EXTINGUISHER
TRAINING
Objectives
Understand the combustion process and different fire classes. Understand fire extinguisher types, operating procedures, capabilities, and limitations.
Understand basic firefighting concepts:
R.A.C.E. P.A.S.S.
The Combustion Process
THE FIRE TETRAHEDRON
FUEL
TEMPERATURE
Trash Wood Paper
Fire Classes
C
Electrical Equipment
wood cloth paper rubber many plastics
energized electrical equipment
Liquids Grease
gasoline oil grease tar oil-based paint lacquer flammable gases
COMBUSTIBLE
D
METALS
magnesium sodium potassium titanium zirconium other flammable metals
Fire Classes (cont.)
CLASS K FIRES
K Cooking Media
Recently recognized by NFPA 10.
Fires involving combustible vegetable or animal nonsaturated cooking fats in commercial cooking equipment.
Fire Extinguisher Anatomy
DISCHARGE LEVER PRESSURE GAUGE (not found on CO2 extinguishers) CARRYING HANDLE DISCHARGE LOCKING PIN AND SEAL
DISCHARGE HOSE
DATA PLATE
DISCHARGE NOZZLE
BODY
DISCHARGE ORIFICE
Fire Extinguisher Ratings
NUMERAL
DIRECT INDEX OF THE SIZE FIRE THE QUANTITY OF AGENT CAN HANDLE
B Liquids Grease
FIRE CLASS
A Trash Wood Paper
RANGE
1-A thru 40-A
INDICATION OF THE SQUARE FOOT AREA OF FLAMMABLE LIQUID THE EXTINGUISHER WILL HANDLE
C Electrical Equipment
1-B thru 640-B
NO NUMERAL IS USED BECAUSE THERE ARE NO DEGREES OF SAFETY WHERE ELECTRICITY IS CONCERNED
COMBUSTIBLE
N/A
NOT APPLICABLE BECAUSE OF THE SPECIALIZED NATURE OF THE BURNING MATERIAL
D
METALS K Cooking Media
N/A
DIRECT INDEX OF THE SIZE FIRE THE QUANTITY OF AGENT CAN HANDLE
1-A:C:K or 2-A:C:K
FIRE CLASS
A Trash Wood Paper
EFFECTIVE EXTINGUISHER TYPES
PRESSURIZED WATER, MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL, LARGER SIZE HALON, WET CHEMICAL
Liquids
Grease
MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL, CARBON DIOXIDE, HALON
C Electrical Equipment
MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL, CARBON DIOXIDE, HALON, WET CHEMICAL
COMBUSTIBLE
D
METALS K Cooking Media
COMBUSTIBLE METAL
WET CHEMICAL
Fire Extinguisher Types
PRESSURIZED WATER
Class A fires only.
A Trash W ood Paper A Trash W ood Paper
2.5 gal. water at 150-175 psi (up to 1 minute discharge time). Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity check. 30-40 ft. maximum effective range.
B Liquids Grease B Liquids Grease
C Electrical Equipment C Electrical Equipment
Can be started and stopped as necessary. Extinguishes by cooling burning material below the ignition point.
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
A Trash W ood Paper A Trash W ood Paper
B Liquids Grease B Liquids Grease
C Electrical Equipment C Electrical Equipment
Class B or C fires. 2.5-100 lb. of CO2 gas at 150200 psi (8-30 seconds discharge time). Has NO pressure gauge-capacity verified by weight. 3-8 ft. maximum effective range. Extinguishes by smothering burning materials. Effectiveness decreases as temperature of burning material increases.
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL
Class A, B, or C fires.
A Trash W ood Paper A Trash W ood Paper
B Liquids Grease B Liquids Grease
2.5-20 lb. dry chemical (ammonium phosphate) pressurized to 50-200 psi by nitrogen gas (8-25 seconds discharge time). Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity check. 5-20 ft. maximum effective range. Extinguishes by smothering burning materials.
C Electrical Equipment C Electrical Equipment
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
COMBUSTIBLE METAL
Class D combustible metal fires only. 30 lb. pressurized dry powder optimized for specific combustible metal (also available in bulk containers for hand scooping onto fire to extinguish). 6-8 ft. maximum effective range. To activate, must first open nitrogen cylinder on back to pressurize body. Extinguishes by smothering burning materials.
COMBUSTIBLE
D
METALS
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
WET CHEMICAL
A Trash Wood Paper A Trash Wood Paper
C Electrical Equipment C Electrical Equipment
K Cooking Media
Class A, C, and K fires. 1.5 gal. of stored pressure PRX wet chemical extinguishing agent (40 sec. discharge time). 10-12 ft. maximum effective range. On Class K fires, dont use until after fixed extinguishing system has activated. Extinguishes by cooling and forming foam blanket to prevent reignition.
WORK PROCESS
EXTINGUISHER TYPE PRESSURIZED WATER CARBON DIOXIDE WORKS BY COOLING SMOTHERING EFFECTIVE AGAINST
MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL
HALON COMBUSTIBLE METAL WET CHEMICAL
SMOTHERING SMOTHERING
SMOTHERING COOLING/ SMOTHERING
Fire Emergency Response
R A C
Rescue
Alarm
Contain
Extinguish
Firefighting Decision Criteria
Know department emergency procedures and evacuation routes. Know locations of extinguishers in your area and how to use them. Always sound the alarm regardless of fire size. Avoid smoky conditions. Ensure area is evacuated. Dont attempt to fight unless:
Alarm is sounded. Fire is small and contained. You have safe egress route (can be reached without exposure to fire). Available extinguishers are rated for size and type of
fire.
If in doubt, evacuate!
Fighting the Fire
P A S
Pull the pin Aim low at the base of flames Squeeze the handle Sweep side to side
Summary
Combustion process (Fire Tetrahedron). Class A, B, C, D, K fires. Types of portable fire extinguishers:
Operating procedures. Capabilities and limitations.
Basic firefighting concepts: R.A.C.E. P.A.S.S.
ANY QUESTIONS?
