Fire Extinguishers
TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
When selecting a fire extinguisher, it is important
to think about the type of fire you will most likely have and the extinguishing
agents available. Each class of fire is best fought by a specific extinguishing
agent. You will find a color-coded box on
your fire extinguisher identifying which classes of fire it can be used for,
and the type of fire extinguishing agent it contains.
The
following is a list of the types or classes of fire:
- Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. The numerical rating on these types of extinguishers indicates the amount of water it holds and the amount of fire it can extinguish.
- Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. The numerical rating for class B extinguishers indicates the approximate number of square feet of fire it can extinguish.
- Class C fires involve electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical shock is far too great! Class C extinguishers do not have a numerical rating. The C classification means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.
- Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are usually items not found in a typical home.
The
most common and universal fire extinguisher is the Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical (covers
all A, B & C fires). It has a dry chemical agent called mono
ammonium phosphate. The chemical is non-conductive and can be mildly corrosive
if moisture is present. In order to avoid corrosion, it is necessary to scrub
and thoroughly cleanup the contacted area once the fire is out.
LOCATION
Location,
location, location! Having a fire extinguisher is one thing, having it handy in
case of an emergency, is another. It is recommended to have at least one fire
extinguisher on each floor of your home. Also, keep them in plain sight and no
more than five feet above the floor. The most important places to have a fire
extinguisher are in areas that are more susceptible to fire. These areas are
the kitchen and the garage. Also beware of heating and electrical equipment.
Kitchen: According to U.S. Fire Administration statistics, the
kitchen is the place where fires most often start. If you have a fire
extinguisher in the kitchen, most grease fires can be contained. Do not put the
fire extinguisher near the stove as it will be out of your reach if the fire is
on the stovetop. You should not have to risk burns just to reach your
extinguisher. Therefore, the best place to put the fire extinguisher is by the
door of the kitchen so you have easy access to it.
Garage: It is a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher here
because in most homes, this is the place we use as storage. Often, leftover
paints, solvents, and building materials will be piled up without a second
thought. Again, the best location to mount the fire extinguisher is by the
door.
Heating
Equipment: Heating equipment is the
leading cause of home fires during the winter months of December, January and
February, and is the second-leading cause of home fires year-round.
Electrical
Equipment:Wiring, outlets, switches, circuit
breakers and other electrical devices are the third leading cause of home fires
and the second leading cause of fire deaths.
HOW TO USE AN EXTINGUISHER
When using a fire extinguisher, use the PASS
method. Use this acronym as a quick
reference (it is a good idea to print this reference and pin it next to your
fire extinguisher):
Pull the Pin
at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and will
allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important - in order to put
out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the
extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher
back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from
a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it
starts to diminish. Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher
- different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different
distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!
Before deciding to fight a
fire, be certain that:
- The fire is small and not spreading. A fire can double in size within two or three minutes.
- You have the proper fire extinguisher for what is burning.
- The fire won't block your exit if you can't control it. A good way to ensure this is to keep the exit at your back.
- You know your fire extinguisher works. Inspect extinguishers once a month for dents, leaks or other signs of damage. Assure the pressure is at the recommended level. On extinguishers equipped with a gauge, the needle should be in the green zone - not too high and not too low.
- You know how to use your fire extinguisher. There's not enough time to read instructions when a fire occurs.
How to Fight a Fire
Safely:
- Always stand with an exit at your back.
- Stand several feet away from the fire, moving closer once the fire starts to diminish.
- Use a sweeping motion and aim at the base of the fire.
- If possible, use a "buddy system" to have someone back you up or call for help if something goes wrong.
- Be sure to watch the area for awhile to ensure it doesn't re-ignite.
Never Fight a Fire If:
·
You don't
know what is burning.
·
You don't
have the proper fire extinguisher.
·
There is too much smoke or you are at risk of inhaling smoke.
This information is a summary
taken from http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/ For more in depth information, please go to their
website.
