Fire Extinguishers
Fire Extinguishers should only be used on small
fires. Extinguishers should be operated by an adult and then only if
they know how to use them. Locate extinguishers in a place where they
can be found easily and quickly.
Extinguisher Types
There are four classes of extinguishers A, B, C and D.
Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible
materials such as paper, wood, cardboard and most plastics. Class A
extinguisher contain water and should never be used on grease or
electrical fires, the flames will spread and make the fire bigger. Class
A Extinguishers are labeled with a green triangle.
Class B extinguishers are used to put out fires that
involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene,
grease and oils. Class B extinguishers can be used on a kitchen
grease fire. Class B extinguishers are labeled with a red square.
Class C extinguishers are used on fires that involve
electrical equipment such as electrical appliances, wiring, fuse boxes,
circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish Class C
fires, the risk of electrical shock is far to great. Class C
extinguishers are labeled with a blue circle.
Class D extinguishers are commonly found in chemical
laboratories. They are for fires that involve combustible metals. This
type of extinguisher is not used in the home.
Multiuse fire extinguishers with and A-B-C label may
be used on all three types of household fires.
The label on some fire extinguishers have symbols for
the three types of fires. A red slash through the symbol or a type of
fire indicates that the extinguisher shouldn’t be used on that class of
fire, A missing symbol indicates that the extinguisher has not been
tested on that class of fire.
When to use an extinguisher
Fire extinguishers aren’t designed to do the job of
firefighters. If a fire is to big, too hot or starting to spread get out
of the house and call the fire department.
Only use a fire extinguisher if:
- You’re and adult
- You know how to operate it
- You are certain it’s in working order
- It can be accessed easily and quickly
- You have a clear escape route
- The extinguisher class matches the class of fire you are fighting
- The extinguisher is large enough to handle the
fire (a typical extinguisher only lasts 10 seconds)
How to use them
If someone else is present have them call the fire department.
Remember the acronym Pass. Pass stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
- Pull the pin - Hold extinguisher upright and pull the pin. The pin unlocks the handle and allows you to discharge the extinguisher
- Aim at the base of the fire - Start back 10 feet and point the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire, not the flames. Spraying the top of the flames won’t do any good — In order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel
- Squeeze the lever slowly - Some extinguishers have a button instead of a lever. Releasing the handle will stop the discharge.
- Sweep the base of the fire from side to
side - Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance,
several feet away, and using a sweeping motion move the stream from
one side of the fire to the other, carefully move toward the fire
once it starts to diminish. Continue to sweep from side to side
until fire is out. Remember to keep stream pointed at the base of
the fire, not at the flames.
Once a fire is out, don’t walk away. Watch the area
for several minute the fire may re-ignite. If it re-ignites repeat the
process. Have the fire extinguisher recharged
immediately after use.
If a fire starts to get out of control, or the
extinguisher runs out before the fire is out. Get out of the house
and call the fire department.