Fire Extinguishers

Industrial / Home

Objectives

Identify the classification of types of fire as they relate to the use of portable extinguishers

Identify the appropriate extinguishers and the application procedures for the various classes

Extinguish Class A fires using the appropriate extinguisher

Fires are classified into four groups according to sources of fuel: Class A, B, C, and D based on the type of fuel source. Below describes the classifications of fire which can be used in making hazard assessment.

Class A - Ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cloth and some rubber and plastic materials. Class B - Flammable or combustible liquids, flammable gases, greases and similar materials, and some rubber and plastic materials . Class C - Energized electrical equipment and power supply circuits and related materials. Class D - Combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium and potassium.

Classes of fires

Fire Triangle

Heat

Fuel

Oxygen

Chemical Reaction

6 Types Of Extinguishers

Water Extinguishers

Pump tank / stored pressure

Reduces temperature

Foam extinguisher

Use on class A&B fires

Smothering and cooling

Halon

B&C Fires

Interrupts chemical chain reaction

Carbon Dioxide

Gas stored under pressure

B&C fires

Displaces oxygen

Dry chemical

Multi-purpose A,B,C, fires

Dry powder

Combustible metals

Titanium

Magnesium

Labeling of fire extinguishers

A

TRIANGLE

B SQUARE

C

CIRCLE

D

STAR

Fire extinguisher operation

P = PULL PIN

A = AIM NOZZLE

S = SQUEEZE HANDLE

S = SWEEP AT BASE OF FIRE

Methods of application