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Table of Contents:

5. Introduction

6. When In Doubt, Don’t

7. The Proper Way to Use One

9. More Stuff We Need to Know

10. Brackets and Cabinets

12. Mounting and Installation

13. Classes of Fire

14. Color Codes

15. Kitchen Fires

16. Other Safety Considerations


Introduction

Safety has always been a paramount concern for all of us. Whoever we are,

whatever we do and wherever we may be, we always think about our safety.

That is a fact. We do everything we can do in terms of securing ourselves and our

properties from any threat. And that is why we have all these locks and security

measures in place for all the things we put value on. To protect our homes from

fire, we usually have fire extinguishers.

Now, here’s another fact: we rarely take the time check if the fire extinguishers

we have in our homes and offices are the right ones. In the next pages, we will

take a closer look at fire extinguishers to know more about the types, varieties,

contents and effectiveness against which classes of fires (yes, THERE ARE classes

of fires) not just so we’d know more about these oft-neglected lifesavers, but

more importantly, so we can sleep soundly at night knowing we have done our

part in keeping our homes safe.


When In Doubt, Don’t

Logic tells us that a fire extinguisher is to fire like food is to hunger – and this is

true most of the time. The fact is there are a number of instances when it would

be better for us to discard logic and avoid trying to put out fire using an

extinguisher.

We may not want to do that if the fire is too big or has already spread.

It is safer not to try to fight a fire if we’re not sure we can put it out or if we can’t

find our way out in case we fail. We don’t want to end up helpless in the middle

of a nasty fire with an empty fire extinguisher tank in hand.

Another instance would be if we are not sure what caused the fire in the first

place. All fire extinguishers are classified according to the types of fires they are

meant to handle, so it is better to make sure we’re using the right one.

Also remember that most fire extinguishers require periodic servicing and

maintenance to make sure the chemicals and agents inside are okay for use. If the

one we have hasn’t been serviced, it may not be in good condition.

Now, unless otherwise mentioned, the really logical course of action is to go

ahead and try to put the fire out with a fire extinguisher. That is, of course, after

having made sure we know how to use it properly.


The Proper Way to Use One

Most of us do not have an idea how to properly use fire extinguishers. After all,

we rarely take the time to read manuals and user guides on most household

utilities and gadgets, let alone the ones we don’t want to use – and we certainly

wouldn’t want to have to use fire extinguishers, right?

The fact is, we really ought to know how to use this nifty life-saving cylinder, if

only to avoid having to read its label while, say, the kitchen is burning! So let’s get

to know our fire extinguishers better.

Of course, it would help if we can readily identify its parts first before we move on

to the intricacies of using it properly. The ones we see in our kitchen corner –

usually the stored pressure type – have a safety pin, a hose, a nozzle, a handle,

and the cylinder.

1. The first step is to pull the safety pin while holding

the fire extinguisher upright. It won’t work if the

safety pin is still in place, and it has to be upright

to avoid injuries, should there be leaks and handle

malfunction.Its content is pressurized,

remember?

2. Aim the nozzle at the source of the fire. If we

want to put out a fire, we want to go straight to

what’s causing it and fire away (sorry, I couldn’t

resist the pun). Also, remember to keep a safe

distance and stay at least six to ten feet away

from the fire.


3. We can then squeeze the handle and quickly spray the contents from side

to side, making sure to cover the entire fire base.

4. Continue spraying, doing so in a sweeping motion until the fire is

completely doused out.

Easy enough, right? Now, to make it even simpler, we can sum up the whole

process in four easy steps – pull, aim, squeeze and sweep, or PASS.

Yes, the proper way to use fire extinguishers is to go PASS. Before we PASS our

cares away, though, there are other things we should get ourselves acquainted

with.


More Stuff We Need to Know

There are two main types of fire extinguishers: 1. the stored-pressure type; and 2.

the cartridge-operated type – referring to the way by which it dispenses the

dousing agents it contains.

The former holds both the active firefighting agent and the expellants in the same

storage, while the second one makes use of separate cartridges that contain

expellants, for easier recharge. This second type is largely for commercial and

industrial settings, where instances of fire are more likely.

Portable fire extinguishers are either hand-held or cart-wheeled, depending on

the size. We usually find the cart-wheeled types in construction sites, airports and

docks. For most homes, the fire extinguishers often used are the portable ones.

The fire extinguishers must be placed in strategic locations. We have to place the

units where we can easily have access to them.

For home use, it is best to have one in the kitchen and another one in the garage

because these are the two places a fire is likely to start.


Brackets and Cabinets

We may need to use fire extinguisher brackets to keep the fire extinguisher tanks

in place. For this, there are different types of fire extinguisher brackets we can use

to suit different kinds and sizes of fire extinguishers, and for mounting and

securing them on walls.

There are lug brackets, shoulder brackets, transport brackets, J-brackets and

custom-built ones. Lug brackets or J-brackets, are the most common and the most

cost-effective ones.

The transport brackets, of course, are used for fitting fire extinguishers inside cars.

We don’t want these stored-pressure tanks rolling around in the trunk while

we’re doing ninety on the

freeway.

The standard for mounting

the tank inside a house is to

place the fire extinguisher

handle at least one meter

above ground level.

Putting your fire extinguisher

where anyone can possibly

bump or trip over it is just not

good practice.

As much as possible, we don’t

want anybody injured, and

we don’t want our fire

extinguisher inadvertently

discharged or tampered.


Another reason we want to place them in brackets is so we can see them. With

fire emergencies, we tend to panic and forget where to find stuff.

The alternative is to put them inside wall-mounted cabinets. This is perfect for

mounting the unit in public places. The cabinet keeps it safe from vandals and

thieves.

Fire extinguisher cabinets are either “non-rated” or “fire-rated.” Non-rated, if

they are not insulated against fire, and “fire-rated” if they passed some standard

or certification that they can withstand exposure to fire for a certain duration.


Mounting and Installation

Mounting and installation should comply with standards for occupational safety

and local labor provisions on where to place the cabinet and the use,

maintenance and testing of such in a workplace. In the US, the Americans with

Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) requires cabinet mountings to protrude not more

than four inches from the wall.

Furthermore, there are a number of ways the fire extinguisher cabinets are

installed. They are primarily either surface-mounted or recessed. The surface-

mounted, obviously, is one where you can see the whole cabinet sticking from the

wall.

For the recessed installation, they are either just semi-recessed, or fully recessed.

Fully recessed is when the cabinet tub (the inside part where the tank is placed) is

fully concealed.

In work places the fire extinguishers are

either periodically checked or

monitored electronically, and the

cabinets are set up to sound an alarm

when tampered with.

The alarms, of course, can only be shut

off by the person who has the cabinet

key.

This shrill alarm is important in warning

other people of the fire so they could

move to safety.


Classes of Fire

There are varying classifications of fire in some countries despite standardization,

but all agree to base them in terms of the source of fire. The US only has five

classifications of fire, while the United Kingdom (UK) and Australia (AU) recognize

six.

In both UK and Australia, the six classes are labelled A through F. The United

States uses a 5-class system, so they have A, B, C, D and K fires. For both systems,

Class A refers to fires that are caused by ordinary combustible materials like wood

and paper.

Class B fires are those caused by flammable and combustible liquids only as per

UK and AU system, but it includes combustible gases in the US system.

Class C is for those caused by combustible gases (UK, AU). For US, it’s for those

caused by burning outlets or electrically charged equipment.

Class D are fires caused by

combustible metals. Class E is

where the UK system places

fires involving electronic

equipment.

Both systems consider the last

class (class F in UK, class K in the

US) as those fires caused by or

involving cooking fat and oil.

These, of course, would

definitely involve the kitchen,

where all the cooking and fats

and oils are usually found.


Color Codes

Fire extinguishers containing wet chemicals are usually color-coded beige and are

considered suitable for Class A and F fires, not effective on Classes B and C, and

should not be used on Class E.

Tanks that have white bands and labels contain agents in powder form,

considered suitable for A, B and E types of fire.

Others would come with black band or label, which means the active agent they

contain is carbon dioxide. This rating is considered suitable for class E fires, but is

not as effective on class A, B and F fires.

The ones that contain vaporising liquid agents will have red and yellow

bands/labels, and are suitable only for Class A and E fires. The ones with blue

bands around them (sometimes solid blue) contain foam and can effectively work

on Class A and B fires.

Those that are solid red in color have water as their main extinguishing agent, and

work well in putting out Class A fires.


Kitchen Fires

If you use a water-based fire extinguisher to

try and put out burning oil, you’re likely to

just spread it out and onto the other

combustible objects nearby, like kitchen

curtains and cartons and stuff. If you use a

powder type fire extinguisher, the powder

will just sink into the oil and maybe feed the

fire some more.

The fire extinguishing agent most suited for Class F/K fires are based on wet

chemicals. The potassium-based liquid would react to the burning oils, forming a

foam-like substance.

This is well-suited to kitchen fires because it extinguishes the fire slowly yet

steadily, and that is how you want to handle oil fires. You see, oil fires can flare up

and explode if doused out quickly using other fire-extinguishing agents.

The fire extinguishers are sometimes just a part of larger Kitchen Fire Suppression

Systems. The electronic detector in such systems would fire up first, activating the

whole fire suppression rig, which is then followed up by the use of a Class F/K fire

extinguisher.


Other Safety Considerations

Now, before we go ahead and apply what we have just learned, there are other

important considerations we might want to entertain, like: if someone has

already called the fire department; if we have access to exit points, should the fire

spread or get too big; and if we are physically and psychologically ready to handle

the task.

Remember: safety is our main concern. Any hesitation on our part could spell

disaster. It may be cliché but, hey, It is always better to be safe than sorry.

For all your fire safety needs, visit www.fireextinguishershop.com now!

be ready when disaster strikes - using fire extinguishers as first line of defense

Documents

safety considerations

classes of fires

bebebebe ready

introduction safety

table of contents

dont logic

homes safe

kitchen fires