Be Prepared
Nobody wants to think about the possibility of a fire
happening in their home. We all agree it's much better to be
safe than sorry. That's why a small investment of your time
and effort now is all it takes to protect your family from
the dangers of fire.
A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by
putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire
department arrives; but portable extinguishers have
limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the
number one priority is for residents is to get out safely.
Selecting an Extinguisher
When
selecting a fire extinguisher, read the label carefully to
find out what kinds of fires it is made to extinguish. "ABC"
or
multipurpose extinguishers are effective on most small fires
in
the home. A "water can" extinguisher is good on most
dry/solid
objects, but should never be used on electrical or grease
fires.
Extinguisher
Classifications
All ratings
are shown on the extinguisher faceplate. Some
extinguishers are marked with multiple ratings such as AB,
BC and ABC. These extinguishers are capable of putting out
more than one class of fire. Class A and B extinguishers
carry a numerical rating that indicates how large a fire an
experienced person can safely put out with that
extinguisher. Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating
to indicate that the extinguishing agent will not conduct
electrical current. Class C extinguishers must also carry a
Class A or B rating.
Class A -Extinguish ordinary
combustibles by cooling the
material below its ignition temperature and soaking the
fibers to prevent re-ignition. Use pressurized water, foam or
multipurpose (ABC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers. DO
NOT USE carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical
extinguishers on Class A fires.
Class B - Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or gases by
removing the oxygen, preventing the vapors from reaching
the ignition source or inhibiting the chemical chain reaction.
Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical,
multipurpose dry chemical, and halon extinguishers may be
used to fight Class B fires.
Class C - Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using
an extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting
electrical currents. Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry
chemical, multipurpose dry chemical and halon* fire
extinguishers may be used to fight Class C fires.
P.A.S.S When
operating an extinguisher, remember the acronym P.A.S.S.,
Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.
- PULL the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the
nozzle
pointing away from you, and release the locking
mechanism.
- AIM low. Point the extinguisher at the base of
the fire.
- SQUEEZE the lever slowly and evenly.
- SWEEP the nozzle from side-to-side.
Always keep your
back
to an exit so you can quickly escape if the fire can not be
extinguished. Extinguishers are made with the directions
printed
on the label, some extinguishers may differ slightly so always
follow the directions on the extinguisher. If the directions
are
missing or illegible the PASS system is a good rule of thumb
to
follow.
Remember
extinguishers are effective only if you know how
to use them and only on small contained fires. A fire
extinguisher will not extinguish an entire room and its
contents. For larger fires or fires that are spreading
quickly
evacuate the home immediately and call 911 for help from
the fire department. If you do have a fire in your home and
use an extinguisher to put it out, you should still dial 911
and have a fire chief checkout the fire to make sure it is
fully
extinguished and that it did not spread to other areas.
Safety
Tips *Use a portable fire extinguisher when the
fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and
is not growing. Make sure everyone has exited the building
and that the fire
department has been called or is being called and the room
is not filled with smoke.
*For the home,
select a multi-purpose extinguisher (it can be used on all
types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small
fire, but not so heavy that it is difficult to handle.
*Choose a fire
extinguisher that carries the label of an independent
testing laboratory.
*Read the
instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become
familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks
out. Local fire departments or fire equipment distributors
often offer hands-on fire extinguisher trainings.
*Install fire
extinguishers close to an exit and keep your back to a clear
exit when you use the device so you can make an easy escape
if the fire cannot be controlled. If the room fills with
smoke, leave immediately.
*Know when to go.
Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan,
but the primary element is safe escape. Every home and
business
should have ahome fire escape
plan and
workingsmoke alarms.
To learn more about
Fire Extinguishers
and to test your knowledge click the link below
Class A -Extinguish ordinary
combustibles by cooling the 
Class B - Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or gases by
Class C - Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using
an extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting
electrical currents. Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry
