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Mastering Fire Safety Basics: Incipient Stage Fire Fighting Training

Learn about incipient stage fires, fire classifications, portable extinguishers, and operation principles to prevent workplace disasters. Gain knowledge on OSHA regulations and your responsibilities. Ensure fire safety with proper extinguisher placement, inspection, and testing. Understand the importance of identifying and responding to incipient fires promptly. Enhance your skills in using fire extinguishers effectively with practical training techniques like the PASS method. Take charge of fire prevention practices to safeguard lives and property. Stay informed, stay safe.

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Mastering Fire Safety Basics: Incipient Stage Fire Fighting Training

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  1. Incipient Stage Firefighting

  2. Learning Objectives • Objectives: • Define an incipient stage fire • Know different fire classifications • Recognize different portable fire extinguishers • Know basic principles of fire extinguisher operation

  3. Agenda • Agenda: • Overview • Incipient stage fire definition • Classifications of fires • Types of fire extinguishers • Fire extinguisher basic principles • Your responsibilities

  4. Section 1 Overview

  5. Fire Statistics • According to OSHA: • Workplace fires kill nearly 500 each year • 5,000+ workers injured each year • Costs businesses billions of dollars • 50% of installed smoke detectors have dead batteries • The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends one extinguisher every 600 square feet

  6. What Does OSHA Have to Say? • OSHA says: • Buildings must have proper fire extinguishers for the fire hazards present: • Only approved fire extinguishers • Must be in good operating condition • Employees instructed in proper use • Evacuate employees instead of firefighting

  7. What is an Incipient Stage Fire? • Incipient stage fire: • A fire in the beginning stages • Controlled with a portable fire extinguisher or small hose • Personal protective equipment not needed • Fire extinguishers for incipient fires only

  8. Deciding to Fight an Incipient Stage Fire • Ask: • Is the fire too big? • Is the air safe to breathe? • Is the environment too hot or smoky? • Is there a safe evacuation path?

  9. Portable Fire Extinguishers • Portable fire extinguishers: • Control or extinguish small or incipient stage fires • Protect evacuation routes • Contain a limited amount of extinguishing agent: • Discharged in a matter of seconds

  10. Section 2 Classification of Fires

  11. Classification of Fires • Four distinct classes of fires: • Class A: Ordinary Combustibles • Class B: Flammable or Combustible Liquids • Class C: Energized Electrical Equipment • Class D: Flammable or Combustible Metals

  12. Class A Fires • Class A: • Occur in ordinary combustible materials: • Wood • Cloth • Paper • Most plastics • Rubber

  13. Class B Fires • Class B: • Occur in the vapor-air mixture over the surface of flammable and combustible liquids: • Petroleum products • Alcohols

  14. Class C Fires • Class C: • Involve energized electrical equipment: • Electric motors • Transformers • Appliances • Electrical distribution panels

  15. Class D Fires • Class D: • Occur in combustible metals: • Magnesium • Titanium • Sodium

  16. Section 3 Types of Fire Extinguishers

  17. Types of Fire Extinguishers • Fire extinguishers: • Identified by the class and size of a fire designed to extinguish • Identified by the extinguishing agent they contain • Universal fire class symbols (A,B,C) are present on extinguisher labels

  18. Class A Extinguishers • Class A: • Extinguishes ordinary combustibles: • Wood • Paper • Numerical rating 1-A to 40-A

  19. Class B Extinguishers • Class B: • Extinguishes flammable liquids: • Grease • Gasoline • Oils • Numerical rating 1-B to 640-B

  20. Class C Fire Extinguishers • Class C: • Extinguishes electrically energized fires • No numerical rating • “C” indicates extinguishing agent is non-conductive

  21. Class D Extinguishers • Class D: • Designed for specific flammable metals • Marked with a yellow star • No numerical rating • No multi-purpose rating

  22. Section 4 Using a Portable Fire Extinguisher

  23. Using A Portable Fire Extinguisher - PASS • PASS stands for: • Pull • Aim • Squeeze • Sweep

  24. Step One - Pull • Step One: • Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher

  25. Step Two - Aim • Step Two: • Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire

  26. Step Three - Squeeze • Step Three: • Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher

  27. Step Four - Sweep • Step Four: • Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire

  28. Hydrostatic Testing • Hydrostatic leak testing: • Tests components for leaks • Dry chemical and Halon 1211- tested at 12-year intervals • High-pressure carbon dioxide- tested at 5-year intervals

  29. Extinguisher Placement • Extinguishers placement: • Class A and Class D: no more than 75 feet • Class B: 50 feet

  30. Extinguisher Inspection • Annual inspections and service to ensure: • Proper working order • Well-supported and accessible • Class markings present • Operating instructions available • Discharge opening clear • Hydrostatic testing within limits

  31. Section 5 Your Responsibilities

  32. Your Responsibilities • Ask: • Has the fire department been called? • Do you have a clear exit? • Is the fire small and contained? • Is the proper extinguisher available? • Have the monthly and annualinspections been performed?

  33. Your Responsibilities • Fire prevention practices: • Follow flammable liquids storage procedures • Store flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources • Use flammable liquids in well-ventilated areas • Observe the proper use of electrical devices

  34. Additional Information • Fire Safety: • OSHA Fact Sheet (2002) • How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations: • OSHA Publication 3088 (2001)

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