FIRE SAFETY
Recognizing the potential for a
fire and knowing how to
extinguish it effectively
Objective
• To recognize the potential for a fire
and know how to extinguish the
fire effectively.
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
How do fires burn?
• Three elements needed:
• Oxygen
• Heat source
• Fuel
• This is called the fire triangle
• If you remove just one element
from the fire, you can control
and/or extinguish it
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Four classes of fires
• Class A Fire
• Ordinary combustible material
• Wood, paper, leaves, trash, cloth,
some plastics and rubbers
• Typically will leave an ash
• Smothering, quenching, or
cooling effect needed to
extinguish
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Four classes of fires
• Class B Fire
• Flammable/combustible liquid,
flammable gasses or grease
• Gasoline, diesel, propane, some
aerosols, oils, paints, some cleaners
• DO NOT use water!
• Fire will only spread
• Dispersal or removal of oxygen or flame
suppression is needed to extinguish
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Four classes of fires
• Class C Fire
• Energized electrical equipment
• motors, panels, transformers, wiring,
and circuits
• Can develop into other classes
• DO NOT USE WATER!
• Requires non-conductive
extinguishing media
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Four classes of fires
• Class D Fire
• Combustible metal
• Magnesium, titanium, zirconium,
lithium, and potassium
• Not generally found in green
industry
• Very hard to extinguish
• Must use extinguisher rated for
combustible metals
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Three types of extinguishers
1. Water
2. Carbon dioxide
3. Dry chemical
• Each has a specific use
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Water: Class A fires only
• Cools the fire or reduces the heat
and makes the fuel harder to burn
• Extinguishers are pressurized
• Pressure gauge is present and the
yellow arrow should be in the green
• DO NOT use on electrical or liquid
fires.
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Carbon dioxide: Class B or C
• Not commonly used on Class A
• Can spread the fire, does not
extinguish deep-seeded fires such
as a burning log
• Removes/displaces the oxygen
• There is no pressure gauge
• Note: Nozzle can reach freezing
temps and cause injuries including
frost bite on hands
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Dry chemical: Class A, B, C
• Commonly known as an ABC or
general purpose fire
extinguisher
• Extinguishes by chemically reacting
to the fuel source and smothering it
• Has pressure gauge
• Yellow arrow should be in the green
• Contents are a fine powder similar
to baking powder
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
How to use a fire extinguisher
• Just remember the
word PASS!
•
P:
Pull the pin.
• This will allow you to
squeeze the handle.
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
How to use a fire extinguisher
• A:
Aim.
• You must aim at the base of the fire.
• Start close and work away.
• If you aim it at the middle it just pass
right through.
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
How to use a fire extinguisher
• S:
Squeeze.
• This will release the extinguishing
agent.
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
How to use a fire extinguisher
• S:
Sweep.
• Use side to side motions.
• Cover the entire area that is on fire and
continue to use until the fire is
extinguished.
• Keep and eye out for re-ignition of the
flames.
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
If you must fight a fire…
• Always notify other employees in the
area or building FIRST before fighting
the fire.
• Fires can spread quickly; notify everyone
immediately so they may evacuate the
building or area
• Call 911
• Always have your back to the exit
• Use the right extinguisher for the fire
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
If you must fight a fire…
• Only fight a fire in its incipient stage
• “A fire which is in the initial or beginning
stage and which can controlled or
extinguished by portable fire
extinguishers, class II standpipe or small
hose systems without the need for
protective clothing or breathing
apparatus.”
• If it has spread beyond its original point
of origin, call 911
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
If you must fight a fire…
• If you cannot extinguish the fire with
just one fire extinguisher it might be
beyond your control
• Leave the area and wait for the fire
department
• If you instincts tell to you run, then
you RUN!!
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Control/eliminate fire hazards
• Cut down or remove brush or
trees from around buildings
• In buildings, check for excessive
accumulation of dust, cob webs or
other combustible materials
• Store flammable and combustible
materials in an approved fire
cabinet and away from ignition
sources
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Control/eliminate fire hazards
• Use approved electrical
installations which include using
proper fuses, circuit breakers,
outlets, junction boxes, covers
• Inspect all wiring and electric
motors and appliances for exposed
wires, missing or broken
insulation, improper grounding,
and missing ground pins
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Control/eliminate fire hazards
• Check your buildings heating
system for dirty airshafts and
motors
• Do not store or stack combustible
material near electrical panels,
circuits, transformers, or electrical
motors
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Control/eliminate fire hazards
• Do not store or stack combustible
material such as leaves or other
yard waste near the hot exhaust
of lawn mowers, leaf blower, gas
shears, or other mobile equipment
in the back of the trucks
• Let equipment cool down before
adding fuel
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Control/eliminate fire hazards
• Avoid welding, cutting, or
sharpening blades near
combustible or flammable material
• If possible welding or sharpening of
blades should be done in a designated
area
• Fire extinguishers should be readily
available
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Control/eliminate fire hazards
• Store oil-soaked rags in an
approved container
• Practice good housekeeping
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Review
• What are the different classes of fires that
your employees may see?
• What different types of fire extinguishers
does your company use?
• Where are fire extinguishers located in your
office and trucks?
• What are the basic principles of operating a
fire extinguisher?
• Notify other employees or people before
fighting the fire.
• Don’t be a hero!
SAFETY SCHOOL
> Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.