Fire Safety Extinguishers Introduction Fire extinguishers are located

Fire Safety & Extinguishers

Introduction • Fire extinguishers are located throughout all buildings in the district. • This presentation will provide you with information regarding extinguisher responsibilities, inspections, recharging, and use. Also general fire safety and procedures.

Agenda • • • • Who is responsible for site / department & other extinguishers? Who recharges extinguishers and coordinates recharging? When is recharging accomplished & how does it get done? Are there required inspections? How are fires classified? How to prevent fires & When not to fight a fire. How fires start & How to extinguish small fires. How to identify the proper fire extinguisher. How to use a portable fire extinguisher & How to inspect your extinguishers. Different extinguishers look different. What if only part of the extinguisher is used. How to evacuate a burning building & What to do if someone catches on fire. Summary.

Who is responsible for school site extinguishers? • Head custodians are responsible at their respective school sites.

Who is responsible for department extinguishers? • Departments have assigned individuals that are responsible. • Departments involved are: • Transportation / Food Service • Head custodians should also inspect kitchen extinguishers in addition to food service personnel.

Who is responsible for extinguishers in other areas? • Individuals in special areas are responsible for their extinguishers. Areas are: • Vehicles • Warehouse • District Office • Special extinguishers (kitchen overheads), are inspected and maintained by an outside contractor. • Periodic inspection by Head custodians is required to supplement this.

Who recharges extinguishers? • An outside company recharges all district extinguishers. • The company currently used is Fire Masters located in Reno, Nv.

Who coordinates the recharging? • The district maintenance department coordinates recharging of all extinguishers except transportation. • The transportation supervisor coordinates all transportation extinguishers.

When is recharging accomplished? • Once a year (annually) • The month of August is the month of outside company inspection and recharging.

How do I get spent extinguishers recharged? If there is a spent extinguisher from use or vandalism: • Call the number on the fire extinguisher tag (Fire Masters) to come out and recharge the unit(s). • Place the necessary information in the log, (document), including when the unit was recharged. • Notify the maintenance department of the situation in order for proper billing and tracking to occur.

Are There Required Inspections? Yes • Responsible individuals must inspect extinguishers in areas of access to the public once a week. These area include hallways and meeting areas. • Extinguishers in areas not accessed by the public must be inspected once every three (3) months. • Recording of dates of inspections, findings, and repairs and / or actions taken, must be documented by the responsible idividual and kept in the back of the site safety binder.

How Fires Are Classified CLASS A Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and some plastics.

How Fires Are Classified CLASS B Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane.

How Fires Are Classified CLASS C Energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes and power tools.

How Fires Are Classified CLASS D Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These metals burn at high temperatures and give off sufficient oxygen to support combustion. They may react violently with water or other chemicals, and must be handled with care.

How To Prevent Fires Class A — Ordinary combustibles: Keep storage and working areas free of trash Place oily rags in covered containers.

How To Prevent Fires Class B — q Flammable liquids or gases: q Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space, especially in the presence of an open flame such as a furnace or water heater. q Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment while it's hot. q Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly closed, self-closing, spill-proof containers. q Pour from storage drums only what you'll need. q Store flammable liquids away from sparkproducing sources. q Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas.

How To Prevent Fires • Class C — Electrical equipment: q Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings. Report any hazardous condition to your supervisor. q Prevent motors from overheating by keeping them clean and in good working order. A spark from a rough-running motor can ignite the oil and dust in it. q Utility lights should always have some type of wire guard over them. Heat from an uncovered light bulb can easily ignite ordinary combustibles. q Don't misuse fuses. Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for the circuit. q Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells strange. Unusual odors can be the first sign of fire. q Don't overload wall outlets. Two outlets should have no more than two plugs.

How To Prevent Fires Class D — Flammable metals: q Flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium generally take a very hot heat source to ignite; however, once ignited are difficult to extinguish as the buring reaction produces sufficient oxygen to support combustion, even under water. q In some cases, covering the burning metal with sand can help contain the heat and sparks from the reaction. Class D extinguishing agents are available (generally as a dry powder in a bucket or box) which can be quite effective, but these agents are rare on the campus. q If you are planning a research project using a large amount of flammable metals you should consider purchasing a five or ten pound container of Class-D extinguishing agent as a precaution.

How To Prevent Fires • Class D — Flammable metals: q Pure metals such as potassium and sodium react violently (even explosively) with water and some other chemicals, and must be handled with care. Generally these metals are stored in sealed containers in a non-reactive liquid to prevent decay (surface oxidation) from contact with moisture in the air. q White phosphorus is air-reactive and will burn/explode on contact with room air. It must be kept in a sealed container with a non-reactive solution to prevent contact with air. q All of these metals are not uncommon in labs on the OU campus, but are generally only found in small quantities and accidental fires/reactions can be controlled or avoided completely through knowledge of the properties of the metals and using good judgment and common sense.

When Not to Fight a Fire Never fight a fire: • If the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started. • If you can't fight the fire with your back to an escape exit. • If the fire can block your only escape. • If you don't have adequate fire-fighting equipment. In any of these situations, DON'T FIGHT THE FIRE YOURSELF. CALL FOR HELP.

How Fires Start Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of a fuel. It needs three elements to occur: FUEL - Fuel can be any combustible material - solid, liquid or gas. Most solids and liquids become a vapor or gas before they will burn. OXYGEN - The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. fire only needs an atmosphere with at least 16 percent oxygen. HEAT - Heat is the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to a point where sufficient vapors are given off for ignition to occur.

When Not to Fight a Fire • CHEMICAL REACTION - A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire are present in the proper conditions and proportions. Fire occurs when this rapid oxidation, or burning takes place. Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannot occur or will be extinguished if it was already burning.

How to Extinguish Small Fires • Class A - Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material below its ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition. Use pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose(ABCrated) dry chemical extinguishers. DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers on Class A fires.

How to Extinguish Small Fires • Class B - Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or gases by removing the oxygen, preventing the vapors from reaching the ignition source or inhibiting the chemical chain reaction. Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multipurpose dry chemical, and halon extinguishers may be used to fight Class B fires.

How to Extinguish Small Fires • Class C - Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting electrical currents. Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical and halon* fire extinguishers may be used to fight Class C fires. DO NOT USE water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment. * Even though halon is widely used, EPA legislation is phasing it out of use in favor of agents less harmful to the environment.

How to Extinguish Small Fires • Class D - Extinguish combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium with dry powder extinguishing agents specially designated for the material involved. In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material, cooling it below its ignition temperature.

How to Extinguish Small Fires • NOTE: Multipurpose (ABC-rated)chemical extinguishers leave a residue that can harm sensitive equipment, such as computers and other electronic equipment. Because of this, carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are preferred in these instances because they leave very little residue. ABC dry powder residue is mildly corrosive to many metals. For example, residue left over from the use of an ABC dry powder extinguisher in the same room with a piano can seriously corrode piano wires. Carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are provided for most labs and computer areas on campus.

How to Identify the Proper Fire Extinguisher • All ratings are shows on the extinguisher faceplate. Some extinguishers are marked with multiple ratings such as AB, BC and ABC. These extinguishers are capable of putting out more than one class of fire. Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicates how large a fire an experienced person can safely put out with that extinguisher.

How to Identify the Proper Fire Extinguisher • Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the extinguishing agent will not conduct electrical current. Class C extinguishers must also carry a Class A or B rating. Class D extinguishers carry only a letter rating indicating their effectiveness on certain amounts of specific metals.

How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher • HOW TO USE A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER Remember the acronym, "P. A. S. S. "— P. . . Pull the Pin. A. . . Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames. S. . . Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher upright. S. . . Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area of the fire with the extinguishing agent.

How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher • REMEMBER: • Should your path of escape be threatened • Should the extinguisher run out of agent • Should the extinguisher prove to be ineffective • Should you no longer be able to safely fight the fire • . . . THEN LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!

How to Inspect Your Fire Extinguishers • Know the locations of the fire extinguishers in your work area. Make sure the class of the extinguisher is safe to use on fires likely to occur in the immediate area. Check the plastic seal holding the pin in the extinguisher handle. Has the extinguisher been tampered with or used before? Report any broken/missing seals/pins to the Fire Safety Unit at 325 -1015. Look at the gauge and feel the weight. Is the extinguisher full? Does it need to be recharged?

How to Inspect Your Fire Extinguishers • Water, some foam, and dry chemical extinguishers have gauges indicating the pressure inside the extinguisher. The pressure needle should be in the "green" area (generally 100 -175 lbs. , depending on the type of agent). • CO 2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are high pressure cylinders with pressures ranging from 1500 lb to 2150 lb. These extinguishers DO NOT have gauges and must be weighed by Fire Safety Unit staff to determine the amount of contents remaining.

How to Inspect Your Fire Extinguishers • Make sure the pin, nozzle and nameplate are intact. The Fire Safety Unit inspects and services all OU fire extinguishers on a year-round basis, but we would still encourage you to be aware of the condition of your area's extinguishers by visual inspection on a frequent basis to ensure you have a working extinguisher there when you need one. Report any missing, empty or damaged fire extinguishers to the Fire Safety Unit (325 -1015) whenever you notice any discrepancies.

Different Extinguishers Look Different • Generally, you can tell with a glance which type an extinguisher is hanging on the wall, or in the cabinet, just by looking at its shape. Check the labels of the extinguishers in your area and note the color and shape/size of the extinguisher. This may help if someone runs in to help you fight a fire with the WRONG extinguisher (i. e. water on an electrical fire) - you can STOP them before they are injured or make matters worse!

Different Extinguishers Look Different BC-rated multipurpose dry powder extinguishers are the most common on campus, particularly in the corridors of academic buildings. They are almost always RED in color and have either a long narrow hose or no hose (just a short nozzle). These extinguishers are very light (5 -25 lbs total weight) Halon extinguishers look virtually identical to ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers.

Different Extinguishers Look Different • Water extinguishers are generally only found in the dormitories and are usually SILVER (crome-metal) in color, have a flat bottom, have a long narrow hose, are quite large (21/2 gallons). Foam extinguishers (rare on the OU campus, nowadays) look similar and the type without gauges have a handle inset in the flat bottom (you turn the extinquisher upside down to start it and use it)

Different Extinguishers Look Different CO 2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are generally red (often yellow around aircraft or on military sites), have a LARGE "tapered" nozzle (horn), are VERY HEAVY (15 -85 lbs. ) -some CO 2 extinguishers for aircraft hangers or special industrial use are so large as to require roll-around carts to move them. These are all high-pressure cylinders.

Different Extinguishers Look Different § Care should be used not to drop a CO 2 cylinder; if it is damaged it can punch a hole through the nearest wall(s) and end up on the other side of campus! (The containers are quite sturdy, but don't abuse them. ) CO 2 cylinders do not have a pressure gauge - they must be weighed to determine the amount of contents.

What If I Don’t Use all of the Extinguisher Contents? § After ANY use a BC or ABC extinguisher MUST be serviced and recharged. This is very important for home extinguishers also; YOU MUST HAVE THE EXTINGUISHER REFILLED AFTER ANY USE. You can't "test" an extinguisher and put it back in the cabinet!

How to Evacuate a Burning Building 1. The last one out of the room should not lock the door, just close it. Locking the door hinders the fire department's search and rescue efforts. 2. Proceed to the exit as outlined in the Emergency Action Plan. 3. NEVER, NEVER use elevators under any circumstances. 4. Stay low to avoid smoke and toxic gases. The best air is close to the floor, so crawl if necessary.

How to Evacuate a Burning Building § If possible, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth to help you breathe. § If you work in a building with multiple stories, a stairway will be your primary escape route. Most enclosed stairwells in buildings over two stories are "rated" enclosures and will provide you a safe means of exit; don't panic descend stairs slowly and carefully.

How to Evacuate a Burning Building § Once in the stairwell, proceed down to the first floor. Never go up. § Once outside the building, report to a predetermined area so that a head count can be taken.

What to do if Trapped in a Burning Building § If you're trying to escape a fire, never open a closed door without feeling it first. Use the back of your hand to prevent burning your palm. If the door is hot, try another exit. If none exists, seal the cracks around the doors and vents with anything available. If in a dorm room, use wet towels to seal the space under the door and prevent the entry of smoke. Cracks around the door can be sealed with masking tape if necessary.

What to do if Trapped in a Burning Building § If trapped, look for a nearby phone and call the fire department, giving them your exact location. If breathing is difficult, try to ventilate the room, but don't wait for an emergency to discover that window can't be opened. If on an upper floor and your window is of a type that CANNOT be opened, DON'T break it out- you'll be raining glass down on rescuers and people exiting the building. If you can't contact the fire department by phone, wave for attention at the window. Don't panic.

What to do if Someone Catches on Fire § If you should catch on fire: STOP - where you are DROP - to the floor ROLL - around on the floor This will smother the flames, possibly saving your life. Just remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL. If a co-worker catches on fire, smother flames by grabbing a blanket or rug and wrapping them up in it. That could save them from serious burns or even death.

Summary • Fire extinguisher training is necessary to prevent harm from misuse. • Know your evacuation plan. • Know the location of all fire extinguishers in your building. • There are many types of fires and all are handled differently.

Questionnaire Please click here to go to the Fire Extinguisher and Safety Questionnaire.