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Kanagawa, Japan
A fire broke out in a 2-story building
Resulted in the death of 2 people
Two other people were injured due to smoke inhalation, among other reasons
According to the investigation
In the fire
About 80% of the victims
Died from smoke inhalation
Why is smoke so lethal?
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High temperatures burn human organs
After the fire breaks out, the temperature of the smoke produced by burning in the fire can be as high as 700°C, and while burning the skin, the inhaled high-temperature smoke will burn the nasal cavity, throat, organs, etc., causing suffocation and death of the injured.
Toxic and irritating combustion products are lethal
In the event of a fire, the combustion of goods consumes a large amount of oxygen, and at the same time, it also produces toxic and irritating toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide. Toxic smoke can damage the human nervous system, easily make people unconscious, incapacitated, and a large amount of smoke produced by combustion will block the respiratory system and cause suffocation.
It spreads quickly, reducing the chance of escape
Before the fire arrives, the smoke arrives first, especially in high-rise buildings, and the high-temperature smoke generated by the fire is constantly accumulating at the top of the passage under the dual action of buoyancy and chimney effect.
The chimney effect
The "chimney effect" refers to the phenomenon of indoor air rising or falling along the vertical slope of space, causing air convection. After a fire breaks out in a high-rise building, the smoke spreads vertically through stairwells, pipe shafts, and gaps in glass curtain walls. Under the chimney effect, smoke envelops the entire stairwell at breakneck speed.
In the thick smoke
What are the common toxic ingredients?
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hydrogen cyanide
Hydrogen cyanide gas can kill people when it reaches a concentration of 300 milligrams per cubic meter in the air. Hydrogen cyanide poisoning begins with fatigue, dizziness, headache, chest tightness, and occasional nausea and vomiting, followed by convulsions, coma, and respiratory arrest. Hydrogen cyanide gas is produced by the combustion of polyurethane foam in seats, sofas, mattresses, women's underwear, etc.
acrolein
Acrolein decomposes toxic vapors when heated, which can irritate the eyes and make people cry, and irritate the skin and cause burns. In a fire, inhalation of large amounts of acrolein can cause pneumonia, pulmonary edema, shock, nephritis and heart failure.
hydrogen chloride
Inhalation of small amounts of hydrogen chloride can cause tearing and sore throats, but not enough to be fatal.
Dioxins
Dioxins are by-products of combustion and various industrial production, can exist in the human body for up to 5-10 years, long-term exposure to dioxins may cause deafness, depression, cancer, and may also affect male fertility.
氮的氧化物(NO、NO2)
When nitrogen oxides are inhaled in large quantities, they can irritate your respiratory system, causing pulmonary edema and even death.
Carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide
Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are generally the most toxic gases in the smoke produced by home fires, and they are also the real "death" hidden in the smoke. The affinity of carbon monoxide and hemoglobin is 200-300 times higher than that of oxygen and hemoglobin, and the combination forms carboxyprotein, which makes hemoglobin lose its oxygen-carrying capacity and cause suffocation, especially the most serious impact on the cerebral cortex. Carbon monoxide suffocation is also the leading cause of death in actual fires.
Ah Xiao reminds
In the event of a fire
How can we avoid smoke?
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Reduce smoke at the source
When decorating, non-combustible or flame-retardant building materials are selected as much as possible to reduce the generation of smoke, and smoke-proof partitions are designed to concentrate the smoke in a specific space, which is conducive to exhausting the smoke to the outside through smoke exhaust facilities.
Learn about the smoke roadmap
Elevator halls, stairs, and ventilation holes in high-rise buildings are often places where fires spread and rise, so they should be avoided. Fireworks go up, people go down. If you are unable to cross the fire floor, go to the upper floor to find a suitable shelter and wait for rescue, and take measures to prevent smoke.
Wear a smoke mask
It is recommended to always have a smoke mask at home in case of emergency, and you can also cover your mouth and nose with a wet towel in case of emergency.
Lots of water spraying
When it is necessary to stay in the room for evacuation, close the doors and windows that communicate with the smoke, block the gaps between the doors and windows with soaked clothes to reduce the entry of smoke, spray a large amount of water in the house to reduce the temperature and density of the smoke, and curb the spread of smoke.
Close the fire door
Normally closed fire doors must be closed at ordinary times and opened when people are moving. When entering the evacuation stairwell, no matter how tight the time is, close the fire door to prevent smoke and flames from spreading from the fire door, so as to buy more time for yourself and others to escape.
Be sure to master the three tips for fire escape
Smoke-free and quick escape
The smoke retreated and waited for help
There is smoke to deal with calmly
Poke the picture to learn more
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Source丨Guangdong Fire Protection, Foshan Fire Protection, National Emergency Management, Global Network, etc
Editor丨Huang Junnan
Proofreading丨Zhang Jiefei
Audit丨Wang Xichen