An Introduction to Fire Extinguishers for Fairfax County

An Introduction to “Fire Extinguishers” for Fairfax County DPWES 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 1

Legal Basis for this Training Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Occupational Safety and Health Standards 29 CFR Part 1910 Subpart “L” - Fire Protection Standard 1910. 157 “Portable fire extinguishers” 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 2

1910. 157(b)(1) Where the employer has implemented a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate and total evacuation of employees from the workplace …and which includes an emergency action plan and fire prevention plan…and when extinguishers are not available in the workplace, the employer is exempt from all requirements of this section unless a specific standard in Part 1910 requires that a portable fire extinguisher be provided. 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 3

1910. 157 (g)(1) Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers… the employer shall provide an educational program to familiarize employees with general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting. 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 4

OBJECTIVES: After this training you should be able to: • IDENTIFY 3 common classes of fires • SELECT the proper type of extinguisher • EVALUATE when it is safe to fight an “early-stage” fire, and; • APPLY the “P. A. S. S. method to operate a portable extinguisher. 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 5

UNTRAINED PEOPLE Cannot use a fire extinguisher safely because they are: • UNABLE to evaluate a fire • UNAWARE of DANGER • LACKING JUDGEMENT due to. . . regarding: – Safe and correct use of, and – Limitations of portable extinguishers 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 6

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” 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 7

COMMON FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS “Ordinary” combustibles Paper, wood, rubber, plastics and textiles. “Flammable liquids” Oil, gasoline, solvents “Energized circuits” Electrical equipment and computers 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 8

HOW THEY WORK: • Works by cooling. • Numerical rating indicates amount of agent, duration, and range of discharge on test fires. • Area of Class A fire which a “non-expert” can extinguish, with proper training – 1 -A is equivalent on Class-A fire to five liters of water. – 2 -A contains has twice as much extinguishing agent. 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 9

HOW THEY WORK: • • • Works by blanketing the fuel. Interrupts chemical reaction at fuel surface. Class B ratings signify thearea in square feet of flammable liquid fire a unit will extinguish when used, by a trained, “non-expert. ” 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 10

HOW THEY WORK: • Class “C” units have no numerical rating. • A Class “C” rating doesn’t imply any capacity. • Only indicates that the extinguishing agent isnon -conductive, safe on energized equipment. • Works by displacing oxygen, smothering fire. 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 11

Portable Fire Extinguishers • Can be CARRIED to a fire • Weigh from 5 to 30 pounds • NFPA Class and Rating – Arabic numeralsaccording to efficiency - 4 A extinguishes twice as much Class A fire as 2 A 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 12

Portable Fire Extinguishers LIMITED IN: • Capacity - 1. 5 to 25 lbs. of extinguishing agent • Range - Typically 3 to 15 feet • Duration - Discharge their contents in only 5 to 30 seconds! 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 13

Extinguisher Common features • • Locking pin Carrying handle / operating lever Pressure gauge Label : – – Type (Water, C 02, Dry Chemical) Classification (A, B, C) NFPA capacity Rating Instructions • Discharge nozzle or horn 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 14

COMMON TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS: • WATER • DRY CHEMICAL • CO 2 and Halon 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 15

WATER • Water + CO 2 propellant • ONLY for Class fires – wood / paper, etc. • Spreads burning liquids! • DANGER of electric shock if used on on live circuits! 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 16

DRY CHEMICAL MULTI-PURPOSE RATED Either Or • Best for general use: • Reduced risk of re-ignition • A 10 lb. unit empties in 8 -10 secs. – Effective range of 6 ft. to 15 ft. 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 17

C 0 2 - Rated • Best on burning liquids / electrical • SHORT range - 3 to 8 ft. • 10 - pound unit empties in 5 to 10 seconds! – Use short spurts! • DISPERSES QUICKLY! – Continue applying after the fire is out! • Unit gets VERY cold - hold properly 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 18

Halon • Best for computers / electronics • • • Weight-for-weight. TWICE as effective as C 02 No residue, easy clean-up VERY SHORT range , 3 to 6 ft. Like C 02, Discharges QUICKLY! Like C 02, Disperses QUICKLY! – Continue after flames are extinguished 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 19

In case of burning odor or smoke: • Call 911 First! • Notify Security - X 43434 • Disconnect Equipment – Remove combustibles, if you can do so without danger to yourself • Notify Floor Monitors – and Emergency Safety Coordinator 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 20

REACT upon discovery of fire or smoke Remove persons in immediate danger! Ensure doors are closed! (confine fire/smoke) Activate the building alarm ! Call the Fire Department ! Treat ALL fires as DANGEROUS! – Continue a complete building evacuation – Do not attempt to fight a fire UNLESS you are OSHA certified in use of a fire extinguisher ! 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 21

Use a portable extinguisher ONLY if the: • Building isbeing evacuated (Fire alarm has been pulled) • Fire Department has been called (Dial 911!) • Fire is NOT spreading (small and contained) • EXIT IS CLEAR (fight fire with yourback 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! 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 22

Remember the PASS word: 1) Keep your back to a clear escape route, 2) Stand back 6 to 8 feet from the fire, 3) Then 11/30/2020 >>: P. A. S. S. PULL AIM SQUEEZE SWEEP DPWES - Fire. Safety 23

PULL the pin 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 24

AIM LOW at the base of the fire 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 25

SQUEEZE the lever 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 26

SWEEP from side to side 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 27

OK, It’s out… Now What? • WATCH the fire area – If the fire flares up again repeat! – If you can’t control the fire, LEAVE immediately! • Call the fire department to inspect the scene! • Recharge or replace any used fire extinguisher! 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 28

Sources for further information: http: //www/usfa. fema. gov/safety/sheets. htm http: //www. nfpa. org/education/index. html http: //www. ilpi. com/safety/extinguishers. html OR. . . Contact Fire PIO-LSE at 703 -246 -3801 11/30/2020 DPWES - Fire. Safety 29

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: This safety training module was developed in cooperation with: the National Fire Protection Association and the Public Information and Life Safety Education Section of the Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department 4100 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, VA 22020 www. co. fairfax. va. us/ps/fr/general/Piolse. htm (703) 246 -3801 or (703 -385 -4419 TTY Portions © 1995 -2000 by Dr. Robert Toreki, used by permission 11/30/2020 http: //www. ilpi. com/safety/extinguishers. html DPWES - Fire. Safety 30