A fire needs oxygen, fuel, and a source of ignition.

With out all three you do not have a fire.

Four classes of fires

Class A

• fires consists of ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics.

• These types of fires can be extinguished with plain water.

Class B

• Class-B fires consist of combustible liquids like gasoline, oil, grease, or diesel.

• Water should not be used on this type of fire because the combustible material are lighter than water causing them to rise above the water and spread.

Class C

• Class-C fires involve electrical equipment e.g. computers, appliances, and electrical wiring behind the wall or in the car.

• Water should not be used because of the risk of electrical shock.

Class D

• Class-D fires are a result of combustible metals like magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium.

• A special foam type of fire extinguisher is needed for this type of fire.

These fire extinguishers use a foam agent to extinguish Class-D fires

The dry chemical fire extinguisher

• The most common fire extinguisher used in most buildings is the ABC multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguisher.

• It is filled with monoammonium phosphate, a yellow powder and pressurized with nitrogen or carbon dioxide.

Inspect the fire extinguishers in you shop monthly

•Check to make sure the pin is in place•The pin prevents the fire extinguisher from being accidently discharged •green plastic tag is used to keep the pin in place

• Inspect the discharge hose for tears, kinks, and damage.

• Inspect the inside of the hose for obstructions and to ensure it is attached properly to the fire extinguisher.

Inspect the fire extinguisher gage for proper pressure.

Which fire extinguisher would you use?

A B

What is wrong with this picture?

It’s obstructed and hard to get to.The longer it takes to get to the

fire extinguisher the longer you are going to be exposed to the fire and that can be a matter of life or death!

That’s right!

It is recommended that you tilt the extinguisher up side down or shake it several times each time you inspect

the fire extinguisher to loosen the power.

Initial the back of the inspection tag if it passes the inspection.

Have the extinguisher service if it fails the inspection

STEPS TO REMEMBER FOR USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER.

PASS

P• Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. • The pin releases a locking mechanism and will

allow you to discharge the extinguisher.

A

• Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. • This is important - in order to put out the fire,

you must extinguish the fuel. Note: If possible, move up wind of the fire.

S

• Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.

S• Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping

motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out.

• Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish.

• Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher - different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!

Sweep side to side

These men are using a dry chemical fire extinguisher to put out a fire made of diesel and gasoline mixture.

Note:

• Fire extinguishers last only a few seconds so make the best of it.

References

• http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com• http://ehs.sc.edu/training/Fire/01_triangle.ht

m• http://firstaid.about.com/od/hazardousmateri

als/ht/06_greasefire.htm