Fire
Extinguishers
Smoke alarms and escape plans are two of
the most important components of your overall fire safety plan
for your home or business. A third component of the your plan
may include fire suppression equipment such as a fire
extinguisher.
We are all familiar with what a fire
extinguisher looks like as we see them almost everyday in our
place of work, schools and in shopping areas.
The question is, do we know what to do in
the event of fire and if you are using the correct type of fire
extinguisher for the type of fire you encounter? Do you know how
to safely and effectively use a fire extinguisher?
First, we must understand that fire
extinguishers are tools. A fire extinguisher is no substitute
for a trained, properly equipped fire fighter. Fire
extinguishers are small tools for a small fire. If you feel your
safety is in danger - do not attempt to use a fire extinguisher.
Instead, evacuate the area closing doors behind you to stop the
spread of smoke, toxic gases, heat and fire.
Fire Extinguisher Ratings
Fires extinguishers are rated
by the type or class and size of fire they are capable of
extinguishing. Newer extinguishers use a picture or symbol of
the type or class of fire they can by used to fight.
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Class A Extinguishers
will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as
wood and paper. The numerical rating for this class of
fire extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire
extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will
extinguish.
The symbol you may see to
designate the extinguisher may be used on a Class A fire
is a green triangle with the letter A in the middle.
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Class B
Extinguishers should be used on fires involving
flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc.
The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher
states the approximate number of square feet of a
flammable liquid fire that a non-expert person can
expect to extinguish.
The symbol you may
see to designate the extinguisher may be used on a Class
B fire is a red square with the letter B in the middle.
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Class C
Extinguishers are suitable for use on
electrically energized fires. This class of fire
extinguishers does not have a numerical rating. The
presence of the letter “C” indicates that the
extinguishing agent is non-conductive.
The symbol you may
see to designate the extinguisher may be used on a Class
C fire is a blue circle with the letter C in the middle.
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Class D
Extinguishers are suitable for use on
combustible metal fires. Because combustible metals are
found generally in specialized processing areas, the
class D rating is found only on extinguishers designed
for combustible metal fires and rarely will a household
fire involve these types of materials.
There is no picture
designator for Class D extinguishers. These
extinguishers generally have no rating nor are they
given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of
fires.
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Multi Class
Extinguishers are extinguishers available today
can be used on different types of fires and will be
labeled with more than one designator, e.g. A-B, B-C, or
A-B-C. Make sure that if you have a multi-purpose
extinguisher it is properly labeled.
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Old
& New Labeling
This is the old style
of labeling indicating suitability for use on Class A,
B, and C fires.
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This is the new labeling style
with a diagonal red line drawn through the picture to
indicate what type of fire this extinguisher is NOT
suitable for. In this example, the fire extinguisher
could be used on Ordinary Combustibles and Flammable
Liquids fires, but not for Electrical Equipment fires.
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Types of Fire
Extinguishers
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Dry Chemical
extinguishers are usually rated for multiple purpose
use. They contain an extinguishing agent and use a
compressed, non-flammable gas as a propellant.
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Halon
extinguishers contain a gas that interrupts the
chemical reaction that takes place when fuels burn.
These types of extinguishers are often used to protect
valuable electrical equipment since them leave no
residue to clean up. Halon extinguishers have a limited
range, usually 4 to 6 feet. The initial application of
Halon should be made at the base of the fire, even after
the flames have been extinguished. |
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Water:
These extinguishers contain water and compressed gas and
should only be used on Class A (ordinary combustibles)
fires. |
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Carbon Dioxide
(CO2) extinguishers are most effective on Class
B and C (liquids and electrical) fires. Since the gas
disperses quickly, these extinguishers are only
effective from 3 to 8 feet. The carbon dioxide is stored
as a compressed liquid in the extinguisher; as it
expands, it cools the surrounding air. The cooling will
often cause ice to form around the “horn” where the
gas is expelled from the extinguisher. Since the fire
could re-ignite, continue to apply the agent even after
the fire appears to be out. |
How to Use a Fire
Extinguisher
Even though extinguishers come in a number
of shapes and sizes, they all operate in a similar manner.
Here's an easy acronym for fire extinguisher use:
P
A S S - Pull,
Aim, Squeeze,
and Sweep
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Pull
the pin at the top of the extinguisher that
keeps the handle from being accidentally pressed. |
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Aim
the nozzle toward the base of the fire. |
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 Stand
approximately 8 feet away from the fire and squeeze
the handle to discharge the extinguisher. If you release
the handle, the discharge will stop.
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Sweep
the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire.
After the fire appears to be out, watch it carefully
since it may re-ignite!
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If you have any questions concerning
Fire
Extinguishers
contact:
The Township of Chatham - Fire Prevention Bureau @ 973-635-3211.
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