Fire in the Campbell Industrial Park could involve a wide range of hazardous and nonhazardous materials. Businesses in CIP include refineries with large quantities of flammable and combustible liquids. Pipelines run the length of CIP and carry flammable and combustible liquids along some of the major roads. Several businesses have large quantities of lumber, plastics and other materials that will readily burn if ignited. A fire in CIP may involve a heavy smoke plume that may travel for miles. The immediate concerns of emergency response personnel in the event of a fire would be the proximity of the fire to stored hazardous materials and to occupied buildings. Spacing of businesses in CIP and KBP is generally good and adequate to prevent a widespread conflagration if the fire involves only ordinary combustible materials. Many buildings in CIP and KBP have wood-frame and ordinary construction. Some buildings are masonry construction, and a few buildings have sprinkler systems.
Refer to the following checklists for preparing for and responding to a fire.
PREPARING FOR A FIRE
☐ Know the locations of emergency exits, fire alarms and fire extinguishers.
☐ Learn the types of extinguishers and their effectiveness on different types of fires. Teach everyone how to use them.
- Class “A” fires occur in ordinary combustibles, such as paper or wood. Water or special dry chemicals are effective in extinguishing.
- Class “B” fires include combustible and flammable liquids. Dry chemical or carbon dioxide extinguishers are effective. Water fog may also be used.
- Class “C” fires are electrical fires. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are effective. Never apply water to an electrical fire.
☐ Install smoke detectors. At least one smoke detector should be installed on every level of a structure. Smoke detectors more than double the chance of surviving a fire. Smoke detectors sense abnormal amounts of smoke or invisible combustion gases in the air, and they can detect both smoldering and burning fires.
☐ Check smoke detectors once a month and change the batteries at least once per year.
☐ Develop and practice an escape plan.
- Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of escaping every room.
- Keep a bell and a flashlight in each bedroom.
- During real fire, the amount of smoke generated by a fire will most likely make it impossible to see. Plan your escape route carefully.
- Practice staying low to the ground when escaping.
- Learn to stop, drop to the ground, and roll if clothes catch fire.
☐ Choose a safe meeting place outside the house or building so that it can be determined who might be trapped inside.
☐ Post emergency numbers near telephones. However, be aware that if a fire threatens your location, you should not place the call to your emergency services from inside the building. It is better to get out first and place the call from somewhere else.
☐ Check the buildings electrical wiring to make sure that it is safe. Replace any wiring that is frayed or cracked. Make sure that wiring is not under rugs, over nails, or in high traffic areas.
☐ Make sure that hazardous materials are stored in approved containers and that usage and storage are in compliance with applicable fire codes.
☐ Don’t overload outlets or extension cords.
☐ Outlets should have cover plates and no exposed wiring.
☐ Only purchase appliances and electrical devices that have a label indicating that they have been inspected by a testing laboratory such as Underwriter’s Laboratories (UL) or Factory Mutual (FM).
☐ For upstairs bedrooms, purchase collapsible ladders at hardware stores, install them, and practice using them.
☐ Do not store combustible materials in closed areas or near a heat source.
☐ Use portable heaters only in well-ventilated rooms.
☐ Use solvents and flammables outdoors.
☐ Have combustion equipment periodically cleaned.
☐ Be aware of activities around you. Report any suspicious behavior.
DURING A FIRE
☐ If you hear an alarm, follow the instructions given if any are provided.
☐ Call 911 immediately, if possible, or as soon as possible from a safe location outside of the burning building.
☐ If indoors, evacuate the building. Warn others in the building and in nearby buildings to evacuate.
☐ Get out as quickly and as safely as possible.
☐ Use the stairs to escape; do not use an elevator.
☐ When evacuating, stay low to the ground.
☐ If possible, cover mouth with a cloth to avoid inhaling smoke and gases.
☐ Close doors in each room after escaping to delay the spread of the fire.
☐ If your clothes catch fire, stop, drop to the ground, and roll to extinguish the flames.
☐ Feel all doors for heat before opening them. If the door is hot, do not open it and find another way out.
☐ If the door is closed and smoke is pouring in around the bottom of the door, keep the door closed. Seal cracks around doors with wetted towels, mattresses, pillows, etc. If it is safe to open a window, attempt to escape or signal for help with a pillowcase or other object and await rescue. Be ready to close the window if smoke begins to enter.
☐ If there is no smoke at the bottom or top and the door is not hot, then open the door slowly. If there is too much smoke or fire in the hall, slam the door shut.
☐ If a fire starts while you’re cooking, put a lid over the burning pan. Be careful. Moving the pan can cause the fire to spread. Never pour water on a grease fire.
AFTER A FIRE
☐ Give first aid where appropriate.
☐ Seriously injured or burned victims should be transported immediately to a hospital.
☐ Stay out of damaged buildings.
☐ Return home only when local fire authorities say it is safe.
☐ Look for structural damage.
☐ Discard food that has been exposed to heat, smoke, or soot.
☐ Contact your insurance agent.
☐ Don’t discard damaged goods until after an inventory has been taken.
☐ Save receipts for money spent to replace things lost in the fire.
Refer to the HazMat Checklist for information on flammable gas or liquid releases.