The tasks of the ERO in case of fire

If an ERO is alerted because a fire has been reported, his first task is to check whether there is actual a fire. He will assess the situation to decide whether to try and extinguish the fire or initiate an immediate evacuation and alert the fire service. 

1. Checking a fire alarm report

Check a fire alarm report:

  • Check a fire alarm report preferably with two persons
    • Take a fire extinguisher with you to try and put the fire out, if possible
    • Observe first, think next and only then act!
  • Assess the situation to see if it is safe to extinguish the fire
    • Always put your own safety first
    • If it is not safe, first close the door of the room after you have checked it. The importance of closing doors cannot be emphasised enough!
    • If necessary, start an evacuation and alert the fire service

An ERO must be able to extinguish a fire in its early stages and assess whether it is necessary to alert the fire service. 

2. Possible scenarios in the case of a fire

Possible scenarios in the case of a fire:

  • The fire is visible
    • Assess whether you can extinguish the fire
    • If you think you cannot, leave it to the fire service. If possible, close the door of the room. If necessary, initiate an evacuation and alert the fire service. 
  • The fire is not visible, and is behind a closed door
    • A door with a window: if you see smoke, it is not safe to enter. Do not go in and keep the door closed. 
    • A door without a window: you see smoke coming out under the door or between the door and the frame. Keep the door closed. 
    • You cannot see smoke but the fire warning light above the door is on. If you think there is a fire in a room behind a closed door, you should not open the door without following the special safety procedure (check doors: step 1 | step 2

Checking a warm door:

  • Keep the door closed
  • Make sure you yourself are safe
  • Call to see if there is anyone behind the door
    • If you suspect fire and smoke and hear someone respond to your call, do not go in and leave the door closed. Tell the caller to crawl in the direction of your voice. Always put your own safety first. You may only enter the room if there is no smoke and you can see the whole room clearly. 
  • Warn anyone in the vicinity
  • Alert the fire service, stating whether there are any victims

Checking a cold door: if the door handle feels cold, open the door according to the proper procedure (open a door towards you: Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3) (open a door away from you: Step 1 | Step 2).
The location of the door hinges determines how you should open the door:

  • Hinges are on your side, door opens towards you
  • Hinges are on the other side, door opens away from you

3. General rules for extinguishing a fire

The main rule whenever you try to extinguish a fire is: first observe, then think, and only then act. You should try and extinguish a fire in its early stages as follows: 

  • Remember your own safety first 
  • Take a fire extinguisher with you 
  • If possible, approach the fire with another ERO 
  • Approach the fire to a safe distance. A safe distance is the point at which you can see clearly and where there is no smoke and no heat. Crouch down. 
  • If you cannot extinguish the fire, close the door of the room to prevent or restrict the fire from spreading. 
  • Check whether you have the right extinguisher to put out the fire and whether you can put out the fire with the extinguisher at your disposal. 
  • Test the extinguisher by giving it one short shot of spray. 
  • If you start to extinguish the fire, stay close to the ground and at a safe distance. This will ensure that you do not breathe in any smoke while extinguishing the fire. 
  • Make full use of the range of the extinguisher. The range determines the safe distance. 
  • Never go past the burning object. Always make sure you have a safe escape route. 
  • Continue extinguishing until the fire is out. 
  • Always check to make sure the fire is completely out. Make sure the surroundings (curtains, blinds, desks, desk chairs and other flammable materials) have not also caught fire. Move furniture to make sure that the carpet underneath is not on fire. Close the door when you leave the room. 
  • Stay at a safe distance and make sure the fire does not flare up again. 
  • When extinguishing fires outside, always spray the extinguisher in the direction of the wind. 
  • Extinguishing a fire always follows four steps: 
    • preparing the extinguisher 
    • approaching the fire 
    • extinguishing the fire 
    • checking that the fire is out. 

4. Using extinguishing equipment

Fire hose:

  • Are present in all companies and organisations
  • Especially suitable for putting out fires involving solids (class A fires)
    • Do not use for fires involving electricity
    • Do not use for oil or fat
    • When you cannot use water it is indicated by a pictogram
  • Fixed on red reels hanging on the wall
  • The length of the hose is 25 to 30 meters
  • Minimum range of water from a fire hose is 5 meters
  • Extinguishes by lowering the temperature (step 1 | step 2 | step 3 | step 4)
  • Causes a lot of damage
  • Advantage: available in unlimited quantities

Roll up the fire hose after use as follows:

  • Shut off the water supply by closing the nozzle
  • Lay the nozzle end under the reel
  • Wind the hose up neatly so that the coils hang next to each other. The hose should be rolled up under pressure
  • Close the main valve
  • Remove the pressure from the hose by opening the nozzle when there is about two meters of the hose left to roll up 
  • Close the nozzle 

Fire blankets:

  • Made of non-combustible fabric
  • Suitable for extinguishing small class A (solids) and B (liquids) fires

Suitable for extinguishing fires in electrical appliances

    • Do not use to extinguish a fire in a saucepan or deep-frying pan
    • Do not use to extinguish a fire larger than the size of a football
  • Use it as follows (Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3):
    • Remove the blanket from the holder, following the instructions
    • Unfold the blanket

Portable fire extinguishers:

  • Red cylinders
  • Generally equipped with a short hose
  • Can be filled with water, powder, carbon dioxide, water treated with a foaming agent
  • Can be easily operated by one person
  • Should only be used for extinguishing fires in their initial stages

Spray-foam extinguishers:

  • Filled with water to which a foaming agent has been added
  • Special spray nozzle, turns the water/foam mixture into a fine mist
  • Very effective in extinguishing class A fires
  • Class B fires, the foaming agent covers the burning liquid with a layer of foam, sealing off the fire
  • Safe for fires involving electricity
  • Work by lowering the temperature of fires involving solids
  • How to use (Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3)

Points for attention when checking the fire is out:

  • Keep a close watch on the fire, even if it is out. With solid material fires there may still be heat in the materials (smouldering fragments or small flames) that may flare up again. Liquids can be so hot that the fumes above the liquid re-ignite
  • Check again after the fire is completely out, looking from both sides. If it is a wood fire listen for crackling. If there were textiles on fire, make sure no smoke or flames are visible. 

Dry powder extinguishers:

  • Have considerable extinguishing capacity
  • Suitable for liquid fires, solid materials fires and fires involving electricity
    • Not suitable when the fires involving gas
  • There are different types of powder:
    • ABC powder
    • BC powder
    • D powder
  • Disadvantage: causes a lot of damage
  • Powder does not remove on of the sides of the fire triangle, it affects the fire itself. It contains substances that delay the binding of the combustible material with oxygen so that the flames are doused
  • How to use (Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3)

Points for attention checking if the fire is out:

  • Keep a close watch on the fire, even if it is out. The greatest danger with using powder is that the fire will flare up again. Once you have put the fire out, keep checking it stays out and keep the extinguisher close at hand. 
  • With solid material fires there may still be heat in the materials (smouldering fragments or small flames) that may flare up again. Liquids can be so hot that the fumes above the liquid re-ignite. 
  • Check again after the fire is completely out, looking from both sides. 

CO2 extinguishers:

  • Usually found in places where other fire extinguishing equipment would either cause a lot of damage or present a danger to the user
  • Suitable for class B and C fires, can also be used for fires involving electricity and for burning oil and fat
  • CO2 causes little secondary damage
  • In small and low, confined areas CO2 may present a danger to the operator because it reduces the amount of oxygen in the room 
  • CO2 can cause serious freezing symptoms, the temperature of the horn can be as low as minus 80 degrees
  • Carbon dioxide put fires out by dissipating the oxygen in the vicinity of the fire
  • How to use (Step 1 | Step 2 | Step 3)

Points for attention checking if the fire is out:

  • Keep a close watch on the fire after it is out and keep checking it stays out. The heat from the liquid and from hot components can cause the fire to re-ignite. 
  • Walk backwards away from the fire until you are at a safe distance
  • Check the fire again on both sides after it is completely out

5. Fixed fire extinguishing equipment

Fixed fire extinguishing equipment:

  • Dry standpipes:
    • Generally found in large, deep or high-rise industrial buildings
    • As an ERO you won’t use them, but need to know where they are`
    • Is a connecting point for the fire service’s hoses 
    • Easily accessible, close to the building
    • Ensures a rapid supply of water to all parts of the building
  • Sprinkler systems:
    • Permanent system to detect a fire
    • Sound the alarm, control or extinguish the fire