Fire and Fire Extinguishers s1

Fire and fire extinguishers

Three things are needed before a fire can burn: heat, fuel and oxygen. Fire extinguishers work by taking away at least one of these elements.

In your workplace, you are most likely to come across portable fire extinguishers. Lives and property can be saved from fire by using fire extinguishers correctly. However, it is important to know:

· what type of fire it is—eg electrical, gas or combustible materials

· what type of fire extinguisher to use.

Classes of fires

There are six classes of fires:

· Class A: ordinary combustible materials—example, paper, wood or cardboard

· Class B: flammable and combustible liquids

· Class C: flammable gases

· Class D: combustible metals

· Class E: electrically energised equipment

· Class F: cooking oils and fats.

Types of extinguishers

There are different types of fire extinguishers. Each type of extinguisher is rated for one or more classes of fire.

Important: You must use the appropriate fire extinguisher for the class of fire. It can be dangerous if you use the incorrect fire extinguisher for the fire. For example, water extinguishers would be dangerous for fires involving electrically energised equipment or cooking oils or fats.

Each type of extinguisher has different contents and uses different coloured label:

· water (red): suitable for Class A fires

· foam (blue band or label): suitable for Class A and Class B fires

· powder (white band or label):

- if rated ABE, then suitable for Class A, B, C and E fires

- if rated BE, then suitable for Class B, C and E fires

· carbon dioxide CO2 (black band or label): suitable for Class E fires

· vaporising liquid (yellow band or label): suitable for Class A and Class E fires

· wet chemical (oatmeal band or label): suitable for Class F fires.

The different types of fire extinguishers are indicated by their labels and signs as can be seen in the three examples below.

Note: In your workplace you may find the same type of fire extinguishers with two slightly different labels. The standard labels and colouring of some fire extinguishers were changed in 1999. Make sure you read and check the labels and any instructions before using.

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Using an extinguisher

You should ask your workplace supervisor about any training that is available for dealing with fire emergencies. As for any other type of emergency, follow your workplace evacuation or emergency plan. In the case of a fire, the fire alarm should be used and the fire brigade contacted.

Before using an extinguisher, it is essential to use one that is appropriate for the type of fire. Follow the instructions that are appropriate for the extinguisher.

Extinguishers are generally easy to use. To actually use an extinguisher use the ‘PASS’ method:

· P: Pull the pin and give it a ‘squirt’ to make sure it's going to actually work

· A: Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire

· S: Squeeze the handle

· S: Sweep back and forth, extinguishing as you go.

Remember the letters: PASS.

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