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0 - Portable Fire Extinguishers

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

MISSOURI DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY FIRE FIGHTER I & II

UNIT OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this unit of study, the student should be able to:

1. Identify the classes of fire and the appropriate extinguisher symbols for thedifferent classes.

2. Describe the rating principles for fire extinguishers.

3. Describe the most common types of extinguishing agents.

4. Describe the physical characteristics of various extinguishing agents.

5. Identify the various types of portable extinguishers and the operating principleof each type of extinguisher.

6. Describe the basic procedures for proper care and maintenance of portableextinguishers.

7. Demonstrate ability to use fire extinguishers.

Portable Fire Extinguishers - 1



Successful completion of the information in this section is necessary to fulfill therequirements of the following sections of NFPA 1001-2008:

Fire Fighter I Standard

5.3.16* Extinguish incipient Class A, Class B, and Class C fires, given a selection ofportable fire extinguishers, so that the correct extinguisher is chosen, the fire is completelyextinguished, and correct extinguisher-handling techniques are followed.(A) Requisite Knowledge. The classifications of fire; the types of, rating systems for, andrisks associated with each class of fire; and the operating methods of and limitations ofportable extinguishers.(B) Requisite Skills. The ability to operate portable fire extinguishers, approach fire withportable fire extinguishers, select an appropriate extinguisher based on the size and type offire, and safely carry portable fire extinguishers.

NFPA STANDARDS

INSTRUCTORS' NOTE

All of Portable Fire Extinguisher Practical Skills involvethe extinguishment of live fires. The use of fire

extinguisher digital training simulators is not approvedor acceptable for completion of these skills.

Additionally, these live burn skills are not eligible forcompletion using the "Alternative Compliance Method."

Should one of these extinguisher live burn skills beincluded on a Fire Fighter I Certification Skills

Examination, it must be completed during the examusing a live burn.


TEACHING OUTLINEMaterial in italics is NOT included in the Student Manual

SLIDES



I. Portable Fire Extinguishers (Essentials p. 233)

A. Portable fire extinguishers can provide a first defensefor fires of limited size

B. Extinguishers must not be considered as a substitute forautomatic suppression systems

C. To be effective an extinguisher:

1. Must be readily accessible

2. In working order

3. Suitable for the hazard

4. Large enough to control the size fire

5. User must know how to operate the extinguisher

D. Fire fighters must be able to:

1. Understand the limitations and capabilities ofvarious extinguishers

2. Select the appropriate extinguisher for the size andtype of fire

3. Safely carry portable extinguishers

4. Safely approach a fire with portable extinguishers

5. Operate portable extinguishers

E. Extinguishing agents put out fires by one of thesemethods:

1. Smothering - oxygen exclusion


TEACHING OUTLINESLIDESMaterial in italics is NOT included in the Student Manual



2. Cooling - reducing the burning material's tempera-ture

3. Chain breaking - interrupting the chemical chainreaction

4. Saponification - forming an oxygen-excludingsoapy foam

F. Fire fighters should never rely on privately ownedextinguishers in an occupancy as they may be:

1. Improperly maintained

2. Vandalized

3. Obsolete

4. Fire personnel should rely only on the extinguisherscarried on fire apparatus

G. Extinguishers must have a means of expelling theextinguishing agent

1. Manual pump

2. Stored pressure

3. Pressure cartridge

H. Fire classifications

1. Class A: fires involving ordinary combustibles(wood, paper, plastics and a large variety of others)

a. Extinguishment is by use of water or Class Adry chemical



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2. Class B: fires involving flammable and combustibleliquids

a. Extinguishment is by use of dry chemicalagents, halogenated agents, or foams

b. These fires are extinguished blanketing andsmothering or inhibiting the chain reaction offire

3. Class C: fires involving energized electrical equip-ment

a. They are extinguished with nonconductiveagents such as carbon dioxide, halon, and drychemical

b. These fires are extinguished by turning off theenergy to the unit or by a nonconductive agent

4. Class D: fires involving combustible metals (alumi-num, titanium, magnesium and other exotic metals)

a. The extinguishing agents are a sodium chloridematerial which is used to cover the material

5. Class K: fires involving oils used in commercialcooking applications

a. These materials have been taken out of the ClassB classification

b. Wet chemicals are used as the extinguishingagent





II. Types of Fire Extinguishers

A. Mechanically pumped water extinguishers

1. Non-pressurized container with a hand operatedpump

2. Limited to small Class A fires

B. Hand propelled

1. Buckets or drums of water for Class A fires

2. Class D agents that can be shoveled onto the fire

C. Stored pressure water extinguishers

1. Water is stored in a tank with compressed air as theexpellant

2. Also called air-pressurized water extinguisher(APW)

3. Small Class A fires only

4. Extinguisher characteristics

a. Size: 2.5 gallons

b. Discharge distance: 30-40 feet

c. Duration: 30-60 seconds

D. Water-mist stored-pressure extinguishers

1. Similar in appearance to standard stored-pressurewater extinguishers



SLIDES



2. For use of Class A and Class C fires

3. Use deionized water and nozzles which produce afine mist making them suitable to use on energizedelectrical equipment

E. Wet chemical stored-pressure extinguishers

1. Specifically designed to extinguish fires involvingunsaturated cooking oils in deep dryers

2. Contain a special potassium-based, low-pH agent

F. Aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) extinguishers

1. Suitable for Class A and Class B fires

2. Contain AFFF concentrate mixed with water

3. Has an air-aspirating nozzle to aerate the foamsolution

4. Expelled by compressed air or nitrogen stored inthe tank with the solution

5. Should not be applied directly into a burning fuelbut allowed to gently rain down or bounced off anobject onto the fuel

a. Finished foam floats on the surface of lighter-than-water fuels

b. Forms a blanket which seals the vapors toextinguish the fire and prevent re-ignition

6. Not suitable for Class C or Class D fires





G. Clean agent extinguishers

1. Clean agent extinguishing agents were designed toreplace halogenated extinguishing agents (Halon1211 and Halon 1301)

a. Halon production was stopped in 1994 due to itseffect on the ozone layer

b. There is still limited halon production and muchof the halon in use is recycled

2. Halon replacement agents - "clean agents"

a. Haltron

b. Inergen

c. FE-36 hexafluoropropane

d. FE-24 chlorotetrafluoroethane

e. These replacements may require up to 20 timesas much as halon to provide an equal extinguish-ing capacity

3. Extinguish fires through a chemical process whichinhibits combustion

4. Used for Class B and Class C fires and in areaswith sensitive electronic equipment

5. Advantages

a. High expansion ratio

b. Needs no expellant

c. Nonconductive and noncorrosive

8- Portable Fire Extinguishers


SLIDES



H. Carbon dioxide extinguishers

1. Found as handheld extinguishers and wheeled units

a. Wheeled units commonly found at airports andindustrial facilities

b. Wheeled units have a hose and nozzle attachedto the gas cylinders

2. Effective for Class B and Class C fires

3. Have limited reach and can be dispersed by wind

4. Stored as a liquefied gas under its own pressure

5. Displaces available oxygen and smothers the fire

I. Dry chemical extinguishers

1. Suitable for use on Class A-B-C fires

a. Should not be confused with dry powder extin-guishers, which are used for Class D fires

b. Some may be rated only for Class B:C fires

2. Commonly used dry chemicals:

a. Sodium bicarbonate

b. Potassium bicarbonate

c. Potassium chloride

d. Monoammonium phosphate

e. Usually mixed with additives for moisture-resistance and to prevent caking





f. Some are not compatible with foam

g. Nontoxic and safe to use

h. Can reduce visibility and create respiratoryproblems

3. On Class A fires, the discharge should be directedat whatever is burning to cover it

4. Handheld units

a. Stored pressure: a constant pressure of about200 psi is maintained in the agent storage tank

b. Cartridge-operated

(1) A separate gas pressure cartridge is at-tached to the agent tank

(2) The agent tank is pressurized when aplunger is pushed releasing the gas into theagent tank

5. Wheeled units

a. The extinguishing agent is in one tank with aseparate gas cylinder

b. Before use, the hose must be completed com-pletely stretched out

c. Once the gas cylinder is opened, the nozzleshould not be opened for a few seconds until theagent tank is fully pressurized



SLIDES



J. Metal fire agents and extinguishers

1. No single agent will control or extinguish fires inall combustible metals

2. Portable extinguishers for Class D fires may behandheld or wheeled units

3. Some powdered agents must be applied with ascoop or shovel

4. When the extinguishing agent is applied, it mustcompletely cover the burning material

a. It should be applied gently to avoid breakingany crust which may form over the burningmaterial

b. If the crust is broken, the fire may flare up

c. For a small amount of burning metal

(1) First cover the fire with powder

(2) Then spread a layer of powder 1 to 2inches deep nearby

(3) Shovel the burning metal onto this layer andapply more powder if needed

K. Obsolete extinguishers

1. All obsolete extinguishers should be removed fromservice and replaced with approved extinguishers

2. American manufacturers stopped making inverted-type extinguishers in 1969





a. Inverted type had a soda water base with anacid used as an expellant

b. If the shell of the extinguisher was weakened bythe soda water base the shell could explodewhen the acid was introduced

c. Could not be turned off once activated

3. Vaporizing liquid extinguishers became obsolete inthe 1960's

a. Typically was a one-quart pump gun

b. Carbon tetrachloride was the common agentused - liquid carbon tetrachloride in contactwith heat becomes phosgene gas

III. Extinguisher Rating System (Essentials p. 246)

A. Class A and Class B extinguishers will have a numeri-cal rating to designate the size fire the extinguishershould be able to extinguish when used by an untrainedperson

1. Class A extinguishers: rated from 1-A to 40-A

a. 1-A requires 11/4 gallons of water

b. 2-A will extinguish twice as much as 1-A

2. Class B extinguishers: rated from 1-B through 640-B

a. Based on area of a fire involving a 2-inch layerof n-heptane that a non-expert operator canextinguish



SLIDES



b. Every 1B rating corresponds to 1-square-foot offlammable liquid

C. Class C extinguishers

1. No tests are conducted for capacity ratings

2. Extinguishing agent is tested for electrical conduc-tivity

D. Class D extinguishers

1. No tests are conducted for capacity ratings

2. Tests are conducted for specific metals for:

a. Reactions between the metal and agent

b. Toxicity of the agent

c. Toxicity of any fumes produced

d. Time to allow the fire to self-extinguish versustime to extinguish the fire

E. Class K rating

1. Extinguishing agents must be able to extinguish afire involving cooking oils with a surface area of2.25 square feet for a Class K rating

F. Extinguishers may have multiple markings if suitablefor more than one type of fire

1. Most common are Class A-B-C, Class A-B, andClass B-C





2. Ratings for each class do not affect each other

a. An extinguisher with a 4-A 20-B:C ratingshould:

(1) Extinguish a Class A fire four times largerand than a 1-A fire, and

(2) Extinguish about 20 times Class B fire areaas a 1-B extinguisher, and

(3) Must also be nonconductive for Class C

G. Extinguishers must be marked for which the class offire they are rated

1. One system uses colored shapes with the class letterin the shape

2. NFPA 10 recommends pictographs indicted the fireclass and the types of fires on which the extin-guisher should not be used

IV. Extinguisher Selection and Use

A. Extinguisher selection depends on:

1. Characteristics of the fuels present

2. Potential severity of any fire

3. Extinguisher location

4. Effectiveness of the extinguisher

5. Personnel available to use the extinguisher



SLIDES



6. Health and safety concerns such as exposure to heatand smoke

B. Use of extinguishers

1. Safety

a. Check extinguisher before approaching

b. Approach from upwind and out of the smoke

c. Do not enter burn area

d. Do not turn back on fire

2. A quick check should be conducted before using aportable extinguisher to ensure it is in workingorder:

a. No apparent external damage

b. Hose and nozzle in place

c. The weight feels like it contains agent

d. The pressure gauge is in the operational range

3. PASS method of operation

a. P - pull the pin

b. A - aim the nozzle

c. S - squeeze the handle

d. S - sweep the nozzle back and forth at the baseof the fire





4. Apply the agent from a distance that reaches the firebut does not scatter the burning materials

a. If the agent cannot reach the fuel, it is wasted

b. Wind can limit the reach of the agent

5. After the fire is knocked down, move in closer forfinal extinguishment

6. If the fire cannot be fully extinguished with theextinguisher, withdraw and determine anothercourse of action

7. The fire has been reduced to a smoldering stage, itcan be overhauled with a tool for extinguishment

V. Extinguisher Inspection

A. Fire codes require that extinguishers be inspectedmonthly by the management of the property

1. Extinguishers must be in their designated locationsand operational

2. Servicing of extinguishers is the responsibility ofthe property owner

B. Inspection points

1. Extinguishers must be conspicuously located

a. Must be readily accessible and not obstructed

b. Must be visible or the location marked con-spicuously



SLIDES



2. The hose and nozzle should be checked for obstruc-tions and physical damage

3. The extinguishers should be inspected for corrosionor mechanical damage

4. Determine if extinguisher is full and if the pres-sure gauge reading in the operable range

5. Check the locking pin and tamper seal to determineif it has been used or tampered with

6. Make sure the operating instructions are legible

7. Check the inspection tag for the dates of the previ-ous inspections, maintenance, and recharging

C. Damaged extinguishers

1. Damaged extinguishers can fail at any time andcause property damage and injuries

2. Leaking, corroded, and damaged extinguishersshould be removed from service and repaired byqualified individuals

3. Damaged extinguishers may also fail when neededin an emergency

VI. Portable Fire Extinguishers Summary

A. Fire extinguishers can provide a rapid attack againstsmall fires faster than establishing a hoseline

B. Fire fighters should rely only on those extinguisherscarried on fire apparatus and not depend on those inany occupancy




Name: ___________________________________________ Date: ___________________

1. A pressurized water extinguisher should be used on ____________ fires.a. Class Ab. Class Bc. Class Cd. Class D

2. A dry powder extinguisher should be used on ____________ fires.a. Class Ab. Class Bc. Class Cd. Class D

3. A dry chemical tri-class extinguisher should not be used on ____________ fires.a. Class Ab. Class Bc. Class Cd. Class D

4. A disadvantage of a pressurized water extinguisher is that it __________.a. displaces oxygenb. causes breathing difficultiesc. creates loud noised. can conduct electricity

5. The extinguishing method by which a pressurized water extinguisher works is__________.

a. coolingb. oxygen exclusionc. fuel removald. breaking the chemical chain reaction

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS QUIZ




PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS QUIZ

6. Foam extinguishers should be used for ____________ fires.a. Class A & Bb. Class A & Cc. Class B & Cd. Class B & D

7. An extinguisher rated as 10-B should extinguish how many square feet of a flam-mable liquid?

a. 1b. 5c. 10d. 20

8. Class K fire extinguishers are only suitable for use on fires involving __________.a. commercial cooking oilsb. flammable liquidsc. energized electrical equipmentd. ignitable gases

9. Extinguisher selection depends on __________.a. characteristics of the fuels presentb. potential severity of any firec. personnel available to use the extinguisherd. All of the above

10. Why should fire fighters never rely on privately owned extinguishers in an occu-pancy?

a. They may be improperly maintainedb. They may be vandalizedc. They may be obsoleted. All of above




PRACTICAL SKILLS

These Lead Instructor Practical Skills are designed to provide the LeadInstructor for a Fire Fighter I and II course with a more detailed overviewof the practical skills required of all students.

The appropriate skills from NFPA 1001-2008 are listed at the front of eachskill's section. Although the skills from NFPA 1001-2008 are written as JobPerformance Requirements, these have been divided into individual skillelements. This is to allow for consistency in the evaluation of each skillelement.

Students must successfully complete each step of each practical skill duringthe practical skills evaluation portion of a Fire Fighter I and II course. Atthe time of a Fire Fighter I and II Certification Examination, the skill stepshave been prioritized to allow a student to miss a predetermined number ofsteps.

INSTRUCTOR'S GUIDE

INSTRUCTORS' NOTE

All of Portable Fire Extinguisher Practical Skills involvethe extinguishment of live fires. The use of fire

extinguisher digital training simulators is not approvedor acceptable for completion of these skills.

Additionally, these live burn skills are not eligible forcompletion using the "Alternative Compliance Method."

Should one of these extinguisher live burn skills beincluded on a Fire Fighter I Certification Skills

Examination, it must be completed during the examusing a live burn.


MISSOURI DIVISION OF FIRE SAFETY

FIRE FIGHTER I & II PRACTICAL SKILLS

Successful completion of the practical skills in this section are necessary to fulfill therequirements of the following sections of NFPA 1001-2008:

Fire Fighter I Standard

5.3.16* Extinguish incipient Class A, Class B, and Class C fires, given a selection of portable fireextinguishers, so that the correct extinguisher is chosen, the fire is completely extinguished, and correctextinguisher-handling techniques are followed.

Portable Fire Extinguishers




Skill Objective: The candidate, wearing personal protective equipment and given a Class A fire anda selection of portable fire extinguishers, shall select the appropriate portable fire extinguisher for theclass of fire and fully extinguish the fire.

Skill Procedure: The evaluator should secure an area suitable for igniting and extinguishing Class Afires, Class A fuels, and portable fire extinguishers. All fire extinguisher evolutions for this skillevaluation shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions.After the evaluator has ignited the fire and has determined the conditions are safe, the candidate willbe instructed to select the appropriate fire extinguisher for the given fire and demonstrate the ability toextinguish the fire.

Items to be checked

If the candidate:

1. Wears personal protective gear

2. Correctly identifies the class of fire

3. Selects an extinguisher suitable for class A fires

4. Properly activates the extinguisher

5. Tests operation of the extinguisher by a brief discharge of agent

6. Approaches to an effective distance for discharge of the selected extinguisher

7. Aims nozzle at the fire

8. Discharges extinguishing agent on the base of the fire and sweeps over the fire area

9. Advances on the remaining burning material while extinguishing hot spots

10. Ensures extinguishment of the fire and checks for remaining hot spots

Students are allowed two chances at each skill for successful completion. Any step listed initalics missed shall result in failure of the skill. Otherwise, students are allowed to miss a maxi-mum of two of the following steps and pass this skill.

Portable Fire Extinguishers - NFPA 1001-2008, 5.3.16Extinguish a Class A Fire with a Portable Fire Extinguisher




Skill Objective: The candidate, wearing personal protective equipment and given a Class B fire anda selection of portable fire extinguishers, shall select the appropriate portable fire extinguisher for theclass of fire and fully extinguish the fire.

Skill Procedure: The evaluator should secure an area suitable for igniting and extinguishing Class Bfires, Class B fuels, and portable fire extinguishers. All fire extinguisher evolutions for this skillevaluation shall meet the requirements of NFPA 1403, Standard on Live Fire Training Evolutions.After the evaluator has ignited the fire and has determined the conditions are safe, the candidate willbe instructed to select the appropriate fire extinguisher for the given fire and demonstrate the ability toextinguish the fire.

Items to be checked

If the candidate:

1. Wears protective equipment

2. Correctly identifies the class of fire

3. Selects an extinguisher suitable for class B fires

4. Properly activates the extinguisher

5. Tests operation of the extinguisher by a brief discharge of agent

6. Approaches to an effective distance for discharge of the selected extinguisher

7. Aims nozzle at the fire

8. Discharges extinguishing agent on the base of the fire and sweeps over the fire

9. Advances on the remaining burning material while continuing to extinguish burningfuel

10. Ensures extinguishment of the fire and watches for reignition of flammable liquids

Students are allowed two chances at each skill for successful completion. Any step listed initalics missed shall result in failure of the skill. Otherwise, students are allowed to miss a maxi-mum of two of the following steps and pass this skill.

Portable Fire Extinguishers - NFPA 1001-2008, 5.3.16Extinguish a Class B Fire with a Portable Fire Extinguisher


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