Approval Sheets

Fire Extinguisher Awareness Training Module 29987 Rev. 3

Terminal Objective Participants will be able to protect themselves and others in response to a fire, in accordance with safe work practices and PORTS policies and procedures.

Objectives IDENTIFY actions to be taken in the event of a fire. RECOGNIZE symbols identifying types and ratings of fire extinguishers. STATE the steps in the PASS fire-fighting technique for portable fire extinguishers. IDENTIFY actions to be taken after fighting a fire.

How does Fire Extinguisher Training Relate to ISMS The Integrated Safety Management System (ISMS) is a systematic, common sense approach to working safely. The objective of ISMS is to integrate working safely into management and work practices at all levels, addressing all types of work and all types of hazards to ensure safety for the workers, the public, and the environment. ISMS integrates working safely into planning and execution of work.

If you discover a fire: Remain calm. Inform building occupants. Activate a fire alarm pull box or send someone else to active the alarm. Call the PORTS fire department. (911 will get them from a PORTS phone or on a cell phone call 897-2444.) Follow facility or organizational requirements for alarms and evacuations.

Classes of Fire Extinguishers Dry chemical fire extinguishers are the primary extinguisher used by PORTS. This should be the only type of extinguisher used by non Fire Department personnel. NOTE: OSHA standards require that awareness for use of portable fire extinguishers be provided annually

Fire Class A Class A extinguishers will put out fires involving ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper.

Water Fire Extinguishers Water extinguishers contain water and compressed gas, and should be used only on Class A (ordinary combustible) fires.

Fire Class B Class B extinguishers are suitable for use on flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc.

Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers Dry Chemical extinguishers are usually Multi-Class rated, and contain an extinguishing agent and a compressed, non-flammable gas as a propellant.

Fire Class C Class C extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires. This rating simply means that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers extinguishers are primarily effective in extinguishing Class B and C (liquids and electrical) fires. Since the gas dissipates quickly, they have an effective reach of only 3 to 8 feet. The carbon dioxide is stored as a compressed liquid, and as it expands it cools the surrounding air, often causing ice to form on the “horn.” Since the fire could re-ignite, application should continue even after the fire is out.

Fire Class D Class D extinguishers are designed for use on combustible metals, and are often specific for the type of metal in question, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium. These extinguishers generally have no rating, and are not given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.

Fire Class K Class K extinguishers are suitable for fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats).

Fire Safety Most fires produce toxic decomposition products of combustion, and some materials, upon burning, can produce highly toxic gases. Fires can also consume available oxygen or produce dangerously high exposure to convection or radiated heat. All of these can affect the degree to which a fire can be safely approached with fire extinguishers.

USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER Portable fire extinguishers have two functions: To control or extinguish small or incipient stage fires To protect evacuation routes that a fire may block directly or indirectly with smoke or burning/smoldering materials.

Precautions when using a fire extinguisher: Attempting to extinguish even a small fire carries some risk. Fires can increase in size and intensity in seconds, blocking the exit path of the fire fighter and creating a hazardous atmosphere. Portable fire extinguishers contain a limited amount of extinguishing agent and can be discharged in a matter of seconds. Individuals should attempt to fight only very small or incipient stage fires.

Before fighting a fire make sure that: You have a path of escape from the fire area. The fire is confined to a small area. Do not attempt to fight a fire that is growing rapidly. You understand the operating instructions associated with the fire extinguisher you intend to use. You have selected the appropriate portable fire extinguisher.

P-A-S-S Technique: Simply pull the pin which breaks the plastic seal (its only purpose is to prohibit the inadvertent squeezing of the trigger). The pin should slide out easily.

AFTER THE FIRE IS OUT: In the event of a fire, even a small fire that has been extinguished, report the fire immediately to PORTS fire department. Never return a used extinguisher to its normal storage position. When the fire is reported, the PORTS fire department will replace the used extinguisher with an inspected, fully charged extinguisher. If you have any questions, contact the fire protection engineering office.