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HomeMy Public PortalAboutEscape From Fire (PDF)Escape 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.