Fire: Keeping safe

This task is about identifying fire hazards, and using what you know about fire to suggest ways to make a situation safer.

If we know what causes fires we are more likely to be able to manage the risk of a fire starting.

For a fire to start, three things have to be present:

  • a source of heat
  • fuel
  • oxygen

This is often called the fire triangle. 

the fire triangle

Question

 bedroom fire hazard
Tick all the things that could provide fuel for a fire (they burn easily).

    • light bulb   light bulb

    • curtains   curtain

    • pillows   pillows

    • candle   candle

    • lamp    lamp

    • planets   space mobile

    • electric cord    frayed cord

    • leaves   dead leaves

    • papers   paper

    • heater   heater

Question

 bedroom fire hazard
Tick all the things that could provide heat to start a fire.

    • light bulb   light bulb

    • curtains   curtain

    • pillows   pilows

    • candle   candle

    • lamp   lamp

    • planets   space mobile

    • electric cord   frayed cord

    • leaves   dead leaves

    • papers   paper

    • heater   heater

Question

Three places are shown where a fire could easily start in the room.
Choose one.

Question 1Change answer

the fire triangle
 
Use the fire triangle to explain why this area is a fire hazard.

Question

A part answer mentions one part of the fire triangle  A better answer discusses the closeness of a fuel to a heat source.  An excellent answer also includes the role of air or oxygen. 
Examples
  • A candle (heat source) might start a fire.
  • The curtain (fuel) could catch fire.
  • The window is wide open so there is lots of air (oxygen).
Examples
The curtain (fuel) is close enough to the candle’s flame (heat source) that it could catch alight.
Examples
The curtain (fuel) is close enough to the candle’s flame (heat source) that it could catch alight. The open window means that there is plenty of oxygen to keep the fire burning.
The space mobile (fuel) could catch fire. The bulb (heat source) can get hot enough to set the decoration (fuel)  hanging by it on fire. The bulb (heat source) has got no shade on it so can set the decoration (fuel)  hanging by it on fire. The open window lets in air (oxygen), which is needed for the fire to keep burning.
Frayed cords sometimes spark (heat source). If the frayed electrical cord sparks (heat source) the dry leaves (fuel) nearby  could catch fire. The frayed electrical cord could spark (heat source). Dead leaves (fuel) are very dry and catch fire easily. Oxygen is also needed for fire to burn, and the open window gives a good supply of this in the room.
 
Use the rubric above to decide how well you answered the question. Tick the box which best describes your answer. (Choose one). If you are not sure, discuss with a friend.
Here is your answer:

    • No parts of fire triangle identified

    • Part answer

    • Better answer (2 parts of fire triangle)

    • Excellent answer (3 parts of fire triangle)

Question 1Change answer

Here are some fire hazards that might be found in your bedroom.

  • frayed electrical cord
  • overloaded power outlet
  • candle
  • cigarette lighter
  • glue or solvents
  • bar or gas heater
  • synthetic (man-made) duvet inner
  • none of these

Write a paragraph explaining one thing you could do to improve fire hazards in your bedroom, and why this action would be effective. If you think your bedroom is totally safe, write a paragraph explaining why it is safe.

In your explanations refer to the parts of the fire triangle.

Question

Description
Partial explanation
Full explanation
Identifies a hazard Identifies a hazard and explains why it is dangerous Identifies a hazard and links explanation to at least one of the elements of the fire triangle
 
Examples

  • I could get rid of the candles in my room.
  • I wouldn't do anything.
 Examples

  • I could get rid of the candles in my room. They could cause a fire.
  • There are no fire hazards in my room so it is safe.
 Examples

  • I use candles in my bedroom. Lit candles could start a fire if the flame gets too close to the curtains and sets them alight. If I don't light the candles, there is nothing hot enough to start the curtains burning.
  • My room is safe because there is nothing that can actually start a fire.
 
Use the rubric to decide how well you answered the question. Tick the box which best describes your answer. (Choose one.)
Here is your answer:

    • I did not talk about fire hazards in my bedroom.

    • I identified a hazard.

    • I identified a hazard and explained why it was dangerous. 

    • I included at least one part of the fire triangle in my explanation.

Question 1Change answer

Description Partial explanation Full explanation
Identifies a hazard to remove Identifies a hazard and explains why it is dangerous Identifies a hazard and links explanation to at least one of the elements of the fire triangle

Examples

  • I could get rid of the candles in my room.
  • I wouldn't do anything.

Examples

  • I could get rid of the candles in my room. They could cause a fire.
  • There are no fire hazards in my room so it is safe.

 

Examples

  • I use candles in my bedroom. Lit candles could start a fire if the flame gets too close to the curtains and sets them alight. If I don't light the candles, there is nothing hot enough to start the curtains burning.
  • My room is safe because there is nothing that can actually start a fire.
 
Use the rubric above to improve your answer.