HomeMy WebLinkAboutFire Extinguishers
Fire Extinguishers
When used correctly, fire extinguishers can save lives and property by putting out small fires. Read
the information below to ensure you know how to use your fire extinguisher correctly in a fire
emergency.
What is a fire extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher is a portable device, carried or on wheels and operated by hand, containing an
extinguishing agent that can be expelled under pressure for the purpose of suppressing or extinguishing
fire.
A fire extinguisher is a device used to put out a small fire in its early stages. They are not designed to fight
large or spreading fires. Even against small fires, they are
useful only under the right conditions.
A fire extinguisher is generally designed with the
following characteristics:
A carrying handle and a discharge lever.
A discharge nozzle or hose assembly.
Usually a pressure gauge and a cylinder/canister.
A siphon tube and an extinguishing agent and expelling
means.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
There are
numerous types of fire extinguishers, each rated for a
different fire hazard and
containing various extinguishing agents including
carbon dioxide, water based agents, wet
chemical, dry chemical, dry powder, and clean agent gas.
The type of extinguisher that is used should be matched to the hazard(s) being protected.
Fire extinguishers are distinguished by their designated ratings, which indicate the fire hazard that
they are suitable to be used on.
Fire extinguisher ratings are provided on the label of the fire extinguisher and indicate the
extinguishing potential; these ratings only show Class A and B extinguisher potential.
The “letters” tell you the classes of fire that the extinguisher can put out.
The numeral given on a Class A extinguishers represents the cubic feet of combustible
materials that an experienced individual may be able to extinguish. This rating ranges from 1A to
40A.
The numeral given on Class B extinguishers represents the area in square feet with no appreciable
depth, (appreciable depth is defined as a depth of liquid greater than 6mm) which may be
extinguished by an experienced individual. This rating ranges between 1B and 320B.
The classification of the hazard (low, medium, or high) will determine the numeral rating and the
number of extinguishers required per floor area. A “2A:10-BC” fire extinguisher is recommended
for a home, garage, car, boat, or RV.
Classes of
Fire
Class A
Combustible
Materials
Class B
Flammable
Liquids
Class C
Energized
Electrical
Class D
Combustible
Metals
Class K
Combustible
Cooking
Media
How does a fire extinguisher work?
There are 5 ways that a fire extinguisher can operate:
1. Self-Expelling. The extinguishing agents have sufficient vapor pressure at normal operating
temperatures to expel themselves.
2. Gas-Cartridge or Cylinder. Expellant gas is confined in a separate pressure vessel until an operator
releases it to pressurize the fire extinguisher shell.
3. Stored-Pressure. The extinguishing material and expellant are kept in a single container under pressure.
4. Mechanically Pumped. The operator provides expelling energy by means of a pump, and the vessel
containing the agent is not pressurized.
5. Hand-Propelled. The material is applied with a scoop, pail, or bucket.
Fire extinguishers suppress fires by discharging an agent that will interrupt the combustion process, by
removing one of the key elements necessary to sustain a fire. Under the theory of the fire tetrahedron,
there are four methods of fire suppression: removing the heat, removing the fuel, excluding the oxygen or
stopping the chemical chain reaction. The agents in a fire extinguisher attempt to remove one or more of
these elements.
Hazards of using Fire Extinguishers
Extinguishing agents must be used with care. They can damage equipment and materials and they
can burn your skin or make breathing difficult.
Using the wrong type of extinguisher for the wrong class of fire could be extremely dangerous and
make the fire emergency worse. It is particularly dangerous to use water or a type A extinguisher
on a grease or electrical fire.
A novice can cause the fire to spread and endanger life. Proper training and practice are essential
before you use an extinguisher in a fire emergency.
Fire extinguishers make it tempting to stay and fight a dangerous fire emergency. One should only
use a fire extinguisher if one is confident in using it. On the whole, firefighting is the job of the fire
department. The important thing is to safely GET OUT of the fire emergency
The Law
The Alberta Fire Code and NFPA 10, “Portable Fire Extinguishers” state the requirements for the
installation, inspection, testing and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers. Some of these
requirements are as follows:
Portable extinguishers shall be located in or adjacent to corridors or aisles that provide access to
exits and when in proximity to a fire hazard shall be located so as to be accessible without
exposing the operator to undue risk.
With some exceptions portable fire extinguishers are required in all buildings.
Portable fire extinguishers in all buildings require a monthly inspection, annual maintenance,
recharge and hydrostatic testing as prescribed in NFPA 10.
Although not required by Code, homeowners are strongly advised to place at least one fire
extinguisher on every floor of their home.
All portable fire extinguishers should be inspected, tested and maintained in accordance with the
manufacturer’s recommendations and NFPA 10.
Safety Tips
How to buy a fire extinguisher
Only listed and labelled fire extinguishers can be sold or distributed in Alberta. The two
recognised agencies that do this are Underwriters Laboratories of Canada (ULC) or Underwriters
Laboratories (UL). Extinguishers bearing a ULC or UL small c are permitted to be sold or
distributed in Alberta.
Read the label. Ensure that the extinguisher was designed for the type and severity of fire hazards
in the area you intend on locating it.
Ensure you can hold and operate an extinguisher before you buy it.
You can purchase fire extinguishers at most hardware stores or service agencies that specialize in
selling and maintaining extinguishers.
Do a visual check to ensure that the unit is fully charged and in good condition.
Rechargeable and disposable fire extinguishers are available for purchase. Rechargeable
extinguishers are re-usable but require recharging after every use. Disposable extinguishers must
be discarded after use or after 12 years from the date of manufacture.
Using a Fire Extinguisher
All of the requirements listed below must be met before you attempt to use a fire extinguisher. If you have
the slightest doubt about whether or not to fight the fire-DON‟T! Instead, get out, closing the door behind
you and call the fire department.
-1-1).
and is not spreading beyond its starting point.
extinguishing.
e an unobstructed escape route.
Only fight a fire if you feel confident to continue. Keep your back to an unobstructed exit and begin by
standing 6-8 feet away from the fire.
To operate your extinguisher use the acronym PASS -- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep
Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being accidentally pressed.
Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire, not directly into the flame. Aim away from yourself, from
others and upwind if possible.
Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguishing agent. If you release the handle, the discharge will stop.
Sweep the nozzle from side to side while carefully moving toward the fire. Sweep back and forth from the
base of the fire until the flames appear to be out. Never turn your back on the fire, even if you think it’s
out. Watch the fire area, if the fire re-ignites repeat the process.
Know when to get out! If the fire starts to spread, the area gets too smoky or if your exit is being
threatened, GET OUT.
Many fire extinguishers discharge completely in as little as 8-10 seconds.
Always be sure the fire department inspects the site, even if you think you’ve extinguished the fire.
Leave cleanup to a professional cleaner. The smoke and char from the fire may contain toxins that
can harm you.
Locating a Fire Extinguisher
Locate the fire extinguisher near fire hazards for which they are suitable.
Install extinguishers in an obvious place, above the reach of children, near an exit and/or escape
route, and close to a hazard area.
Use fire extinguishers suitable for more than one class of fire.
Hang fire extinguishers on a wall bracket. Mount no higher than 5 feet off the ground.
Inspection, Testing and Maintenance (NFPA 10)
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for care and maintenance.
Daily Check by Owner
A quick inspection should be done on a daily basis and should include the following checks:
Monthly Inspection by Owner
An inspection should be done on a monthly basis and should include the following checks:
rd.
of corrosion or damage.
Annual Maintenance Inspection by Qualified Person
examination of mechanical parts, extinguishing agent, and expelling means.
or when performing maintenance.
this can be at 5 or 12-year intervals. Refer to the label on the specific fire extinguisher for exact intervals.
facilities are certified (by ULC or Intertek). Fire extinguisher servicing companies are found under the
category “fire” in the Yellow Pages.
er one use or 12 years
from the date of manufacture.
Now you have the facts on Portable Fire Extinguishers. Make sure you have one handy, know how to use
it and know when to escape. Remember that “Safety is an Attitude”.
Keith R. Martin
Manager of Fire & Emergency Services
County of Newell
Rev. January 9, 2014