Portable Fire Extinguisher Safety

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Portable Fire Extinguisher
Safety

• Facilities Planning
• and Management
• By Chaizong Lor

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Portable Fire Extinguisher Safety

• Training Objectives
• What is FIRE?
• The Fire Triangle
• Extinguishment Theory
• Types of portable fire extinguishers
• Major Causes of Fires
• Reporting a Fire Emergency
• Making the right decision
• Quick-Check
• How to use a portable fire extinguishers

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Portable Fire Extinguisher Safety

• A rapid chemical reaction know as combustion
  which occurs when fuel and oxygen are brought
  together with sufficient heat to cause ignition.

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The Fire Triangle

• Any combustible material such as solid, liquid,
  or gas. Most solids and liquids must vaporize
  before they will burn.
• Sufficient oxygen must be present in the
  atmosphere surrounding the fuel for fire to burn.

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The Fire Triangle Cont.

• Sufficient heat energy must be
• applied to raise the fuel to its
• ignition temperature.
• Open flame Hot surfaces
• Sparks and arcs Friction

This reaction can occur when all three of the
above elements are present in the
proper conditions proportions.
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Extinguishment Theory

• Three things must be present at the same time to
  produce fire
• Enough OXYGEN to sustain combustion
• Enough HEAT to reach ignition temperature
• Some FUEL or combustible material
• Together, they produce the CHEMICAL REACTION that
  is fire
• Take away any of these things and the fire will
  be extinguished

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Types of portable fire extinguishers

• Classification of Fire
• Class A or Ordinary Combustibles
• This includes fuels such as wood, paper, plastic,
  rubber, and cloth

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Types of portable fire extinguishers

• Classification of Fire Cont.
• Class B or Flammable and Combustible Liquids and
  Gases
• This includes all hydrocarbon and alcohol based
  liquids and gases that will support combustion.

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Types of portable fire extinguishers

• Classification of Fire Cont.
• Class C or Electrical
• This includes all fires involving Energized
  electrical equipment

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Types of portable fire extinguishers

• Classification of Fire Cont.
• Class D or Combustible Metals
• Examples of these types of metals are
• Zirconium
• Titanium
• Potassium
• Magnesium

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Types of portable fire extinguishers

• Classification of Fire Cont.
• Class K for fires that involves combustible or
  fats cooking oils in well insulated cooking
  appliances in commercial kitchens.

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Major Causes of Fires

• Carelessness with smoking and matches
• Misuse of electricity (overloading a circuit or
  overuse of extension cords)
• Improper rubbish disposal
• Improper storage of flammables (such as gasoline)
• Arson

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Reporting a Fire Emergency

• Activate fire alarm on the way out of building.
• Notify Public Safety at 9-911. Give at least
• Your Name
• Your Location
• A description of the Emergency
• A description of current condition
• A description of any special hazards or needs,
  such as hazardous materials storage or
  non-ambulatory occupants
• Stay on the line, unless told to do otherwise

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Making That Right Decision

• You are trained in the use of extinguishers.
• You know what is burning.
• Fire is not spreading rapidly.
• Smoke and heat has not filled the area.
• You have a clear path of escape.
• Follow your instincts.

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Quick-Check

• Is it Ready To Use?

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How to use of Fire Extinguisher

• Use the P.A.S.S. Method
• It is easy to remember how to use a fire
  extinguisher if you can remember the acronym
  PASS, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and
  Sweep.
• Pull the Pin.
• This will allow you to operate the extinguisher.

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How to use of Fire Extinguisher

• Use the P.A.S.S. Method Cont.
• Aim at the base of the fire.
• Point the extinguisher nozzle (or hose) at the
  base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever above the handle. This
  discharges the extinguisher agent. Releasing the
  lever will stop the discharge.

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How to use of Fire Extinguisher

• Use the P.A.S.S. Method Cont.
• 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.

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Any Questions
??
Please visit FPM Website
(www.uwec.edu/facmgt./index.htm)
for additional information.