BASIC FIRE SAFETY COURSE

Basic Fire Safety Course

INTRODUCTION TO FIRE SAFETY

Fire is One of the most serious hazards that may occur in a workplace, home, public building, industrial site, warehouse or other environment. A fire can cause injury, loss of life, damage to property, interruption of business operations and environmental damage.

Basic fire safety training helps learners understand how fires start, how they can be prevented and what action should be taken when a fire occurs.

A person trained in basic fire safety must understand that personal safety is always the first priority. Not every fire should be fought by a person using a portable fire extinguisher.

The learner must be able to:

• Identify different types of fires.
• Recognise common causes of fires.
• Apply fire prevention measures.
• Identify basic fire-fighting equipment.
• Select suitable equipment for a particular fire.
• Operate basic fire-fighting equipment safely.
• Follow basic fire-fighting procedures.
• Know when to fight a fire and when to evacuate.
• Report and hand over an incident appropriately.

These learning areas are consistent with the main outcomes of SAQA Unit Standard 252250, Apply fire fighting techniques, including identifying fires, practising prevention, operating basic equipment and performing basic fire-fighting procedures.

2. LEARNING OUTCOMES

After completing this course, the learner should be able to:

Learning Outcome 1

Identify different types of fires by understanding:

• Causes of fire.
• Classes of fire.
• Fire behaviour.
• Materials involved in a fire.

Learning Outcome 2

Explain and practise fire prevention by:

• Maintaining good housekeeping.
• Following workplace safety procedures.
• Identifying fire hazards.
• Reporting unsafe conditions.

Learning Outcome 3

Operate basic fire-fighting equipment by:

• Identifying equipment.
• Selecting suitable equipment.
• Checking equipment before use.
• Operating equipment safely.

Learning Outcome 4

Perform basic fire-fighting procedures by:

• Assessing the situation.
• Raising the alarm.
• Selecting appropriate equipment.
• Taking the necessary precautions.
• Fighting only a controllable fire.
• Retreating safely when necessary.
• Reporting and handing over the incident.