1. Portable Fire Extinguishers Selection and Placement University Safety Council April 19, 2006 Steven G. Triebold Fire Prevention and Protection Program Manager Environmental Health and Safety Penn State University 865-6391sgt4@psu.edu

2. Program Outline Purpose of Portable Fire Extinguishers Purpose of Portable Fire Extinguishers Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers Selection Criteria for Extinguishers Selection Criteria for Extinguishers Distribution Criteria for Extinguishers Distribution Criteria for Extinguishers

3. When a building is constructed or renovated the selection, placement and installation of fire extinguishers is part of the construction project based on the layout of the building. As the building is occupied and additional uses are added it may be necessary to add additional fire extinguishers to protect against fire.

4. Purpose of Fire Extinguishers Used properly, a portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by extinguishing a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. Portable fire extinguishers are not designed to fight large or spreading fires. Used properly, a portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by extinguishing a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. Portable fire extinguishers are not designed to fight large or spreading fires.

6. Definitions Class A – Fires involving ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, rubber, plastics) Class A – Fires involving ordinary combustibles (wood, paper, rubber, plastics) Class B – Fires involving flammable liquids, oils, greases, tars, oil based paints, flammable gases. Class B – Fires involving flammable liquids, oils, greases, tars, oil based paints, flammable gases. Class C – Fires involving energized electrical equipment Class C – Fires involving energized electrical equipment Class D – Fires involving combustible metals Class D – Fires involving combustible metals (magnesium, titanium, sodium etc.) (magnesium, titanium, sodium etc.) Class K – Fires involving combustible cooking media (fats, oils) Class K – Fires involving combustible cooking media (fats, oils)

7. Class A Fire Extinguisher 75 foot maximum travel distance 75 foot maximum travel distance Pressurized water extinguisher (2 ½ gallons) Pressurized water extinguisher (2 ½ gallons) Extinguishes by reducing temp of burning fuel. Extinguishes by reducing temp of burning fuel. Easy cleanup Easy cleanup

8. Class B Fire Extinguisher 50 foot maximum travel distance 50 foot maximum travel distance Dry Chemical extinguishing agent (Common Type) Dry Chemical extinguishing agent (Common Type) Extinguishes by interfering with the chemical chain reaction of fire. Extinguishes by interfering with the chemical chain reaction of fire. Residue clean up Residue clean up

9. Class C Fire Extinguisher Located in proximity to electrical equipment. Located in proximity to electrical equipment. Extinguishing agent non- conductive. Extinguishing agent non- conductive. De-energize electrical equipment. De-energize electrical equipment. Removes Oxygen, interferes with chemical chain reaction of fire. Removes Oxygen, interferes with chemical chain reaction of fire. Some agents leave no residue for cleanup. Some agents leave no residue for cleanup.

10. Class D Extinguisher 75 foot maximum travel distance 75 foot maximum travel distance Installed in areas where combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, chips are generated. Installed in areas where combustible metal powders, flakes, shavings, chips are generated. Dry Powder extinguishing agent Dry Powder extinguishing agent Encapsulates burning metal. Encapsulates burning metal. Extinguishes by removing oxygen. Extinguishes by removing oxygen.

11. Class K Extinguisher 30 Foot maximum travel distance. 30 Foot maximum travel distance. Used in conjunction with Hood Suppression System Used in conjunction with Hood Suppression System Extinguishes by creating foam blanket on burning material and excluding oxygen. Extinguishes by creating foam blanket on burning material and excluding oxygen.

12. Light (Low) Hazard Locations where the total amount of Class A combustible materials including finishes, decorations and contents is of minor quantity. (ex. office, classrooms, churches, guestrooms in hotels) Locations where the total amount of Class A combustible materials including finishes, decorations and contents is of minor quantity. (ex. office, classrooms, churches, guestrooms in hotels) Class A Extinguisher Class A Extinguisher

13. Ordinary (Light) Hazard Locations where the total amount of Class A combustibles and Class B flammables are present in greater amounts than expected under light (low) hazards. (ex. Dining areas, mercantile shops, research operations) Locations where the total amount of Class A combustibles and Class B flammables are present in greater amounts than expected under light (low) hazards. (ex. Dining areas, mercantile shops, research operations) Multi Class Extinguisher ABC. Multi Class Extinguisher ABC.

14. Extra Hazard Locations where total amounts of Class A Combustibles and Class B Flammables is over and above those expected in Ordinary Light hazard occupancies. (ex. Commercial kitchen fryers, wood shops) Locations where total amounts of Class A Combustibles and Class B Flammables is over and above those expected in Ordinary Light hazard occupancies. (ex. Commercial kitchen fryers, wood shops)

15. Extra Hazard Extinguishers Kitchen Kitchen –Type “K” extinguisher –Maximum 30 feet travel distance. Other Areas Other Areas –Type ABC –Maximum 50 feet travel distance.

16. Selection Principles Nature of the combustibles or flammables that might be ignited. Nature of the combustibles or flammables that might be ignited. Potential severity (size, intensity, speed of travel) of any resulting fire. Potential severity (size, intensity, speed of travel) of any resulting fire. Effectiveness of the fire extinguisher on the hazard. Effectiveness of the fire extinguisher on the hazard. Ease of use of the extinguisher Ease of use of the extinguisher

17. A fire creates conditions of stress and intense excitement. Under these conditions, the choice of a correct fire extinguisher needs to be made quickly. The following procedures can be used to ensure selection of the correct fire extinguisher. Locating the fire extinguisher near fire hazards for which they are suitable. Locating the fire extinguisher near fire hazards for which they are suitable. Using fire extinguishers suitable for more than one class of fire. Using fire extinguishers suitable for more than one class of fire. Marking clearly the intended use of the fire extinguisher. Marking clearly the intended use of the fire extinguisher. Training employees in the proper use of provided fire extinguishers. Training employees in the proper use of provided fire extinguishers.

18. Placement of Extinguishers Selected locations should…. Provide uniform distribution. Provide uniform distribution. Provide easy accessibility. Provide easy accessibility. Free from blocking by equipment and storage. Free from blocking by equipment and storage. Be near normal paths of travel. Be near normal paths of travel. Be near entrance and exit doors. Be near entrance and exit doors. Be free from the potential of physical damage. Be free from the potential of physical damage. Be readily visible. Be readily visible. Mounted on wall or in cabinet 4’’ to 48” off floor. Mounted on wall or in cabinet 4’’ to 48” off floor. Be installed on a floor by floor basis. Be installed on a floor by floor basis.

19. Non-Accessible Locations

20. Accessible Locations

21. Max 150ft Max 30 ft Exit FFEFFE FE

23. Successful use of a Fire Extinguisher

26. Questions??