Building Defenses Through Training: Preventing Fires Before They “Ignite” — A Documentary on Sichuan Wanshengtong’s Fire Drill and Training

        To further enhance all employees’ fire safety awareness and their ability to respond effectively to initial-stage fires, the company organized a realistic, field-oriented fire drill and training session on May 6, 2006. This exercise focused on the most commonly used fire-fighting equipment in daily operations, combining theoretical instruction with hands-on practice to ensure that every employee “understands the principles, can operate the equipment, and is capable of responding to emergencies,” thereby solidly reinforcing the company’s safety production safeguards.

Fire Extinguisher Use and Hands-On Drill

【Operating Guidelines】

Always remember the four-step “lift, pull, grip, and press” method: lift the fire extinguisher, pull out the safety pin, grip the front end of the nozzle (aiming it at the base of the fire), and press down on the lever. When spraying, stand upwind or to the side-upwind, about 2–3 meters from the fire, and sweep the nozzle left and right at the base of the flames until the fire is completely extinguished.

See the figure below for details:

 

【Precautions】

 

• Before use, always check the pressure gauge; only operate the device if the pointer is in the green zone.

• It is strictly prohibited to spray against the wind to prevent dry powder from rebounding, obscuring visibility, or causing asphyxiation.

• Once a fire extinguisher has been opened, it must be sent for inspection and recharging, regardless of whether it has been fully used.

• Fire extinguishers shall be inspected monthly, and any aged nozzles or rusted cylinders must be replaced immediately.

During the hands-on training session, employees participated in oil-pool fire suppression in small groups, following the safety officer’s guidance to master the entire process—from retrieving the equipment and assuming the correct stance to initiating the spray—thereby truly transforming “theoretical knowledge” into “muscle memory.”

During the hands-on training session, employees participated in oil-pool fire suppression in small groups, following the safety officer’s guidance to master the entire process—from retrieving the equipment and assuming the correct stance to initiating the spray—thereby truly transforming “theoretical knowledge” into “muscle memory.”

【Operating Guidelines】

The two personnel operate in coordination: one swiftly opens the fire hydrant cabinet door, pulls out the hose, and lays it straight; one end is securely connected to the hydrant nozzle, while the other end is attached to the nozzle and firmly held. After confirming everything is in order, the other person slowly turns the valve counterclockwise to supply water, with the nozzle operator controlling the direction of the water stream.

【Precautions】

• Fire hoses must be laid out in a straight, taut line; twisting, knotting, or routing through areas exposed to high temperatures or sharp objects is strictly prohibited.

• Valves shall be opened slowly to prevent sudden increases in water pressure that could cause hose disconnection or loss of control by personnel.

• Be sure to drain any accumulated water from the pipes after use, and provide frost protection and insulation during winter.

• During routine inspections, key checks include verifying the integrity of interface sealing rings and ensuring that valves operate smoothly and freely.

On-site instruction and hands-on practice were conducted on the fire hydrant operation procedure, including hose connection and valve opening to discharge water, with standardized movements and seamless coordination, thereby laying a solid foundation for emergency response.

Use and Precautions for Fire Hydrants in the Workshop

Operation of fire hydrants in the workshop is essentially the same as outdoors; in some cases, the fire pump start button must be pressed first, and the valve should be opened only after the water pressure has stabilized. In the event of an equipment fire, “de-energize first, then extinguish”; under no circumstances should live electrical equipment or flammable materials be doused with water. For fires involving energized equipment at height, use a spray pattern to extinguish the flames, in order to prevent secondary hazards.

[Precautions for Workshop Fire Hydrants]

• Zero-Obstruction Management: It is strictly prohibited to stack materials or tools, or to park vehicles within 1.5 meters in front of and on both sides of fire hydrants; the signage on the hydrant cabinet must be highly visible.

• Memorize key locations: Each employee must know the location of the nearest fire hydrant and the alternate escape route for their workstation, and team leaders must provide safety reminders during daily shift handovers.

• Repair Closure Loop: Safety officers shall conduct regular inspections. If water hoses are found to be moldy, hose connectors are stripped, valves are stuck, or pressure is insufficient, immediate repair notification and action must be taken; the use of equipment with known defects is strictly prohibited.

This specialized workshop training was conducted by safety engineers, who tailored the instruction and demonstrations to the specific conditions on site, ensuring seamless integration between theoretical guidance and actual operating conditions.

Exercise Summary

This fire drill covered the entire process, with employee participation exceeding 98%. Safety Officer Mr. Qu stated: “There are no small matters when it comes to safety; prevention is key. The purpose of this drill is to strengthen employees’ safety awareness, standardize operating procedures, and safeguard both personal and workplace safety.”

The company will continue to implement a normalized safety management system, regularly update emergency response plans, and optimize the layout of equipment and facilities, ensuring that safe production is not merely a slogan but is firmly embedded in daily operations.

Safety is the bottom line of development, and compliance is the safeguard of life.

Let us take this drill as an opportunity to remain vigilant at all times, diligently hone our skills, and jointly safeguard a safe production environment!