General Information
Fire extinguishers are excellent for putting out fires and reducing damage if they are used properly by trained users.
Classes of Fires
- Class A fires involve combustible solids such as wood or paper as fuel
- Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as gasoline as fuel
- Class C fires ignite from energized electrical equipment such as faulty wiring or fuse box
- Class D fires involve combustible metals like titanium or potassium as fuel
- Class K fires involve grease or oil as fuel and typically occur in kitchens
Types of Extinguishers
- ABC extinguishers are the most common type and are used on class A, B, and C fires
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are used on class B and C fires
- Wet Chemical extinguishers are usually found in commercial kitchens and are used on class K fires to create a barrier between the fuel and air
Safe Extinguisher Use
- Extinguishers should only be used if:
- user is not in danger
- user has been trained
- 911 has been called
- fire alarm is pulled
- user has an exit route
- fire is small
- Use the correct extinguisher for the class of fire present
Use the P. A. S. S. method
- Pull the pin
- Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep from side to side
