How to use aPortable Fire Extinguisher

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2006 © Fire Equipment Manufacturers’ Association

FIRE EQUIPMENT MANUFACTURERS‘ ASSOCIATION, INC.

1300 Sumner AvenueCleveland, OH 44115-2851Tel: 216-241-7333Fax: 216-241-0105

FEMA, The Life Safety Group is an international, non-profit tradeassociation dedicated to saving livesand protecting property throughfirst line of defense fire protection

products and education.

TYPES OF FIRES

Class A fires are fires inordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, trash,and plastics.

Class B fires are fires inflammable liquids such as gasoline, petroleum oil, and paint. Also included are flammable gases such as propane and butane. Class B fires do not include fires involving cooking oils and grease.

Class C fires are fires involvingenergized electrical equipmentsuch as motors, transformers,and appliances. Remove thepower and the Class C firebecomes one of the other classes of fire.

Class D fires are fires in combustible metals such aspotassium, sodium, aluminumand magnesium.

Class K fires are fires in cookingoils and greases such as animalfats and vegetable fats.

TRASH WOOD PAPER

LIQUIDS

ELECTRICAL EQUIP.

COMBUSTIBLE METALSD

COOKING OILS

BEFORE USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, BE SURE

• the fire department has been called

• you have announced the fire to alert others

• occupants have begun evacuating or are leaving the structure

• the fire is small and not spreading

• you know how to operate the fire extinguisher, and

• the fire won't block yourunobstructed escape route

Provided by the National Fire Protection

Association (NFPA).

Pull the pin.

Aim the nozzle or hose atthe base of the fire from therecommended safe distance.

Squeeze the operatinglever to discharge the fireextinguishing agent.

Starting at the recommendeddistance, Sweep the nozzle orhose from side to side untilthe fire is out. Move forwardor around the fire area as thefire diminishes. Watch thearea in case of re-ignition.

When it’s time to use a Fire Extinguisher, just remember

PULL

AIM

SQUEEZE

SWEEP

PASS!

T Y P E S O F E X T I N G U I S H E R S

Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish thefire primarily by interrupting the chemical reactionin the fire. Today’s most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemicalthat is effective on Class A, B and C fires. This agentalso works by creating a barrier between the oxygenelement and the fuel element on Class A fires.Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the correct extinguisher forthe type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent canallow the fire to re-ignite after apparently beingextinguished successfully.

Water and Foam fire extinguishers extinguishthe fire by taking away the heat from the fire.Foam agents also separate the oxygen from thefuel and heat. Water extinguishers are for Class Afires only, they should not be used on Class B or Cfires. The discharge stream could spread theflammable liquid in a Class B fire or could create ashock hazard on a Class C fire. Foam extinguisherscan be used on Class A & B fires only. They are notfor use on Class C fires due to the shock hazard.

Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers extinguishthe fire by separating the oxygen element from thefuel and heat, and also by removing the heat witha very cold discharge. Carbon dioxide can be usedon Class B & C fires. They are usually ineffective onClass A fires.

Wet Chemical is a new agent that extinguishesthe fire by removing the heat from the fire andprevents re-ignition by creating a barrier betweenthe oxygen and fuel elements. Wet chemical orClass K extinguishers were developed for modern,high efficiency deep fat fryers in commercial cooking operations. Some may also be used onClass A fires in commercial kitchens.

Halogenated or Clean Agent extinguishersare either based on halocarbon agents or on theolder and no longer made halon 1211 agent,which can no longer be used for training.Halocarbon agents replaced halon 1211 within thelast 8 years and are much more environmentallyacceptable. Commercialized halocarbon agentsextinguish the fire by removing heat from thecombustion zone. Halon 1211 extinguishers, how-ever, were chemically active and interfered withthe chemical reactions occurring in the combustionzone. Halocarbon and halon 1211 extinguishersare effective on Class A, B, and C type fires,although very small sizes do not achieve thelowest UL Class A rating, 1-A.

Dry Powder extinguishers are similar to drychemical except that they extinguish the fire byseparating the fuel from the oxygen element ofthe fire. However, dry powder extinguishers arefor Class D or combustible metal fires, only. Theyare ineffective on all other classes of fires.

Water Mist extinguishers are a recent develop-ment that extinguishes the fire by taking awaythe heat from the fire. They are an alternative tothe clean agent extinguishers where contaminationis a concern. Water mist extinguishers are primarilyfor Class A fires, although they are safe for use onClass C fires as well.

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