Portable Fire Extinguishers MFRI Drill of the Month August 2016 Instructor Danny Braitsch

Objectives  Successfully describe the various classes of fires and determine the appropriate portable fire extinguisher to extinguish each  Identify the various types of portable fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents  Describe and demonstrate use of the PASS method in employing a portable fire extinguisher on a fire  Understand the importance of public education of portable fire extinguishers

Portable Fire Extinguishers Kept on fire suppression apparatus Allow firefighters to easily contain and extinguish small fires with limited property damage Small brush fires Car fires Unauthorized open burns Incipient stage fires Made available in public, business, or industrial settings for citizen use Public education on proper portable fire extinguisher use essential in fire prevention

Classes of Fires

Class A Fire is fueled by an ordinary combustible material Examples of Class A fire fuels: wood, plastic, paper, cloth, rubber, household trash

Class B Fire is fueled by any flammable liquid or flammable gas Examples of Class B fire fuels: gasoline, propane, natural gas, oil, oil-based paints

Class C Fire is fueled by any electrically charge equipment Examples of Class C fire fuels: energized appliances, outlets, circuit breakers, lighting fixtures, electronic devices

Class D Fire is fueled by a combustible metal Examples of Class D fire fuels: magnesium, potassium, aluminum, titanium, zirconium

Class K Fire is fueled by cooking oils and cooking greases Examples of Class K fire fuels: cooking oils and fats

Classes of Fires Being able to properly identify the fuel burning in a fire is essential in choosing the proper portable fire extinguisher to do the job Consider the following examples of choosing the wrong fire extinguisher for the job Using water to extinguish a Class D fire involving a combustible metal, such as magnesium, could result in a violent reaction rather than extinguishment Kitchen fires involving cooking oil can be exacerbated by the use of water for extinguishment

Extinguishing Agents

Water Method of extinguishment: Cools the fuel below its ignition point Best used for: Class A fires Dry Chemical Method of extinguishment: Interrupts the chemical chain reaction involved in combustion Absorbs heat Best used for: Ordinary Dry Chemical extinguishers are best used for: Class B and C fires Multipurpose Dry Chemical extinguishers (Ammonium Phosphate) are best used for Class A, B, and C fires Retrieved from: Retrieved from:

Carbon Dioxide Method of extinguishment: Displaces the air surrounding the fuel, removing its oxygen supply Best used for: Class B and C fires Wet Chemical Method of extinguishment: Wet chemical agents convert cooking oils into a soap or foam in a process known as saponification Best used for: Class K fires Retrieved from: Retrieved from:

Dry Powder Method of extinguishment: Forms a crust over the burning metal, removing its oxygen supply Absorbs heat Best used for: Class D fires Foam Method of extinguishment: Class A foam extinguishers cool the fuel below its ignition point Class B foam extinguishers separate the fuel from its oxygen supply Best used for: Extinguishers that utilize Class A foam concentrate are best used for Class A fires Extinguishers that utilize Class B foam concentrate (such as Aqueous Film-forming Foam and Film-forming Fluoroprotein Foam) are best used for Class B fires Retrieved from: Retrieved from:

Halogenated (or Clean Agent) Method of extinguishment: Halogenated agents disrupt the molecular chain reactions that occur within the combustion process Best used for: Halon 1211 extinguishers are recommended for use on Class B and C fires Larger Halon extinguishers may be used for Class A, B, and C fires Consider environment impact, use only when necessary for electronic equipment fires as these “clean agents” do limited damage to electronic equipment Retrieved from: fire.com/clean%20agent%20fire%20extinguishers_ files/clean-agent-fire-extinguisher jpg

Fire Extinguisher Classification The letter corresponds with which class of fire the extinguisher is best suited for. For instance, an ABC extinguisher is best suited for use on Class A, B, and C fires The number corresponds with the effectiveness of the extinguisher. Class A extinguishers: the number reflects the amount of water the extinguisher contains Class B extinguishers: the number reflects the approximate area (in square feet) of burning fuel the device is able to extinguish

Fire Extinguisher Labelling Retrieved from:

Portable Fire Extinguisher Use PASS Pull the pin. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, while standing the recommended distance away from the fire Squeeze the operating lever in order to discharge the extinguishing agent Sweep the nozzle from side to side in the direction of the fire until the fire is extinguished

Safety Choosing the proper portable fire extinguisher is essential in ensuring the fire is extinguished. For instance, using water to extinguish a Class D fire involving a combustible metal, such as magnesium, could result in a violent reaction rather than extinguishment. Fire extinguishers offer recommendations for user distance in order to effectively and safely extinguish a fire Ensure maintenance of extinguishers per manufacturer instructions Always have a secondary means of egress Never turn your back to a fire even if presumed out

Public Education Public education on proper portable fire extinguisher use essential in fire prevention When educating the public on proper use of fire extinguishers, provide some of the following reminders and tips: Do not delay calling in order to extinguish a fire. Remain a safe distance away from the fire at all times. Ensure you are using the right extinguishing agent for the job. For instance, kitchen fires involving cooking oil can be exacerbated by the use of water for extinguishment. Know when to evacuate if the fire exceeds the capabilities of the extinguisher. If you have any doubt about the ability to successfully fight the fire, evacuate immediately. Retrieved from:

Objectives Review  Successfully describe the various classes of fires and determine the appropriate portable fire extinguisher to extinguish each  Identify the various types of portable fire extinguishers and extinguishing agents  Describe and demonstrate use of the PASS method in employing a portable fire extinguisher on a fire  Understand the importance of public education of portable fire extinguishers

References Fundamentals of Fire Fighter Skills (3rd ed.). (2013). Jones & Bartlett Learning. NFPA 10 Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers (2013 edition). (2013). National Fire Protection Agency. Retrieved from: