Cordelia Fire District Prepared 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!