Fire Extinguishers

The Chino Valley Independent Fire District encourages all employers who provide portable fire extinguishers in the workplace also provide training for their use. It is important that all employees are familiar with portable extinguishers. When used correctly, portable fire extinguishers can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing one until the fire department arrives.

In the event of fire, employees should follow their company's fire emergency plan. In most cases, employees will evacuate. In accordance with the company's emergency plan, only specific, trained and designated employees will evaluate the fire scene. Those employees should use a fire extinguisher to fight the fire only if the fire is small and conditions are reasonably safe. If the fire is large or conditions are unsafe, all employees should evacuate.

Before Fighting a Fire in the Workplace

	Familiarize yourself with the company's policies and emergency plan.
	Know how to operate the fire extinguisher and the proper technique for fighting fires.
	Maintain an unobstructed escape route should you fail to extinguish the fire.
	Know what materials are on fire and utilize the designated extinguisher capable of fighting the fire. Consider possible dangers posed by hazardous materials near the fire.

Extinguisher Location

Fire extinguishers should be located in highly visible areas and within easy reach. This allows for quick access and early extinguishment while a fire is still small. A quick response will help minimize injuries and property damage.

The Proper Extinguisher

There are four classes of fires and extinguishing techniques may vary per class of fire. All fire extinguishers are tested by independent testing laboratories and for specific uses. All extinguishers are labeled, using standard symbols, for the type(s) of fire they can extinguish. A slash through any of the symbols signifies that the extinguisher cannot be used on that class of fire. A missing symbol simply means that the extinguisher has not been tested for a given class of fire. Such an extinguisher may be used only if an extinguisher designated for that class of fire is unavailable (except Class D).

Class A: Ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth and paper.

Class B: Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil and oil-based paint.

Class C: Energized electrical equipment such as wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery and appliances.

Class D: Combustible metals such as magnesium and sodium.

WARNING: On a fire involving flammable liquids or energized electrical equipment, it is very dangerous to use water or an extinguisher with a slash through the Class B and C symbols.

Extinguisher Sizes: Portable extinguishers are also given a rating for the size of fire they can handle. Class A extinguishers are rated numerically from 1 to 40 and Class B extinguishers are rated 1 to 640. For example, a "2A:10B:C" label may appear on an extinguisher. The larger the numbers, the larger the fire can be put out with the extinguisher. Class C fires do not use a numerical rating; the C on the label indicates that the extinguisher is tested for use on electrical fires.

Extinguishers for Class D fires must match the type of metal that is burning. Such extinguishers have a label with a list detailing the metals that match the dry powder in the extinguisher.

Types of Extinguishers

Portable extinguishers contain "extinguishing agents," which are expelled onto the fire, that vary among intended uses.

Pressurized Water Extinguishers are appropriate for use on Class A fires only. Never use this extinguisher on electrical or flammable-liquid fires.

Dry Chemical extinguishers expel powdered chemicals to smother burning materials. Some models store the chemical contents under pressure, while others use a pressure supplied by a separate gas-filled cartridge to expel the agents. If not cleaned up immediately, the dry chemical extinguishers can be corrosive.

A B C dry chemical extinguishers contain ammonium phosphate and can be used on Class A, B, and C fires. Never use these extinguishers on a fire in a commercial grease fryer because it's possible the fire may re-ignite (re-flash). In addition, it will counteract the unit's automatic fire-protection system.

B C dry chemical extinguishers, suitable for use on Class B and C fires, contain either sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate and are preferred over other dry-chemical extinguishers for fighting grease fires. Potassium bicarbonate, urea-base potassium bicarbonate, and potassium chloride extinguishers can put out bigger fires than extinguishers using sodium bicarbonate. Cooking appliances equipped with an extinguishing system always activate that system first.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers contain pressurized liquid carbon dioxide inside the extinguisher, but converts to a gas when expelled. These extinguishers are rated for use on Class B and C fires, but never hesitate to use carbon dioxide extinguishers on a Class A fire. Carbon dioxide is not corrosive.

Foam (or AFFF and FFFP) extinguishers cover the surface of a burning flammable liquid, which smothers out fire. Since the foams are mostly water-based, which conducts electricity, do not use foam extinguishers on electrical fires.

How to Use a Portable Fire Extinguisher: PASS

Keep your back to an exit and stand 10 to 20 feet away from the fire. Follow the four-step PASS procedure.

PULL the pin: This unlocks the operating lever and allows you to discharge the extinguisher. Some extinguishers may have other lever-release mechanisms.

AIM low: Point the extinguisher hose (or nozzle) at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE the lever above the handle: This discharges the extinguishing agent. Releasing the lever will stop the discharge. (See special instructions for cartridge-operated dry-chemical extinguishers.)

SWEEP from side to side: Moving carefully toward the fire, keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth until the flames appear to be out. Watch the fire area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat the process.

Always be sure the fire department inspects the fire site, even if you think you've extinguished the fire.

WARNING: Portable fire extinguishers discharge faster than most people think - most within 30 seconds.