Fire Extinguisher Basics
This is what we teach our CERT volunteers regarding fire extinguishers:
DO NOT FIGHT A FIRE IF - You don't know what is burning!
Wrong extinguisher can make things worse
Risk of toxic fumes, explosion hazards
Note presence of NFPA labels and placards!
Class A - "Ordinary" combustibles
such as paper, wood, rubber, plastics textiles.
Works by cooling. Numerical rating indicates amount of agent, duration, and rate of discharge on test fires. Area of Class A fire which a "non-expert" can extinguish, with proper training
1-A is equivalent on Class-A fire to five liters of water.
2-A contains has twice as much extinguishing agent.
Class B - "Flammable liquids"
Oil, gasoline, solvents
Works by blanketing the fuel. Interrupts chemical reaction at fuel surface.
Class B ratings signify the area in square feet of flammable liquid fire a unit will extinguish when used, by a trained, "non-expert."
Class C - "Energized Circuits"
Electrical equipment and computers
Class "C" units have no numerical rating.
Class "C" rating implies no capacity, but only indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive, safe on energized equipment. Works by displacing oxygen, smothering fire.
Portable Fire Extinguishers
LIMITED IN:
Capacity - 1.5 to 25 lbs. of extinguishing agent
Range - Typically 3 to 15 feet
Duration - Discharge their contents in only 5 to 30 seconds!
Common types:
Class A - Air-Pressured Water (APW)
Water + CO2 propellant
ONLY for Class A fires, wood / paper, etc.
Spreads burning liquids!
DANGER of electric shock if used on on live circuits!
Class B or ABC Multi-rated DRY CHEMICAL
Best for general use. Reduced risk of re-ignition
A 10 lb. unit empties in 8-10 secs. Effective range of 6 ft. to 15 ft.
Class BC - CO2
Best on burning liquids / electrical
SHORT range - 3 to 8 ft.
10- pound unit empties in 5 to 10 seconds!
Use short spurts! DISPERSES QUICKLY!
Continue applying after the fire is out!
Unit gets VERY cold - hold properly
Class BC - Halon
Best for computers / electronics
Weight-for-weight TWICE as effective as C02
No residue, easy clean-up
VERY SHORT range, 3 to 6 ft.
Like C02, Discharges QUICKLY!
Like C02, Disperses QUICKLY!
Continue discharge after flames are extinguished
Vehicle Fires Usually Start In the:
CAB
Electrical shorts under dash, often caused by improperly installed (unauthorized ) accessories
Discarded cigarettes igniting trash or upholstery
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Fuel or oil system leaks onto hot engine
Pre-trip inspection, and proper maintenance
IMMEDIATE ACTION:
If a motor vehicle catches fire during operation:
PULL ENTIRELY OFF THE ROAD - Into a paved parking lot, or open field
NEVER into a gas station!
CONTACT YOUR DISPATCHER - CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!
FIRE IN CAB
TURN OFF THE IGNITION! - Stops flow of current to equipment
EXIT THE CAB! - Identify the source of smoke or fire
EXTINGUISH THE FIRE ONLY IF:
1) You know what is burning, and fire is small / contained.
2) Extinguisher is available and you have been trained
3) Fire Department has been called, and you can fight the fire from outside
of the cab or with your back to a clear exit.
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT
TURN OFF THE IGNITION! - Stops flow of current to equipment
EXIT THE CAB! - Identify the source of smoke or fire
DO NOT OPEN THE HOOD! - (air intensifies fire!)
KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY! - until the Fire Department arrives
100 feet in front of or behind vehicle, stay away from vehicle sides, exploding tire hazard!
IN A BUILDING EITHER AT HOME OR AT WORK
Upon discovering burning odor or smoke:
Call 911 First!
Disconnect Equipment
Remove combustibles, if you can do so without danger to yourself
Notify Building Security
REACT
Remove persons in immediate danger!
Ensure doors are closed! (confine fire/smoke)
Activate the building alarm !
Call the Fire Department !
Treat ALL fires as DANGEROUS!
Continue a complete building evacuation.
Do not attempt to fight a fire UNLESS you are trained
Building is being evacuated (Fire alarm has been pulled)
Fire Department has been called (Dial 911!)
Fire is NOT spreading (small and contained)
EXIT IS CLEAR (fight fire with your back to an exit )
Proper extinguisher is at hand, and...
You have been trained and know how to use it!
You use "Buddy System" - have someone back you up!
Get assistance BEFORE trying to fight a fire!
Remember the P(t)ASS word:
Keep your back to an unobstructed exit,
Stand at least 6 to 8 feet from the fire, then:
PULL the pin
(Test ONLY upon your approach to the fire)
Otherwise the powder extinguishing agent may clog the nozzle if unit is squeezed and released.
AIM
LOW at the base of the fire
SQUEEZE
the trigger / lever
SWEEP
Discharge cone or stream from side-to-side
WATCH the fire area. If the fire flares up again repeat!
If you can't control the fire, LEAVE immediately!
Call the fire department to inspect and "overhaul" the scene!
Recharge or replace any partially-used fire extinguisher!
For further information:
http://www/usfa.fema.gov/safety/sheets.htm
http://www.nfpa.org/education/index.html
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22020
www.co.fairfax.va.us/ps/fr/general/Piolse.htm
(703) 246-3801 or (703-385-4419 TTY
Portions © 1995-2000 by Dr. Robert Toreki, used by permission
Fire Safety and Fire Extinguishers
This is what we teach our CERT volunteers regarding fire extinguishers:
DO NOT FIGHT A FIRE IF - You don't know what is burning!
Wrong extinguisher can make things worse
Risk of toxic fumes, explosion hazards
Note presence of NFPA labels and placards!
Class A - "Ordinary" combustibles
such as paper, wood, rubber, plastics textiles.
Works by cooling. Numerical rating indicates amount of agent, duration, and rate of discharge on test fires. Area of Class A fire which a "non-expert" can extinguish, with proper training
1-A is equivalent on Class-A fire to five liters of water.
2-A contains has twice as much extinguishing agent.
Class B - "Flammable liquids"
Oil, gasoline, solvents
Works by blanketing the fuel. Interrupts chemical reaction at fuel surface.
Class B ratings signify the area in square feet of flammable liquid fire a unit will extinguish when used, by a trained, "non-expert."
Class C - "Energized Circuits"
Electrical equipment and computers
Class "C" units have no numerical rating.
Class "C" rating implies no capacity, but only indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive, safe on energized equipment. Works by displacing oxygen, smothering fire.
Portable Fire Extinguishers
LIMITED IN:
Capacity - 1.5 to 25 lbs. of extinguishing agent
Range - Typically 3 to 15 feet
Duration - Discharge their contents in only 5 to 30 seconds!
Common types:
Class A - Air-Pressured Water (APW)
Water + CO2 propellant
ONLY for Class A fires, wood / paper, etc.
Spreads burning liquids!
DANGER of electric shock if used on on live circuits!
Class B or ABC Multi-rated DRY CHEMICAL
Best for general use. Reduced risk of re-ignition
A 10 lb. unit empties in 8-10 secs. Effective range of 6 ft. to 15 ft.
Class BC - CO2
Best on burning liquids / electrical
SHORT range - 3 to 8 ft.
10- pound unit empties in 5 to 10 seconds!
Use short spurts! DISPERSES QUICKLY!
Continue applying after the fire is out!
Unit gets VERY cold - hold properly
Class BC - Halon
Best for computers / electronics
Weight-for-weight TWICE as effective as C02
No residue, easy clean-up
VERY SHORT range, 3 to 6 ft.
Like C02, Discharges QUICKLY!
Like C02, Disperses QUICKLY!
Continue discharge after flames are extinguished
Vehicle Fires Usually Start In the:
CAB
Electrical shorts under dash, often caused by improperly installed (unauthorized ) accessories
Discarded cigarettes igniting trash or upholstery
ENGINE COMPARTMENT
Fuel or oil system leaks onto hot engine
Pre-trip inspection, and proper maintenance
IMMEDIATE ACTION:
If a motor vehicle catches fire during operation:
PULL ENTIRELY OFF THE ROAD - Into a paved parking lot, or open field
NEVER into a gas station!
CONTACT YOUR DISPATCHER - CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT!
FIRE IN CAB
TURN OFF THE IGNITION! - Stops flow of current to equipment
EXIT THE CAB! - Identify the source of smoke or fire
EXTINGUISH THE FIRE ONLY IF:
1) You know what is burning, and fire is small / contained.
2) Extinguisher is available and you have been trained
3) Fire Department has been called, and you can fight the fire from outside
of the cab or with your back to a clear exit.
FIRE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT
TURN OFF THE IGNITION! - Stops flow of current to equipment
EXIT THE CAB! - Identify the source of smoke or fire
DO NOT OPEN THE HOOD! - (air intensifies fire!)
KEEP BYSTANDERS AWAY! - until the Fire Department arrives
100 feet in front of or behind vehicle, stay away from vehicle sides, exploding tire hazard!
IN A BUILDING EITHER AT HOME OR AT WORK
Upon discovering burning odor or smoke:
Call 911 First!
Disconnect Equipment
Remove combustibles, if you can do so without danger to yourself
Notify Building Security
REACT
Remove persons in immediate danger!
Ensure doors are closed! (confine fire/smoke)
Activate the building alarm !
Call the Fire Department !
Treat ALL fires as DANGEROUS!
Continue a complete building evacuation.
Do not attempt to fight a fire UNLESS you are trained
Building is being evacuated (Fire alarm has been pulled)
Fire Department has been called (Dial 911!)
Fire is NOT spreading (small and contained)
EXIT IS CLEAR (fight fire with your back to an exit )
Proper extinguisher is at hand, and...
You have been trained and know how to use it!
You use "Buddy System" - have someone back you up!
Get assistance BEFORE trying to fight a fire!
Remember the P(t)ASS word:
Keep your back to an unobstructed exit,
Stand at least 6 to 8 feet from the fire, then:
PULL the pin
(Test ONLY upon your approach to the fire)
Otherwise the powder extinguishing agent may clog the nozzle if unit is squeezed and released.
AIM
LOW at the base of the fire
SQUEEZE
the trigger / lever
SWEEP
Discharge cone or stream from side-to-side
WATCH the fire area. If the fire flares up again repeat!
If you can't control the fire, LEAVE immediately!
Call the fire department to inspect and "overhaul" the scene!
Recharge or replace any partially-used fire extinguisher!
For further information:
http://www/usfa.fema.gov/safety/sheets.htm
http://www.nfpa.org/education/index.html
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department
4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22020
www.co.fairfax.va.us/ps/fr/general/Piolse.htm
(703) 246-3801 or (703-385-4419 TTY
Portions © 1995-2000 by Dr. Robert Toreki, used by permission
Fire Safety and Fire Extinguishers
