Fire Extinguisher AwarenessFire Extinguisher Awareness

Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool

Loss Prevention1-800-537-6655www.tmlirp.org

SAFETY TRAINING - Fire Extingusher Training 2

Fire Extinguisher Fire Extinguisher AwarenessAwareness

OVERVIEW

- Chemistry of Fire

- Classes of Fires and Fire Extinguishers

- Location of Fire Extinguishers

- Inspection and Maintenance of Fire Extinguishers

- How to Use A Fire Extinguisher

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Fire Fire ChemistryChemistry

Oxy

gen Hea

tFuel

ChemicalReaction

Four basic elements:Four basic elements:must be present for fire.

Oxygen-Oxygen- to sustain combustion, Fuel-Fuel- to support the combustion,

Heat-Heat- to raise the material to its ignition temperature,Chemical Reaction-Chemical Reaction- between the other three elements.

To extinguish a fire:

Remove any one of the four elements

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Classes of Fires/ExtinguishersClasses of Fires/Extinguishers

Class A-Class A- Ordinary Combustibles (wood, paper, grass, cloth, rubber and many plastics)Class B-Class B- Flammable Liquids (oil, paint, gasoline, diesel, grease, and flammable gasses)Class C-Class C- Energized Electrical Items (any piece of electrical equipment involved in a fire)Class D-Class D- Combustible Metals (magnesium, titanium,

zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium)Class K-Class K- Cooking Media (fats, oils, grease)

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There are two types of labels: • one that uses colored geometrical

shapes with the appropriate letter designation,

• the other is a picture/symbol labeling system designed to make the selection of extinguisher type more easy.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS FIRE EXTINGUISHERS RATINGSRATINGS

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This is the old style of labeling, designating suitability on Class A, B, and C fires.

This is the new designation, showing that this extinguisher would be suitable for use on Ordinary Combustibles, Flammable Liquids, and Electrical Equipment.

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The new system draws a diagonal red line across the type of fire that the extinguisher is NOTNOT designed for use.

This fire extinguisher is suitable for use on Ordinary Combustibles and Flammable Liquids, but not Electrical Equipment.

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Many extinguishers available today are suitable for use on different types of fires, and so will be labeled A-B, B-C, or A-B-C.

Every extinguisher of this type must be clearly labeled, and if it is not, insist that the proper label be applied.

MULTI-CLASS RATINGS

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Classes of Fires/ExtinguishersClasses of Fires/Extinguishers

Class A- Works by Cooling

- Numerical rating indicates amount of agent, duration and range of discharge on test fires.

A

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Classes of Fires/ExtinguishersClasses of Fires/Extinguishers

Class B- Works by blanketing the fuel and

interrupting the chemical reaction at the fuel surface.

- Ratings indicate the area in square feet of flammable liquid fire that a unit will extinguish.

B

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Classes of Fires/ExtinguishersClasses of Fires/ExtinguishersClass C

- Works by displacing oxygen and smothering fire

- Class C units have no rating and no should not imply any capacity

- Indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive and can be used on energized equipment

C

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Classes of Fires/ExtinguishersClasses of Fires/ExtinguishersClass D

- Generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.

- Extinguishers for Class D fires are labeled with a list detailing the metals that match the unit's extinguishing agent.

D

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Classes of Fires/ExtinguishersClasses of Fires/ExtinguishersClass K- Works by a unique phenomenon called "saponification". This occurs when the free fatty acids from the saturated fats, combined with an alkaline dry chemical, form soapy foam on the surface of the oil. This foam acts much like traditional fire fighting foams to hold in the vapors and steam, and extinguish the fire.

- ABC (multi-purpose type) dry chemicals will not produce the saponification effect because the base chemical (ammonium phosphate) is acidic in nature.

- Generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.

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Classes of Fires/ExtinguishersClasses of Fires/ExtinguishersOther Types of Extinguishers (Good for General Use)Other Types of Extinguishers (Good for General Use)

Dry Chemical extinguishersare usually Multi-Class rated,and contain an extinguishingagent and a compressed,non-flammable gas as apropellant.

Halon extinguishers contain a gas that interrupts the chemical reaction taking place as fuels burn. These extinguishers are often used to protectvaluable electrical equipment as they leave no residue to clean up. Halon extinguishers have a limited range (4 to 6 feet) and the initial application should be made at the base of the flames, even after the flames have been extinguished.

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Classes of Fires/ExtinguishersClasses of Fires/ExtinguishersOther Types of ExtinguishersOther Types of Extinguishers

WATER - These extinguishers contain waterand compressed gas, and should only be usedon Class A (ordinary combustible) fires.

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are primarily effective in extinguishing Class B and C (liquids and electrical) fires. Since the gas dissipates quickly, they only have an effective reach of 3 to 8 feet. The carbon dioxide is stored as a compressed liquid, and as it expands it cools the surrounding air, often causing ice to form on the "horn" and can produce a static electrical discharge. Since the fire could re-ignite, application should continue even after the fire is out.

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Location of Location of ExtinguishersExtinguishers

FireFire ExtinguishersExtinguishers ShouldShould BeBe……

- Clearly Visible- Clearly Visible

- Readily Accessible for Immediate - Readily Accessible for Immediate UseUse

- Near Paths of Travel and Exits- Near Paths of Travel and Exits

- Not Blocked By Equipment or - Not Blocked By Equipment or MaterialsMaterials

- Kept In Designated Location When - Kept In Designated Location When NotNot Being UsedBeing Used

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- Extinguishers with a gross weight not exceeding 40 lbs should be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 5 ft above the floor.

- Extinguishers with a gross weight greater than 40 lbs, except wheeled types, should be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 3 1/2 ft above the floor.

- In no case can the clearance between the bottom of the extinguisher and the floor be less than 4 in.

NFPA Standard

Location of Location of ExtinguishersExtinguishers

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Location of Extinguishers

5 ftMax

3 1/2 ftMax

Over 40 lbs.

Under 40 lbs.

4”Min

NFPA Standard

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Inspection Inspection && Maintenance Maintenance ofof

Fire ExtinguishersFire ExtinguishersExtinguishers should be visually and Extinguishers should be visually and physically inspected (checking the physically inspected (checking the following) at least once per month:following) at least once per month:

- Mechanical parts of the device (shell and other parts)

- Amount and condition of the extinguishing agent

- Condition of the means for expelling the agent

Thorough maintenance and service checks Thorough maintenance and service checks of extinguishers should be completed on an of extinguishers should be completed on an annually byannually by a qualified service provider.a qualified service provider.

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The THREE A'sThe THREE A's

When a fire occurs, remember the Three A’sThree A’s:

1. 1. ActivateActivate the buildings fire alarm system or contact the Fire Department by calling 911.

2. 2. AssistAssist any persons in immediate danger, or those incapable on their own, to exit the building without risk to yourself.

3. 3. AttemptAttempt to extinguish the fire only after the first only after the first two stepstwo steps are completed.are completed.

Rules To Live By:Rules To Live By:

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Rules To Live By:Rules To Live By:

Before fighting a fire with an extinguisher, Before fighting a fire with an extinguisher, keep these rules in mind:keep these rules in mind:

- - Know what is burning.Know what is burning. If you don't know what is burning, you don't know what type of extinguisher to use. Even if you have an ABC extinguisher, there may be something in the fire that is going to explode or produce highly toxic smoke. Chances are, you will know what's burning, or at least have a pretty good idea, but if you don't, let the fire department handle it.

- - The fire is spreading rapidly beyond the spot where it started.The fire is spreading rapidly beyond the spot where it started. The time to use an extinguisher is in the incipient, or beginning, stages of a fire. If the fire is already spreading quickly, it is best to simply evacuate the building, closing doors and windows behind you as you leave.

- - The final rule is to always position yourself with an exit or The final rule is to always position yourself with an exit or means of escape at your back before you attempt to use an means of escape at your back before you attempt to use an extinguisher to put out a fire.extinguisher to put out a fire. In case the extinguisher malfunctions, or something unexpected happens, you need to be able to get out quickly, and you don't want to become trapped. Just remember, always keep an exit at your back.always keep an exit at your back.

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HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHERHOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHERExtinguishers come in a wide variety of shapes

and sizes, but the operation of each is similar.

** There is an easy acronym to remember to ** There is an easy acronym to remember to use extinguishers:use extinguishers:

P A S SP A S S which stands for Pull,

AAimim,

SSqueezequeeze, and

SSweepweep.

FIRE FIRE EXTINGUISHERSEXTINGUISHERS

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How To Use A Fire ExtinguisherHow To Use A Fire Extinguisher

PP PullPull the pin the pin at the top of the extinguisherat the top of the extinguisher

AA AimAim the nozzle the nozzle at the base of the fireat the base of the fire

SS SqueezeSqueeze the handle the handle to discharge the extinguisherto discharge the extinguisher

SS SweepSweep the nozzle back and forth the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fireat the base of the fire

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How To Use A Fire ExtinguisherHow To Use A Fire Extinguisher PullPull AimAim SqueezeSqueeze SweepSweep

P.A.S.S.P.A.S.S.

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For 'Hands-On Training' for your For 'Hands-On Training' for your department and any additional or more department and any additional or more specific information regarding fire specific information regarding fire extinguishers awareness, please extinguishers awareness, please contact:contact:

- Your Local Fire Marshal/Fire - Your Local Fire Marshal/Fire DepartmentDepartment

- National Fire Protection Association - National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)(NFPA)

Additional Information

Fire Extinguisher AwarenessFire Extinguisher Awareness

Thank You Thank You

Texas Municipal League Intergovernmental Risk Pool

Loss Prevention1-800-537-6655www.tmlirp.org