Before inspecting your fire extinguisher, it is important to know the terminology of the parts being inspected. Fire extinguishers perform a necessary and life-saving function, but breathing the chemicals used may cause some health problems. We like a 10 pound ABC extinguisher for a workshop. 2). Whichever type of fire you’re about to use the powder fire extinguisher on, you must first check that the extinguisher is safe to use. Discharge nozzle/Hose – The type of the nozzle or hose will depend on the size of the fire extinguisher. Fire Extinguishers Help & Advice. How to use a ABC Powder Fire Extinguisher: The below video is a guide on how to use a powder fire extinguisher safely. The chemicals are of particular concern for those suffering from medical conditions and ailments. To use a fire extinguisher safely, you should recognize the potential health effects of the fire fighting chemicals. Fire Extinguisher Use; Fire Extinguisher Inspection; Fire Extinguisher Maintenance; Additional Training; Conclusion; Introduction. For instance, electrical systems caught on fire must be extinguished with a CO2 extinguisher, while most common fires should be put out by regular ABC dry powder extinguishers. Above is a diagram of a common combination ABC fire extinguisher. Install fire extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape if the fire cannot be controlled. Use a fire extinguisher when all of these questions are answered “yes.” If you’re unsure about whether or not it’s safe to use a fire extinguisher, and for all other situations, alert others, leave the building, and call 911 from a mobile or neighbor’s phone. An ABC Fire Extinguisher is the house or workplace where a fire could result from burning trash, wood, paper, liquids, gases, solvents & electrical equipment. Depending on the type of fire class you need to extinguish, you need to use an appropriate type of extinguisher. 3) this will break the tamper seal. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire extinguisher trainings. The wet chemical extinguisher can discharge for up to forty seconds at a maximum effective range of ten to twenty feet. For example, residue left over from the use of an ABC dry powder extinguisher in the same room with a piano can seriously corrode piano wires. These are some of the larger extinguishers you can get and useful for tackling rapidly accelerating fires that might be fueled by gasoline (but remember – you need to be trained on appropriate use). You can find this rating on the label. As with all fire safety legislation in England and Wales, UK Fire Extinguisher regulations form part of ‘The Regulatory Reform (Fire … Fire extinguishers should be pressure tested (a process called hydrostatic testing) after a number of years to ensure that the cylinder is safe to use. 4. • Class A: Wood, Paper, cloth, trash, plastics (solids that are not metals). The easiest way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher is to think of the P.A.S.S technique. 3. Consult your owner's manual, extinguisher label or the manufacturer to see when yours may need such testing. ; Aiming the extinguisher: You can use a fire extinguishing spray on a pan fire. ABC Fire Extinguisher & its usage. How to Dispose of a Fire Extinguisher. The ratings on ABC fire extinguishers vary, but let’s say the one available to you is 10A:120B:C. ABC Fire Extinguishers are very versatile. Now how does this work for ratings? Most fire extinguishers have a rating of ABC, which are suitable for most fires that occur in the home. They use a dry chemical like mono ammonium phosphate (pale yellow color), which is capable of putting out all three classes of fire quickly. If the fire extinguisher fails this test, it is unusable and should be replaced immediately. Since fire extinguishers may be needed in order to escape the building, you should include their locations on your map. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, in a recent year there were nearly 1,300,000 fires in the US, and they caused nearly 3,300 deaths, 16,000 injuries, and nearly $12 billion in losses/damages.. Watch the area in case of re-ignition. HOW TO IDENTIFY THE PROPER FIRE EXTINGUISHER Typically, fire extinguishers have to be fixed or replaced for a couple of reasons. 2A:10B:C is the label you’ll find on a standard 5-lb ABC fire extinguisher. The most common type of fire extinguisher for home or office use is the multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher, which can be used on class A, B, and C fires (ordinary combustibles, flammable liquid fires, and electronic fires). A zip tie is used to avoid accidentally setting it off. 1) and that the safety pin is not bent (Fig. This means that the extinguisher can be used in a Class A, B, or C fires. Bob and Jeremy of the Washington Township Fire Department demonstrate P.A.S.S., which is an acronym to help people remember how to operate a fire extinguisher - Pull/Aim/Squeeze/Sweep. An ABC fire extinguisher is able to be used on fires of types A, B, and C (A: wood/paper, … Actually it's a tetrahedron, because there are four elements that must be present for a fire to exist. When a Class K extinguisher is not available an ABC dry chemical extinguisher can be carefully used to control a fire involving cooking oils or fats if the operator is aware of the potential need to re-apply more chemical if the oils or fats reignite. The fire safety technician will also conduct hydrostatic testing to measure the integrity of the fire extinguisher’s cylinder. But of course, fires DO happen. ABC dry powder residue is mildly corrosive to many metals. Before attempting to fight a fire with a fire extinguisher it is important to check that it is fully charged (Fig. If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately. This is the only appropriate extinguisher to use in kitchen conundrums. Firefighters Al Bennett and Jesse O’Quinn of the Houston Fire Department give instructions on using a fire extinguisher. Fire extinguisher regulations in the UK can feel a little complicated. Handle/Trigger – The top portion of the handle is the trigger and once pressed, it will emit the agent. When it’s time to use a Fire Extinguisher, just remember PULL AIM SQUEEZE SWEEP PASS! As a result, the fire extinguisher can’t work and should be replaced. It is not recommended that children use fire extinguishers. The most common fire extinguisher is the ABC fire extinguisher. ABC extinguishers use the dry chemical monoammonium phosphate as … Even though class "K" fires are a subset of class "B" fires, they must be treated with extra care and thus warrant a dedicated extinguisher type. Do I need a map showing fire extinguisher location? Each different type of extinguisher agent has a corresponding colour making identification easier for the user. An extinguisher that is rated for use with multiple hazards should include a symbol for each hazard type. Starting at the recommended distance, Sweep the nozzle or hose from side to side until the fire is out. How to use ABC Powder Fire Extinguishers. ABC Fire Extinguishers are "tri-class" or "multi-purpose" extinguishers which can be used on Class A, B, or C fires. I’ve always been told how to use a fire extinguisher, but I never really understood how until now. There are also D and K fire extinguishers, but … Know when to go. Carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are provided for most labs and computer areas on campus. No one wants to have to use a fire extinguisher, because having to do so means that there’s a danger to people and property. Below we provide a simplified guide to the UK’s current laws on fire extinguishers. Move forward or around the fire area as the fire diminishes. Portable fire extinguishers are rated for the size of fire they can put out. ABC Fire Extinguisher is the ideal choice for many people as it can put out many different types of fires. An extinguisher with an ABC rating is suitable for use with fires involving ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and energized electrical equipment. If this occurs, the compressed air releases and lowers the pressure inside the extinguisher. https://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/fire-extinguisher-dos-donts-16744318 For Class A fire extinguishers, this number ranges from 1 to 40, and for Class B, the rating is from 1 to 640. How to use a AFFF Foam Fire Extinguisher: The below video is a guide on how to use Foam Fire Extinguishers safely. Hopefully, you’ll never be in a fire and so you’ll never need to know how to use a fire extinguisher. Make sure it is tested for use on grease and cooking oil fires; Stand back about 4 feet from the stove. Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle down, Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire. . ; Safety pin – You have to pull the safety pin before you can use the fire extinguisher. Specialised powder fire extinguishers, such as L2 powders, are also available to tackle Class D fires involving flammable metals, such as sodium, magnesium, and aluminium. • Class B: Flammable Liquids-Gasoline, oil, grease, acetone (includes flammable gases). They are often the ideal choice being that they are able to put out many different types of fires. ; Ensure you remain a safe distance from the fire and remove the safety pin (Fig. It is very likely that your business is required to have an evacuation map, whether by OSHA, your local fire marshal, your insurance carrier, or industry regulation agency. Most {fire} extinguishers for houses and public areas are labeled as Class ABC extinguishers, which means they’re appropriate for placing out wooden and paper fires, flammable liquid fires, and electrical fires.ABC extinguishers use the dry chemical monoammonium phosphate because the extinguishing agent. This is the Fire Triangle. Any fire extinguisher has a label on it. Each extinguisher has a seal around its handle that can break down or fall apart. 5 thoughts on “ How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: An Easy 4-Step Process ” Bethany Birchridge June 12, 2018 at 9:54 am. Again, rates for a fire extinguisher recharge vary based on the type of extinguisher and where you live— but to recharge a 20LB ABC dry chemical fire extinguisher, you can expect to pay between around $45 to $50, whereas a 2.5 LB ABC might be around $20, and an extinguisher … These can spread the fire or tip the burning pan over. A fire extinguisher is much like insurance: you purchase it hoping you never need to use it. Most fire extinguishers for homes and public spaces are classified as Class ABC extinguishers, meaning they’re suitable for putting out wood and paper fires, flammable liquid fires, and electrical fires. In the Workshop: A 10 Pound ABC Fire Extinguisher. Pull the pin Aim nozzle at the base of the fire Squeeze the handle Sweep the nozzle from side to side Training at work If you are an employer, you have… Do not use a regular “ABC” fire extinguisher if a pan on your stove catches on fire. Fire Extinguisher Colour Codes (UK) Fire extinguishers meeting BS EN3 are manufactured with a red body and have a band of a second colour covering between 5-10% of the surface relating to the extinguisher's contents. How do I operate an extinguisher? I like how you explained that a Class B fire extinguishers are best for flammable liquids like oil. lever to discharge the fire extinguishing agent.