120 Larch Street

Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 1C2

Tel: 1 705 673 2000

1 800 461 1106
Fax: 1 705 675 7461
www.gougeoninsurance.com

Fire Safety & Fire Extinguisher Training Module

Introduction
This training module is designed for use by resorts when training and retraining Staff about Fire Safety
and fire extinguisher use. It is important to remember that all fires are dangerous and can grow in size
rapidly, and become out of control.

Characteristics of Fire
Fire is a living, breathing process that is commonly
referred to as the process of combustion. Combustion
is the self-sustaining process of rapid oxidation of a
fuel, which produces light and heat.
Fire is the result of this rapid combustion reaction.
Fire needs 3 items to survive and sustain combustion:
fuel, heat and oxygen. These three things combined
create the chemical chain reaction that causes
combustion; the result is fire. Remove any 1 of these
three items and the chain of combustion is broken and
the fire is extinguished.
Removal of Fuel ex: Turning the source off (natural gas) from a BBQ fire will cease the fire.
Removal of Heat ex: Turning the element off on a stove with a pot of grease on it will decrease the
extent of the fire and if given
time will extinguish itself.
Removal of Oxygen ex:
Putting a lid on the same pot of
grease will smother the fire
and remove the oxygen, thus
extinguishing the fire.

DISCLAIMER: This document is provided as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice or
opinion.

120 Larch Street

Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 1C2

Tel: 1 705 673 2000

1 800 461 1106
Fax: 1 705 675 7461
www.gougeoninsurance.com

How Fire Extinguishers Work?

Portable fire extinguishers apply an
extinguishing agent that will cool the burning
fuel, displace or remove oxygen, or stop the
chemical reaction so a fire cannot continue to
burn. When the handle of an extinguisher is
compressed, it opens an inner canister of highpressure gas that forces the extinguishing
agent from the main cylinder through a siphon
tube and out the nozzle.

Important Facts about Fire Extinguishers

and Their Use:
- The extinguisher must be right for the
type of fire.
- It must be located where it can be easily
reached.
- It must be in good working order.
The fire must be discovered while it is still small.
The person using the extinguisher must be trained to use it properly.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Water is one of the most commonly used extinguishing agents for type A fires. You can
recognize an APW by its large silver container. They are filled about two-thirds of the way with
ordinary water, then pressurized with air. In some cases, detergents are
added to the water to produce a foam. They stand about two to three feet
tall and weigh approximately 25 pounds when full.
APWs extinguish fire by cooling the surface of the fuel to remove the
"heat" element of the fire triangle.
Never use water to extinguish flammable liquid fires. Water is
extremely ineffective at extinguishing this type of fire and may make
matters worse by the spreading the fire.
Never use water to extinguish an electrical fire. Water is a good
conductor and may lead to electrocution if used to extinguish an electrical
fire. Electrical equipment must be unplugged and/or de-energized before
using a water extinguisher on an electrical fire.

DISCLAIMER: This document is provided as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice or
opinion.

120 Larch Street

Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 1C2

Tel: 1 705 673 2000

1 800 461 1106
Fax: 1 705 675 7461
www.gougeoninsurance.com

Air-pressurized water extinguishers
APWs are designed for Class A (wood, paper, cloth,
rubber, and certain plastics) fires only. They will most
likely have a label on the fire extinguishers similar to the
one below

Carbon Dioxide extinguishers

This type of extinguisher is filled with Carbon Dioxide (CO2), a

non-flammable gas under extreme pressure. These
extinguishers put out fires by displacing oxygen, or taking away
the oxygen element of the fire triangle. Because of its high
pressure, when you use this extinguisher pieces of dry ice shoot
from the horn, which also has a cooling effect on the fire. You
can recognize this type of extinguisher by its hard horn and
absent pressure gauge.
CO2 cylinders are red and range in size from five to 100 pounds
or larger.
CO2 is not recommended for Class A fires because they may
continue to smolder and re-ignite after the CO2 dissipates.
Never use CO2 extinguishers in a confined space while people
are present without proper respiratory protection.

CO2 extinguishers are designed for Class B and C (flammable liquid and electrical) fires only.
They will most likely have a label on the fire extinguishers similar to the one below

DISCLAIMER: This document is provided as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice or
opinion.

120 Larch Street

Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 1C2

Tel: 1 705 673 2000

1 800 461 1106
Fax: 1 705 675 7461
www.gougeoninsurance.com

Dry Chemical extinguishers

Dry chemical extinguishers put out fires by coating the fuel with a
thin layer of fire retardant powder, separating the fuel from the
oxygen. The powder also works to interrupt the chemical reaction,
which makes these extinguishers extremely effective.
Dry chemical extinguishers are usually rated for class B and C fires
and may be marked multiple purpose for use in A, B, and C fires.
They contain an extinguishing agent and use a compressed, nonflammable gas as a propellant.
Dry Chemical extinguishers will have a label indicating they may be
used on class A, B, and/or C fires.
They will most likely have a label on the fire extinguishers similar to
the ones below

OR

DISCLAIMER: This document is provided as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice or
opinion.

120 Larch Street

Sudbury, Ontario
P3E 1C2

Tel: 1 705 673 2000

1 800 461 1106
Fax: 1 705 675 7461
www.gougeoninsurance.com

Extinguisher Use
* Incipient stage fire. The fire is limited to the original material ignited; it is contained (such as in a
waste basket) and has not spread to other materials. The flames are no higher than the
firefighter's head.

As soon as a fire is discovered:

Sound the fire alarm and call 911.
Select a safe evacuation path before approaching the fire, do not allow the heat, smoke,
or fire come between you and the evacuation path.
Discharge the fire extinguisher with its appropriate range using the P.A.S.S techniques
(pull, aim, squeeze, sweep).
Back away from an extinguished fire in case it flames up.
Evacuate immediately if the fire extinguisher is empty and the fire is not yet out.
Evacuate immediately if the fire progresses passed the incipient stage. While in the
process of evacuating double checking letting others aware of the fire taking place.
Tips for safe extinguisher use:
- Test that the extinguisher works before you approach the fire.
- Protect yourself at all times.
- Take care. Speed is essential but it is more important to be cautious.
- Keep your back to the exit at all times and stand 2 to 2.4m (6 to 8 ft.) away from the fire.
Follow the 4-step P-A-S-S procedure:

P A S
ull

im

queeze

weep

After a Fire
-

Ensure that your supervisor has been called.

He/she will make sure that you receive another
extinguisher to replace the one that was used.
Your supervisor will also determine if the area is
safe to resume work and will try to determine the
cause of the fire.

DISCLAIMER: This document is provided as general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice or
opinion.