Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are not designed to fight large fires.  Even against small fires, they are useful only under the right conditions.

For a fire extinguisher to be effective it must be available, in working order, the operator should knowledgeable with its use, and be mentally ready to fight the fire.

A fire extinguisher should be "listed" by an independent testing laboratory such as FM (Factory Mutual) or UL (Underwriters Laboratory).

You may need more than one extinguisher in your home.  For example, you may want an extinguisher in the kitchen as well as one in the garage or workshop.  Each extinguisher should be installed in plain view near an escape route and away from potential fire hazards such as heating appliances.  You do not want to go past the fire to get to the fire extinguisher.

Types of Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are labeled according to the type of fire on which they may be used.  Fires involving wood or cloth, flammable liquids, electrical, or metal sources react differently to the different extinguishers.  Using one type of extinguisher on the wrong type of fire could be dangerous and make matters even worse, such as water on electricity or flammable liquids.

Classes of Fires:

Common

A - ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, and paper

B - flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, and grease,

C - energized electrical equipment, including wiring, circuit breakers, and appliances

Uncommon

D - combustible metals such as magnesium and potassium in industrial settings 

K – cooking oils found in commercial kitchens

The labels A, B, C, D, and K are used to indicate the type of fire on which an extinguisher is to be used.  Recently, pictograms have come into use on fire extinguishers.  These are drawings of the type of fire on which an extinguisher is effective.  For instance, a Type A extinguisher has a picture showing burning wood.  A Type C extinguisher has a picture showing an electrical cord and outlet.  These pictograms are also used to show what not to use.  For example, a Type A extinguisher will show a picture of an electrical cord and outlet with a big slash through it.  In other words, don't use it on an electrical fire.

Ratings

Fire extinguishers also have ratings given to them.  Most fire extinguishers are good for more than one class of fire.  Because of this, it is important to see what the rating of the extinguisher is prior to your needing it.  A typical rating for a home, multi-purpose extinguisher is 2A10BC.  Often this is referred to as a 5 pound extinguisher.  Basically this means that for class A fires (wood and paper) it will put out twice the amount of A fire as a 1A extinguisher.  Then next number is more important.  It tells you how many square feet of flammable liquids the extinguisher will put out.  Ten square feet, or roughly a 3.1’ X 3.1’ area of flammable liquids.  The C just indicates that the extinguisher will not conduct electricity.  Simply, the higher the BC number, the more fire it will extinguish.  The class D and K extinguishers are special use, and will not be seen in homes.

A good fire extinguisher to have is a multi-purpose dry chemical one.  It should minimally be rated at 2A10BC.  They can be purchased at any hardware or home improvement store.

Using a Fire Extinguisher

There is a simple acronym to remember to operate most fire extinguishers – PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep

Pull the pin at the top of the cylinder.  Some units require the releasing of a lock latch or pressing a puncture lever.

Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.

Squeeze or press the handle.

Sweep the contents from side to side at the base of the fire, overlapping the edges, until it goes out.

When to Fight a Fire

When using a fire extinguisher keep some things in mind:

·         Make sure everyone has left or is leaving the building – pull the fire alarm.

·         Make sure the fire department has been called.

·         Only fight small fires confined to the immediate area where it started – we suggest that if the fire is bigger than a garbage can you should not try to fight the fire.  Most people are quite surprised to learn that the average home fire extinguisher (2A10BC) will only last 10 – 12 SECONDS!!

·         Have a way out.  You should ALWAYS position yourself between the fire and an exit.  In the event anything goes wrong, you can quickly turn around and leave the building.

·         Make sure the extinguisher is rated for the type of fire you are fighting.

·         You know how to use the extinguisher.

·         That you are physically and mentally able to attack the fire.  Remember, if you have the slightest doubt about whether or not to fight the fire - DON'T.  Instead, get out, closing the door behind you to slow the spread of the fire.

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