1. Fire Safety:
Fire Extinguishers
01/13

2. General Information
There are around 250 fire extinguishers throughout all of the buildings on campus. Yearly maintenance is done on every extinguisher so they are functioning properly in case of a fire.

3. Fire Triangle
The fire triangle is a simple model for understanding the necessary ingredients for most fires.
The following three elements make up a Fire Triangle and must be present before a fire will ignite:
Fuel or combustible material.
Oxygen to sustain combustion.
Heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature.

4. Types of Fires
Not all fires are the same, and they are classified according to the type of fuel that is burning. If you use the wrong type of fire extinguisher on the wrong class of fire, you can, in fact, make matters worse. It is therefore very important to understand the four different fire classifications.
Class A - Wood, paper, cloth, trash, plastics
Typically leave an Ash
Class B - Flammable liquids: gasoline, oil, grease, acetone
Class B fires generally involve materials that Boil or Bubble.
Class C - Electrical: energized electrical equipment
Class C fires generally deal with electrical Current.
Class D - Metals: potassium, sodium, aluminum, magnesium
It takes special extinguishing agents to fight such a fire.

5. Types of Fires (cont.)
Most fire extinguishers will have a pictograph label telling you which classifications of fire the extinguisher is designed to fight.

6. PASS System
The universal system for the use of a Fire Extinguisher is called the PASS system.
P = PULL
A = AIM
S = SQUEEZE
S = SWEEP
Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being accidentally pressed.
Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher, while standing approximately 8 feet away from the fire. If you release the handle, the discharge will stop.
Sweep the nozzle side to side at the base of the fire. After the fire appears to be out, watch it carefully since it may re-ignite!

7. When NOT to use a Fire Extinguisher
Never fight a fire:
If the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started.
If you cannot fight the fire while keeping your back to an escape exit.
If the fire can block your only escape.
If you do not have adequate fire-fighting equipment.

8. Other Fire Procedures:
Always activate the fire alarm system first.
Call 911 or delegate another individual to call 911.
Only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is very small and you are comfortable/trained in the proper use of an extinguisher.

9. Fire Extinguisher Training Video

10. Sources http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/
FemaLifeSafety YouTube Video: