An Introduction to “Fire Extinguishers”

An Introduction to“Fire Extinguishers”

SOME COMMON FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS “Ordinary” combustibles Paper, wood, rubber, plastics and textiles. “Flammable liquids” Oil, petrol, solvents “Live Electrical equipment” equipment and computers E

HOW THEY EXTINGUISH CLASS A FIRES: Works by cooling. • Use on paper, wood, rubber, plastic & textile fires.

HOW THEY EXTINGUISH CLASS B FIRES: • Works by blanketing the fuel. • Interrupts chemical reaction at fuel surface. • Use on flammable liquids e.g. oil, gas, solvent fires

HOW THEY EXTINGUISH CLASS E FIRES:use on live electrical equipment E • Works by displacing oxygen, smothering fire. • Use on electrical equipment

Portable Fire Extinguishers • Can be CARRIED to a fire • Weigh from ~2kg to ~13kg

Portable Fire Extinguishers LIMITED IN: • Capacity - .5kg to 11kg approx of extinguishing agent • Range - Typically 1m to 6m • Duration - Discharge their contents in only 5 to 45 seconds!

Extinguisher Common features • Safety pin (and plastic tamper tag) • Carrying handle / operating lever • Pressure gauge • Label : • Type (Water, C02, Dry Chemical) • Classification (A, B, E) • Capacity Rating (in Kg) • Instructions • Discharge nozzle or horn E

SOME COMMON TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: • WATER • DRYCHEMICAL • CO2 E E

WATER • Propellant: compressed air or nitrogen • ONLY for Class fires • wood / paper, etc.

DRY CHEMICAL MULTI-PURPOSE RATED • Best for general use: • Reduced risk of re-ignition • A 4.5kg DCP unit can last upto 20s. • Effective range of 2m to 6m Either E Or E

C02 - Rated E E • Best on burning liquids / electrical • SHORT range – 1m to 2m • 2kg, 3.5kg and 5kg extinguishers available • DISPERSES QUICKLY! • Unit gets VERY cold - hold properly

In case of burning odour or smoke: • Raise the alarm! • Call Emergency Services 0 0 0 or 112 for mobile phones, First! • Disconnect Equipment if safe to do so • Remove combustibles, ONLY IF SAFE TO DO SO • Notify Other Staff and Wardens

RACEupon discovery of fire or smoke Removepersons in immediate danger! Alert others and Emergency Services Contain fire and smoke (close doors) Evacuate &/or extinguish

Use a portable extinguisherONLY if the: • Fire Service has been called (Dial 0 0 0 or 112 mobiles)* • EXIT IS CLEAR (fight fire with yourback to an exit ) • Proper extinguisher is at hand, and... • You have been trained and know how to use it! * If practicable

P.A.S.S. PULL AIM SQUEEZE SWEEP Remember the PASS word:1) Keep your back to a clear escape route,2) Stand back 2m to 5m from the fire,3) Then >>:

PULL the pin

AIM LOW at the base of the fire

SQUEEZE the lever

SWEEP from side to side (slowly)

OK, It’s out…Now What? • WATCHthe fire area • If the fire flares up again repeat! • If you can’t control the fire, LEAVE immediately! • Recharge or replace any used fire extinguisher!

The End Use of Fire Extinguishers

Prepared by: • Deirdre Huppatz, Chief Fire Warden for Lower North District Office Staff • Reviewed by FSI Fire Safety Training (A Division of Chubb Fire Australia) Unit 1, 49 Holland Street, Thebarton SA 5031 Telephone (08) 8443 3733 Fax (08) 8443 3788 FFE Building Services ABN 4700 006 7541 www.chubb.com.au/training_fire.asp • John Hisco, Project Officer Training, DECS • October 2003 Use of Fire Extinguishers

An Introduction to “Fire Extinguishers”