Encourage people to contact their fire department if they would like fire extinguisher training or have any questions. In some cases, particular extinguishers are not only considered ineffective against certain classes of fire, they can be dangerous if used in those circumstances. The class of a fire is determined by the type of fuel that is burning, and. A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. Its important to help the public understand that with proper training and education, fire extinguishers can save lives and property. Fire extinguisher classes the fire classification system is designed to categorise fires into groups based on the type of fuel involved. Class a extinguishers are for use only on class a fires. Dry chemical extinguishers put out fire by coating the fuel with a. Two courses introducing the types of fire extinguishers, classes of fire and fire triangle. Newer fire extinguishers use a picturelabeling system to designate which types of fires they are to be used on so users can quickly identify the classes of fire on which the extinguisher will be effective. Know what to do if you find a fire be able to correctly and safely select and use a fire extinguisher.
Fires are classified by the types of materials that are burning. It cannot be known which extinguisher or which system will be depended upon to operate in a fire incident. Portable fire extinguishers pass be sure to remember the pass operatin gtechnique for portable. Move forward or around the fire area as the fire diminishes. It is not intended for use on an outofcontrol fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user i. A class a extinguisher is typically either a pressurized can of water that can be sprayed on a fire or a container of water with a pump mechanism. If a department would like to purchase an extinguisher for use in their space, then contact ehs for approval. All you ever wanted to know about fire extinguishers. What fire is causes of fire importance of portable fire extinguishers classifications of fire types of portable fire extinguishers visual inspection how to use a portable fire extinguisher rules for fighting fires reporting an emergency. Fire extinguishers explained types of fires types of fire extinguishers foam fire extinguisher used for. Most extinguishers are rated to fight a, b and c fires, but not all. Upon approval from ehs, it is now the duty of the department to inspect the extinguisher every month verifying. The class of a fire is determined by the type of fuel that is burning, and how these fire are tackled varies depending on its class. The 3 as cont attempt attempt to fight a fire only after the first two steps have been completed and you feel confident in yourself to do so.
Pull the pin aim at base of fire squeeze the handle sweep from side to side types of fires. If you need to purchase a fire extinguisher, you may have questions about the different types that are available. Each type is easily identifiable by their names, colours. Fire class of extinguisher extinguisher fire it limitations type extinguishes comments dry chemical a, b, c generally good for use in roofing. Ehs will inspect fire extinguishers monthly and annually that are required by code. Download fire extinguisher training pdf yale emergency. The district encourages all businesses and homeowners to keep a fire extinguisher available, especially in kitchen and garage areas, and offer training to those who may need to use the extinguisher. The following table illustrates the types of extinguishers, fire classes for which each is used and the limitations of each extinguisher. Extinguisher class a b c metal d f fire extinguisher suitability class a fires class b fires class c fires class d fires electrical fires class f fires type of fire extinguisher. Types of fire extinguishers different types of fire extinguishers are designed to fight different classes of fire.
The time to use an extinguisher is in the beginning incipient stage of a fire. Pdf guide to fire classes elite fire protection ltd. Fire extinguisher training washington township dublin, oh. Operational safety rules for fire extinguisher use are. The fire risk from the different classes of fire in your home or your business premises will determine which fire extinguisher types you need. Some extinguishers are classified for only one type of fire, others may be classified for multiple types of fires.
Nfpa 102018 standard for portable fire extinguishers, 2018 edition is available on the ansi webstore. If you were to use the wrong type of fire extinguisher on the wrong class of fire, you may or may not be able to control or even extinguish the fire. Fire extinguisher types we explain the different types of fire. Portable fire extinguisher guide remember hte pass word for using a portable fire extinguisher. Class c fires involve live electrical equipment and require the use of an extinguishing agent andor extinguisher that will not conduct electricity back to the fire.
Type of extinguishers and the classes of fire for which they can be used. To ensure your employees are prepared to deal with emergencies in the workplace, we use the stateoftheart bullex fire extinguisher training system, designed to help you educate employees and comply with state and. When you run a business, you are responsible for the safety of your employees and. Know where fire extinguishers are located never place a pressurized fire extinguisher upright unless you are holding it if it falls over the nozzle can break off. A aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle or hose at. Basic fire extinguisher training online powerpoint training. Fire extinguisher types and fire classes in australia. Fire is the rapid oxidation of any combustible material. The wrong type of extinguisher can be dangerous or life. The five classes of fires and the fire extinguishers that stop them. Each type of fire extinguisher is suitable for different types of burning media and will have a fire rating based on the volume of fire that they are capable of extinguishing. Every proposal, every installation and all maintenance performed on every fire extinguisher or fire extinguishing system should strive to complete and maintain this triangle concept. Not only is it smart to keep fire extinguishers in your home, its also the law in many states.
Pulling the pin unlocks the operating lever or buttno so you can discharge the extinguisher. Fire extinguishers are rated to fight different classes of fire. How to use a portable fire extinguisher brought to you by. Pdf guide to fire classes though all fires have the potential to endanger lives and destroy businesses, it is important to recognise the differences between the various types, known as fire classes. An abc extinguisher will have a label like this, indicating that it may be used on class a, b and c fires. When buying fire extinguishers for your business, its important to buy the right type of fire extinguisher for your needs.
Types of extinguishers cont dry chemical dry chemical is the most widely used type of fire extinguisher and is also recognized as a multipurpose abc fire. Identifying fire extinguisher types and classes fire extinguishers have always been the simplest and most recognizable form of fire suppression. Make sure the fire extinguisher you use will work on the fire youre facing. Practice the steps of operating a portable fire extinguisher, then test your skills on a live fire generated and controlled using our special training equipment. Every fire extinguisher is rated for the types of fires its effective in putting out. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the. Starting at the recommended distance, sweep the nozzle or hose from side to side until the fire is out. Fire extinguisher ratings numeral fire class range direct index of the size fire the quantity of agent can handle 1a thru 40a a trash wood paper indication of the square foot area of flammable liquid the extinguisher will handle 1b thru 640b b liquids grease c electrical equipment no numeral is used because there are no degrees of. When its time to use a fire extinguisher, just remember pull aim squeeze sweep pass. A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives.
You dont want to mistakenly use a bc extinguisher on a class a fire, thinking that it was an abc extinguisher. Class b fires generally involve materials that boil or bubble. The fire must be discovered in its incipient stage for the extinguisher to be effective. Below is an overview of each type of fire extinguisher including its rating and suitable uses. The fire is spreading rapidly beyond the spot where it started. Ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, trash, and plastics. I have identified things i feel are important points for you to learn from this presentation. The operator must adequately secure each fire extinguisher within or on the vehicle by the placement of the unit or using a cage, harness, or strap that protects the extinguisher and vehicle occupants. The types of fire extinguisher and classes of fire explained in a simple guide. Class of fire extinguisher is appropriate for instructions on use. An alternative method of extinguishing a class a fire is. Types of fires and extinguishing agents the fire equipment. This type of fire burns with an ember, leaves an ash, and is best extinguished by removing the heat side of the triangle. Class d fires are fires in combustible metals such as potassium, sodium.
Read our fire extinguisher safety tips to learn how to stay safe and dont forget to make sure you have the right coverage if your. There are basically four different types or classes of fire extinguishers, each of which extinguishes specific types of fire. Extinguishers are labeled to correspond to the classes of fires they are designed to fight. Common fire extinguisher classes and suitability guide. Understanding this will allow you to correctly use the right fire extinguisher. A fire incident is the ultimate test of the triangle. Common fire extinguisher classes and suitability guide there are other special types of extinguishers available for more specific risks. The extinguisher must be the right type for the fire. Always have an exit to your back in case you need to escape. Only use a fire extinguisher when the fire is in its early stages you dont know what is burning. Remove the power and the class c fire becomes one of the other classes of fire. Represent the types of fire or class, for which the extinguisher has been approved for.
Fire extinguishers safety training handout extinguishers are classed by the type fire they can put out. Each fire class is represented by a letter of the alphabet with the exception of electrical which are simply referred to as electrical fires and an icon. Fire extinguisher training western carolina university. Identifying fire extinguisher types and classes piper fire. Fire extinguishers are for small fires in the early stages.
There are several different classifications of fires based primarily on the fuel source. Portable fire extinguishers shall be provided for employee use and selected and distributed based on the classes of anticipated workplace fires and on the size and degree of hazard which would affect their use. For example the number in front of the a classification is the rating and indicates how much water the extinguisher is equivalent to, and. Fire extinguisher ratings are based on the five classes of fires. Each type of extinguisher may be rated for one or more classes of fire.
Portable fire extinguisher fire equipment manufacturers association. Portable fire extinguisher safety safetyskills online. The successful use of a fire extinguisher depends on the following conditions. Classes of fires and extinguishers not all fires are the same. For example, a simple water extinguisher might have a label like this, which means it should only be used on class a fires. Some extinguishers are combination types that can be used on several different types of fires. Many adults might not know how or when to use fire extinguishers. Learn about the different classes of fire and types of extinguishers used in the fire service.
Its important to make sure you have the right types of fire extinguishers on hand to put out common household fires. Download free mep calculation excel sheets, autocad drawings, and training courses for hvac, firefighting, plumbing and electrical systems design. Dry chemical extinguishers put out fire by coating the fuel with a thin layer of dust, separating the fuel. Pull the safety pin, check the gauge, test away from the fire. Fire extinguisher program environmental health and safety. Do you have the right fire extinguishers for your unique risks.
Know where fire extinguishers are located never place a pressurized fire extinguisher upright unless you are holding it if it falls over the nozzle can break off all fire extinguishers should have an. Unless you know what is burning, you wont know what type of fire extinguisher to use. Selection of fire extinguishers there are a number of types of portable fire extinguishers available in australia. For more information, or to request a date, call 614 6523947. Its very important to understand the four different fire or fuel source classifications. Use a fire extinguisher that is approved for the class of fire. The fire classification marking system is expanded to include markings for extinguishers rated for class ac and class ak, while removing information on obsolete equipment.
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