Fire and the Use of Fire Extinguishers

General Information about Fire Extinguishers

Check gauge to ensure that the extinguisher is fully charged. If it is not fully charged, replacement or recharge may be required. Report it to your supervisor, and remove it from service.

Good housekeeping is essential in the prevention of fires. Fires can start anywhere and at any time. This is why it is important to know which fire extinguisher to use and how to use it.

Always keep fire extinguishers visible and easy to get at. Fire extinguishers have to be properly maintained to do the job. Where temperature is a factor, ensure that care is taken in selecting the right extinguisher.

Types of Fires

• Class A: These fires consist of wood, paper, rags, rubbish and other ordinary combustible materials.
  Recommended Extinguishers: Water from a hose, pump type water can, or pressurized extinguisher, and soda acid extinguishers.
  Soak the fire completely – even the smoking embers.
  
  
• Class B: Flammable liquids, oil and grease
  Recommended Extinguishers: ABC units, dry chemical, foam and carbon dioxide extinguishers.
  Start at the base of the fire and use a swinging motion from left to right, always keeping the fire in front of you.
  


• Class C: Electrical equipment
  Recommended Extinguishers: Carbon dioxide and dry chemical (ABC units) extinguishers.
  Use short bursts on the fire. When the electrical current is shut off on a Class C fire, it can become a Class A fire if the materials around the electrical fire are ignited.

Fire extinguishers will be inspected and tagged by a third party vender annually. Then, fire extinguishers should be inspected monthly during monthly office/shop inspections with tags dated and initialed. Monthly fire extinguisher inspections should also be documented on the inspection forms.

Fire drills will be conducted annually and documented on a Fire Drill form.