Wiktor Wise
Fire is a chemical reaction that involves the combination of fuel, oxygen, and heat. While a fire can consume oxygen in a room, it is unlikely to remove all of it. In reality, a person is more likely to die from smoke inhalation and carbon dioxide before that happens. Additionally, rooms are rarely completely isolated, so air can still enter from other areas. Fire suppression systems that remove oxygen from the air are specialized safety systems used in certain situations, such as protecting sensitive equipment or valuable materials. These systems use inert gases like nitrogen or argon to displace oxygen, creating an environment where combustion cannot occur.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Possibility of burning out oxygen in a room | Possible, but unlikely due to the presence of other factors such as smoke inhalation and CO2 |
| Impact of oxygen on fire | Increases energy, heat release, and severity of fire, causing even nonflammable substances to burn |
| Fire suppression system | Specialized systems remove oxygen, smothering the fire and preventing its spread; commonly used to protect sensitive equipment or valuable materials |
| Design considerations for fire suppression systems | Room size, ceiling height, combustible materials, potential uses, hazardous chemicals, and flammable liquids |
| Role of fire protection engineer | Evaluate and mitigate fire hazards, optimize safety protocols, and possess knowledge of building codes, engineering principles, and regulatory requirements |
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What You'll Learn
Fire safety for home oxygen users
Using oxygen at home increases the risk of fires and burns. When oxygen is used in the home, the amount of oxygen in the air, furniture, clothing, and hair goes up, making it easier for a fire to start and spread. Oxygen is not flammable, but it can cause other materials that burn to ignite more easily and burn more rapidly. This means a fire involving oxygen can appear explosive-like.
Smoking
The greatest risk for oxygen users is tobacco smoking. It is essential that oxygen users stop smoking. If you are struggling to quit, ask your doctor for advice. Many tools are available to help smokers quit, and you can also visit your local health department or call your local quitline for free help.
Naked Flames
Any naked flame can be a serious hazard. Keep oxygen and tubing at least 8-10 feet away from heat sources such as candles, matches, lighters, heaters, wood stoves, electric razors, hair dryers, cooking stoves, and smoking materials.
Flammable Products
Do not use any flammable products like cleaning fluids, paint thinner, or aerosol sprays while using your oxygen. Use water-based lubricants on your lips and hands. Do not use oil-based products like petroleum jelly, petroleum-based creams, or lotions. Do not use bedding or clothes made of wool, nylon, or synthetic fabrics as these materials can produce static electricity. The use of cotton material bedding and clothes will avoid sparks from static electricity.
Fire Safety Equipment
Keep all grease, oil, and petroleum products, and other flammable materials away from your oxygen equipment. Ensure that you have an all-purpose fire extinguisher close by and familiarize yourself with its use. Make sure your home has working smoke alarms. Test them monthly. Have a home fire escape plan with a minimum of two ways out of every room and an outdoor meeting place. Practice the plan at least twice a year.
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Oxygen fires caused by smoking
Smoking in an oxygen-enriched environment significantly increases the risk of fires. Oxygen-enriched air increases the energy, heat release, and severity of any fire. This means that a fire will burn hotter and faster, and usually non-flammable things can ignite at lower temperatures. The materials that oxygen cannulae are made from can become highly flammable and cause serious injury, irrespective of the poisonous fumes they give off when burning. Similarly, clothing, bedding, and household materials can suddenly become a risk to combustion in the presence of oxygen-enriched air.
Electronic cigarettes have been declared unsafe to use with home oxygen by the European Industrial Gases Association. Despite this, estimates of home oxygen users who continue to smoke range from 14% to 51%, a significant safety issue given the number of patients across Europe on home oxygen therapy.
An analysis of deaths in four US states (Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Oklahoma) over an 8-year period (2000-2007) identified 38 deaths attributable to home oxygen fires caused by smoking. This likely underestimates the true size of the problem, as smoking patients rarely report minor incidents for fear of blame.
To reduce the incidence of injury and death from home oxygen fires caused by smoking, smoking cessation in people who use home oxygen is critical. Other preventive steps include contractual obligations for home oxygen suppliers to carry out a home risk assessment prior to oxygen installation, including a field-based assessment to identify potential fire-related risks such as the presence of a smoke detector or alarm.
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Fire hazards of home oxygen
While oxygen itself doesn't burn, it is a key component in starting a fire and keeping it going. In an oxygen-enriched environment, materials can ignite at lower temperatures and burn hotter and faster. This means that normally nonflammable items can become highly flammable and cause serious injury or death.
Common Fire Hazards in the Home
The presence of medical oxygen in the home has been linked to fatal fires. In Tennessee, for example, medical oxygen was present in 9% of fatal fires in 2018. Smoking is the number one ignition source in fires where oxygen is present. In a four-state analysis in the US, 38 deaths were attributed to home oxygen fires caused by smoking over an eight-year period.
Other common ignition sources include:
- Cooking
- Grinding wheels
- Sparks from damaged electrical outlets, extension cords, or appliances
- Candles
- Fireplaces
- Gas stoves
- Lit cigarettes
- Fire damage to tubing, which can cause secondary fires in combustible items such as clothing, bedding, carpeting, curtains, or furniture.
Precautions
To prevent fires in the home when using medical oxygen, it is important to:
- Post "No Smoking" and "No Open Flames" signs inside and outside the home.
- Ensure smoke alarms are working by testing them monthly and replacing them if they are more than 10 years old.
- Create a fire escape plan with two ways out of every room and a designated meeting place outside. Practice the plan with all household members.
- Stay at least five feet away from heat sources and open flames.
- Keep oxygen tubing away from ignition sources and maintain it properly to avoid damage.
- Store oxygen cylinders in a secure area away from flammable items.
- Do not use flammable products like grease, oils, aerosol sprays, or petroleum-based lubricants while using oxygen.
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Fire suppression systems that remove oxygen
While it is possible to burn out a significant amount of oxygen in a room, it is unlikely that a fire could consume all the oxygen in a room. This is because rooms are rarely completely isolated, and air will find a way in. Additionally, the person in the room would likely die from smoke inhalation and CO2 before all the oxygen is removed.
There are, however, fire suppression systems that work by removing oxygen from the air, thereby smothering the fire and preventing it from spreading. These systems are typically used in areas where conventional fire suppression techniques, such as sprinklers and fire extinguishers, are inadequate.
One type of oxygen-removing fire suppression system is a Total Fluid Fire Suppression System, which uses non-flammable fluids such as water, foam, or dry chemicals to smother fires by depriving them of oxygen. These systems are designed to spray the entire volume of a room with the extinguishing agent and are often used to protect sensitive equipment or areas with flammable materials.
Another type of system is a Clean Agent Fire Suppression System, which uses non-toxic chemical gases such as halon, FM-200, or Novec 1230 to suffocate fires without damaging nearby equipment or causing long-term environmental harm. These systems are particularly useful in areas where electricity must be kept running during a fire, such as server rooms.
Hypoxic air technology is another approach to fire prevention that involves maintaining air with low oxygen concentration in protected volumes. This can be achieved through hypoxic air generators, which can be located inside or outside the protected rooms. Hypoxic air systems can be integrated with building management systems and can even recover and utilize the heat generated by the generator. However, it is important to note that fire-prevention systems that result in oxygen content below 19.5% are not permitted for occupied spaces without providing employees with supplemental respirators, as per federal regulation (OSHA) in the United States.
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Fire protection engineering
Fire protection engineers play a vital role in safeguarding the public and ensuring that schools, offices, and public buildings are equipped to prevent and manage fire emergencies effectively. They study the causes of fires and the impact of architecture and design on fire prevention and suppression. These engineers work closely with architects, building owners, and developers to evaluate life safety and property protection goals. They also provide third-party reviews for performance-based fire engineering solutions, ensuring compliance with local building regulations.
To become a fire protection engineer, individuals typically need a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Fire Science or Fire Engineering. Many engineers start their careers as professional or volunteer firefighters, gaining valuable experience in fire safety. Additionally, fire protection engineers may focus on designing and installing fire alarm and sprinkler systems, evacuation routes, and stairwells. They also play a role in fire education within their communities.
The history of fire protection engineering dates back to ancient Rome, when Emperor Nero implemented passive fire protection methods after a catastrophic fire. However, it was in the 19th century that the discipline gained prominence due to mass urban fires. The first degree program in fire protection engineering was established in 1903 at the Armour Institute of Technology. Today, various universities, including Oklahoma State University, Eastern Kentucky University, and the University of New Haven, offer accredited degrees in fire protection engineering or related fields.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, a fire can remove oxygen from a room. Fire protection engineers design fire suppression systems that work by removing oxygen from the air, thereby smothering the fire and preventing it from spreading.
In a fire suppression system, an inert gas such as nitrogen or argon is injected into the area where the fire is present. As the inert gas displaces the oxygen in the atmosphere, it reduces combustible material to a safe level by creating an environment with insufficient oxygen for combustion to occur.
The enrichment of normal room air with oxygen increases the energy, heat release, and severity of any fire. Things that are usually nonflammable can burn with vigour and produce noxious fumes very rapidly in the presence of oxygen.
Here are some tips to prevent fires when using oxygen at home:
- Check and replace any old cables and leads, especially if they are hidden from view.
- Unplug appliances when they’re not in use.
- Don't plug too many plugs into a socket as this can cause an electrical fire.
- Don't leave candles burning when you leave the room.
- Keep an eye on naked flames.
