Fire Safety 2008
Objectives
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Identify the 4 steps of a fire response.
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Describe types of fire extinguishers & their use
RACE
R = Rescue
patients
immediately from fire or smoke area.
A = Activate the
alarm, then call 1444 & give the exact location of the fire.
C = Contain the
smoke or fire by closing all doors to rooms & corridors
E = Extinguish the fire when it is safe to do so.
Rescue
Rescue the individual from the immediate area. It could be a patient room, storeroom, restroom, whenever there is fire or smoke.
Activate the Alarm
Activate the
ALARM immediately after rescuing the
patient/s. Activate the alarm
BEFORE dialing 1444 to report the location of the fire.
The reason is the alarm notifies the Marietta Fire Department of a
fire at MMH. The location of
the fire can be radioed to them after they are on their way, thus saving
valuable time.
Containment
vs. Catastrophe
Once the patient/s have been rescued, the alarm has been pulled and the location called in, quick effective CONTAINMENT can avert a catastrophe. Most hospital fires occur in patient rooms either from equipment malfunction or smoking. A room can be entirely engulfed in flames in just 3 minutes! An entire hallway can be filled with toxic fumes and smoke within just 3-5 minutes! A contained fire often subsides so be sure to close all doors and windows.
Extinguish Safely |
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Only attempt to extinguish the fire after all doors are closed in the fire area. In addition an attempt should only be made when there is a small, contained, controllable fire and your safety is assured. Before going into any room where the door is closed, whether to extinguish a fire or rescue a patient, be sure to feel the door. If the door is hot to touch there is a raging fire inside. DO NOT ENTER, you will not be able to extinguish the fire or rescue anyone inside. Opening the door will only endanger your life and the lives of the patients and personnel in the area as well as promote spreading of the fire.
Using
the Right Extinguisher
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Type
A: water – Paper & wood product fires
Type
B: CO2 – Flammable liquids & grease fires
To extinguish safely think P.A.S.S.
P – Pull the pin
A – Aim the nozzle at the
base of the fire
S —Squeeze the trigger
S —Sweep back and forth across the base of the fire
General Instructions-Hospital Wide
Report all fires, no matter how minor they may appear
to be. Carry out the following procedure IMMEDIATELY:
R = Rescue patients immediately from fire or smoke area.
A = Activate the alarm, then call 1444 & give the exact location of the fire.
C = Contain the smoke or fire by closing all doors to rooms & corridors
E = Extinguish the fire when it is safe
to do so.
Rescue individuals from the immediate
fire or smoke area. Always rescue people before pulling the fire alarm.
Pull the fire alarm
and then call the emergency number 1444 to report the fire. Be sure to
take this step immediately after rescuing, so that the appropriate
emergency response personnel are notified and can start to the scene of
the fire.
Contain the fire and smoke by closing all doors in
the area.
After all doors are closed in the fire area, attempt
to extinguish the fire, if it is safe to do so. All employees shall be
familiar with the location and operation of fire extinguishers through the
fire safety program.
Be prepared to evacuate the smoke compartment area.
Remain calm. Do not panic. Act quickly and NEVER shout “Fire!”
Keep telephone lines clear for fire control and
assign one person to answer the telephone and pass messages.
Do not use elevators.
Close windows and make sure all fire, corridor, and
room doors are closed.
Reassure patients, if any are aware of the fire.
Inform them that the alarm has been turned in, the emergency plan is in
effect, and there is an abundance of help to assist as needed.
When the Fire Alarm Sounds:
Personnel in all areas will begin clearing the
corridors and stairways of obstructions as quickly as possible and remain
in their area. Listen to the PA system. Do not call the switchboard.
The CODE RED will remain in affect until an “ALL CLEAR” is announced over the PA System.
The HOSPITAL FIRE RESPONSE TEAM (consisting of
selective members of Support Services, Orderlies, and Nursing Supervisors)
will respond to the signal. The signal will cover over the paging system
as “CODE RED” and the fire alarm will cause a bell to chime.
For the general hospital, Maintenance and Security can pull the gas shut off valve using discretion based on patient need. In the surgical suits, OR staff can pull the gas shut-off to each operating room suite.
Individual Duties of MMH Personnel
Be completely familiar with the Fire Safety Program
and your responsibilities in the program.
Participate in all fire drill and practice sessions
as required.
Attend all fire training classes when assigned.
Learn the fire alarm code and how to report a
fire—dial 1444.
Learn the locations of and how to operate the fire
alarm boxes and fire extinguishers.
When a fire extinguisher is used, do not hang it back on the wall. Place it on the floor and call Maintenance to have it re-charged.
Using the
Right Extinguisher
Type
A: water – Paper & wood product fires
Type B: CO2 – Flammable liquids & grease fires
Type ABC: Dry chemical – All-purpose fires
Be acquainted with panic control and evacuation
procedures.
Never leave a burning cigarette unattended. Dispose
of cigarette, but only after completely extinguished. Never dump an
ashtray into a wastebasket or other receptacle with flammable materials.
Observe “No Smoking” rules and restricted areas.
Never store flammable liquids in your desk or
cabinet.
Report any defective wiring—such as frayed cords,
loose or broken plugs, blown fuses, etc.
Properly dispose of waste or rags used with cleaning
solvents.
Site specific requirements: Those areas that have site-specific procedures can be found in Appendix 1 of the Emergency Management policy.
Know the procedures for your department in the event of a fire alarm!
Evacuation
First know the plan
for your area for evacuating patients, staff and visitors.
If there is a need to evacuate, evacuation begins with the area
between the smoke doors where the fire is located.
Patients are evacuated from the fire area horizontally to another
section between smoke doors on the same floor.
The second stage of evacuation, if needed, is to evacuate patients
to a safe area on another floor, vertically.
The last resort of evacuation in a multi-storied hospital is to
evacuate out of the hospital.
Order of
Evacuation
#1. Patients nearest the fire
#2.
Ambulatory patients
#3. Non-ambulatory patients
Basic
Rescue Techniques
| Assisted
Walk:
Rescuer faces patient, puts arms around patient under their
arms (like a hug) then rescuer walks backward supporting the patient
to safety. |
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| Cradle:
Rescuer places a blanket on the floor parallel to the bed. Rescuer puts arms under the patient’s arms & knees and
lowers the patient gently, feet first, across the rescuer’s knees
and onto the blanket on the floor.
Using the blanket, the rescuer pulls the patient headfirst to
safety. |
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| Two
Person Carry:
With the patient in the supine position (face upward),
rescuer #1 puts arms around the patient from behind and under the
patient’s armpits. Rescuer #2, facing the patient’s feet, stations himself
between the patient’s legs and grabs the patient around the legs
above the knees. Rescuers
carry the patient to safety. |
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