7 Portable Fire Extinguishers Skill Drills

2 Objectives Transport the extinguisher to the location of the fire. Select and operate a portable fire extinguisher safely to effectively extinguish an incipient fire. Attack a Class A fire with a stored-pressure water-type fire extinguisher. Attack a Class A or B fire with a multipurpose dry chemical fire extinguisher. Attack a Class B flammable liquid fire with a stored-pressure foam fire extinguisher. Use a wet chemical fire extinguisher. Use a halogenated agent-type extinguisher. Use dry powder fire extinguishing agents. 7

3 Skill Drill 7-1 Transporting a Fire Extinguisher Step 1: Locate the extinguisher and remove it from its mounting bracket. Step 2: When lifting an extinguisher, always lift with your legs and not your back. 7

4 Skill Drill 7-1 Transporting a Fire Extinguisher Step 3: Grasp the handle with the less-favored hand and support the bottom of the extinguisher in the favored or stronger hand. 7

5 Skill Drill 7-1 Transporting a Fire Extinguisher Step 4: If the extinguisher has a fixed nozzle, hold the extinguisher at arm’s length in your favored or stronger hand. If the extinguisher has a hose with a nozzle, carry the extinguisher in your less- favored hand and use the other hand to grip the nozzle. 7

6 Skill Drill 7-2 Operating a Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher Step 1: Pull the pin on the handle. Step 2: Remove the horn or nozzle from secured position on the extinguisher and aim in the direction of your approach. 7

7 Skill Drill 7-2 Operating a Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher Step 3: Give the trigger a quick squeeze to ensure that the extinguisher is operational and the agent discharges properly. Step 4: Approach the fire with an exit to your back. Never let the fire get between you and the exit. 7

8 Skill Drill 7-2 Operating a Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher Step 5: Aim the nozzle of the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire and squeeze the trigger. Step 6: Sweep the extinguishing agent from side to side, continuing to aim at the base of the flames. Continue to use the extinguisher until the fire is out or the extinguisher is empty. 7

9 Skill Drill 7-2 Operating a Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher Step 7: Back away from the fire. Overhaul the fire to ensure that it is completely extinguished. 7

10 Skill Drill 7-3 Attacking a Class A Fire with a Stored- Pressure Water-Type Fire Extinguisher Step 1: Begin to attack the fire from a safe distance. Step 2: Aim the stream directly at the base of the flames. Sweep the nozzle back and forth, moving closer as the fire goes out. 7

11 Skill Drill 7-3 Attacking a Class A Fire with a Stored- Pressure Water-Type Fire Extinguisher Step 3: After the flames are out, position your finger in front of the nozzle to create a spray and soak the fuel. Step 4: Break apart the fuel with a stick and apply the extinguishing agent to any smoldering, smoking, or glowing surfaces. 7

12 Skill Drill 7-3 Attacking a Class A Fire with a Stored- Pressure Water-Type Fire Extinguisher Step 5: Apply additional water spray to prevent the fire from re-igniting. 7

13 Skill Drill 7-4 Attacking a Class A Fire with a Multipurpose Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher 1.Begin to attack the fire from a safe distance taking advantage of the reach of the dry chemical discharge stream. 2.Aim the stream directly at the base of the flames. 3.Sweep the nozzle back and forth, moving closer as the fire is extinguished. 4.After the flames are out, apply additional agent in short bursts to ensure that all hot surfaces are coated with dry chemical. 7

14 Skill Drill 7-4 Attacking a Class A Fire with a Multipurpose Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher 5.If the fire is deep-seated (burning below the surface, as in a tightly packed trash barrel or a brush pile), break the fuel apart with a stick or long- handled tool. Apply additional extinguishing agent to any smoldering, smoking, or glowing surfaces. 6.Watch for indications of re-ignition and apply additional agent in short bursts as required. If necessary, use a fine water spray to soak the fuel. 7

15 Skill Drill 7-5 Attacking a Class B Flammable Liquid Fire with a Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher Step 1: Check the pressure gauge to ensure that the extinguisher is properly charged. Step 2: Pull the pin on the handle. 7

16 Skill Drill 7-5 Attacking a Class B Flammable Liquid Fire with a Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher Step 3: Begin fighting the fire from a safe distance. Step 4: Do not aim the initial discharge directly into the liquid from close range. 7

17 Skill Drill 7-5 Attacking a Class B Flammable Liquid Fire with a Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher Step 5: Discharge the stream at the base of the flame, starting at the near edge of the fire and working toward the back. 7

18 Skill Drill 7-5 Attacking a Class B Flammable Liquid Fire with a Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher Step 6: Sweep the nozzle back and forth across the surface of the flammable liquid. Step 7: Look for hot or smoldering objects that could re-ignite the liquid. 7

19 Skill Drill 7-6 Attacking a Class B Flammable Liquid Fire with a Stored- Pressure Foam Fire Extinguisher (AFFF or FFFP) Step 1: Begin fighting the fire from a safe distance. Step 2: Do not aim the discharge stream directly into the liquid. 7

20 Skill Drill 7-6 Attacking a Class B Flammable Liquid Fire with a Stored- Pressure Foam Fire Extinguisher (AFFF or FFFP) Step 3: Lob the foam in an arc over the fire to create a blanket that floats on the surface. 7

21 Skill Drill 7-6 Attacking a Class B Flammable Liquid Fire with a Stored- Pressure Foam Fire Extinguisher (AFFF or FFFP) Step 4: Slowly sweep the stream back and forth above the flaming surface to widen the foam blanket. Let the foam blanket flow across the surface of the burning liquid. After the flames are extinguished, continue to apply agent until the liquid surface is fully covered by the foam blanket. 7

22 Skill Drill 7-6 Attacking a Class B Flammable Liquid Fire with a Stored- Pressure Foam Fire Extinguisher (AFFF or FFFP) Step 5: Apply additional agent as needed to maintain the foam blanket and control any re-ignition. 7

23 Skill Drill 7-7 Use of Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers Step 1: Begin to apply the agent from a safe distance. *Courtesy of Ansul Incorporated training materials. 7

24 Skill Drill 7-7 Use of Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers Step 2: Do not direct the agent stream directly into the burning liquid. Lob the extinguishing agent, expelled as a fine spray, lightly onto the burning surface to create a foam blanket. 7

25 Skill Drill 7-7 Use of Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers Step 3: Continue to discharge the extinguisher until the foam blanket has extinguished all flames. Step 4: Do not disturb the foam blanket even after all flames have died down. If re-ignition occurs, repeat these steps. 7

26 Skill Drill 7-8 Use of Halogenated Agent Type Extinguishers 1.If possible, turn off or disconnect the electrical power from a remote location before attacking the fire. 2.Stand back at least 8' (2.4 m) when you begin to discharge the agent. 3.Direct the stream at the base of the flames, sweeping the agent slowly from side to side. 4.Continue to apply the extinguishing agent for a short time after the flames have gone out. This allows the fuel to cool, preventing re-ignition. 5.Watch the fire area for re-ignition. Repeat the agent application, if necessary. 7

27 Skill Drill 7-9 Use of Dry Powder Fire Extinguishing Agents Step 1: Open the nozzle completely and direct the agent so that it falls onto the top of the burning material. Step 2: Close the nozzle valve to produce a soft, heavy flow and move closer to cover the fire area completely. 7

28 Skill Drill 7-9 Use of Dry Powder Fire Extinguishing Agents Step 3: Do not disturb the blanket of extinguishing agent until the fire has cooled completely. 7