Fire Extinguisher Training

Training Requirement All staff shall be trained on portable fire extinguisher use during orientation and annually thereafter. • Training may be completed online or in person. EHS is available to assist departments in this effort. • Departments shall be responsible for maintaining records of the employee training. • Records may be entered into IRIS • Training documentation forms are also available on the EHS website under Forms

What you will learn • Fire fundamentals • Classes of fires • Types of extinguishers and where they are located • When to use an extinguisher • Extinguisher operation (PASS system) • Rules, Guidelines, and Safety • Ways to prevent problems

Fires occur here at UTK They can occur in a number of different types of environments • Residence Halls • Maintenance areas where hot-work operations may occur • Laboratories and shops • Laundry facilities • Office areas • Outdoor fires etc...

They take on many forms Such as: • Ordinary Combustibles • Trash fires • Mulch fires

• Flammable liquids • Motor fuels • Flammable solvents

• Electrical Fires • Reactive Metals • Kitchen Fires

Fire Basics • There are two common ways to talk about how fires occur…

Or

Fire Triangle

Fire Tetrahedron

Fire Tetrahedron Model: 4 Parts Four things must be present at the same time in order to produce fire: 1. 2. 3. 4. •

• • •

Enough oxygen to sustain combustion, Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature, Some sort of fuel or combustible material, and The chemical, exothermic reaction that is fire.

Oxygen, heat, and fuel are frequently referred to as the "fire triangle." Add in the fourth element, the chemical reaction, and you actually have a fire "tetrahedron." The important thing to remember is: take any of these four things away, and you will not have a fire or the fire will be extinguished. Essentially, fire extinguishers put out fire by taking away one or more elements of the fire triangle/tetrahedron. Fire safety, at its most basic, is based upon the principle of keeping fuel sources and ignition sources separate.

Fire Extinguisher Classes Not all fuels are the same, and if you use the wrong type of fire extinguisher on the wrong type of fuel, you can, in fact, make matters worse. It is therefore very important to understand the different classifications of fire types.

Fire Extinguisher Classes • A – ordinary combustibles = wood, paper, plastic • B – flammable and combustible liquids = gasoline, alcohols

• C – fires in and around electrical equipment. An electrical fire is only rated as a C when energized equipment is present. A non-energized system could be just an A class

• D – flammable and combustible metals – sodium, potassium, aluminum, magnesium (Unless you work in a laboratory or in an industry that uses these materials, it is unlikely you'll have to deal with a Class D fire.)

• K- commercial kitchens - vegetable grease fires only

Fire Extinguishers on Campus • • • •

How many on campus? Approximately10,000 Most are ABC, either 5 or 10 lb. units A handful of class D extinguishers, 30 lb. units for reactive metals • K Class for vegetable grease fires only in kitchen areas as well

Fire Extinguishers at UTK

ABC Dry Powder General Use: for A, B, and C, type fires (The most common at UT)

Class D Reactive Metals (some labs and shops)

Class K Kitchen Vegetable Grease Fires

Dry Chemical ABC Extinguisher •

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At the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, this is the most common fire extinguisher. The ABC designation indicates that they are designed to extinguish class A, B, and C fires. ABC fire extinguishers are filled with a fine yellow powder. The greatest portion of this powder is composed of monoammonium phosphate. Nitrogen is used to pressurize the extinguishers. ABC extinguishers are usually red and range in size from 2.5 to 20 lbs. on campus. The most common sizes are 5 and 10 lbs.

Class D Extinguisher • At the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, this is an uncommon extinguisher. • Unless you work in a laboratory or in an industry that uses these materials, it is unlikely you'll have to deal with a Class D fire. • They are usually large 30 lb. units that rest on the floor rather than a wall mount. • They are usually yellow and have the distinguishing wand for delivering the extinguishing material.

Class K Extinguisher • At the University of Tennessee – Knoxville, these are located in kitchen areas. • Unless you work in a kitchen you are unlikely to encounter this type. • They are usually unpainted stainless steel

Where are Extinguishers Located? • Locations may vary by building. • Generally near an exit of a room in a wall mounted case or wall mounted hook. • Some buildings have extinguishers primarily in hallways • There may be more extinguishers in areas of higher fire risk. If you feel your area needs evaluation for additional extinguishers contact EHS. • Make sure you know where your nearest one is as well as an alternate.

You are not a firefighter • Do not risk your own safety to fight a fire. • You are required to be trained on the basics of how to use a fire extinguisher, but you are not required to operate a fire extinguisher in the event of a fire. • If you are uncomfortable in any way with using a fire extinguisher, focus on evacuation and activating the alarm.

Rules for Extinguishing Fires Fires can be very dangerous and you should always be certain that you will not endanger yourself or others when attempting to put out a fire. For this reason, when a fire is discovered: Remember the 3 “A”s • Activate the building fire alarm system or notify the fire department by dialing 911 (or designating someone else to notify them for you).When you activate the building fire alarm system, some, but not all, will automatically notify the fire department and get help on the way. • Assist any person in immediate danger to safety, if it can be accomplished without risk to yourself. • Only after having done these two things, if the fire is small, you may Attempt to use an extinguisher to put it out.

Activate

Assist

Alarm

Others

Attempt to Extinguish

Is it safe to fight the fire? Fire Size and Conditions

YES • Fire has not spread beyond point of origin. The time to use an extinguisher is in the incipient, or beginning, stages of a fire. • Flames are not higher than your head and you can safely approach the FIRE (room temperature is only slightly increased). NO • The fire has spread beyond its point of origin, is hidden behind walls or a ceiling, or can not be reached from a standing position. • You do not know what is burning. If you do not know what is burning, you do not know what type of extinguisher to use. Even if you have an ABC extinguisher, there may be something in the fire which is going to explode or produce highly toxic smoke. Chances are, you will know what's burning, or at least have a pretty good idea, but if you do not, let the fire department handle it.

Is it safe to fight the fire? Air Quality

YES • Smoke may be accumulating on the ceiling, but you can see the fire clearly. • Respiratory Protection is not needed. NO • You cannot see the fire due to rapidly accumulating smoke. • The air is difficult to breath and can not be fought without respiratory protection. • Any sort of combustion will produce some amount of carbon monoxide, but when synthetic materials such as the nylon in carpeting or foam padding in a sofa burn, they can produce highly toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide, acrolein, and ammonia in addition to carbon monoxide. These gases can be fatal in very small amounts.

Is it safe to fight the fire? Escape Route

YES • You have a clear, unobstructed path behind you as you fight the fire. You know where you are and how to safely exit the building. NO • You are not familiar with your surroundings. • You do not have a safe exit path, or you do not have an exit behind you. • The fire is not contained and is spreading.

Other considerations • A pool of flammable liquid on fire can be highly unpredictable. Liquids can flow or splash, rapidly spreading the fire. • Do not attempt to fight a fire if you do not have adequate or appropriate equipment. If you do not have the correct type or large enough extinguisher, it is best not to try to fight the fire. • If one extinguisher does not put out the fire evacuate immediately and pull the alarm. • If your instincts tell you not to, do not fight the fire. If you are uncomfortable with the situation for any reason, just let the fire department manage it.

When to Evacuate Remember, if… • you are uncomfortable fighting the fire • the fire is to large or unpredictable • smoke is heavy • burning materials are toxic, chemically reactive, or unknown. • your escape path is at risk Evacuate and activate the alarm assisting others if possible. Never ignore a fire alarm. Always assume the risk is real even if you do not smell or see smoke.

How to Evacuate All of the following actions should be done without placing yourself at additional risk

• • • • • •

Notify others in the vicinity Assist others if needed Close doors behind you Activate the nearest alarm Leave by the nearest exit Gather at the designated assembly point for your building/department

Why we close doors Closing doors can slow the movement of smoke in a building. They protect escape paths and stairways from smoke and fire. • Fire doors are a special type of door designed to contain smoke and fire for limited time, usually enough to safely escape a building. • They will have two data plaques where the door meets the hinge-side of the door frame. • Fire doors should be self-closing and latching and should never be propped open with a doorstop. • Some fire doors are equipped with magnetic release devices that allow a door to close when a fire alarm is activated. • Closing normal doors can still help prevent the spread of smoke and allow others to escape safely

Fire Alarm Pull Station In the event of an evacuation, know where fire alarm pull stations are located. They are usually located near exits and exit stairs. Know the location of: • the nearest and • an alternate When do you activate them? • Fires • Toxic Chemical release or spill.

Leave by the nearest exit • In an emergency evacuation most people tend to exit a building by the way they usually enter a building. • Be sure you know where your nearest exit is as this may be different than your normal entrance/exit. • Become familiar with your building and know of alternative exits. Use one occasionally to ensure that you are familiar with where it goes.

Gather at your assembly point Each building has a designated assembly point. This information may be found in the Office of Emergency Management posting found in common areas in each building. Each posting has: • Emergency Contacts • Shelter or evacuation gathering points listed Remember there are two reasons to gather at the assembly point. 1. Account for building occupants in a safe location 2. Ensure occupants are out of the way of emergency services needing to enter the building. Be aware that changing conditions could force the assembly point to move to another location.

Operating a Fire Extinguisher Use the acronym PASS

• Pull • Aim • Squeeze • Sweep

Image: OSHA

PASS : Pull the Pin Pull the Pin This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

Image: Montana State University

PASS : Aim the nozzle Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire: Aiming at the flame can be ineffective. Aim at the fuel source at the base of the flame.

Image: Montana State University

PASS : Squeeze the handle Squeeze the top handle or lever: This opens the valve that releases the pressurized extinguishing agent in the extinguisher.

Image: Montana State University

PASS : Sweep the nozzle Sweep the nozzle from side to side: • Start using the extinguisher from a safe distance away, then move forward. • Starting distances are marked on the extinguisher and may be 6-10 feet away. • Once the fire is out, watch the area in case it reignites. Image: Montana State University

CLASS D Extinguisher Operation • Class D extinguishers operate differently. • Lower pressure to avoid dispersing metal dusts • Material flows out of a wand.

• Direct the nozzle so the agent falls directly onto the burning metal. • Squeeze the nozzle valve to produce a soft, heavy flow and move closer to cover the fire area. • Do not disturb the agent and fire until it has cooled. Source: NFPA

Fire Extinguisher Safety ABC dry powder • Ammonium phosphate and other minerals • Suppresses fires by interrupting the chain reaction • Creates a dust cloud • Can be irritating to eyes, nose, and throat • Not good in areas that require clean conditions • Should not be used around pool chemicals. There can be an adverse chemical reactions.

Monthly Inspection Environmental Health and Safety inspects extinguishers monthly. Some key areas include: 1. Is the Fire Extinguisher in its designated place? 2. No obstruction to access or visibility? 3. Pressure gauge reading or indicator in operable range or position? Problems should be reported to EHS immediately

Common Problems Extinguisher is: • Blocked • Relocated by occupants • Missing

Occupants do not know location of extinguisher • Know where the nearest extinguisher is. • Know where a second one is.

Fire Blankets? • Rare to non-existent on campus • Are not systematically offered at UTK, although some groups may have them. • Can be used in other ways, emergency spill containment…

Hands-on demonstration • There is no substitute for hands-on experience. • You are not required to perform a live-fire or live extinguisher demonstration unless assigned by your supervisor. • If you would like to set up a class for your department to practice using a fire extinguisher, please contact: Environmental Health & Safety 974-5084 – [email protected]

Good luck and be safe!

Disclaimer • The information provided in this training is designed for educational use only and is not a substitute for specific training, experience, legal, or medical advice. • The University of Tennessee Knoxville and the authors of this training assume no liability for any individual's use of or reliance upon any material contained or referenced herein. The material contained in this policy may be subject to change.