Photo By Lance Cpl. Jason Hernandez | Although still under investigation, the key cause of the fire that destroyed this...... read more read more
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AL ASAD AIR BASE, Iraq — Increasing temperatures, low humidity and higher electricity use all contribute to a hidden predator here in Iraq.
Al Asad's Base Command Group reported 10 fires in June alone. Although there were no injuries in any of the fires, there were nine containerized housing units lost in a single fire.
"Fire safety is important because we all want to go home alive," said Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Conklin, the safety chief for MNF-W. "It's the time of the year when air conditioning and overexertion of power supplies are at their highest."
According to the MNF-W Safety Office, fire safety and education are a priority, especially during Iraq's summer months when risks of fire are greatest.
"Fire prevention prevents the loss of life and property caused by fires," said Mike Gallagher, the occupational safety and health program manager for MNF-W. "If someone's personal stuff burns in a fire out here, who's going to replace it?"
According to MNF-W Safety Office personnel, the key cause of electrical fires aboard installations like Al Asad is the use of air conditioning units and light ballasts for fluorescent light bulbs, combined with overexerted power sources. The greatest non-electrical cause of fire is smoking.
Gallagher explained that if people throw lit cigarettes away irresponsibly in humid climates, the cigarettes will usually end up burning out. In the arid climates of the Middle East, though, there is very little moisture in the air to help the cigarette burn out on its own.
"Back in North Carolina, if the humidity drops below 30 percent it is considered a high-risk time for fires," said Gallagher, who is also a fire chief with the Sneads Ferry, N.C., Volunteer Fire Department. "Here in Iraq, it's rare when the humidity gets into double digits, so we're even more at risk for fires than a great many [other places]."
The MNF-W Safety Office is taking active steps to reduce the risk of fire.
"Currently, we're forming working groups in order to assess what needs to be done," said Gallagher. "Once we get to the bottom of some of these problems, we'll use the proper channels to get the orders rewritten."
For now, service members and civilians aboard installations across Iraq are being advised on steps they can take to reduce fires in their areas.
Gallagher said smokers should dispose of their cigarettes and cigars into designated, metal receptacles.
Service members should also try to ensure that they do not overexert wiring and power supplies, such as surge protectors.
According to Gallagher, one way to avoid overexertion is to "do the math."
Gallagher walked into an office and picked up a surge protector, turned it over and pointed out a small numerical figure — 15A. It stands for 15 amps and, Gallagher explained, if the combined power of connected appliances draws more than that, it will overheat and most likely catch fire.
He explained that people can check appliances connected to their surge protectors by looking at the amount of watts on the connected appliance. To do the math, divide watts by 220, and the resulting number is the amount of amps the appliance draws. Ensure that the combined number of amps of all connected appliances does not exceed the maximum amps figure on the back of the surge protector, and the appliance is safe for use.
"But when people see six or seven outlets in a surge protector, they're going to think they can use all of them at the same time," said Gallagher. "If you begin to combine that water heater with other appliances, you can easily max out that protector, starting a fire."
For safety reasons, energy-hungry appliances like refrigerators should be plugged directly into wall outlets.
Gallagher also explained a fire is likely to start if you plug one surge protector into another, creating what is often referred to as a "daisy chain."
In general, people can keep themselves, friends and family safe from fire by staying vigilant.
"Be responsible for your own area; don't put off problems you see," explained Gallagher. "Pick a day of the week where you take some time and check your smoke detector and fire extinguisher to ensure that they are in good working order."
What Gallagher feels is the most important safety tip is that fire safety is everyone's responsibility, and service members should act and keep an eye out accordingly.
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 09.12.2009 03:40 |
| Story ID: | 38632 |
| Location: | AL ASAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 385 |
| Downloads: | 322 |
This work, Fire safety awareness a priority aboard Al Asad Air Base, by LCpl Jason Hernandez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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