Fire
Extinguishers
Everybody has seen fire extinguishers. Many people have them in their
car, at home or at work. But not everyone understands them or knows how to
work them. The Berlin Township Department would like for you to have a
working knowledge of fire extinguishers. It could save your life or those
whom you love.
Fire extinguishers are not designed to fight a large or spreading fire.
Even against small fires, they are useful only under the right conditions.
An extinguisher must be large enough for the fire at hand. It must be
available and in working order, fully charged. The operator should be
familiar with the extinguisher so it won't be necessary to read directions
during an emergency.
A fire extinguisher should be "listed" and "labeled" by an independent
testing laboratory such as FM (Factory Mutual) or UL (Underwriters
Laboratory).
The higher the rating number on an A or B fire extinguisher, the more
fire it can put out, but high-rated units are often the heavier models. Make
sure you can hold and operate the extinguisher you are buying.
Remember that extinguishers need care and must be recharged after every
use. Ask the dealer about the extinguisher and how it should be serviced and
inspected. A partially used unit might as well be empty.
You may need more than one extinguisher in your home. For example, you
may want an extinguisher in the kitchen as well as one in the garage or
workshop. Each extinguisher should be installed in plain view near an escape
route and away from potential fire hazards such as heating appliances.
Fire extinguishers are labeled according to the type of fire on which
they may be used. Fires involving wood or cloth, flammable liquids,
electrical, or metal sources react differently to extinguishers. Using one
type of extinguisher on the wrong type of fire could be dangerous and make
matters even worse.
Traditionally, the labels A,B, C or D have been used to indicate the type
of fire on which an extinguisher is to be used.
Type A Label
A Type A label is in a triangle on the extinguisher. This extinguisher is
used for ordinary combustibles such as cloth, wood, rubber and many
plastics. These types of fire usually leave ashes after they burn. Type A
extinguishers for Ashes.
Type B Label
A Type B label is in a square on the extinguisher. This extinguisher is used
for flammable liquid fires such as oil, gasoline, paints, lacquers, grease,
and solvents. These substances often come in barrels. Type B extinguishers
for Barrels.
Type C Label
A Type C label is in a circle on the extinguisher. This extinguisher is used
for electrical fires such as in wiring, fuse boxes, energized electrical
equipment and other electrical sources. Electricity travels in currents.
Type C extinguishers for Currents.
Type D Label
A Type D label is in a star on the extinguisher. This extinguisher is used
for metal fires such as magnesium, titanium and sodium. These types of fire
are very dangerous and seldom handled by the general public. Type D for
Don't get involved.
Pictograms
Recently, pictograms have come into use on fire extinguishers. These picture
the type of fire on which an extinguisher is to be used. For instance, a
Type A extinguisher has a pictogram showing burning wood. A Type C
extinguisher has a pictogram showing an electrical cord and outlet. These
pictograms are also used to show what not to use. For example, a Type A
extinguisher will show a pictogram of an electrical cord and outlet with a
big slash through it. In other words, don't use it on an electrical fire.
Number Rating
Fire extinguishers also have a number rating. For Type A fires, a 1 would
stand for 1 1/4 gallons of water, a 2 would represent 2 1/2 gallons, 3 would
be 3 3/4 gallons of water, etc. For Type B and Type C fire, the number
represents square feet. For example, 2 would be two square feet, 5 is five
square feet, etc.
Fire extinguishers can also be made to extinguish more than one type of
fire. For example, you might have an extinguisher with a label that reads
2A5B. This would mean this extinguisher is good for Type A fires with a 2
1/2 gallon equivalence and it is also good for Type B fires with a 5 square
feet equivalency. A good extinguisher to have in each residential kitchen is
a 2A10BC fire extinguisher. You might also get a Type A for the living room
and bedrooms and an ABC for the basement and garage.
There is a simple acronym to remember to operate most fire extinguishers
- PASS. PASS stands for Pull,Aim,Squeeze and Sweep.
Pull the pin at the top of the cylinder. Some units require the
releasing of a lock latch or pressing a puncture lever.
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Squeeze or press the handle.
Sweep the contents from side to side at the base of the fire until
it goes out.
Shut off the extinguisher and then watch carefully for a rekindling of
the fire.
You should fight a fire with a fire extinguisher only when all the
following are true:
Everyone has left or is leaving the building.
The fire department has been called.
The fire is small and confined to the immediate areas where it started
such as in a wastebasket, cushion, small appliance, stove, etc.
You can fight the fire with your back to a safe escape route.
Your extinguisher is rated for the type of fire you are fighting and is
in good working order.
You have had training in use of the extinguisher and are confident that
you can operate it effectively.
Remember, if you have the slightest doubt about whether or not to fight
the fire - DON'T. Instead, get out, closing the door behind you to slow the
spread of the fire. You have one of the best fire departments in the world
standing by ready to protect you. Let the professionals do their job.
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