PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAINING Section Montana Department of Labor & Industry Occupational Safety and Health Training Institute

PURPOSE OF PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS? TO CONTROL OR EXTINGUISH SMALL OR INCIPIENT STAGE FIRES and PROTECT EVACUATION ROUTES MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

Fire is a very rapid chemical reaction between oxygen and a combustible/flammable material, which results in the release of heat, light, flames, and smoke. FOR FIRE TO EXIST, THE FOLLOWING FOUR ELEMENTS MUST BE PRESENT AT THE SAME TIME: Enough OXYGEN to sustain combustion, Enough HEAT to raise the material to its ignition temperature, Some sort of FUEL or combustible material, and The CHEMICAL REACTION that is fire. FIRE TRIANGLE MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

BEFORE FIGHTING A FIRE 1.WHAT IS BURNING? 2.IS THE FIRE CONTAINED? 3.WHERE IS THE CLOSEST EXTINGUISHER? 4.IS THIS THE CORRECT EXTINGUISHER? 5.WHERE IS THE EXIT IN RELATION TO THE FIRE? MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

HOW AN EXTINGUISHER WORKS MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

CLASSIFICATIONS Class A: “Ash” (Combustibles) Class B: “Barrel” (Flam. Liquids) Class C: “Circuit” (Electrical) Class D: “Dents” (Metals) Class K: “Kitchen” (Cooking Grease) MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

What’s the Cause of this Fire? What Class? MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

CLASS LABELING OLDER STYLE of labeling indicating suitability for use on class A, B, and C fires. NEWER STYLE of labeling that shows this extinguisher may be used on ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, or electrical equipment fires. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

LABELING For example, a simple water extinguisher might have a label like this… … which means it should only be used on Class A fires. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS WATER These extinguishers contain water and compressed gas or air should only be used on class A (ordinary combustibles) fires MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) Most effective on class B and C (liquids and electrical) fires. Suffocates and Cools the fire. Carbon dioxide is stored as a compressed liquid; As it expands, it cools the surrounding air. Cooling will often cause ice to form around the “horn”. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS DRY CHEMICAL Extinguishers are usually rated for multiple purpose use. Class A,B, and C fires. These are filled with foam or powder and pressurized with nitrogen. The greatest portion of this powder is composed of mono-ammonium phosphate. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS DRY CHEMICAL (cont.) o BC - regular type of dry chemical extinguisher. Filled with sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate.  Leaves a mildly corrosive residue which must be cleaned immediately to prevent any damage to materials. o Mono-ammonium phosphate, a yellow powder.  Leaves a sticky residue that may be damaging to electrical appliances such as computers. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

KITCHEN OIL AND GREASE FIRES Application wand keeps operator at a safe distance from the fire Safe to used around electrical appliances up to 100,000 volts. Low PH Wet Chemical Agent fine mist discharge helps prevent grease splash and fire re-flash while cooling the appliance Precise extinguishing agent application For use on all cooking appliances TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS METAL FIRES Used on fires involving metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, and potassium. Often specific for the type of metal in question. Have no rating nor given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS HALON Contains a gas that interrupts the chemical reaction that takes place when fuels burn. Often used to protect electrical equipment - leaves no residue. Limited range, 4 to 6 feet. Initial application should be made at the base of the fire, even after the flames have been extinguished. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

INSPECTION, MAINTENANCE & TESTING Monthly Visual Annual Maintenance Check Empty and Refill – 6 years Hydrostatic – 5 to12 years MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

MONTHLY VISUAL INSPECTION CHECKLIST Is each extinguisher in its designated place, clearly visible, and not blocked by equipment, coats or other objects? Is the nameplate with operating instructions legible and facing outward? Is the pressure gauge showing that the extinguisher is fully charged (the needle should be in the green zone)? Is the pin and tamper seal intact? Is the extinguisher in good condition and showing no signs of physical damage, corrosion, or leakage? Have all dry powder extinguishers been gently rocked top to bottom to make sure the powder is not packing? Record the inspection. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

MONTHLY VISUAL INSPECTION MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

OSHA Standard 29 CFR The employer shall mount, locate and identify extinguishers so that they are readily accessible. Mount on brackets or in wall cabinets Carrying handle 3-1/2 to 5 feet above floor. Larger extinguishers carrying handle 3 feet from the floor MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

MOUNTING & LOCATING MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

MOUNTING & LOCATING MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

MOUNTING & LOCATING MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

MOUNTING & LOCATING MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

MOUNTING & LOCATING MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

IDENTIFYING LOCATIONS MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

TRAINING Where extinguishers are provided for employee use: o Educational program shall exist  Principles of fire extinguisher use &  Hazards of fire o Training of employee at initial employment o At least annually thereafter MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

USING A FIRE EXTINGUISHER Steps to follow when responding to incipient stage fires: Sound the fire alarm and call the fire department. Identify a safe evacuation path before approaching the fire. Do not allow the fire, heat, or smoke to come between you and your evacuation path. Select the appropriate type of fire extinguisher. Discharge the extinguisher within its effective range using the P.A.S.S. Technique (pull, aim, squeeze, sweep). Back away from an extinguished fire in case it flames up again. Evacuate immediately if the extinguisher is empty and the fire is not out or if the fire progresses beyond the incipient stage. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

PULL... Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal. AIM... Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire. SQUEEZE... Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent. SWEEP... Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat steps P.A.S.S. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

INCIPIENT STAGE FIRE The fire is limited to the original material ignited, It is contained (such as in a waste basket), Has not spread to other materials and The flames are no higher than the firefighter's head. MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

INCIPIENT STAGE FIRE? MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute

Dan Toney Safety and Health Specialist Montana Dept. of Labor and Industry (406) Do ya have any questions? MT. Occupational Safety & Health Training Institute