Fire Extinguisher Training Welcome to the Fire Extinguisher safety-training program. This presentation emphasizes hazard identification, avoidance, and control – not regulatory standards. No attempt has been made to treat the topic exhaustively. Companies using this training program should augment the information based on their specific organizational needs and circumstance. This training presentation is not a substitute for any of the provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 or for any standards issued by the U.S. Department of Labor. RiskAnalytics, LLC, the developers of this training program, has not made and does not make any warranty of any kind, express or implied, with respect to this training program; and all implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are hereby disclaimed by RiskAnalytics, LLC. RiskAnalytics, LLC will not be liable to anyone with regard to any damages, loss or claim whatsoever, no matter how occasioned, in connection with the preparation of, access to, or use of this training program. Fire Extinguisher Training Page 1  2006 RiskAnalytics, LLC

Objectives Understand the combustion process Describe the different fire classes Understand fire extinguisher use by fire class type, capabilities, and limitations Describe the basic fire extinguisher operating procedures – P.A.S.S. Understand basic firefighting concepts – R.A.C.E. Page 2

Introduction Fires and explosions kill more than 200 and injure more than 5,000 workers each year There is a long and tragic history of workplace fires in this country caused by problems with fire exits and extinguishing systems OSHA requires that where portable fire extinguishers have been provided for use in the workplace, employees must be provided with an educational program on the: General principles of fire extinguisher use Hazards of incipient (beginning) stage fire fighting Page 3

Basic Fire Physics The Fire Triangle Three things must be present at the same time to produce fire: fuel, heat and an oxidation agent which is usually oxygen The Fire Triangle Page 4

The Combustion Process The Fire Tetrahedron adds a 4th component – the chemical chain reaction which is the feedback of heat to the fuel to produce the gaseous fuel used in the flame The Fire Tetrahedron Page 5

Fire Classes A B C K A B C D K D Fire Class Geometric Symbol Pictogram Fire Type A Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber and plastics B Flammable liquids, gases, greases C Energized electrical equipment such as computers and office equipment D Combustible metals such as sodium, magnesium and potassium K Combustible cooking oils and fats in commercial cooking equipment A B C D K Page 6

Fire Extinguisher Anatomy DISCHARGE HOSE NOZZLE CYLINDER DATA PLATE CARRYING HANDLE PRESSURE GAUGE LEVER DISCHARGE LOCKING PIN AND SEAL Page 7

Extinguisher Classification Fire Class Geometric Symbol Pictogram Effective Extinguisher Type A Pressurized Water, Multi-purpose Dry Chemical, Halon, Wet Chemical B Multi-purpose Dry Chemical, Carbon Dioxide, Halon C Multi-purpose Dry Chemical, Carbon Dioxide, Halon, Wet Chemical D Combustible Metal K Wet Chemical A B C D K Page 8

Extinguisher Rating A B C K A B C D K D Fire Class Geometric Symbol Pictogram Extinguisher Rating A 1 to 40 for Class A fires B 1 to 640 for Class B C No Numerical Rating D Rated only for the type of metal that is burning K A B C D K Page 9

Extinguisher Data Label Page 10

Suitable for Class A and B Fires but NOT Class C Fires Multi-Class Ratings Suitable for Class A and B Fires but NOT Class C Fires Page 11

Fire Extinguisher Types - Pressurized Water Class “A” fires only Extinguishes by cooling burning material below the ignition point. Up to 1 minute discharge time Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity check 30-40 feet maximum effective range Can be started and stopped as necessary Page 12

Fire Extinguisher Types - Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Class “B” or “C” fires Extinguishes by smothering burning materials Effectiveness decreases as temperature of burning material increases 8-30 seconds discharge time. Has NO pressure gauge - capacity verified by weight 3-8 foot maximum effective range Page 13

Fire Extinguisher Types – Dry Chemical Filled with either foam or powder Depending on the agent, effective on Class B and C fires or Class A, B, and C fires Extinguishes by stopping the chain reaction 8-25 seconds discharge time 5-20 ft. maximum effective range Extinguishing material is quite corrosive Page 14

Fire Extinguisher Types - HALON Class “A”, “B”, or “C” fires Uses Halon 1211 pressurized liquid released as vapor Extinguishes by stopping the chain reaction 8-18 seconds discharge time 9-16 feet maximum effective range Ideal for electronics fire due to lack of residue Fumes toxic if inhaled Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity check Page 15

Fire Extinguisher Types - Combustible Metal Class “D” fires only Two primary Extinguishing Agents Sodium Chloride. Copper based dry powder Extinguishes by smothering burning materials 6-8 feet maximum effective range Page 16

Fire Extinguisher Types - Wet Chemical Uses potassium acetate as the extinguishing agent Extinguishes by cooling and forming foam blanket to prevent re-ignition 40 seconds discharge time 10-12 feet maximum effective range On Class “K” fires, don’t use until after fixed extinguishing system has activated Page 17

Portable Fire Extinguisher Placement Extinguishers must mounted, located and identified such that workers can access them without being subject to injury Regulations require placement as follows: If Class A hazards present must have a 2A extinguisher within 75 feet If Class B hazards present must have 5B to 80B extinguisher within 30-50 feet depending on flammable material present If Class C hazards present extinguisher size and spacing is based on its Class A or B hazard If Class D hazards present at least once every two weeks must have extinguishers not more then 75 feet from the hazard If Class K hazards present must install extinguishers at a maximum distance of 30 feet Blocked Extinguisher Page 18

Fire Extinguisher Maintenance Inspect all extinguisher at least every 30 days Fully charged in the “green zone” in and operable condition Accessible and stored in designated location Shake Dry Chemical extinguishers to prevent powder from settling Must conduct an annual maintenance check Must record the annual maintenance date and retain this record for one year after the last entry or the life of the shell, whichever is less Page 19

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher It’s easy to remember how to use a fire extinguisher if you remember the acronym P.A.S.S. P Pull the pin Aim at the base of the flames A S Squeeze the handle S Sweep side to side Page 20

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Pull the pin… This will allow you to discharge the extinguisher Page 21

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Aim at the base of the fire… Hit the fuel… If you aim at the flames the extinguishing agent will fly right through and do no good Page 22

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Squeeze the handle to depress the discharge lever… This depresses the actuating rod that releases the pressurized extinguishing agent Page 23

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Sweep from side to side until the fire is completely out Start using the extinguisher from a safe distance away, then slowly move forward. Page 24

Firefighting Decision Criteria Fires are very dangerous and often unpredictable Never attempt to fight a fire unless: The alarm is sounded. You know what is burning The fire is small, in its beginning stages and is not spreading rapidly You will not inhale toxic smoke You have safe egress route that can be reached without exposure to fire The available extinguishers are rated for size and type of fire If in doubt, evacuate! Remember R.A.C.E. Page 25

Fire Emergency Response Rescue A Alarm C Contain E Evacuate Page 26

Summary The Fire Triangle illustrates the rule that in order to ignite and burn, a fire requires three elements: heat, fuel, and oxygen The Fire Tetrahedron adds a fourth component to the fire triangle – the uninhibited chain reaction Fire extinguishment is based upon removing or hindering any one of these four elements Five classes Class A fires involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper or cloth Class B fires involve flammable or combustible fuels Class C fires are electrical fires Class D fires are metal fires Class K fires involve cooking oils and grease Portable fire extinguishers are classified to indicate their ability to handle specific classes and sizes of fires. Inspect and maintain extinguisher on a regular basis Remember P.A.S.S. and R.A.C.E. Page 27