Session on Fire Safety at PU’s Boys Hostel

Chandigarh, January 7, 2019: A Session on Fire Safety and how the fire extinguisher works was orchestrated at Sardar Vallabh Bhai Patel Hall, Boy’s Hostel No.4, Panjab University, here today to make residents, staff, mess and canteen workers aware about the emergency course of action to be implemented in case of fire. Prof (Dr.) Emanual Nahar, Dean Student Welfare, inaugurated the session and in his address he said that there are four elements that must be present for a fire to exist. There must be oxygen to sustain combustion, heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature, fuel to support the combustion and a chemical reaction between the other three elements. Remove any one of the four elements to extinguish the fire as the concept of fire protection is based upon keeping these four elements separate. Prof. Nahar further stated that the fire extinguishers are a great safety tool and getting training on the proper use and maintenance of this life saving tool is key. The Fire Safety session was conducted by Mr. Amit. The meticulous interactive session included a demonstration about operating fire extinguisher in case of fire emergency. The live demonstration session was created in a situation which replicates what would happen if a real fire were to occur by having a mock fire outside the hostel compound and the technique to use the fire extinguishers was practically done by the residents and staff of the Boy’s Hostel No. 4 in the presence of the hostel warden. While addressing the gathering of residents and staff, Mr. Amit said that when it is time to use the extinguisher on a fire, just remember the catch word ‘PASS’. He elaborated the acronym ‘PASS’ as: 1) Pull the pin. 2) Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire from the recommended safe distance. 3) Squeeze the operating lever to discharge the fire extinguishing agent. 4)Starting at the recommended distance, Sweep the nozzle or hose from side to side until the fire is out. Move forward or around the fire area as the fire diminishes. Watch the area in case of re-ignition. Security staff of the hostel Sardar Pragat Singh stated that it’s a good idea to practice picking up, holding and using a fire extinguisher as one gets a practical experience of handling any untoward break-out of fire. The demonstration was very much useful for the students to understand the working pattern of fire extinguishers. Residents, office staff, gardeners, security personnel and Mess & Canteen workers took active part and witnessed the safety measure wholeheartedly.