BASIC FIRE FIGHTING TRAINING
Presented and Prepared By: Farrukh Ahmed
Objectives
• Understand the combustion process and
different fire classes
• Understand fire extinguisher types,
operating procedures
• Understand basic firefighting concepts:
–R.A.C.E.
–P.A.S.S.
Consequences of Fire
•Loss of life
•Loss of friends or family
•Injury or disability
•Loss of home, workplace, income,
job
•Loss of irreplaceable belongings
•Financial (uninsured losses and
premiums)
The Fire Triangle
Three things must be present at the same time to
produce fire:
1. Enough OXYGEN to sustain combustion
2.
Enough HEAT to reach ignition
temperature
3.
Some FUEL or combustible material
Together, they produce the CHEMICAL
REACTION that is fire
Take away any of these things and
the fire will be extinguished
The Combustion Process
• Three components
• Need all three components to
start a fire
• Fire extinguishers remove
one or more of the
components.
Sources of Ignition
•
•
•
•
•
Smoking
Electrical equipment
Heaters
Process machinery
Contractors tools and
equipment
• Torching
Fuels
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Paper and boxes etc.
Packaging (polystyrene beads etc)
Plastics
Solvents
Soft furnishings (Mattresses, cushions)
Furniture
Waste materials (rubbish, old pallets)
Fuel Classifications
• Fires are classified according to the
type of fuel that is burning.
• If you use the wrong type of fire
extinguisher on the wrong class of fire,
you might make matters worse.
• Its very important to understand the
four different fire (fuel) classifications…
Oklahoma State University Environmental
Health & Safety Dept.
Fire Classes
A Trash Wood Paper
•
•
•
•
B Liquids Grease
wood
paper
cloth
etc.
C Electrical Equipment
•
•
•
COMBUSTIBLE
computers
fax machine
other energized
electrical equip.
D
METALS
•
•
•
•
gasoline
oil
grease
other solvents
•
•
•
•
•
magnesium
sodium
potassium
titanium
other
flammable
metals
Fire Classes (cont.)
CLASS K FIRES
• Recently recognized.
• Fires involving combustible oils, lards
and fats in commercial cooking.
K Cooking Media
Basic Fire Prevention
• Be mindful of Fire Safety
• Don’t block fire exits, call points or
extinguishers, know your exits
• No smoking policy
• Take care with any hot process, follow
manufacturers instructions
• Maintain any machinery
• Observe good security
• Don’t block Fire Doors
On Hearing the Alarm
Observe any instructions in your building
evacuation plan
•
•
This may include providing assistance to other persons and
evacuating area by area
• But Generally
Walk quickly but don’t run, closing doors behind you
Leave the building immediately by the nearest exit
Do not delay your exit to collect your belongings
Do not use lifts
Attend the Fire Assembly Point and report to the Fire Warden or
Responsible Person
• Do not return until told to do so
•
•
•
•
•
Do Not Fight a Fire if
•It is bigger than a waste paper bin
•One extinguisher is not enough
•Smoke is affecting your breathing
•You cannot see the way out
•Gas cylinders or chemicals are involved
•Your efforts are not reducing the size of the fire
•There is any risk to yourself
If You Discover a Fire
• Raise the alarm
• Fight the fire if you are competent
and you consider it safe to do so
(generally only to facilitate escape)
• Evacuate as per normal fire
procedure
• Inform the Fire Warden or
Responsible Person
Fire Emergency Response
R
Rescue
A
Alarm
C
Contain
E
Extinguish
Fire Extinguisher Anatomy
DISCHARGE LEVER
DISCHARGE LOCKING PIN
AND SEAL
PRESSURE GAUGE
(not found on CO2
extinguishers)
CARRYING
HANDLE
DISCHARGE HOSE
DATA PLATE
BODY
DISCHARGE NOZZLE
DISCHARGE ORIFICE
Class A - Combustible material
such as paper and wood
Class B - Fires involving flammable
liquids such as gasoline, paint,
diesel fuel or solvents
Class C - Fires started in
electrical equipment by arching
or overheating
Class D - Fires involving
combustible metal powders,
flakes or shavings
Most fire extinguishers will have a pictograph label
telling you which types of fire the extinguisher is
designed to fight.
For example, a simple water extinguisher might have
a label like this…
…which means it should only be used on Class A fires.
Fire Extinguisher Types
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper
1. PRESSURIZED WATER
• Class “A” fires only
• 2.5 gal. water
(up to 1 minute discharge time)
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease
• Has pressure gauge to allow visual
capacity check
• 30-40 ft. maximum effective range
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment
• Can be started and stopped as
necessary
• Extinguishes by cooling burning
material below the ignition point.
1.PRESSURIZED WATER (contd.)
Large silver fire
extinguishers that stand
about 2 feet tall and
weigh about 25 pounds
when full.
APW stands for “AirPressurized Water.”
Filled with ordinary tap
water and pressurized
air, they are essentially
large squirt guns.
1. PRESSURIZED WATER (contd.)
APW’s
extinguish fire
by taking away
the “heat”
element of the
Fire Triangle.
1. PRESSURIZED WATER (contd.)
APW’s are designed for Class A fires only:
Wood, paper, cloth.
Using water on a flammable liquid fire could cause
the fire to spread.
Using water on an electrical fire increases the risk of
electrocution. If you have no choice but to use an
APW on an electrical fire, make sure the electrical
equipment is un-plugged or de-energized.
1.PRESSURIZED WATER (contd.)
APWs will be found in older buildings, particularly in public
hallways, as well as in Residence Halls.
They will also be found in computer
laboratories. It is important to remember,
however, that computer equipment must be
disconnected from its electrical source before
using a water extinguisher on it.
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper
2. CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
• Class “B” or “C” fires
• 2.5-100 lb. of CO2
(8-30 seconds discharge time)
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease
• Has NO pressure gauge--capacity
verified by weight
• 3-8 ft. maximum effective range
• Extinguishes by smothering burning
materials
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment
• Effectiveness decreases as
temperature of burning material
increases.
2. CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) (Contd..)
Carbon dioxide is a
non-flammable gas
that takes away the
oxygen element of
the fire triangle.
Without oxygen,
there is no fire.
CO2 is very cold as it comes out of the extinguisher, so it
cools the fuel as well.
2. CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) (Contd..)
A CO2 may be ineffective in
extinguishing a Class A fire because it
may not be able to displace enough
oxygen to successfully put the fire
out.
Class A materials may also smolder and
re-ignite.
3. MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment
• Class “A”, “B”, or “C” fires
• 2.5-20 lb. dry chemical
(ammonium phosphate)
8-25 seconds discharge
time)
• Has pressure gauge to allow
visual capacity check
• 5-20 ft. maximum effective
range
• Extinguishes by smothering
burning materials.
3. MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL (contd..)
Dry chemical
extinguishers put
out fire by
coating the fuel
with a thin layer
of dust. This
separates the fuel
from the oxygen
in the air.
The powder also works to interrupt the chemical reaction of
fire. These extinguishers are very effective at putting out
fire.
3. MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL (contd..)
Dry chemical
extinguishers come in
a variety of types…
You may see them labeled:
• DC (for “Dry Chemical”)
• ABC (can be used on Class A, B, or C fires)
• BC (designed for use on Class B and C fires)
Halon
• Best for computers /
electronics
•
•
•
•
•
Weight-for-weight TWICE as effective as C02
No residue, easy clean-up
VERY SHORT range, 3 to 6 ft.
Like C02, Discharges QUICKLY!
Like C02, Disperses QUICKLY!
– Continue after flames are extinguished
3. MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL (contd..)
It is extremely important to identify which types of dry
chemical extinguishers are located in your area!
An “ABC” extinguisher will have a label
like this, indicating it may be used on
Class A, B and C fires.
You don’t want to mistakenly use a “BC” extinguisher on a
Class A fire thinking that it was an “ABC” extinguisher.
Fire Extinguisher Summary
EXTINGUISHER TYPE
PRESSURIZED
WATER
CARBON DIOXIDE
MULTIPURPOSE
DRY CHEMICAL
WORKS BY
COOLING
SMOTHERING
SMOTHERING
EFFECTIVE AGAINST
How to Use an Extinguisher
Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep
•Pull the pin this will allow you
•to discharge the extinguisher
•Get the hose or nozzle ready for
•use
•Aim at the base of the fire to
•hit the fuel…if you aim at the
•flames the extinguishing agent
•will pass through and do no
•good
How to Use an Extinguisher
Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep
•Squeeze the top handle, this
•depresses a button that releases
•the pressurised extinguishing
•agent
Sweep from side-to-side until the
fire is completely out
Remember: Start using the extinguisher from a
safe distance away, say 2-3m, and then slowly
move forward. Once the fire is out, keep an
eye on the area in case it reignites.
P
Pull the pin
A
Aim low at
the base of flames
S
Squeeze the handle
S
Sweep side to side
Labeling:
• Easily seen
• Easily located in an area
Inspections:
• Monthly – Can be done in house by
qualified/knowledgeable/trained person or
by qualified 3rd party.
• Annually – Qualified 3rd party
• Hydrostatic – Done Periodically, per
manufacture specification (~6 years), by
qualified 3rd party.
(A qualified 3rd party vendor can provide all these services
including recharging when necessary to meet your needs.)
Accessibility:
•
•
•
•
Easily retrieved
No obstruction or reaching over anything.
3 foot clearance around the extinguisher.
Nothing stored in front of it, PERIOD.
• Keep these guidelines in consideration when storing
extinguishers in or on vehicles.
–
–
–
–
Locations and Signs
Readily accessible
75 feet—Class A
50 feet—Class B
50–75 feet—Class
C
– 75 feet—Class D
– Highly visible sign
Use a portable extinguisher
ONLY if the:
• Building is being evacuated (Fire alarm has been pulled)
• Fire Department has been called
• Fire is NOT spreading (small and contained)
• EXIT IS CLEAR (fight fire with your back to an exit )
• Proper extinguisher is at hand, and...
– You have been trained and know how to use it!
– You use “Buddy System” - have someone back you up!
• Get assistance BEFORE trying to fight a fire!
UNTRAINED PEOPLE
Cannot use a fire extinguisher safely
because they are:
• UNABLE to evaluate a fire
• UNAWARE of DANGER due to...
• LACKING JUDGEMENT regarding:
– Safe and correct use of, and
– Limitations of portable extinguishers
WHY UNTRAINED PEOPLE
Can’t use a fire extinguisher safely
(continued):
INEXPERIENCED
• Don’t know about the
proper type of extinguisher
• Don’t know how to make
a “Fight or Flight” analysis
• Unfamiliar with the
“P.A.S.S. method”
Fire Blanket
• Any colour body or label but they are
usually red or white
• For use on any type of fire but best on
small contained class B (flammable
liquids, may include small cooking pans)
fires and people on fire
• Can be used on microwaves
• Extinguishes by smothering
Fire Signs
Maintenance and Inspection
• Detection and Alarm systems should be tested
weekly and inspected by a competent person
periodically
• Fire extinguishers and other fire fighting
equipment should be checked at a frequency
determined by risk (but at least monthly) for
location, condition and state of charge and
serviced by a competent person annually
• Any Fire fighting device must be replaced,
serviced or checked by a competent person
after any use
And Finally…
• Most extinguishers are heavy and
constructed from metal…..
• They make excellent battering rams
to break a window or un-jam a door
• But seriously the prime
consideration is your safety and the
only priority is to get everybody out
and leave fire fighting to the
professionals
Summary
• Combustion Process (Fire Triangle)
• Class A, B, C, D, K fires
• Types of portable fire extinguishers:
– Operating procedures
– Capabilities and limitations
• Basic firefighting concepts: R.A.C.E.
P.A.S.S.
To uses, you’ve got to PASS:
Pull the pin
Aim at base of fire
Squeeze the handle
Sweep from side to side
Fire Classification & Extinguisher Types
Extinguishers are classified by the type of fire
they can put out. Some extinguishers are
Combination types that can be used on
several different types of fires.
Class A - Combustible material such as paper and wood
Never Fight a Fire If:
•You don’t know what is burning
•Fire is spreading rapidly
•You don’t have adequate equipment
•You might endanger yourself or others
•Your instincts tell you not to.
Class B - Fires involving flammable liquids such as
gasoline, paint, diesel fuel or solvents
Class C - Fires started in electrical equipment by
arching or overheating
Class D - Fires involving combustible metal powders,
flakes or shavings
Fuel
Fire
Triangle
Ignition Source
Air
Always position yourself with an exit or means of
escape at your back before you attempt to use an
extinguisher to put out a fire.
Fire extinguishers are limited supply
and can be emptied in a few minutes.
Quiz Question 1
Fire extinguisher marked with an A
is used on:
A) oil fires
B) Electrical fires
C) paper material fires
D) none of the above
Quiz Question 2
Fire extinguishers marked with a B
can be used on:
A) Paper, trash
B) Oil or Grease
C) Electrical
D) Non of the above
Quiz Question 3
Fire extinguisher marked ABC can be
used on:
A) Wood, Paper
B) Electrical
C) Liquids and grease
D) All of the above
Quiz Question 4
Fire Extinguishers marked with D
are used for
A) Combustible chemicals
B) Magnesium
C) Potassium
D) other flammable metals
E) all of the above
Quiz Question 5
What does PASS mean?
A. Pass, Aim, Squash, Surround
B. Pull, Align, Span, Surround
C. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep