Introduction to Health and Safety at Work

static electricity
– causing signifi cant high volt-
age sparks from the separation of materials such as 
unwinding plastic, pouring highly fl ammable liquids, 
walking across insulated fl oors, or removing syn-
thetic overalls.
13.3.3 Sources of fuel
If it will burn it can be fuel for a fi re. The things which 
will burn easily are the most likely to be the initial fuel, 
which then burns quickly and spreads the fi re to other 
fuels. The most common things that will burn in a typical 
workplace are:
and clothing), wall paper, hardboard and chipboard used 
as building materials, waste materials (e.g. wood shav-
ings, dust, paper, etc.), hair.
Solids
– these include, wood, paper, cardboard, wrap-
ping materials, plastics, rubber, foam (e.g. polystyrene 
tiles and furniture upholstery), textiles (e.g. furnishings 
Liquids
– these include, paint, varnish, thinners, adhe-
sives, petrol, white spirit, methylated spirits, paraffi n, 
toluene, acetone and other chemicals. Most fl amma-
ble liquids give off vapours which are heavier than air 
so they will fall to the lowest levels. A fl ash fl ame or an 
explosion can occur if the vapour catches fi re in the cor-
rect concentrations of vapour and air.
In addition some chemicals such as nitrates, 
chlorates, chromates and peroxides can release oxygen 
as they burn and therefore need no external source of air.
Gases
– fl ammable gases include LPG (liquefi ed petrol-
eum gas in cylinders, usually butane or propane), acetyl-
ene (used for welding) and hydrogen. An explosion can 
occur if the air/gas mixture is within the explosive range.
13.3.4 Oxygen
Oxygen is of course provided by the air all around but 
this can be enhanced by wind, or by natural or powered 
ventilation systems which will provide additional oxygen 
to continue burning.
Cylinders providing oxygen for medical purposes or 
welding can also provide an additional very rich source 
of oxygen.

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