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From Fire
Once you’re out, stay out!
Seek shelter from the elements in a safe
neighboring building, especially in the
cold, rain, and extreme heat.
Ask fi refi ghting offi cials or a neighbor
to notify insurance company, nearby
relatives, or the Red Cross to arrange
lodging (if applicable).
If you are not going to remain in the
building, make sure your property is
secure. Ensure the police are aware of the
building being unattended. Lock up or
board up open windows and doors.
NEVER RE-ENTER!
RESULTS COULD BE DEADLY!
One of the greatest hazards to life that ex-
ists in a building fi re of any magnitude is
the lack of suffi cient oxygen.
Oxygen not only is essential for human
life, but also is key to supporting the
life of the fi re. When fi re and humans
compete for the limited amount of
oxygen within a burning building, fi re
always wins!
Most fi re fatalities are caused because
of this. It is often referred to as death
from smoke inhalation but put in much
simpler terms it is death by suffocation.
The dangers of oxygen displacement in a
burning building as well as other hazards
including the presence of toxic gases, the
fi re itself, the risk of explosion, building
collapse, and electrocution make reenter-
ing a burning str ucture a dangerous, if
not deadly proposition.
Some of the information in this
publication has been provided to the
United States Fire Administration by the
Pennsylvania State Fire Commissioner’s
Offi ce.
For more information or copies of this
publication, please contact:
Federal Emergency Management Agency
U.S. Fire Administration
16825 South Seton Avenue
Emmitsburg, Maryland 21727
800-561-3356
www.usfa.fema.gov
FA-246/February 2003
IT IS IMPORTANT
TO REALIZE:
Once you have made your way out of a
burning building you may already be suf-
fering the effects from lac k of oxygen.
These Effects Include:
•at 21% Oxygen Level -- Normal
Atmospheric Level.
•at 19.5% Oxygen Level -- Minimum
Healthful Level.
•at 15-19% Oxygen Level -- Decreased
Stamina and Coordination, also may
induce early symptoms described be-
low.
•at 12-14% Oxygen Level -- Breath-
ing rate increases with exertion, in-
crease in heart rate. Impaired coordina-
tion, perception, and judgment.
•at 10-12% Oxygen Level -- Breathing
further increases in rate and depth,
lips turn blue. Poor judgment.
•at 8-10% Oxygen Level -- Mental failure,
fainting, unconsciousness, nausea, and
vomiting.
•at 6-8% Oxygen Level -- Fatal after 6 to 8
minutes.
•at 4-6% Oxygen Level -- Coma in 40 sec-
onds, convulsions, respiration ceases,
and death occurs.
One of the major effects of lack of oxy-
gen is the impairment of judgment. You
may not realize it, but the possible lack
of oxygen on the way out may impair
your ability to think clearly and rationally.
Even if you are not affected, others who
escaped with you may display this impair-
ment of judgment. IT IS IMPORTANT
TO PREVENT OTHERS FROM RE-
ENTERING!
OTHER DANGERS
•Another hazard that exists in a
burning building is the presence of
toxic gases. Carbon monoxide is a main
byproduct of fi re. It is odorless,
colorless, and tasteless. In high con-
centration it can cause immediate
unconsciousness and subsequent death.
Even in moderate amounts carbon
monoxide can cause impairment of
mental functions similar to the
lac k of oxygen.
•Fire itself is a ser ious hazard in that it can
cause fatal or debilitating burn injur ies.
A building fi re can generate heat
upwards of 1,500ºF. Keep in mind
that water boils at 212ºF, and that
most foods are cooked at tem-
peratures of less than 500ºF. There is the
possible danger of fl ashover where
a room is immediately engulfed in
fl ames in an explosion-like reaction.
•Gas mains, propane tanks, and even
small arms ammunition can explode
causing serious injury.
•The structural integrity of the building
can be affected dur ing fi re. Ceilings
and walls can collapse on top of you,
the fl oors can fall from under-
neath your feet, and other structures
such as stairways and porches can col-
lapse.
•Often electrical lines can become ex-
posed inside the building and fall from
outside connections to the ground on
the exterior of the building. This can
result in electrocution.
Finally…
Go to a safe place (preferably prearranged)
far enough away from the building in
case of collapse or explosion and perform
a head count of those who were in the
building with you (family members or
coworkers).
•If someone is missing it is critically im-
portant that this be conveyed to arriv-
ing fi refi ghting personnel. Tell them
who and how many people are missing
and where they were last seen.
DO NOT GO BACK IN AND
TRY TO FIND THOSE MISSING
Seek medical care if you or any others
who escaped from the burning build-
ing are injured. Keep in mind that the
symptoms of lack of oxygen and/or
exposure to toxic gases can closely
resemble those of alcohol intoxication.
Get these people immediate medical
attention.