Use of Fire Extinguishers

 Do and Donts
Classes of fire
Type of fire extinguisher
Australian standards
Limits
Inspection of fire extinguisher
Common Features
Practical Use
Use of Fire Extinguishers

 DO NOT use unless you are very confident that youre

not going to hurt yourself in the process.
Use caution when operating the carbon dioxide
extinguishers - youre hand could freeze to the nozzle.
Always point at the base of the fire.
Practical training in the use of fire extinguishers should
be encouraged.

Before attempting to fight a fire with an

extinguisher check the extinguisher's suitability with the class
of fire.
Fire Extinguishers are for small fires. Don't
endanger yourself or your colleagues by
attempting to fight a fire too close or too big.
Maintain a distance of at least 2m from fire.

Use of Fire Extinguishers

The use of the wrong type of

extinguisher can be VERY
dangerous. Please do not use
them unless you are VERY sure
of what to do.

Class A Paper, textiles, wood, most plastics and

rubber

Class B Flammable liquids

Class C Combustible gases
Class D Combustible metals such as magnesium,
potassium,
titanium, and zirconium
Class E Electrically energised equipment
Class F Cooking oils or fats

Use of Fire Extinguishers

Works by cooling use on paper, wood, rubber, plastic ,

fabric & textile fires.
Type of extinguisher used
Water
Wet chemical
Foam
Powder ABE
Vaporizing liquid

Use of Fire Extinguishers

 Works by blanketing the fuel.

Interrupts chemical reaction at fuel surface.

Type of extinguisher used

Chemical foam
Chemical powder ABE and BE
Carbon dioxide

Use of Fire Extinguishers

These fires follow the same basic fire tetrahedron (heat, fuel,
oxygen, chemical reaction) as ordinary combustible fires,
except that the fuel in question is a gas such as natural gas
Work by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of the fire.
Type of extinguisher used
Dry chemical ABE AND AB

Use of Fire Extinguishers

 The dry chemical powder use in most ABE fire extinguishers

is called mono ammonium phosphate.
This powder has the ability to melt and flow once heated
which allows it to coat the fuel and extinguish the fire
especially class A and E fires.
With class B fires the powder smothers the surface of the
fire and stops the vapour (fuel) escaping and therefore
extinguishing the fire straight away.
Flammable liquid fires do not generally store much heat in
the fuel source, therefore the powder will not normally melt.
BE type dry chemical powder extinguishers differ in that
they do not melt onto the fuel surface and are therefore
ineffective against class A fires giving them a BE rating

Use of Fire Extinguishers

10

Works by displacing oxygen, smothering fire.

Use on electrical equipment
Type of extinguisher used
Dry Chemical powder ABE and BE
Carbon dioxide
Vaporizing liquid

Use of Fire Extinguishers

11

Work by smothering and heat absorption.

Type of extinguisher used

Dry chemical powder .
The most common of these agents are sodium
chloride
granules and graphite powder.

Use of Fire Extinguishers

12

Though such fires are technically a subclass of the

flammable liquid/gas class, the special characteristics of
these types of fires, namely the higher flash point, are
considered important enough to recognize separately
Work by inhibiting the chemical chain reaction of the fire.
Type of extinguisher used
Dry Chemical (BE only)
Carbon dioxide
Wet chemical

Use of Fire Extinguishers

13

Use of Fire Extinguishers

14

 Capacity - 0.5g to 11kg

approximately of extinguishing
agent
Range - Typically 1m to 6m
Duration - Discharge their contents
in only 5 to 45 seconds!

Use of Fire Extinguishers

15

 Know where all of the portable fire extinguisher should be

located and document any missing extinguishers so that they
may be replaced.
When approaching the extinguisher check that it is easily
seen and not blocked by equipment or other objects that
could interfere with access in an emergency.
Check that the operating instructions on the name plate are
facing outward and are legible.
Make sure that the pin and safety seal are intact and not
broken.
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.
Use of Fire Extinguishers

16

 Examine the extinguisher for obvious physical damage,

corrosion, leakage, or clogged nozzle.
While you are examining the extinguisher feel the weight,
does the unit feel full?
Is the Hazardous Materials Identification System (HMIS)
Label in place?
Look at the maintenance tag attached to the extinguisher
and verify that the last maintenance date was not more
than 12 months ago.
If all of the above conditions are met, initial and date the
back of the tag
Use of Fire Extinguishers

17

Use of Fire Extinguishers

18

Remove persons in immediate danger!

Alert others and Emergency Services
Contain fire and smoke (close doors)
Evacuate &/or extinguish
Use of Fire Extinguishers

19

Use of Fire Extinguishers

20

 WATCH the fire area

If the fire flares up again repeat!
If you cant control the fire, LEAVE immediately!
Recharge or replace any used fire extinguisher!

Thank you
Use of Fire Extinguishers

22