Fire Extinguisher Safety Introduction: A fire extinguisher can be a life-saving device when used properly. Fire can be very dangerous and destructive, and a fire extinguisher could help lessen the damage. Fire extinguishers are designed to put out or control small fires. A small fire, if not attended to immediately, will soon spread out of control. It is important that you equip your workplace with the proper fire extinguishers as part of your fire protection plan. It is also the law. For a fire extinguisher to be effective, the following conditions must be met:     

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 small and manageable the person using the extinguisher must be trained to use it properly

Fire Composition: There are three key elements that must be present for a fire to exist. There must be Oxygen to sustain combustion, Heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature, and Fuel to support the combustion. Together, they produce the chemical reaction that is fire. Take away any of these three elements, and the fire will be extinguished.

Fire Extinguishing Methods: Fires can be extinguished in one of four ways: 1) By cooling. Water is used to cool the burning material below the temperature at which it starts to burn. 2) By smothering. Carbon dioxide or foaming agents are used to smother the burning material so that air is excluded. 3) By removing the fuel. This is usually very difficult to do. An example is turning off a fuel line. 4) By disrupting the chemical chain reaction or interrupting the flame. Dry chemicals or halon are used to do this.

Types of Fires: • Class A o Fires with trash, wood, paper or other combustible materials as the fuel source • Class B o Fires with flammable or combusting liquids as the fuel source • Class C o Fires involving electrical equipment • Class D o Fires with certain ignitable metals as a fuel source

Types of Extinguishers: • Water (APW)

o Takes away the Heat element of the fire triangle o Suitable for Class A (wood, paper, cloth) fires only

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) o Takes away the Oxygen element o Suitable for Class B & C (flammable liquid and electrical) fires only

• Dry Chemical (ABC, BC, DC) o Dry Chemical Extinguishers comes in a variety of types  “DC” short for “dry chemical”  “ABC” indicating they are designed to extinguish class A, B, and C fires  “BC” indicating they are designed to extinguish class B and C fires o Extinguishers put out fire by coating the fuel with a thin layer of dust, separating the fuel from the oxygen in the air

Extinguisher Maintenance: Extinguishers must be properly maintained to ensure that they will work when needed, and that they are safe to use. Adequate maintenance of extinguishers consists of regular inspections, recharging as needed, and a complete annual checkup and servicing. Records must be kept of all maintenance work, including inspections. Inspections should be performed on each extinguisher at least once a month, and more often where needed. Inspections are visual check to determine that:  The extinguisher is well supported: o Hangers are fastened solidly  It is accessible: o Can be easily reached o Location signs are clear o Class markings are clear o Operation instructions are clear  It is in working condition: o Discharge opening is clear o Is fully charged o Has not been tampered with o It is not damaged  The ring pin is in place  The seal is intact

Spent extinguishers should be recharged immediately and returned to their proper locations. Follow manufacturer’s instructions for recharging. Complete examination of each extinguisher should occur at least once a year, and whenever monthly inspections indicate that this may be needed.

Records should be kept detailing each inspection and service for each extinguisher. A durable tag should be attached to each extinguisher detailing the following:  Dates of monthly inspections, recharging, and servicing  Name of servicing agency  Signature of person who performed the service A permanent record should be kept for each extinguisher that shows:     

Serial number and type of extinguisher Location of extinguisher Inspection date Description of maintenance work or hydrostatic tests carried out Date of next inspection

 Date of scheduled annual servicing  Inspector’s comments  Inspector’s signature Extinguisher Use: As soon as a fire is discovered:  Sound the alarm and start to evacuate  Call the fire department  Attempt to fight the fire only if you know the class of fire, you know how to effectively use a fire extinguisher, and if the fire is in the beginning stage Remember P-A-S-S when using an extinguisher: P- Pull the locking pin before using A- Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire. Not at the flames or smoke

S- Squeeze the lever of the fire extinguisher to operate and discharge S- Sweep the fire extinguisher back and forth at the base of the fire to extinguish *** Most Extinguishers will only allow about 10 seconds of extinguishing media

Employee Training: All employees who may be required to use fire extinguishers should receive training. The training should cover:      

Extinguisher locations Classes of fire most likely to break out in their area Markings on extinguishers When and how to use extinguishers Health and safety hazards Importance of sounds the alarm