1) DON’T GET DOWN
If a fire starts in your house, get out as soon as possible. A lot of people get trapped and even die because they don’t believe that a small outbreak can spread quickly. If you live in an apartment building, take the stairs, closing all the doors they pass through, to slow the spread of the flames. Never use the elevator.
2) A TOUCH OF PRECAUTION
During the escape, before opening any door, place your hand on it to feel the temperature. If it’s hot, don’t open it. If it’s cold, open it very slowly, keeping your body protected behind the door (and not in front of the passageway). If you feel heat or pressure coming from the other room, close it and look for another route.
3) WHERE THERE IS SMOKE…
If you get stuck in a smoky place, breathe through your nose with quick sniffles. If you can, wet a piece of fabric (such as a shirt) and use it as a mask, covering your nose and mouth. Furthermore, stay down and crawl to look for a way out, as the air is cleaner near the ground.
4) NO OUTPUT
If you can’t get out, stay behind a door, which can serve as armor. You can also search for a location next to a window, where help can go. If possible, open the window at the top, for heat and smoke to escape, and at the bottom, where you can breathe.
5) IN SEARCH OF SIGNS
Commercial buildings are required to sign emergency exits. look for the emergency lights – below them may be a cut-off door.fire. Buildings have several saving options, like fire hydrants and automatic showers, so don’t despair and never jump out the window.
6) FOLLOW THE MASTER
Residential and commercial buildings need to have a fire brigade: a group of residents or employees trained to fight fires, evacuate environments and perform first aid. Several buildings also hire civilian firefighters, with training similar to that of a military firefighter. Follow the guidance of these people.
7) HOW TO USE AN EXTINGUISHER
- The fire extinguishers are in marked locations, on the floor or 1.6 m from the floor. The wall bracket is a simple hook: to remove the extinguisher, lift it and pull forward.
- Always keep the extinguisher in a vertical position and check its compatibility with the type of fire. turn the latch to break the plastic seal.
- After, pull that pin to unlock the lever. Point the hose to the fire and squeeze the trigger.
- If the fire is in solid material such as wood or fabric, aim the jet at the base of the fire. On flammable liquids or electrical equipment, use the jet to surround the flames.
TYPES OF EXTINGUISHER
A) Content: Pressurized water
This extinguisher is indicated for fires in solid materials, such as wood or paper, which burn on the surface and inside. The water extinguishes fireby cooling and quenching
B) Content: Dry chemical powder
Used in flammable liquids (such as gasoline), which only burn on the surface. Or in solid materials and electrically powered equipment
C) Content: Carbon dioxide (CO2)
to erase fire on energized equipment. Can also be used in fire of classes A and B, but without great effectiveness, as the gas disperses quickly
ABC) Content: Dry chemical powder
The most modern on the market, suitable for all fire classes (A, B or C), except for chemical products. It is the model present in cars manufactured from 2010 onwards.
D) Content: chemical powder
Used in flammable chemicals such as powdered aluminum and magnesium. In such cases, water or CO2 would cause violent reactions in the flames.
SOURCES Superior School of Firefighters of São Paulo and Fire Department of São Paulo and the Federal District; websites pierce, E-One, Magirus, Iturri, iveco It is Holmatro
CONSULTANCY Captain Diógenes Martins Munhoz, Lieutenant Diego Assunção Verde, Sergeant Hélio Pires Braz Filho, Marco Mello, director of Iveco for firefighting vehicles, and Cassio Rockenbach, commercial manager of Mitren