Understanding the fire triangle
Every fire starts the same way – with three simple ingredients. Knowing what these are, and how they work together can help you prevent fires before they begin and act fast if one breaks out.
That’s where understanding the fire triangle comes in to play. Making sure your staff are aware of the fire triangle gives them a clear and practical way to think about how fires start – and how to stop them.
The fire triangle has three sides: these are heat, fuel, and oxygen. A fire needs all three to exist. Take one away, and the fire can’t start – or will quickly go out. That’s what makes the triangle so useful – it helps us break down the causes of fire and shows us the different ways we can prevent or control them.
Let’s have a look at each side:
Heat
This could be anything from a naked flame to a spark or even a hot surface.
Fuel
Materials that burn, such as wood, paper, fabric, oils or flammable gases.
Oxygen
Usually from the air, but can come from other sources too.
Understanding the fire triangle helps us think more clearly about what could be a fire risk in the workplace. For example, if you’re storing flammable materials, these should be kept away from heat sources. If hot work is taking place (like welding, grinding or cutting), make sure the surrounding area is clear of anything that could catch fire. And when dealing with enclosed spaces, be aware of oxygen levels – fires can burn more fiercely if there’s an enriched oxygen environment.
In an emergency, this knowledge is VERY valuable. Different fire extinguishers work by removing one part of the triangle – for example, water cools the heat, foam cuts off the oxygen, and so on. Understanding the fire triangle can help your team choose the right extinguisher and act quickly and safely.
It’s a simple model, but don’t underestimate it. Understanding the fire triangle gives everyone – from managers to new starters – a solid foundation for preventing fires and responding effectively if they do happen.
If your team need a refresher on the basics of fire safety and fire prevention, our Fire Awareness & Extinguishers course could be perfect. On this half-day course, delegates will gain a greater awareness of the dangers and causes of fire as well as the threat posed by fire. We can incorporate the routines and fire procedures specific to your place of work into the programme. Find out more about all of our fire safety courses HERE and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook for more workplace safety insights and tips.
