Introduction to Fire Safety Management

Number of fires
deliberate
ignition, 63
cooking, 4
naked light, 4
smoking
materials, 5
friction, heat,
sparks, 7
electrical, 23
oil, 1
spontaneous
combustion, 2
fireworks, 1
LPG cutting
equipment, 1
spread from
secondary fire, 1
Figure 7.5
Ignition sources 2004–2005
Figure 7.6
Typical fl ammable solid sign

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Introduction to Fire Safety Management
120
Gases
Flammable gases are common throughout workplaces 
and include natural gas and liquefi ed petroleum gas 
(LPG). The most common types of LPG are stored in 
pressurised cylinders and include butane and propane 
(i.e. cooking, heating, plumbers’ torches, etc.); in addi-
tion dissolved acetylene and oxygen mixtures are 
utilised in welding operations.
As with the fl ammable vapours given off by fl amma-
ble liquids not only do gases present a signifi cant risk of 
fi re they also present an 
explosion
risk.
Gases do not always come in containers and can be 
produced by chemical reactions such as the degradation 
of waste materials within a refuse dump which produces 
methane.
The supply of oxygen, as previously discussed, 
can infl uence fi re behaviour and thus recognising how 
the supply can be enhanced or reduced is vital when 
considering control factors.
Ventilation and air handling systems can provide 
an enhanced supply as can the use of oxygen cylinders 
(medical use and hot work/cutting work).
Chemical reactions can also cause the release 
of oxygen, particularly chemicals such as ammonium 
nitrate (fertilisers), sodium chlorate (pesticides), hydrogen 
peroxide (water treatment, hair care) and chromate 
(variety of industrial processes).
It should also be noted that oxidisers exhibit 
highly exothermic reactions when in contact with other 
substances, particularly fl ammable substances. Oxidising 
agents can also increase the combustibility of substances 
which do not normally burn readily in air, or can lower 
ignition temperatures to such a point that materials burn 
more readily and more violently.