09 Jul Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers are an important part of workplace fire protection. Even when a facility is equipped with automatic sprinklers or other fire-protection systems, portable extinguishers may provide a means of controlling a small, incipient-stage fire before it spreads.

However, extinguishers are effective only when they are readily accessible, properly maintained, appropriate for the type of fire, and used by employees who have received the required training.

Know Where Extinguishers Are Located

Employees should become familiar with the location of fire extinguishers in their work areas before an emergency occurs. Valuable time can be lost searching for an extinguisher after a fire has started.

Fire extinguishers should:

• Be readily accessible and clearly identified.
• Be located where they can be reached quickly without exposing employees to unnecessary hazards.
• Never be blocked by materials, equipment, vehicles, or stored items.
• Be properly mounted or otherwise located as required.
• Be appropriate for the types of fires that could reasonably occur in the area.

Employees should never move or relocate an extinguisher without authorization.

Use the Correct Extinguisher

Using the wrong extinguisher can be ineffective and may make the situation more dangerous. Employees should recognize the basic fire classifications:

• Class A: Ordinary combustible materials such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and many plastics.
• Class B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oils, solvents, and paints.
• Class C: Energized electrical equipment.
• Class D: Combustible metals requiring specialized extinguishing agents.
• Class K: Cooking oils and fats, primarily associated with commercial cooking operations.

Many workplaces use multipurpose ABC dry-chemical extinguishers, but employees should always check the extinguisher’s rating before use.

Inspection and Maintenance

An extinguisher that is discharged, damaged, inaccessible, or improperly maintained may be useless during an emergency.

Portable fire extinguishers should be:

• Kept in their designated locations and readily accessible.
• Visually inspected monthly.
• Subjected to an appropriate annual maintenance check.
• Checked for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage, blocked hoses or nozzles, and missing or damaged operating components.
• Removed from service and properly serviced or replaced when defective or discharged.

Employees who discover a missing, damaged, discharged, or inaccessible extinguisher should report the condition immediately.

Know How to Use an Extinguisher

Employees expected or authorized to use portable fire extinguishers must receive appropriate training. A commonly used method is PASS:

P – Pull the pin.
A – Aim at the base of the fire.
S – Squeeze the operating handle.
S – Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire.

Always maintain a clear escape route behind you. Never allow the fire, heat, or smoke to get between you and your exit.

Know When to Evacuate

Portable extinguishers are intended for small, controllable fires. Do not attempt to fight a fire when:

• You have not been trained or authorized to do so.
• You do not know what is burning.
• The correct extinguisher is not available.
• The fire is spreading rapidly or has grown beyond its initial stage.
• Heavy smoke, toxic fumes, or excessive heat are present.
• Your escape route could become blocked.
• Hazardous materials, compressed gas cylinders, or other conditions could cause the fire to escalate.

Follow the company’s Emergency Action Plan, activate the alarm or report the fire as required, and evacuate when conditions are unsafe.

Remember

The middle of a fire emergency is not the time to learn where an extinguisher is located or how to operate it. Know the location and type of extinguishers in your work area, keep them accessible, and understand your company’s procedures for extinguisher use and evacuation.