RADFORD UNIVERSITY
FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING
INTRODUCTION
Portable fire extinguishers are the first line of defense against a fire. Used properly they can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. However, to do this safely users must understand the limitaions of portable fire extinguishers and the hazards associated with fighting fires. Even against small fire, fire extinguishers are useful only if::
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
1. The Safety Office will place, inspect, and maintain all fire extinguishers on campus.
2. Distribute portable fire extinguishers based on the class and size of anticipated fires.
3. Locate fire extinguishers so travel distances are less than 75 feet for ordinary combustibles, 50 feet for flammable liquids and 75 feet for combustible metals.
4. Place fire extinguishers near exits where they are readily visible and easily accessible to employees.
5. Mount fire extinguishers at least 4 inches from the floor with the top no higher than five feet from the floor.
6. Do not place extinguishers in areas where they could be easily damaged and never block fire extinguishers with supplies or equipment.
7. Keep fire extinguishers fully charged, in operable condition and in their designated places at all times.
8. Visually inspect fire extinguishers monthly. Confirm that the extinguisher is in its proper location and is not blocked. Ensure that the exinguisher has adequate pressure, the nozzle is not obstructed, pin and tamper seal are intact, the tag is on the extinguisher, and there is no obvious damage.
9. Perform an annual maintenance check on all fire extinguishers. Turn the fire extinguisher upside down and hit it several times with a rubber mallet to break up the powder.
10. Perform six-year maintenance tests and twelve-year hydrostatic prressure test on all fire extinguishers. These tests are performed by a contractor to ensure that the powder will flow smoothly and the cylinder is safe to use.
11. Provide training to employees to teach them the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with fighting a fire. Training must be done upon initial employment and at least annually.
12. Replace discharged fire extinguishers as soon as possible.
CLASSES OF FIRES
All fire extinguishers are labeled as to the class and size of fire they can be used against. All fires are not the same. They are classified acording to what's burning and care must be used to ensure you have the right extinguisher. To be effective, the fire extinguishing agent must match the type of fire. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can also be dangerous, for example using a water fire extinguisher on a flammable liquid fire may spread the fire.
Class A- ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and plastics
Class B- f lammable liquid and gas fires such as solvents, oil, gasoline, propane, and grease
.
Class C- energized electrical equipment. Remove the current and the fire becomes an A or B.
Class D- combustible metals such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium
Class K- used in commercial kitchens for grease fires
NUMERICAL RATINGS
Fire extinguishers should have a numerical rating (e.g., 4A:60B:C) on the label to tell you how large a fire you ca
n expect to put out with the extinguisher. The larger the number the larger the fire it can put out. Numbers are proportional so a 4A will extinguish a fire twice as large as a 2A.
Class A - approximate number of gallons of water the extinguisher holds or its equivalency
Class B- approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid that a non-expert could expect to extinguish
Class C and D- do not have numerical ratings. The presence of a "C" means the extinguishing agent is nonconductive.
Most fire extinguishers on campus are rated 4A:60B:C. A good fire extinguisher for home use would have a 2A:10B:C rating.
MULTI-CLASS RATING
Most fire extinguishers will have a pitograph label that shows what type of fire the extinguisher may be used against. A diagonal red line drawn through a picture indicates that the extinguisher is not to be used to fight this type of fire. In the example to the left, this extinguisher is suitable for ordinary combustibles but NOT flammable liquids and electrical equipment fires.
TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
Portable fire extinguishers apply an extinguishing agent that will either cool burning fuel, displace oxygen, or stop the chemical reaction so a fire cannot continue to burn. Different types of fire extinguishers are designed to fight different classes of fires. The most common types of fire extinguishers are listed below.
Pressurized Water- For Class A fires only. Contains 2 ½ gallons of water and weighs about 25 lbs. Discharges in about 1 minute, with a range of 10-20 feet. Do not use on electrical, flammable liquid fires, or class D fires. The only water fire extinguishers on campus are in the police department, grounds department, and the safety office for use against mulch fires.
Dry chemical - Two types are commonly found, BC for use on grease fires in kitchens, and multipurpose ABC extinguishers used for all types of fires. BC extinguishers typically contain sodium bicarbonate and ABC units use ammonium phosphate. Approximately 95% of the fire extinguishers on campus are multipurpose ABC. Discharges in 10-25 seconds, with a range of 6-15 feet. Weighs from 7 to 30 pounds. These units coat objects with a non-flammable residue reducing the likelihood of reignition. Makes a big mess and leaves a mildly corrosive residue. Clean up as soon as possible.
Carbon Dioxide- Rated for Class B & C fires. Can be used on Class A fires if nothing else is available but the material may reignite. Ranges in size from 15-40 lbs. Discharges in 15-30 seconds with a range of 3-8 feet. Recognized by its hard horn and no pressure guage. Do not touch the plastic horn when the fire extinguisher discharges; it gets very cold. Leaves no residue. Found in some computer rooms on campus.
Dry Powder - Use on Class D fires only. Works by smothering the fire. Apply slowly and cover the burning metal. Uses a copper or sodium chloride based powder. These extinguishers are very heavy - an extinguisher containing 30 pounds of powder weighs 53 pounds. Found in the chemistry and theater departments.
Halon- Halon is a colorless and odorless gas that evaporates after use and leaves no residue. It does not damage electrical equipment. Used in computer rooms. Rated Class BC. Range about 10-15 feet. Although the production of halon stopped in 1994, it is still legal to buy and use halon extinguishers.
Wet chemical- A wet chemical (potassium acetate based) is highly effective in extinguishing class K fires, particularly those found in deep, fat fryers. Range of 10-12 feet. Discharges in about 40 seconds. Also good for Class A and C fires. These fire extinguishers are required in commercial kitchens constructed after June 30, 1998. Can be used for fires involving any type of grease. Does not leave a residue.
HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER
To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:
P ULL the pin and twist to break the plastic seal. You can now discharge the fire extinguisher. The pin prevents you from accidently discharging the extinguishers.
A IM the nozzle at the base of the fire. Do not aim at the flames. The extinguishing material will go right through the flame. Hit the fuel. Stand back 8-10 feet.
SQUEEZE the handle to release the extinguishing agent.. Hold the handle firmly. If you release the handle the discharge will stop.
.
SWEEP from side to side. Slowly walk in towards the fire while your sweeping. After the fire is out watch it carefully for reignition.
HOW TO FIGHT A FIRE
1. Assist anyone in danger if you can do so without putting yourself at undue risk.
2. Evacuate the area by pulling the fire alarm or verbally warning the occupants.
3. Call the fire department at 9-911 and campus police at 5500. In most buildings on campus the fire alarm automatically notfies the fire department. Pull-stations that do not notify the fire deparment are labeled.
4, Attempt to fight the fire if it is small and not spreading to other materials. Be cautious, a fire can double in size in a few minutes.
5. Don't fight a fire that is producing a lot of heat or smoke. If you easily feel the heat at 10-15 feet and/or smoke is filling the room decreasing visibility, back off. Remember, seven out of ten fire related deaths are due to smoke and toxic gas inhalation.
6. Make sure you know what is burning. There may be something in the fire that may explode or produce toxic gases.
7. If you decide to fight the fire, make sure you have the proper fire extinguisher and you know how to use it. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher could be dangerous.
8. Ensure you have a way out and can fight the fire with your back to an exit. Don't get trapped. If possible, have someone back you up.
IF YOU HAVE ANY DOUBT ABOUT YOUR SAFETY, DO NOT FIGHT A FIRE.
Contain the fire by closing the door and exit the building. Make sure the fire alarm has been pulled and the fire department has been called.