FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

Cordelia Fire DistrictPrepared by: Bryan Thompson

Overview

What is a fire extinguisher? Classes of extinguishers Closer look at the extinguishers we

use at CFD Extinguisher Maintenance

What is a fire extinguisher?

A portable container, usually filled with special chemicals for putting out a fire.

Classes of Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are divided into five classes, based on different types of fires. (A,B,C,D,K)

Each fire extinguisher also has a numerical rating that serves as a guide for the amount of fire the extinguisher can handle.

The higher the number, the more fire-fighting power.

Class A: Ordinary combustibles (paper, wood…)

Class B: Flammable liquids (gasoline, oil…)

Class C: Electrical equipment (wiring, circuit breakers…)

Class D: Combustible metals (magnesium, titanium…)

Class K: Organic oils (peanut oil, vegetable oil)

We’ll be focusing on class “A, D, ABC” because that’s what we carry on our engines.

A Closer Look at the Extinguishers We Use at CFD

Class A “Water Extinguisher”

Water extinguishers or APW extinguishers (air-pressurized water) are suitable for class A fires only.

Filled with water and pressurized with oxygen.

Our water extinguishers are 1.75gal/2.5 gal

Class A Uses

Class A extinguishers have limited use. Wood, paper, trash, etc.

How to Use a Class A Extinguisher When using ANY extinguisher,

remember the simple pneumonic “PASS”.

Pull the locking ring Aim at the base of the fire from

about 20ft away Squeeze the lever on the hose Sweep side to side along base of fire

Reminder

Never use a water extinguisher on grease fires, electrical fires or class D fires - the flames will spread and make the fire bigger!

Only fight the fire if you're certain it contains ordinary combustible materials only.

Class ABC “Multipurpose Dry Chem Extinguisher” filled with

monoammonium phosphate,

a yellow powder that leaves a sticky residue that may be damaging to electrical appliances such as a computer

uses a compressed, non-flammable gas as a propellant.

Class ABC Uses

These extinguishers can be used on:

Class A: Ordinary Combustibles

Class B: Flammable Liquids

Class C: Electrical Fires

How To Use an ABC Extinguisher Compress Plunger button Stand about 12 ft back from fire Aim at base of fire Squeeze lever on the hose Sweep back and fourth

Class D “Combustible Metals Extinguisher” The extinguishing

agent is Sodium Chloride.

Effective at controlling magnesium, sodium, potassium, sodium potassium alloys, uranium, and powdered aluminum metal fires.

Class D Uses

For fires that involve combustible metals Magnesium

Titanium

Potassium

Sodium

How to Use Class D Extinguisher Compress Plunger button Stand about 12 ft back from fire Aim at base of fire Squeeze lever on the hose Sweep back and fourth

Extinguisher Maintenance

The pressure is at the recommended level. That means the needle should be in the green zone - not too high and not too low.

The nozzle or other parts are not obstructed. The pin and tamper seal (if it has one) are intact. There are no dents, leaks, rust, chemical deposits and other

signs of abuse/wear. Wipe off any corrosive chemicals, oil, gunk etc. that may have landed on the extinguisher.

Shake up the dry chemical extinguishers once a month to prevent the powder from settling/packing.

Fire extinguishers should be pressure tested (a process called hydrostatic testing) after a number of years to ensure that the cylinder is safe to use.

If the extinguisher is damaged or needs recharging, get it replaced immediately!