in an area of the house or building where there are lots of flammable materials and eventually become a major huge fire. Few minutes after the entire area will be filled with smoke and will spread to other rooms. The victim may not have a lot of time to call for help or leave the area. Remember, study shows that it will only take 30 seconds for a fire to become very hard to control.
According to statistics, under fire situation a room's temperature may be at 100 degrees floor level and could increase to 600 degrees eye level. It may be very hot that it prevents you to move, to breathe as well as open your eyes. The heat may burn your clothes then burn your skin. It will make your brain unable to work well and may cause heat stroke on the spot. It can melt all materials in the area adding up to the rising temperature. Breathing this level of heat could scorch your lungs and becomes so intolerable causing you to collapse.
Waking up in fire may make you feel dizzy due to smoke and heat. It may also be very hard to see the surroundings because of the black smoke or because of the blazing fire. Dependent on the materials and items that has been burnt; the colour of the flame as well as its intensity will be different. By this, you may not locate your way out easily.
Excessive exposure to smoke and heat may cause death. Humans need oxygen to breath and this is what is absent when a thick smoke caused by fire has spread out throughout the room. Inhaling smoke can trigger suffocation leading to death. Approximately 50%-80% of fire deaths are the result of smoke inhalation and not burns.
Accidents occur but we can take needed steps in preventing these from happening. At home, always ensure that fire and smoke alarm are working at all times. Fire extinguishers must be installed on a strategic area. Kitchen is the number one area that has been identified where fire could likely to start. It would be best to check all kitchen appliances as well as utensils. Never leave what you are cooking. Electrical devices must be unplugged correctly before leaving the house or sleeping. Candles as well as lamps should be placed on a proper holder and be settled on an area far from any flammable materials.
For offices, always ensure that power outlets are not faulty. Electrical devices and equipment must be unplugged when not in use. Air conditioners as well as heaters must be checked on a regular basis to make sure that they all work properly. Areas where fire could likely to begin just like at home must be properly observed to ensure that fire will not start.
Fire doors must be utilized so that in case of fire, the spreading of the hazardous blazing flames and smoke can be reduced. Normally, fire rated doors may hold fire and smoke to up to 3-4 hours. These fire doors are highly engineered as well as designed to endure and control fire. In this way, property damage and people's lives will be saved.
To know more regarding fire doors please contact Brisbane Fire Doors at 1800 347336.