Application of Portable Fire Extinguishers

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Application of Portable Fire
Extinguishers
Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute
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Application of Portable
Fire Extinguishers

OBJECTIVE (SPO) Given a selection of portable
extinguishers, full personal protective
equipment, and a controlled instructional
environment, the student will be able to
demonstrate the proper techniques of inspecting,
selecting, and using portable extinguishers on
Class A, B, and C fires, so that the correct
extinguisher is used for the class of fire, the
fire is extinguished completely, and safe
operations are practiced.
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Application of Portable
Fire Extinguishers

• Overview
• Purpose of Portable Fire Extinguishers
• NFPA Classification and Characteristics of Fuels
• Types of Agents
• Ratings of Extinguishers
• Types of Extinguishers

• Limitations of Extinguishers
• Care and Maintenance
• General Rules
• Practical Use of Fire Extinguishers

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Why Are Portable Fire Extinguishers Used?
CHEMICAL
FOAM
CO
APW
DRY
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• Quick blitz or knockdown under certain conditions
  or circumstances (initial attack).
• Mobile conveyances fires
• Trash can fires
• Electrical fires

• Small flammable liquid fires
• Industrial shop fires

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A Word of Caution and Prudence

In Lesson 4-1 you learned about PPE requirements
appropriate for a specific incident. In this
Lesson NOTHING HAS CHANGED!!
Wear your and when warranted.
PPE
Oxygen Fuel Source Heat Chemical Reaction
Danger Hazards Risks
SCBA
DONT FOLLOW THE PACK - FOLLOW YOUR TRAINING!
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Monammonium Phosphate

Multipurpose Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Forms a Crust on Class A Fuels
Is Not Compatible with BC Dry Chemical
EXTINGUISHER
ABC Rated
Forms Emulsion in Class B Fuels
SUPER
Is Corrosive to Aircraft Parts
Corrodes Electrical Equipment
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Halogenated Hydrocarbons
HALON
Chemically reacts with flame to interrupt the
chain reaction. It is a chemical compound that
contains carbon one or more elements from the
series Fluorine, Chlorine,
Bromine, Iodine, and Astatine. HALON 1211
BROMOCHLORODIFLUROMETHANE HALON 1301
BROMOTRIFLUOROMETHANE
HALOGEN
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Number(s) Rating Indicates Relative Effectiveness
of the Extinguisher and Performance Capability

Based on 1¼ gallons of water 1A - 40A (range) 2A
2½ gallons of water
Based on square foot area of flammable liquid
surface 1B - 640B (range) 20B 20 square feet of
surface area
No numerical rating - only letter rated
No numerical rating - cannot be given a
multipurpose rating for use on other classes of
fire
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Limitations of Extinguishers

• Have limited discharge distances
• Carry limited amount of agent
• May be only partially effective
• Limited discharge time
• Must be maintained
• Expensive to use

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Care and Maintenance

Mandated by Fire Prevention Code and Standard
Article 38A MD Fire
Prevention Code
NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
Conduct Maintenance

• Check annually
• Follow manufacturers recommendations
• Perform a hydrostatic test

• Take it out of service if damaged
• Note any evidence of impairment
• Record date of inspection or testing

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PRACTICE - PRACTICE - PRACTICE

Select proper extinguisher
Back away after extinguishment
Apply from upwind position
Use compatible agents
Work systematically
Work in pairs
Know application techniques
Apply at proper range
Wear PPE/SCBA when necessary
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Practical Use of Fire Extinguishers

Spend the final hour practicing during structured
evolutions. Follow steps and procedures outlined
in IFSTA Essentials of Fire Fighting on pages
140-144.
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Application of Portable
Fire Extinguishers

OBJECTIVE (SPO) Given a selection of portable
extinguishment, full personal protective
equipment, and a controlled instructional
environment, the student will be able to
demonstrate the proper techniques of inspecting,
selecting, and using portable extinguishers on
Class A, B, and C fires, so that the correct
extinguisher is used for the class of fire, the
fire is extinguished completely, and safe
operations are practiced.
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Application of Portable
Fire Extinguishers

• Review
• Purpose of Portable Fire Extinguishers
• NFPA Classification and Characteristics of Fuels
• Types of Agents
• Ratings of Extinguishers
• Types of Extinguishers

• Limitations of Extinguishers
• Care and Maintenance
• General Rules
• Practical Use of Fire Extinguishers