Portable FireExtinguishers

Objectives (1 of 2)

• Explain the five classes of fire and the risks associated with each class.

• Identify the kinds of fire extinguishers used for each class.

• Explain the rating systems of portable extinguishers for Classes A,B, and C.

• Identify the limitations of portable extinguishers.

Objectives (2 of 2)

• Demonstrate the operation of portable fire extinguishers.

• Explain the care and maintenance of portable fire extinguishers.

• Discuss the inspection requirements of portable fire extinguishers.

Introduction (1 of 3)

Click Here to View Video: Portable Fire Extinguishers

Introduction (2 of 3)

• Portable fire extinguishers are designed to fight small incipient fires.

• Firefighters must know how to use extinguishers and be able to teach others.

• Proper instruction can improve department effectiveness and reduce damage costs.

• Fire extinguishers come in a variety of types and sizes.

Introduction (3 of 3)

• Firefighters should know the extinguishers carried on apparatus.

• Firefighters should be capable of answering questions regarding fire extinguishers.

• Citizens will often request information and training on the use of extinguishers.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:

• ONE OF THE MOST COMMON FIRE-PROTECTION APPLIANCES USED TODAY

• 1ST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST FIRES

• EXCELLENT TOOL FOR EXTINQUISHING INCIPIENT FIRES

• CAN OFTEN EXTINGUISH A SMALL FIRE IN LESS TIME THAN DEPLOYING A HOSE LINE

GENERAL :

• It is important that firefighters be knowledgeable about the different types of portable fire extinguishers and their use.

• We will discuss the various types of portable fire extinguishers that firefighters are likely to encounter.

• NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers provides information on rating, placement and use.

GENERAL :

• Firefighters should rely on extinguishers carried on their apparatus and not those found in occupancies.

• Two portable extinguishers are required on fire apparatus by NFPA standard 1901

• One suitable for class B and C fires and one for class A

• Sizes are as follows: Co2 rated 10 BC, Dry Chemical rated 80 BC, & 2.5 Gal H2o for Class A

Fire Classification and Risk

• The type and nature of the burning material (fuel) defines the fire.

• There are five classes of fire.– Class A– Class B– Class C– Class D– Class K (As of 1998)

Class K Fires

Click Here to View Video: Class K Fires

Types of Fire Extinguishers (1 of 2)• Many types of fire

extinguishers are available today.

Click Here to View Video: Fire Extinguisher Functions/Ratings

Types of Fire Extinguishers (2 of 2)

• Many factors need to be considered before using an extinguisher.– Type and amount of fuel

– User and occupancy

– Building construction

– Environmental conditions

– Type of equipment being protected

Types of Extinguishing Agents (1 of 2)

• Water is the basic agent for Class A fires.

• Water-based foam extinguishers for class B fires have either AFFF or FFFP.

• CO2 is an inert gas stored under pressure.

• CO2 is effective on Class B or C fires.

• Dry chemical agents are particles propelled by a gaseous medium.

• There are three categories of dry chemicals.

Types of Extinguishing Agents (2 of 2)

• Wet chemicals are water-based solutions.

• Wet chemicals are used for Class K fires.

• Clean agents have replaced halons.

• Clean agents do not conduct electricity or leave a residue.

• There are two classes.– Halocarbon agents and inerting gases

Kinds of Extinguishers

• Pump-type extinguishers are hand-pumped devices.

• Pressurized extinguishers operate by expelling gas that propels the agent out.

• Cartridge-operated extinguishers are used for dry chemical and most dry powder Class D extinguishers.

Backpack Pump Tank

PUMP-TANK WATER

• STREAM REACH – 30 to 40 ft.

• DISCHARGE TIME – 45 sec. To 3 min.

Stored Pressure Water Extinguisher

Stored Pressure Foam Extinguisher

Stored Pressure Extinguishers (1 of 2)

STORED-PRESSURE WATER

• STREAM REACH - 30 to 40 ft.

• DISCHARGE TIME - 45 sec. To 60 sec.

FOAM EXTINGUISHERS:

• STREAM REACH - 20 to 25 ft.

• DISCHARGE TIME - Approx. 50 sec.• AFFF- USED ON CLASS B FIRES NOT INVOLVING

WATER SOLUABLE LIQUIDS (POLAR SOLVENTS) AIR ASPIRATING CREATING A BLANKET

• FFFP- USED ON CLASS B FIRES INVOLVING ALCOHOL RESISTANT LIQUIDS (SMOTHERS)

Stored Pressure Dry Chemical Extinguisher

Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers

Stored Pressure Extinguishers (2 of 2)

DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS

• ABC ( MULTI- PURPOSE)- MOST COMMON USED • (MONOAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE)

• BC (REGULAR, OR SODIUM BICARBONATE)• POTASIUM BICARBONATE

• AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE

• POTASIUM CHLORIDE

• PKP (POTASSIUM BICARBONATE)

• USED FOR MOST CLASSES OF FIRES

DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS

• STREAM REACH: 5 TO 20 Ft.

• DISCHARGE TIME: 8 TO 25 Sec.

• !!!!!! NEVER MIX DRY CHEMICAL WITH OTHER TYPES OF AGENTS , MAY CAUSE A DANGEROUS RISE IN PRESSURE INSIDE EXTINGUISHER

• NON-TOXIC ONLY AN IRRITANT

HALON EXTINGUISHERS:• 1211- CLEAR LIQUID STREAM

– Stream Reach - 8 to 18 ft.

– Discharge Time - 8 to 18 sec.

• 1301-FIXED SYSTEMS (FLOODING)

– Stream Reach - 4 to 6 ft

– Discharge Time - 8 to 10 sec.

• NEARLY INVISIBLE (WIND)

• HALOTRON(CLEAN-AGENT)- B&C

• NON OZONE DEPLETER, ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE

Cartridge-Operated Dry Chemical Extinguisher

CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHERS

• STREAM REACH - 3 to 8 ft.

• DISCHARGE TIME - 8 to 30 sec.

• HORN- DISPERSION

• UNLIKE OTHERS ITS STORED UNDER ITS OWN PRESSURE

DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHERS:

• DRY POWDER( LITH-X) - EXTINGUISH COMBUSTIBLE METALS

• NOT EVERY DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHER WILL WORK ON ANY COMBUSTIBLE METAL FIRE

• GRAY OR BLACK IN COLOR

• APPLY WITH SUFFICIENT DEPTH

WET CHEMICAL

• CLASS K - FOUND IN KITCHENS WITH UNSATURATED FATS & OILS, EXTINGUISHES WITH MINIMAL SPLASH BACK AND PREVENTION OF REFLASH

• Common Size - 2-1/2 Gallon

• Operating Principle - Air Pressure

WET CHEMICAL

• CLASS K -

• STREAM REACH - 8 to 12 ft.

• DISCHARGE TIME - 75 to 80 sec.

Rating Systems of Portable Extinguishers

• Each class of fuel is subject to a separate type of rating test.– Class A rating test uses wooden cribbing test.

– Class B rating test uses a pan of flammable liquid.

– Class C rating test only involves conductivity of the agent and the nozzle or hose and nozzle combination.

Rating Systems of Portable Extinguishers

CLASS A RATINGS:

• CLASS A RATINGS RANGE FROM 1-ATO 40-A

• 1-A EQUALS 11/4 GAL.OF WATER (BENCH MARK)

• 2-A HAS TWO TIMES THE EXTINGUISHING CAPABILITY OF A 1-A

• ACCORDING TO OCCUPANCY HAZARD,MAXIMUM FLOOR AREA PER UNIT, PER EXTINGUISHER, AND MAXIMUM TRAVEL DISTANCE TO EXTINGUISHER

CLASS B RATING:

• CLASS B RATINGS RANGE FROM 1-B TO 640-B

• THE 1-B RATING EQUALING 1 SQUARE FOOT

• THE TEST CONSIST OF THE APPROXIMATE SQUARE FOOT AREA OF A FLAMMABLE LIQUID FIRE THAT A NON-EXPERT OPERATOR CAN EXTINGUISH

CLASS C & D RATINGS:

• CLASS C FIRES ARE TYPICALLY CLASS A OR B FIRES INVOLVING ENERGIZED EQUIPMENT (AGENT NON-CONDUCTIVE)

• THERE IS NO EXTINGUISHER WITH A CLASS A-C RATING

• CLASS D FIRES EXTINGUISHING CAPABILITY VARIES WITH THE FUEL METAL BEING BURNED

• CLASS D EXTINGUISHERS ARE NOT GIVEN A MULTI PURPOSE RATING

Limitations of Portable Extinguishers

• Extinguishers have limited capabilities.– They are designed and rated for certain types

and sizes of fire.

• The wrong extinguisher will create greater problems.– You need to use the right extinguisher for the

fire present.

Extinguisher Operation• Pull the pin.

• Aim the nozzle.

• Squeeze the handle.

• Sweep the nozzle.

Click Here to View Video: PASS Procedure/Fire Extinguisher Maintenance

OPERATION OF EXTINGUISHER:

• SELECTING

• QUICK INSPECTION

• APPROACH

• APPLICATION

SELECTION:

• CHOOSE PROPER EXTINGUISHER ACCORDING TO SIZE OF FIRE, TYPE OF FIRE.

• CHOOSE AN EXTINGUISHER THAT WILL EFFECTIVELY DO THE JOB WITHOUT RISK TO LIFE AND PROPERTY

QUICK INSPECTION:

• EXTERNAL DAMAGE

• HOSE-HORN/NOZZLE ARE IN PLACE

• PROPER WEIGHT OF EXTINGUISHER

• PRESSURE GAUGE IN OPERATING RANGE

APPROACH:

• SAFETY IS PARAMOUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

• NEVER RUN WITH EXTINGUISHER

• APPROACH FROM WINWARD SIDE

• MAKE SURE AGENT REACHES FIRE

• WATCH FOR RADIANT HEAT

APPLICATION:

• PULL OUT THE PULL PIN IN OUTWARD DIRECTION WITH RIGHT HAND

• AIM NOZZLE AT BASE OF FIRE WITH RIGHT HAND

• SQUEEZE HANDLE WITH LEFT

• SWEEP NOZZLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT BASE OF FIRE WITH RIGHT HAND, MOVING FORWARD UNTIL FIRE IS EXTINGUISHED

Obsolete Extinguishers

• Firefighters should never operate obsolete extinguishers.– Soda acid– Chemical foam (except film-

forming)– Vaporizing liquids– Cartridge-operated water or

loaded stream– Copper or brass

extinguishers

Click Here to View Video: Obsolete Fire Extinguishers

Care and Maintenance of Portable Extinguishers

• Carefully inspect before placing in service.

• Remove them from bracket periodically.

• Occasionally invert dry chemical extinguishers.

• Clean dirt and grit to maintain good working order.

Inspection Requirements (1 of 2)

• First, perform visual inspection.

• It should be checked every 30 days.

• Pin seal should be in place.

• Gauge should register proper pressure.

Inspection Requirements (2 of 2)

• Some extinguishers, such as CO2, are only checked by weighing.

• Weight is stamped on the cylinder.

• Check for hydrostatic testing.

INSPECTION :

• LOCATIONS/ACCESSABILITY• SEAL• PHYSICAL DAMAGE• GAUGE • HOSES&HORNS/NOZZLE• INSTRUCTION& NAMEPLATE• CHECK WEIGHT • INSPECTION TAG/COLLAR& STICKERS

LOCATION/ACCESSABILITY:

• IN DESIGNATED LOCATION

• IN BRACKET/CASE

• CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS

SEAL/PIN:

• PIN IS IN

• SEAL IS NOT BROKEN

• PROPER TYPE OF SEAL AND PIN IS ON EXTINGUISHER

PHYSICAL DAMAGE:

• DENTS

• CRACKS

• CORROSION

• BROKEN OR BENT HANDLES

• CRACKED OR BROKEN HOSES/NOZZLES

GAUGE:

• IN OPERATION RANGE

• NO WATER IN IT

• BENT

• LEAKING

• BLOWOUT DISC

• NEEDLE NOT BROKE

HOSES&HORNS/NOZZLES

• FREE OF OBSTRUCTIONS

• CRACKED OR SPLIT

• MELTED

• FITTINGS

• ALL CO2 HOSES REQUIRE A CONDUCTIVITY TEST LABEL

INSTRUCTIONS/NAMEPLATE:

• THERE

• LEGIBLE

• RATING

• SYMBOL

WEIGHT:

• LIFTING

• SCALE

• GAUGE

• NAMEPLATE

INSPECTION TAG/COLLAR& STICKERS:

• DATE OF INSPECTION,MAINTENANCE,OR RECHARGING

• ANY EXTINGUISHER SERVICED AFTER JANUARY 1999, SHALL HAVE A SERVICE COLLAR

• ALL EXTINGUISHERS MADE OR SERVICED AFTER 1989 SHALLHAVE HMIS LABEL OR STICKER

• HYDROSTATIC STICKER• 6YR STICKER

MAINTENANCE/SERVICING:

• RESPONSIBILITY

• ANNUAL SERVICE

• 6YR MAINTENANCE

• HYDROSTATIC TEST

RESPONSIBLILITY:

• THE BUILDING OCCUPANT

• PROPERTY OWNER

• LICENSED COMPANIES

• CERTIFIED EXTINGUISHER TECHNICIANS

ANNUAL SERVICE:

• INSPECTED ANNUALLY EITHER BY BUILDING OWNER, FIRE INSPECTOR, LICENSED BUISNESS

• CHECK HOSE

• CHECK GAUGE

• CHECK SEAL

• CHECK LABELS

• WEIGHT

6 YEAR MAINTENANCE:

• COMPLETED EVERY 6 YEARS AFTER MANUFACTURED, OR HYDROSTACIALLY TESTED

• COMPLETE TEARDOWN

• CHECK VALVE STEM

• CHECK O-RING

• AGENT

• OVERALL EXTINGUISHER

HYDRO-STATIC TESTING:

• DRY CHEM/POWDER- 12 YEARS

• HALON- 12 YEARS

• CO2- 5 YEARS

• FOAM- 5 YEARS( AGENT EVERY 3)

HYDRO CONT:

• WATER- 5 YEARS

• COMPLETE TEARDOWN

• DEFORMATIES, DENTS, SCRATCHES

• ALL STORED PRESSURE EXTINGUISHERS THAT REQUIRE A 12 YEAR HYDRO ARE REQUIRED TO UNDERGO A 6 YEAR MAINTENANCE

IF ANY OF THE ITEMS LISTED ARE FOUND DEFICIENT IN EITHER

INSPECTION OR MAINTENANCE, THE EXTINGUISHER SHOULD BE REMOVED

FROM SERVICE, AND REPAIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT

POLICIES

Summary

• There are various classes of fires.• There are various kinds of extinguishers.• The proper type of extinguisher is needed for

various classes of fire.• It is important to remember extinguishers have

limitations.• Extinguishers need to be maintained, serviced, and

inspected regularly.