FIRE EXTINGUISHER WHAT IS FIRE Fire is a

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

WHAT IS FIRE? • • • Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of a fuel. For fire to occur, four elements are needed ; Fuel, Oxygen, . Heat and chemical chain reaction. FUEL: is any combustible material whether solid, liquid or gas. Before most solids and liquids can burn, they must become vapour or gas. OXYGEN: The percentage of O 2 needed for fire to occur is at least 16%. In the absence of O 2, combustion cannot occur. HEAT: is the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to a point where sufficient vapour are given off for ignition to occur. CHEMICAL CHAIN REACTION: A chain can occur when the three elements of fire are present in the proper conditions & proportions. Fire occurs when this rapid oxidation or burning takes place. Fire will not occur if these factors are taken away and it will be extinguished if it was already burning.

MAIN TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER • 1. Class A: For fighting fires in ordinary combustible mats, such as wood, paper, cloth, straw or hay. • 2. Class B: For fires in flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, paint, solvents, fuel and kerosene. • 3. Class C: For electrical fires • 4. Class A, B & C for combination of fires. • 5. Class D : For fires in combustible metals such as Magnesium. • NOTE: Knowing the type of fuel helps determine what kind of fire extinguisher to use and how to use it.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING THE EXTINGUISHER • • • Fire spread very quickly & it can cause extensive damage in a spilt second, leaving people or killed. 1. Before putting out a fire, get other people to safety. 2. Notify the fire department immediately or get someone else to do it for you. 3. Only fight a fire that as small & confined to the immediate area. If not, leave for the fire department / fighters. 4. Escape if it is out of hand rather than putting your life at risk. Therefore, be sure of an escape route. 5. Make sure the extinguisher is the kind for the type of fire. 6. Only fight a fire if you are comfortable doing so, Don’t try to be a hero and don’t panic. Don’t fight a chemical fire unless you have been specifically trained. 7. Do not use a fire extinguisher with a missing safety pin, a gauge that has been discharged, or a tag indicating that it has not been serviced.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS WHILE USING THE EXTINGUISHER (CONTD) • 8. Turn off the power in the area by fighting an electrical fire. • 9. Stay low if you are inside a burning building as you will breathe in less smoke near the floor. • Stay low when you are in a free situation to avoid breading smoke & vapors • 10. Back away from the fire area in safety once the fire is out. • 11. Don’t continue trying to fight a fire if it starts to spread. • 12. Don’t ever play around with fire extinguisher. • 13. Don’t use water to fight flammable liquid fire or electrical fire. • NOTE: It is very important to identify the type of fuel feeding the fire to select the correct method and agent for extinguishing the fire. • Never use water on a fire unless you know what is burning: Water conducts electricity, causing the problem to spread and cause more shorting in the equipment. Water will also move burning oil, gas and other petroleum products into new areas to ignite.

APPLICATION OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER/ HOW TO USE Steps • 1. Know where the closet fire extinguisher is located and then check whether on it (A, B, C or D) to make sure it is the proper type for the fire. • 2. Hold the fire extinguisher upright and, pull the safety pin at the top. • 3. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. • 4. Stay 6 -10 feet away from the fire. • 5. Squeeze the handle. • 6. Using a sweeping motion, quickly spray the fire extinguisher agents over the entire base of the fire.

HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER. Remember “PASS” • P PULL. Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal • A AIM. Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire. Stand approximately 8 feet away. • Note: Do not touch the plastic discharge horn; it may get very cold and may damage skin. • S SQUEEZE. Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent’ • S SWEEP. Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the area. If the fire reignites, repeat steps 2 through 4.