Understanding how fire starts, spreads, and is extinguished is the foundation of effective fire safety. This module covers the fire triangle (fuel, oxygen, heat) and the fire tetrahedron (adding chain reaction), how fire behaviour changes in different environments, and the four stages of fire development — incipient, growth, fully developed, and decay. Participants learn how fires spread through buildings by convection, conduction, and radiation — and why early detection and response is critical.

Not all fires are fought the same way. Using the wrong extinguishing agent on the wrong fire class can escalate an incident dramatically. This module teaches the complete Saudi / international fire class system:

• Class A — Ordinary combustibles: wood, paper, fabric, plastics

• Class B — Flammable and combustible liquids: petrol, oil, solvents, diesel

• Class C — Flammable gases: LPG, natural gas, hydrogen

• Class D — Combustible metals: aluminium powder, magnesium, titanium

• Class F — Cooking oils and fats: deep fryers, commercial kitchens

• Electrical fires — not a class but a special risk requiring non-conductive agents

Participants learn to systematically identify fire hazards across different Saudi workplace environments: industrial sites, office buildings, commercial kitchens, warehouses, and construction sites. Topics include ignition source control (hot work, electrical faults, static discharge), fuel management (housekeeping, chemical storage, LPG handling), oxygen control, and the specific fire risks of extreme desert heat, sand contamination of equipment, and Ramadan period operational changes.

Prevention is the first and most effective line of fire defence. This module covers hot work permit systems (welding, cutting, grinding), safe storage and handling of flammable materials under SASO standards, electrical safety maintenance and inspection, housekeeping and waste removal schedules, and the role of safety audits and near-miss reporting in preventing fire incidents before they occur.

Understanding the types and limitations of fire detection systems commonly found in Saudi workplaces: ionisation smoke detectors, optical smoke detectors, heat detectors, flame detectors, and manual call points. Participants learn how to respond correctly when an alarm activates — including the difference between genuine alarms and false alarms — and how to test and maintain detection systems.

Overview of fixed fire suppression systems used in Saudi industrial and commercial environments: wet and dry sprinkler systems, foam suppression for flammable liquid stores, CO₂ and gaseous systems for electrical and server rooms, and dry chemical powder systems for petrochemical applications. Participants learn when suppression systems activate, what to do when they discharge, and how to re-enter areas safely after suppression.

Practical, hands-on training is the centrepiece of this module. Participants learn to:

• Match the correct extinguisher type to each fire class: water, foam, dry powder (ABC), CO₂, wet chemical, and specialist agents

• Operate a portable fire extinguisher correctly using the PASS technique: Pull — Aim — Squeeze — Sweep

• Understand the limitations of portable extinguishers — only appropriate for incipient-stage fires

• Recognise when NOT to fight a fire and when to evacuate immediately

• Inspect and maintain extinguishers as a designated fire warden

This module is specifically designed for employees designated as fire wardens or fire marshals. Responsibilities covered include: pre-shift fire checks, monitoring fire hazards throughout the working day, responding first on scene to activate alarms and assess fire conditions, directing evacuation, performing roll call and headcount, communicating with Civil Defence teams on arrival, and post-incident reporting. Saudi workplaces with large or multilingual workforces receive tailored guidance on communication and evacuation protocols.

Participants learn to design, implement, and test an effective workplace fire emergency plan. Topics include: identifying and marking primary and secondary evacuation routes, assembly point selection and management, accounting for mobility-impaired workers and visitors, conducting effective fire evacuation drills (frequency, documentation, debrief), and updating emergency plans following building changes or workforce changes.

All participants complete a hands-on extinguisher familiarisation session using live or training extinguishers under instructor supervision. This ensures every participant leaves with real confidence in operating firefighting equipment in an emergency — not just theoretical knowledge.