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Fire accidents and burns are one of the leading causes of death and disability worldwide. This study was conducted with the aim of studying the etiology of fire accidents as well as investigating the fire safety standards of both homes and equipment in Iran. Samples included patients with flame burns who consented to answer the questions. Questions covered five areas: patient demographics, epidemiological characteristics of burns, the fire safety status of the home, the fire safety status of the equipment, and the mechanism of the accident. In this study, the mean extent of the burns was 18.07 ± 14.29% of body surface area and was significantly related to the age grouping of the patients. The highest total body surface area (TBSA) was observed in patients between 19 to 39 years. The most common cause of flame injuries was gas explosions (36.81%). The interviews revealed that most of the houses were not equipped with smoke detectors or fire extinguishers. The extent of burns was significantly higher in patients living in unequipped homes (P = 0.047). Cooking equipment was often involved in the accidents (38.1%). Considering the low home fire safety and the role of equipment misuse and damaged equipment use in the occurrence of accidents, it seems that installing fire alarms and firefighting equipment, proper training on how to work with and maintain the equipment, using cooking and heating equipment correctly along with discontinuing use if damaged would all be effective and are highly suggestive to reduce fire injuries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to explore trainees' perceptions and evaluation of Virtual Reality fire extinguisher training. Virtual Reality technology is being adopted by many industries for various purposes including safety training for safety critical industries. The future direction of Virtual Reality training requires an understanding of trainees' evaluation of it; this fact motivated this research. Data were collected from 85 participants using a questionnaire after the training. Observation notes were taken to provide a better understanding of the context. Qualitative research with a thematic analysis was used to analyze the data. The results of this analysis revealed that the most salient themes reflect on issues surrounding the realism of the Virtual Reality simulation, namely different emotional and bodily experiences during the training, while the benefits of the training (health, safety, environmental advantages, efficiency and convenience, repeatability and variety of scenarios) make it a good supplement. Nevertheless, improved realism is needed to make it more effective and enhance transfer and acceptance. This study encourages the consideration of important matters (such as realism and emotions) when using Virtual Reality for fire training. It also describes the positive perceptions of this type of training (repeatability of training, safety and environmental concerns). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research on fatal fires and evacuation exercises yield little or no information about how fire victims respond to a real house fire incident where occupants' mental stress levels differ greatly. Drawing upon daily records of fire incidents from the Victorian Metropolitan Fire Brigade and Country Fire Authority, Australia, 182 individuals who had survived accidental residential fires without serious injuries were interviewed. Similar to most literature, this paper found that electrical failure and cooking-related activities were the main causes of non-injury house fires. The smell of smoke was the top listed cue that first alerted an individual ('host' or person in the vicinity). The majority of hosts took proactive actions when facing the threat of a fire, while in only one third of survived fires no attempt to extinguish the fire was made at the time of ignition. This study did not reveal any significant relationships between main activities during a fire and occupant characteristics; however, people with no or only basic fire safety knowledge were more likely to engage in activities such as attempting to extinguish a fire/collect personal belongings/rescue pets/disconnect power source than those who had some level of fire training. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article demonstrates changes of the selected parameters of fire development using a fire model, which is applied in the case of chosen fire example (simulated fire). There is analysed an influence of the active fire-safety devices on the fire parameter changes (in the Part No. 3 - Discussion of Results). The main purpose of this article is to present a basic importance of the active fire-safety devices for a realistic description of the course of fire using the chosen example of fire. Such description is important for performing of the fire-engineering evaluations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on an analysis of fires in the oxygen-enriched atmosphere conditions in spacecraft and other sealed chambers of various purposes, the most dangerous groups of fires are identified. For this purpose, groups were compiled to analyze dependences that describe the increase of fire hazard to a critical value. A criterion for determining timely and effective fire extinguishing was offered. Fire experiments in oxygen-enriched atmosphere conditions were conducted, and an array of experimental data on the mass burning rate of materials and their extinguishing by water mist was obtained. Relationships colligating an array of experimental data were offered. Experimental and analytical studies were taken as a basis for hand fire extinguisher implementation for manned spacecraft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context. Methyl bromide is a halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbon that exists as a colorless gas or a volatile liquid. Methyl bromide historically had been used in fire extinguishers but is more commonly used as a gas fumigant for soil-borne diseases and pests. Methyl bromide is being phased out due to concerns for ozone depletion but can still be found. It is readily absorbed through the lungs while dermal absorption can also occur. Signs and symptoms of severe exposures include headache, respiratory distress, pulmonary hemorrhage, and seizures. In large pulmonary exposures, death can occur as rapidly as 1 h usually from respiratory failure. Methyl bromide can penetrate clothing and protective equipment presenting challenges to first responders. There is a debate over the mechanism of toxicity of methyl bromide and the role of hemodialysis and chelation in treatment. Case details. A 22-year-old female employee of a fumigation company contacted emergency medical services (EMS) after opening a tank of compressed methyl bromide in her car. She was initially combative and confused. She underwent two water dermal decontaminations and was transported to the nearest tertiary center. She rapidly progressed to obtundation with seizure-like activity and dysrhythmias. Despite the supportive care and resuscitative efforts, she died approximately 1 h after her call to EMS. Discussion. Methyl bromide exposures can be fatal, and this case highlights the difficulty in managing these acutely poisoned patients. Questions for consideration after this case include time spent on decontamination, use of adjunctive anti-epileptic drugs, role of chelation therapy, and the role of hemodialysis in the treatment of methyl bromide poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reviews several articles by Ken Roy, science safety consultant of the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA), which were published in the periodical "The Science Teacher (TST)," including "Taking Responsibility for Safety" in the December 2009 issue, "Lab Extinguishers: Here Today, Gone Tommorrow?" in the January 2010 issue and "NSTA Portal to Science Safety" in the February 2010 issue.

This project aimed to investigate the importance of safety equipment in enterprises, focusing on fire fighting equipment. To do this, did a literature search about the theme, reading books, journals, news papers and Internet sites. As the importance of fire extinguishers for businesses, it became clear that this collective protection in business environments that will increase safety. However, it is necessary to provide training for its correct use. Another point to note is that fire extinguishers should be loaded and verified, so they are appropriate when there is a need for its use. It is necessary to hire private contractors to recharge fire extinguisher that perform services and functions very peculiar, since, in addition to requiring proper registration, also dealing with life and death of people, for a service done poorly or with raw materials at poor can lead someone to death. It is stressed that companies must have a strong control on the service, because the liability of employees on a sloppy service is also verified, since they end up practicing willful or grossly negligent act, in carrying out tasks related to the theme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101) and other fire safety/protection issues in healthcare in the U.S. It discusses the Life Safety Code, the Joint Commission standards for fire safety, the fire triangle, surgical fire safety, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's Fire Safety Standards and how to handle portable fire extinguishers. Several review questions are also presented.

The article discusses the methods in preventing fire in school science laboratories. One way to do this is to place fire extinguishers in a highly visible, easily accessible location. In the occurrence of fire, getting occupants out of the laboratory should be the primary objective. Teachers should only attempt to put the fire out if it can be extinguished by a hand-held extinguisher. Good housekeeping is also important in the prevention of fires. Teachers and students can work out several measures for a clutter-free laboratory including the avoidance of the use of any temporary wiring and the avoidance of working in areas where there are no clear passages or fire doors.