INTRODUCTION
In an automobile fire outbreak, there is a common erroneous belief that outbreak of fire is inevitable and in most cases cannot be salvaged.
This is not true as majority of automobile fire outbreak could be avoided or controlled but only if certain simple precautions are observed, so that the damage or loss associated with fire disaster could be reduced
DEFINITION OF FIRE
Fire starts when a flammable and/or a combustible material with an adequate supply of oxygen or another oxidizer are subjected to enough heat and is able to sustain a chemical reaction.
Fire is the effective combination of 3 basic substances; oxygen in the air, heat and fuel as in any combustible material, resulting in the production of heat or light.
COMMON CAUSES OF FIRE
Carelessness
Most common cause which is due to the imperfection in man includes the following:
– Smoking and throwing cigarette ends carelessly
– Storing fuel in vehicles and houses
– Leaking vehicle tanks and fuel hoses
– Defective electrical wiring in vehicles
– Spontaneous ignition
– Sparks from loose ends of throttle, hand brake cables and motorcycle stands
– Lack of proper vehicle maintenance
Accident: Fire that results even when precautions are put in place e.g. vehicle, crash, explosion, electrical sparks etc.
COMBATING FIRE OUTBREAK
Smothering: Elimination of oxygen from the burning material, thus making combustion impossible as there is no more oxygen. Use of foam vaporizing liquid carbon‐dioxide and dry chemical powder
Starvation: Elimination of fuel or the combustible materials from the vicinity of the fire thus making combustion impossible
Cooling: Applying water or chemical extinguisher
SIMPLE FIRE PRECAUTIONS
– Always ensure that the exit routes in your vehicles are functioning
– All doors must be easy to open from both inside and the outside
– Make sure your bonnet can open and lock easily
– Always check your fire extinguishers every morning as you check your engine oil and water level to ensure you are not carrying an expired fire extinguisher
– Always keep your extinguishers in a cool dry place, away from external manipulation and a place that can be easily reached by the driver
– Ensure that the safety pin of the extinguisher is removed before use
– Always point the nozzles of the extinguisher at the base of the fire whenever fighting fire
– Ensure your ignition is off before fighting automobile fire
– Be alert and observant at anytime, anywhere, any day while driving
