|
FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS
Extinguishers
Have Limits
USED
PROPERLY, a portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by
putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department
arrives.
Portable extinguishers
for home use, however, are not designed to fight large or spreading
fires. They are useful only under certain conditions
· Extinguishers
should not be used by small children.
·
The operator most
know how to use the extinguisher. There is no time to read directions
during an emergency.
· The extinguisher must be within easy reach and in working order,
fully charged.
· The
operator must have a clear escape route that will not be blocked by
fire.
· The extinguisher must match the type of fire being fought. Extinguishers
containing water are unsuitable for use on grease or electrical fires.
· The extinguisher must be large enough to put out the fire. Many
portable extinguishers discharge completely in as few as 8 to 10 seconds.
Choosing Your Extinguisher
SELECT ONLY fire extinguishers that have been tested by an independent
laboratory and labeled for the type and size of fire they can extinguish.
Use these labels as a guide to purchase the kind of extinguisher that
suits your needs.
Classes of Fires
There are three basic classes of fires. All fire extinguishers are
labeled using standard symbols for the classes of fires they can put
out. A red slash through any of the symbols tells you the extinguisher
cannot be used on that class of fire. A missing symbol tells you only
that the extinguisher has not been tested for a given class of
fire.
 Class
A:
Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, and paper.
Class B:
Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, and oil-based
paint.
Class C:
Energized electrical
The extinguisher
must be appropriate for the type of fire being fought. Multipurpose
fire extinguishers, labeled ABC, may be used on all three classes of
fires. If you use the wrong type of extinguisher, you can endanger yourself
and make the fire worse.
In some cases,
it may be dangerous to use any type of fire extinguisher. An extinguishing
agent released under pressure could, for example, spread a grease fire
in a frying pan rather than put it out. In a kitchen, safety for a grease
fire is under Class B.
Extinguisher Sizes
Portable extinguishers are also rated for the size of fire they
can handle. This rating will appear on the label, for example, 2A:10B:C.
The larger the numbers, the larger the fire that the extinguisher can
put out, but higher rated models are often heavier. Make sure you can
hold and operate an extinguisher before you buy it.
Installation and Maintenance
EXTINGUISHERS SHOULD BE installed in plain view, above the reach of
children, near an escape route, and away from stoves and heating appliances.
Extinguishers require
routine care. Read your operator's manual to learn how to inspect your
extinguisher. Follow manufacturer's instructions or maintenance.
Rechargeable models
must be serviced after every use. (Service companies are listed in the
Yellow Pages under "Fire Extinguishers".) Disposable fire extinguishers
can be used only once and must be replaced after use.
|
Remember the PASS-word
KEEP YOUR back to an unobstructed exit and stand six to eight
feet (two to three meters) away. Follow the four-step PASS procedure:
PULL
the pin:
This unlocks the operating lever and allows you to discharge the extinguisher.
Some extinguishers may have other lever-release mechanisms.
AIM low: Point
the extinguisher nozzle (or hose) at the base of the fire.
SQUEEZE the
level above the handle: This discharges the extinguishing agent.
Releasing the lever will stop the discharge. (Some extinguishers have
a button instead of a lever.)
SWEEP from
side to side: Moving carefully toward the fire, keep the extinguisher
aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth until the flames
appear to be out. Watch the fire area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat
the process.
Always be sure
the fire department inspects the fire site, even if you think you've
extinguished the fire.
Should You Fight the
Fire?
Before you begin to fight a fire, make sure:
· Everyone
has left, or is leaving, the building and make sure the fire department
has been called.
· The fire is confined to a small area and is not spreading.
· You have an unobstructed escape route to which the fire will
not spread.
· The extinguisher is the right type for the fire.
· You have read the instructions and you know how to use the
extinguisher.
It is reckless
to fight a fire under any other circumstances. Instead, leave immediately
and close off the area.
People Protecting
People Since 1896
© National Fire Protection Association
Batterymarch Park, Quincy, MA 02269-9101
|
Return to main page
Can
we find you in an emergency?