An Introduction to Fire Extinguishers

for Fairfax County DPWES

Legal Basis for this Training

Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Standards

29 CFR Part 1910

Subpart L - Fire Protection Standard 1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers

1910.157(b)(1)
Where the employer has implemented a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace and which includes an emergency action plan and fire prevention planand when extinguishers are not available in the workplace, the employer is exempt from all requirements of this section unless a specific standard in Part 1910 requires that a portable fire extinguisher be provided.

1910.157 (g)(1)
Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers the employer shall provide an educational program to familiarize employees with general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting.

OBJECTIVES:
After this training you should be able to:

IDENTIFY 3 common classes of fires SELECT the proper type of extinguisher

EVALUATE when it is safe to

fight an early-stage fire, and;

APPLY the P.A.S.S. method to operate a portable extinguisher.

UNTRAINED PEOPLE Cannot use a fire extinguisher safely because they are:

UNABLE to evaluate a fire

UNAWARE of DANGER due to...

LACKING JUDGEMENT regarding:
Safe and correct use of, and
Limitations of portable extinguishers

WHY UNTRAINED PEOPLE

Cant use a fire extinguisher safely
(continued):

INEXPERIENCED
Dont know about the proper type of extinguisher Dont know how to make a Fight or Flight analysis Unfamiliar with the P.A.S.S. method

COMMON FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS

Ordinary combustibles Paper, wood, rubber, plastics
and textiles. Flammable liquids Oil, gasoline, solvents

Energized circuits
Electrical equipment and computers

HOW THEY WORK:

Works by cooling. Numerical rating indicates amount of agent, duration, and range of discharge on test fires. Area of Class A fire which a non-expert can extinguish, with proper training
1-A is equivalent on Class-A fire to five liters of water. 2-A contains has twice as much extinguishing agent.

HOW THEY WORK:

Works by blanketing the fuel. Interrupts chemical reaction at fuel surface. Class B ratings signify the area in square feet of flammable liquid fire a unit will extinguish when used, by a trained, non-expert.

HOW THEY WORK:

Class C units have no numerical rating. A Class C rating doesnt imply any capacity. Only indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive, safe on energized equipment. Works by displacing oxygen, smothering fire.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Can be CARRIED to a fire Weigh from 5 to 30 pounds

NFPA Class and Rating

Arabic numerals according to efficiency - 4A extinguishes
twice as much Class A fire as 2A

Portable Fire Extinguishers

LIMITED IN:
Capacity - 1.5 to 25 lbs.
extinguishing agent
of

Range - Typically 3 to 15 feet Duration - Discharge their

contents in only 5 to 30 seconds!

Extinguisher Common features

Locking pin Carrying handle / operating lever Pressure gauge Label :
Type (Water, C02, Dry Chemical) Classification (A, B, C) NFPA capacity Rating Instructions

Discharge nozzle or horn

COMMON TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:

WATER DRY CHEMICAL CO2 and Halon

WATER
Water + CO2 propellant ONLY for Class fires wood / paper, etc. Spreads burning liquids! DANGER of electric shock if used on on live circuits!

MULTI-PURPOSE RATED
Either Or

DRY CHEMICAL

Best for general use:

Reduced risk of re-ignition
A 10 lb. unit empties in 8-10 secs.
Effective range of 6 ft. to 15 ft.

C02 -

Rated

Best on burning liquids / electrical SHORT range - 3 to 8 ft. 10- pound unit empties in 5 to 10 seconds! Use short spurts!

DISPERSES QUICKLY!
Continue applying after the fire is out!

Unit gets VERY cold - hold properly

Halon
Best for computers / electronics
Weight-for-weight TWICE as effective as C02 No residue, easy clean-up VERY SHORT range, 3 to 6 ft. Like C02, Discharges QUICKLY! Like C02, Disperses QUICKLY!
Continue after flames are extinguished

In case of burning odor or smoke:

Call 911 First! Notify Security - X 43434

Disconnect Equipment
Remove combustibles, if you can do so without danger to yourself

Notify Floor Monitors

and Emergency Safety Coordinator

REACT
upon discovery of fire or smoke

Remove persons in immediate danger! Ensure doors are closed! (confine fire/smoke) Activate the building alarm ! Call the Fire Department ! Treat ALL fires as DANGEROUS!
Continue a complete building evacuation Do not attempt to fight a fire UNLESS you are OSHA certified in use of a fire extinguisher !

Use a portable extinguisher ONLY if the:

Building is being evacuated (Fire alarm has been pulled)
Fire Department has been called (Dial 911!) Fire is NOT spreading (small and contained)

EXIT IS CLEAR (fight fire with your back to an exit )

Proper extinguisher is at hand, and... You have been trained and know how to use it!
You use Buddy System - have someone back you up! Get assistance BEFORE trying to fight a fire!

Remember the PASS word:

1) Keep your back to a clear escape route, 2) Stand back 6 to 8 feet from the fire, 3) Then

P.A.S.S.

PULL AIM

SQUEEZE SWEEP

>>:

PULL the pin

AIM
LOW at the base of the fire

SQUEEZE
the lever

SWEEP
from side to side

OK, Its out Now What?

WATCH the fire area
If the fire flares up again repeat! If you cant control the fire, LEAVE immediately!

Call the fire department to inspect the scene!

Recharge or replace any used fire extinguisher!

Sources for further information:

http://www/usfa.fema.gov/safety/sheets.htm

http://www.nfpa.org/education/index.html
http://www.ilpi.com/safety/extinguishers.html

OR . . .Contact Fire PIO-LSE at 703-246-3801

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
This safety training module was developed in cooperation with:

the National Fire Protection Association and the Public Information and Life Safety Education Section of the
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22020 www.co.fairfax.va.us/ps/fr/general/Piolse.htm (703) 246-3801 or (703-385-4419 TTY
Portions 1995-2000 by Dr. Robert Toreki, used by permission

http://www.ilpi.com/safety/extinguishers.html