Fire Extinguisher Use
Disclaimer
•
This training material presents very important information.
•
Your organization must do an evaluation of all exposures,
applicable codes and regulations, and establish proper controls,
training, and protective measures to effectively control exposures
and assure compliance.
•
This program is neither a determination that the conditions and
practices of your organization are safe nor a warranty that reliance
upon this program will prevent accidents and losses or satisfy local,
state or federal regulations.
•
All procedures and training, whether required by law or not, should
be implemented and reviewed by safety and risk management
professionals, and legal counsel to ensure that all federal and statespecific requirements are satisfied.
Course Outline – Fire Extinguisher Use
1. Why Take Fire Extinguisher Use Training?
2. Planning for a Fire Emergency
3. Stages of Fire
4. The Fire Triangle
5. Classes of Fire
6. Types of Extinguishers
7. Using a Fire Extinguisher
8. Six Rules for Dealing with Fire
9. Inspection & Maintenance
10. Evacuation
11. Risk Assessment
12. Summary
Why Take Fire Extinguisher Use Training?
Understanding the importance of fire extinguisher use:
•
Workplace fires and explosions kill hundreds and injure thousands
of workers each year.
• One way to limit the amount of
damage from fires is to make
portable fire extinguisher use a part
of your fire prevention program.
• When used properly, fire
extinguishers can save lives and
property by putting out small fires
before they can do damage.
Planning for a Fire Emergency
Fire is the most common type of emergency an organization
must plan for:
• Training: The staff must be well
trained and understand the use and
limitations of portable fire
extinguishers and the hazards
associated with fighting fires.
Planning for a Fire Emergency
Fire is the most common type of emergency an organization must
plan for (continued):
• Evacuation: The organization needs an evacuation plan and evacuation
charts posted throughout the facility. Evacuation drills must be
conducted regularly.
• Emergency Action and Fire Prevention Plans: These plans should be in
place and be current. They include emergency response requirements,
incident command structure, training requirements etc.
• Equipment: This course will discuss portable fire extinguishers, which
are a required component of a fire prevention program.
Stages of Fire
Fires will go through three distinct stages without interruption:
1. Incipient
2. Free burn
3. Smolder
Prior to attempting to put out any fire, you
must know what stage the fire is in.
Stages of Fire
Stage 1 - Incipient phase:
•The fire begins.
•The fire will be small and could
spread slowly.
•There will be minimal smoke in the
area.
This is the only phase in which a fire extinguisher is an
acceptable tool for fire suppression.
Stages of Fire
Stage 2 - Free burn phase:
•The flames and smoke grow and
expand rapidly.
•Fire engulfs the area and smoke
may fill the room rapidly.
•The heat is too intense to
approach the fire.
Fires in this stage are no longer acceptable to fight with an
extinguisher and all personnel must evacuate.
Stages of Fire
Stage 3 - Smoldering phase:
• The oxygen and or fuel supply has
been depleted.
• This occurs at the end of the fire and
all personnel should have already
evacuated.
• No personnel shall be permitted to
re-enter the area during this time.
Only professional fire fighters have the training and
equipment to put out a smoldering fire.
The Fire Triangle
A fire triangle requires three things:
Oxygen: Is required as a catalyst and
can be supplied by the surrounding air
or, in some cases, by the fuel itself.
Fuel: For a fire to burn there must be a
burnable material present.
Heat: For a fire to start there must be a
source of heat or ignition.
A fire requires all three parts of the fire triangle.
The Fire Triangle
Fire extinguishers can break down the fire triangle:
•
The extinguishing agent blankets the fuel so the ignition (flame)
cannot reach the fuel.
 Caution: When using an extinguisher, always aim for the base of
the fire to coat the fuel, not at the flames.
• The extinguishing agent displaces oxygen that the fire needs to burn.
 Caution: After using an extinguisher there may not be enough
oxygen to breathe in the area.
Classes of Fire
Fires are classified by the type of fuels, i.e., material, they burn:
• Class A Fire
• Class B Fire
• Class C Fire
• Class D Fire
• Class K Fire
Classes of Fire
Class A:
This class of fire burns:
• Wood
• Paper
• Plastic
• Rags
Classes of Fire
Class B:
This class of fire burns flammable
liquids such as:
• Gasoline
• Oil
• Grease
• Paint
Classes of Fire
Class C:
This class of fire includes
electrical fires, such as:
• Office equipment
• Motors
• Switchgears
• Heaters
Classes of Fire
Class D:
This class of fire involves burning
metal, such as:
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Sodium
• Aluminum
• Magnesium
Classes of Fire
Class K:
This class of fire involves
combustible cooking fluids, such
as:
• Vegetable oils used in deep
fryers.
Types of Extinguishers
Two functions of the portable fire extinguisher:
•
Used to control or extinguish small fires.
•
Used to protect evacuation routes from fire that may be directly or
indirectly blocked with smoke or burning materials.
Types of Extinguishers
Fire extinguisher classifications:
•
They are classified according to the kinds of
fires they are designed to extinguish.
•
Fire
‒
‒
‒
‒
‒
‒
extinguisher class ratings:
Class A extinguisher
Class B extinguisher
Class C extinguisher
Class D extinguisher
Class ABC extinguisher
Class K extinguisher
Class ABC are the most common and
commercially available fire extinguishers.
Types
Classof
A Extinguishers
Extinguishers
Class A extinguishers are used for these materials:
• Wood
• Paper
• Plastic
• Rags
Types
Classof
B Extinguishers
Extinguishers
Class B extinguishers are used for flammables like:
• Gasoline
• Oil
• Grease
• Paint
Types of Extinguishers
Class C extinguishers are for electrical fires:
Electrical fires can start from different types of equipment, such as:
• Office machines
• Motors
• Switchgears
• Heaters
Types of Extinguishers
Class D extinguishers are used on burning metals:
Class D fires involve burning metals, such as:
• Potassium
• Phosphorus
• Sodium
• Aluminum
• Magnesium
Types of Extinguishers
Class K extinguishers are used on
combustible cooking fluids:
• Vegetable oils used in deep fryers are a
common ignition source.
• The extinguishing agents in Class K
extinguishers can be electrically
conductive, so they should only be used
after the appliance’s power has been
turned off.
Using a Fire Extinguisher
Extinguishing a fire with a fire extinguisher requires:
•
Immediate access to the extinguisher.
•
Knowing the types of fires and proper
kinds of extinguishers to use.
•
Knowing how to operate extinguishers.
•
Knowing how to apply the
extinguishing agent to the fire
effectively.
Using a Fire Extinguisher
Use the PASS system to fight a fire:
• Pull
• Aim
• Squeeze
• Sweep
Using a Fire Extinguisher
Pull:
•
Pull the pin.
•
Removing the safety pin
allows the activation handle to
be squeezed.
Using a Fire Extinguisher
Aim:
•
Aim the nozzle at the base of
the fire where the fuel is.
•
Do not aim directly at the flames
because the extinguishing agent
will fly right through and will not
extinguish the fire.
Using a Fire Extinguisher
Squeeze:
•
Squeeze the two handles together.
•
Squeezing the top handle down to
the bottom handle releases the
pressurized extinguishing agent from
the extinguisher.
Using a Fire Extinguisher
Sweep:
•
Sweep from side to side.
•
Cover the fuel with the extinguishing
agent until the fire is completely out.
Six Rules for Fighting Fires
Rule 1 - Do not fight a fire if you don't know what the fuel is:
•
If you don't know what is burning, then you don't know what type of
extinguisher to use.
•
Even if you have a Class ABC extinguisher, there may be something in
the fire that could explode or produce highly toxic smoke.
Six Rules for Fighting Fires
Rule 2 – Do not fight a fire if the fire has spread beyond the spot
where it started:
•
The appropriate time to use a portable fire extinguisher is in the
beginning stages of a fire.
•
If the fire is already spreading, evacuate the building.
•
If time allows, close doors and windows as you leave.
Six Rules for Fighting Fires
Rule 3 – Do not fight a fire if you don’t have the appropriate
or adequate equipment and training:
•
If you don't have the correct
type of extinguisher or if your
extinguisher is obviously too
small, do not fight the fire.
Six Rules for Fighting Fires
Rule 4 – Do not fight a fire if you might inhale toxic smoke:
•
If the fire is producing a large
amount of smoke that you could
inhale if you remained in the room,
do not fight the fire.
•
Gases from some materials can be
fatal even in very small amounts.
•
Toxic smoke can produce an oxygen
deficient atmosphere. Most fire
fatalities are due to smoke inhalation
and not burns.
Six Rules for Fighting Fires
Rule 5 – Do not fight a fire if your instincts tell you not to:
•
If you are uncomfortable with the
situation for any reason, evacuate
the building and let trained
firefighters do their job.
Six Rules for Fighting Fires
Rule 6 – Always position yourself with an exit or means of
escape behind you:
•
Whenever you attempt to use an extinguisher to put out a fire, keep
a clear exit at your back.
•
In case the extinguisher malfunctions or something else unexpected
happens, you need to be able to get out quickly; you do not want to
become trapped.
Remember, always keep a clear exit behind you.
Inspection and Maintenance
Inspect by a qualified person monthly to ensure:
• Locking pin is securely in place.
• Pressure gauge indicates that the
extinguisher is full.
• Legible operating instructions are on the
extinguisher.
• No physical damage is present, e.g.,
corrosion, cracking, leakage, or cracked
nozzle.
All fire extinguishers must also receive an annual maintenance check.
Evacuation
Evacuate or remain and fire-fight?
•Is there a public fire department nearby?
•Are the exit routes accessible or are they vulnerable to the fire?
•What, if any, fire safety equipment exists in the workplace?
•Does the building have a sprinkler system?
•How quickly could a fire get out of control, e.g., if flammables are used
or stored on the site?
Evacuation
Evacuation planning:
• Things to consider in the context of a potential fire:
‒ The facility layout and exit locations.
– How would employees evacuate?
– The amount of combustible and/or flammable materials present.
Consider the impacts, based on where a fire
could start, e.g., a warehouse vs. an office.
Evacuation
Evacuation option #1 - Total evacuation:
• Immediate and total evacuation is required
of all staff from the workplace when the
alarm sounds.
• Establish an emergency action plan and a
fire prevention plan and train staff
accordingly.
• No one is authorized to use available fire
extinguishers.
• Fire extinguishers are not present.
Evacuation
Evacuation option #2 – Designated staff are authorized to use
fire extinguishers:
• When designated staff are authorized to use fire extinguishers to fight
fires, all other staff must evacuate the workplace immediately when
an alarm sounds.
• Establish an emergency action plan and train staff accordingly.
• Meet all fire extinguisher requirements and annually train designated
staff to use fire extinguishers.
• Fire extinguishers in the workplace must be inspected and maintained.
Evacuation
Evacuation option #3 – All staff are authorized to use fire
extinguishers:
• If any staff, or visitors will be evacuating, establish an emergency
action plan and train staff accordingly.
• Meet all fire extinguisher requirements and annually train all staff to
use fire extinguishers.
• Fire extinguishers in the workplace must be inspected monthly and
maintained annually on the required preventive maintenance
schedules.
Evacuation
Evacuation option #4 - Extinguishers are provided but are not
intended for staff use:
• Establish an emergency action plan
and a fire prevention plan.
• Train designated staff accordingly.
• If fire extinguishers are present in the
workplace, they must be inspected
and maintained.
Risk Assessment
First things first:
•
Pull the fire alarm.
•
Assist anyone in danger.
•
Be certain that you will not
endanger yourself or others if
you attempt to extinguish a
fire.
•
Call 911.
Fires can spread and intensify in an instant!
Risk Assessment
Prior to fighting fire with an extinguisher you must assess:
•
Fire size
•
Controllability
•
Atmosphere in the vicinity of the fire
•
Evacuation pathway
Risk Assessment
Keep these critical points in mind to limit the risk:
•
A fire can increase in size and intensity in
seconds and possibly create a hazardous
atmosphere or block the evacuation route of
the firefighter.
•
Portable fire extinguishers contain a limited
amount of extinguishing agent and can be
discharged in a matter of seconds.
•
Individuals should only attempt to extinguish
very small and controllable fires.
Attempting to extinguish even a small fire carries some risk.
Risk Assessment
Question 1 – Is the fire too big?
SHOULD USE a portable fire
extinguisher:
•
•
•
•
The fire is limited to the original
material ignited.
It is contained (such as in a waste
basket).
It is not higher than the firefighter’s
head.
It is not able to expand rapidly.
SHOULD NOT USE a portable fire
extinguisher:
•
•
•
•
•
The fire involves flammable solvents
or hazardous materials.
It has spread over more than 60
square feet.
It is partially hidden behind a wall or
ceiling.
It cannot be reached from a standing
position.
Evacuate immediately!
Risk Assessment
Question 2 – Is the air safe to breathe?
SHOULD USE a portable fire
extinguisher:
•
•
•
The fire has not and will not
deplete the oxygen in the room.
It is producing only a small
amount of smoke.
Visibility is good and no
respiratory protection is required.
SHOULD NOT USE a portable fire
extinguisher:
•
•
•
Smoke is quickly filling the room.
Respiratory protection is required.
Evacuate immediately!
Risk Assessment
Question 3 – Is the environment too hot or smoky?
SHOULD USE a portable fire
extinguisher:
•
•
•
Heat is being generated, but the
room temperature is only slightly
increased.
Smoke may be accumulating at
the ceiling, but visibility is good.
No personal protective equipment
is required.
SHOULD NOT USE a portable fire
extinguisher:
•
•
•
•
Radiation from heat is easily felt on
exposed skin making it difficult to
approach within the effective range of
the extinguisher.
Crawling on the floor is necessary.
Smoke is quickly filling the room and
decreasing the visibility.
Evacuate immediately!
Risk Assessment
Question 4 – Is there a safe evacuation path?
SHOULD USE a portable fire
extinguisher:
•
There is a clear evacuation
path that is behind you as
you fight the fire.
SHOULD NOT USE a portable fire
extinguisher:
•
•
•
The fire is not contained.
Fire, heat, or smoke may block the
evacuation path.
Evacuate immediately!
Summary
Plan for a fire suppression strategy: Determine whether or not
employees will be trained to use fire extinguishers.
Know the stages of fire: The incipient phase is the only time to use a
fire extinguisher.
Identify the type of fire: This is based on the fire class which
depends on the fuel type.
Select the appropriate fire extinguisher: The wrong extinguisher
type for a particular fire class could actually make the problem worse.
Summary
Chemical fires: Refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for extinguishing
fires involving specific chemical materials.
Use the PASS system: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
Perform a risk assessment: When in doubt, GET OUT!
Fire Extinguisher Use
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training.
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