What does the acronym RACE stand for in fire safety?

RACE stands for Remove, Alarm/Alert/Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate. Keeping cool, calm, and united when a fire breaks out is a good idea. However, this is not always possible. People can panic when they see the flames and smoke rising from their faces. They are not wrong. It is dangerous to be around a fire! It can be overwhelming when your safety and security are at stake. This can make it hard to remember and adhere to fire safety procedures. In this article, we will discuss RACE in detail.

Experts have developed acronyms to make fire safety best practices more easily remembered. RACE stands for Remove/Rescue Alarm/Alert Confine/Contain and Extinguish/Evacuate. This is what you should do when facing a fire incident. Let’s have a closer look below at the RACE acronym.

RACE acronym is a 4-step fire plan that everyone on your team can remember.

Fires can cause panic and confusion. Although your healthcare staff and workplace may be familiar with the fire plan of your organization, it is easy to forget essential details in the chaos of the moment. While briefing the article RACE in fire safety, RACE stands for Remove, Alarm/Alert/Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate. This is an excellent tool for emergencies, especially when panic sets in. This is a brief overview of the components of a RACE in fire alarm plan.

What does RACE stand for?

R = RESCUE/ REMOVE Anyone in immediate danger from the fire if it does not endanger your life.
A = ALARM/ALERT Sound the alarm by activating a pull station alarm box
C = CONFINE/ CONTAIN The fire by closing all doors and windows
E = EXTINGUISH/ EVACUATE The fire with a fire extinguisher, or EVACUATE the area if the fire is too large for a fire extinguisher.

Rescue/Remove

Once you have been alerted about the presence of a flame, it is important to stop and scan the area immediately. It is essential to ensure that there is an escape route. You should also check if any other people need assistance. Helping others can help bring calmness and clarity to chaotic situations, leading to better decision-making during emergencies.

 When you see others, try to help those hurt or otherwise unable. Even those with no issues should be capable of getting out independently.

Alarm/Alert

Inform others about the fire. Pull the trigger if the alarm system isn’t activated, and it’s safe. This will notify everyone in the building and could also alarm the local fire department.

 If you cannot reach a fire alarm pull station, call 911 after you have contacted safety. You will likely be asked about your location and details about the fire. If there are injuries, then call 911.

Confine/Contain

Confining/containing the fire can slow or stop it from spreading rapidly. As you move to safety, shut down all doors and windows you come across as you exit the room housing the fire.

 As you close everything, be sure not to block or trap anyone. Keep your ears and eyes open while you move through the building, just in case.

Extinguish/Evacuate

You can reach a fire extinguisher safely if you have a small fire. Once you feel confident using it, you can attempt to open the fire. Remember to PASS

• P- Pull the safety Pin to break the seal
• A- Aim at the Seat of Fire
• S- Squeeze the Handle of the fire extinguisher 
• S- Sweep the nozzle side-to-side

Suppose you aren’t confident or unable to extinguish a fire. In that case, it is best to focus on the evacuation of the building. Safety should always be your top priority when putting out a fire.

Remember R.A.C.E. if you’re involved in any class of fire. This will help you respond correctly and safely. 

Useful tips to extinguish fires:

• Only extinguishing contained fires should be the staff’s goal, not trying to extinguish dangerous ones.
• Only allow staff to light a fire if there is an escape route.
• Before putting out the flames, it is important to rescue and evacuate people in immediate danger.
• If staff cannot extinguish the fire, they should immediately evacuate the area and wait for authorities to arrive.

Important to remember

Personal Safety is the top priority for Safety Professionals. The use of appropriate safety equipment along with a Fire Helmet is also necessary to start firefighting. The choice is totally based on individual interest; either the user chooses a European fire Helmet or goes for American Fire Helmet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the R stand for in 1 in the fire acronym RACE?

In the fire safety acronym RACE, the letter “R” stands for “Rescue/Remove.” In the context of fire safety among safety professionals, RACE stands for:

• R – Rescue or Remove trapped victims immediately
• A – Activate the alarm either manually or by electric
• C – Confine or Close doors. This is to contain the fire-spreading process
• E – Extinguish or Evacuate the facility that is on fire by following the emergency evacuation plan

The R in RACE emphasizes the importance of rescuing or removing individuals in immediate danger. It guides safety professionals and first responders to highlight the priority of protecting lives during fire emergencies.

What is the acronym RACE and pass?

The acronym RACE and PASS are both famous among fire safety professionals and widely used in the field of fire safety.

We have already discussed in detail the RACE  acronym that outlines the recommended actions to initiate during a fire emergency.

The acronym PASS is as under;

• P – Pull the pin of the fire extinguisher to unlock the handle
• A – Aim the nozzle or hose by targeting the seat of fire by considering the wind direction in an open environment.
• S – Squeeze the handle to operate the extinguisher
• S – Sweep the nozzle or hose from side to side

Both RACE and PASS are equally important for safety professionals. Therefore, they must be familiar with these in order to respond effectively to fire emergencies.

John

Hi, I am John Smit a Captain in Fire Department City of Newyork with over years of experience in the field of Firefighting and HSE. My passion for fire safety started when I was a young boy and witnessed a neighbor’s house go up in flames along with precious lives. Since then, I had dedicated my life to ensuring the safety of buildings, properties, and individuals in case of a fire and medical emergencies.