Fire Extinguishers

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Choosing the right fire
extinguisher

Badger Manuals

The size and rate of fire spread

Some Fires may be too big or spread out for the capabilities of a fire extinguisher. If a fire is past its incipient (beginning) stages it may not be possible for the extinguisher operator to approach a fire and deliver sustained concentrated supply of extinguishing agent to the base of the fire. When deciding whether or not to fight a fire with a portable extinguisher contemplate the following:

Has the building alarm sounded (if applicable)?

Has the fire department been notified?

Do you know how to properly operate the fire extinguisher?

Do you have an unobstructed escape route?

Can you stay low and avoid breathing any smoke?

Is the fire in its early stages?

Do you know what's burning? If so, is the fire extinguisher capable of extinguishing that type of fire?

If the answer to all of the above is yes, you are ready to safely extinguish the fire.

NEVER attempt to fight a fire if:

The fire is spreading beyond the immediate area where it started, or if it is already a large fire.

The fire could block your escape route.

You are unsure of the proper operation of the extinguisher.

You are in doubt whether the extinguisher you are holding is appropriate for the type of fire.

The Class of fire (i.e. type of materials involved)

Choosing the right extinguisher for the right fire is imperative. There are five classes of fires extinguishers, each of which specific types of fire. New extinguishers use a picture/labeling system to designate which types of fires they are to be used on. Older fire extinguishers are labeled with colored geometrical shapes with letter designations. Both of these types of labels are shown below with the descriptions of the different classes of extinguishers.

Portable Fire Extinguishers

Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish.

Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that a non-expert person can expect to
extinguish.

Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires. This class of fire extinguishers does not have a numerical rating. The presence of the letter “C” indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. There is no picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.

Multi-Class Ratings
Many extinguishers available today can be used on different types of fires and will be labeled with more than one designator, e.g. A-B, B-C, or A-B-C. Make sure that if you have a multi-purpose extinguisher it is properly labeled.

The training and capabilities of the person using the fire extinguisher

The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration requires that employers that provide portable fire extinguishers in the workplace train employees to use them. Knowing how to properly operate a fire extinguisher can be the difference between containing a fire and major property damage. Once the proper extinguisher is selected based on the class of fire it is important to remember the following:

Keep your back to an exit

Begin by standing away from the fire

If you are using a Water extinguisher (between 30' - 40')

If you are using a CO₂ extinguisher (between 3' - 8')

If you are using a Halon extinguisher (between 15' - 20')

If you are using a Clean Agent extinguisher (between 6' - 12')

If you are using a ABC extinguisher (between 12' - 20')

Follow the four-step PASS procedure If the fire does not begin to go out immediately, leave the area at once.

P ULL the pin: This unlocks the operating lever and allows you to discharge the extinguisher.

A IM low: Point the extinguisher hose (or nozzle) at the base of the fire.

S QUEEZE: This discharges the extinguishing agent. Releasing the lever the lever will stop the discharge above the handle

S WEEP: Moving carefully toward the fire, keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep To sideback and forth until the flames appear to be out. Watch the area, if the fire re-ignites, repeat the Process.

Have the fire department inspect the fire site, even if you think you've extinguished the fire.

It is important to note, portable fire extinguishers discharge faster than most people think - many within 8 to 10 seconds.

Knowing how to properly use extinguishers makes both people and equipment a lot more effective in case of fire. At BFPE International we can provide customized Fire & Safety programs based on your particular fire safety needs. Please click below to find out more about this valuable program. The life you save may be your own