An Introduction to

Fire Extinguishers

HEART Trust/NTA Kenilworth Academy

 Legal Basis
for this Training
Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Occupational Safety and Health Standards

Portable fire extinguishers

 Fire Safety Training
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.
 Conditions
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. of
extinguishing agent

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!
 DRY CHEMICAL
MULTI-PURPOSE RATED
Either Or

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 956 - 2220 First!
Notify Security Ex: 263
Disconnect Equipment
Remove combustibles, if you can do
so without danger to yourself
Notify Safety 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 P.A.S.S.
word: PULL
1) Keep your back to AIM
a clear escape route,

2) Stand back 6 to 8 SQUEEZE

feet from the fire,

3) Then >>:
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:
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:
This safety training module was developed in cooperation with: