/ Page: 1 of 3 / JSA Reference #: CIRSA Sample / Date: 7/30/14 / New: X
Revised:
Job/Task Description: FIRE EXTINGUISHER USAGE / Analysis by: CIRSA Loss Control
Department(s): All Applicable / Section(s): All Applicable / Revised by: N/A
Additional Information: This JSA has been developed to aid personnel in the safe use of Fire Extinguishers. Only personnel properly trained to operate fire extinguishers should use them to extinguish incipient (beginning) stage fires. / Approved by: CIRSA Loss Control
Sequence of Job/Task / Potential Hazards / Recommended Actions, Procedures and/or Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) / Inspection & Evaluation
IMPORTANT NOTE: State Certified Fire Fighters are the only personnel properly trained to fight fully involved (ongoing stage) fires and employees, unless certified as a fire fighter and working for a fire department should not engage in fighting any fire unless it is in the beginning stages and where proper training has been conducted and the employee feels confident enough to use a portable fire extinguisher. Employees who are properly trained to use fire extinguishers shall, whenever possible, call the fire department prior to attempting to extinguish any beginning stage fires. It is recognized that some personnel, regardless of training may become overstressed, scared or otherwise mentally incapable of using a portable fire extinguisher in an emergency. Therefore, it shall be noted that regardless of training, employees cannot be mandated to use any portable fire extinguisher nor can they be held accountable or disciplined in any way for refusing to use a portable fire extinguisher. Local and/or state laws may provide exceptions for personnel considered and/or licensed as emergency service personnel.
Ensure adequate training has been received and/or hands-on competency demonstrations shown. / Inadequate training or competency demonstrations may result in property damage, injury, illness or death. / Minimum Training shall consist of the following:
1) Review and understanding of this JSA.
2) Review and understanding of any applicable policies, written plans, SOP’s and/or forms.
3) Understanding of all applicable job/task specific medical requirements.
4) Portable fire extinguisher types, their use and limitations.
5) Classes of fire and specific classes to be aware of within your respective facility, i.e. electrical, etc.
6) Incipient stage fires vs. involved fires.
7) Charged, operable fire extinguishers vs. uncharged, non-operable extinguishers.
8) Proper procedures for fire extinguisher usage.
9) Hands-on competency demonstrations and participation.
INCIPIENT STAGE FIRE FIGHTING PROCEDURES
Notify Fire Department. / An untimely (late) notification may lead to delayed fire department response resulting in incipient stage fires becoming involved, resulting in potential property damage, injury, illness or death. / Pull the fire alarm and call or have another employee call 911 Immediately. Inform non-essential personnel to evacuate the area immediately.
Follow any other department/division/organization specific notification procedures.
Locate Fire Extinguishers/Ensure Adequate Type to be Used. / Inadequate knowledge of extinguisher locations/improper types may lead to delayed response resulting in incipient stage fires becoming involved, resulting in potential property damage, injury, illness or death. / Employers shall ensure that all employees are adequately trained and knowledgeable of each portable extinguisher location.
Facilities are also encouraged to develop maps that show the location of each extinguisher to aid in training, and may also be shown on emergency evacuation maps.
Remove Extinguisher from Casing or Bracket. / Potential for property damage, injury, illness or death. / Where the extinguisher is mounted on a wall bracket, carefully but swiftly remove the extinguisher from the bracket. Most brackets require the operator to lift in an upward and/or upward and outward motion. Pulling the extinguisher straight out towards you may result in the bracket causing damage to the extinguisher.
Where the extinguisher is mounted in a “casing,” requiring the glass or cover to be broken to remove the extinguisher, only use the attached hammer or breaking device to break the glass or cover. Always turn your head away from the glass and cover your eyes to avoid the potential for debris to fly into the eyes.
Where the extinguisher is secured via a latching device, ensure that the latch is properly opened. This will eliminate potential damage to the latch that could cause the extinguisher to become stuck in the securing mechanism.
DO NOT SQUEZE THE HANDLE WHILE THE SAFETY PIN IS INTACT. THIS MAY RENDER THE EXTINGUISHER INOPERABLE.
Verify Charge & Operational Capacity. / Attempting to use an uncharged or inoperable extinguisher may lead to delayed response resulting in incipient stage fires becoming involved, resulting in potential property damage, injury, illness or death. / 1) Check the charge gauge. If the needle is not located within the green section of the gauge, DO NOT USE! Find another extinguisher or evacuate the area immediately.
2) Quickly perform a visual inspection of the hose, the handle and any springs to ensure they are all intact.
DO NOT SQUEZE THE HANDLE WHILE THE SAFETY PIN IS INTACT. THIS MAY RENDER THE EXTINGUISHER INOPERABLE.
Approach Incipient Stage Fire Location. / Potential for property damage, injury, illness or death. / 1) Approach the fire from the safest angle of attack. Always attempt to stay upwind of any smoke, flames or debris.
2) Quickly but safely survey the size of the fire. Properly trained operators should know the limitations of the extinguisher in use, such as range of the extinguisher, how long it may last, etc.
DO NOT SQUEZE THE HANDLE WHILE THE SAFETY PIN IS INTACT. THIS MAY RENDER THE EXTINGUISHER INOPERABLE.
IF THE FIRE APPEARS AT ANY TIME TO BE OUT OF CONTROL AND/OR EXCEED THE CAPABILITIES OF THE EXTINGUISHER AVAILABLE OR WHERE EXCESSIVE SMOKE BUILDUP OCCURS, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.
Actuation of Fire Extinguisher. / Potential for property damage, injury, illness or death. / 1) Position yourself with the extinguisher pushed out in front of you facing towards the fire, utilizing the safest angle of attack.
2) Remove the safety pin from the handle.
DO NOT SQUEZE THE HANDLE WHILE THE SAFETY PIN IS INTACT. THIS MAY RENDER THE EXTINGUISHER INOPERABLE.
3) Hold the handle in one hand and grab the hose/nozzle in the other hand.
Application of Fire Extinguishing Agent. / Potential for property damage, injury, illness or death. / 1) Point the hose/nozzle towards the base of the fire.
2) Steadily squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
3) Slowly distribute the extinguishing agent across the base of the fire. An excellent method to use is a sweeping motion back and forth at the base of the fire initially.
4) Once the main source location of the fire is extinguished, use any remaining agent to extinguish additional flames or embers or smoldering material.
Where the fire has been reduced and no more extinguishing agent is present, and where safely possible, another extinguisher may be acquired and put into use.
Where more than one trained and willing operators are available, one or more personnel should also commence in extinguishing the fire and additional personnel can begin acquiring extinguishers from other locations within the facility to aid in the fire-fighting process.
IF THE FIRE APPEARS AT ANY TIME TO BE OUT OF CONTROL AND/OR EXCEED THE CAPABILITIES OF THE EXTINGUISHER AVAILABLE OR WHERE EXCESSIVE SMOKE BUILDUP OCCURS, EVACUATE IMMEDIATELY.
Re-evaluate Fire. / Potential for property damage, injury, illness or death. / Once the fire has been safely contained and/or when fire department personnel arrive on scene, evacuate the building and provide fire fighters with any relevant details.
DO NOT REMAIN IN ANY BUILDING WHERE SMOKE HAS ACCUMULATED, AS THE BURNT MATERIALS MAY BE RELEASING TOXIC GASES.
Reentry of Facility. / Potential for property damage, injury, illness or death. / The fire department is the only authorized group trained to allow reentry into any facility after a fire/emergency evacuation has occurred.
Do not attempt to reenter any facility until given permission to do so.
Call for Extinguisher Refill & Recharging. / Potential for property damage, injury, illness or death. / DO NOT REPLACE DISCHARGED EXTINGUISHERS IN THEIR MOUNTING/STORAGE LOCATIONS.
Ensure the appropriate refilling contractor is immediately notified of the need to refill, recharge and/or replace the discharged extinguishers. This should occur as soon as possible after any extinguisher has been used unless fully charged replacement extinguishers are stockpiled and available within the organization.
FULLY INVOLVED FIRES
NEVER ATTEMPT TO FIGHT ANY FIRE, USING A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THAT HAS OVERTAKEN AN OFFICE, AN ENTIRE FACILITY LOCATION OR WHERE THERE IS ANY DOUBT OF THE PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS CAPABILITY TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE AT HAND. A SIMPLE, YET STILL FALLABLE RULE OF THUMB IS WHERE THE FIRE IS TOO HOT TO APPROACH WITH THE EXTINGUISHER, EVACUATE THE AREA.Safety Task Complete. / None. / None.