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Fire Extinguishers
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 not be used on electrical or grease fires.
When operating an extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS,
Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Pull the tab if there is one, aim the
extinguisher at the base of the fire, squeeze the nozzle to
activate it, and sweep it back and forth. 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 a 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.
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 not be used on electrical or grease fires.
When operating an extinguisher, remember the acronym PASS,
Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Pull the tab if there is one, aim the
extinguisher at the base of the fire, squeeze the nozzle to
activate it, and sweep it back and forth. 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 a 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.
| Pull The Pin |
| Squeeze the Nozzle |
| Sweep Across Fire |
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 area's.
Nobody wants to think about the possibility of a fire
happening in their home, but we all agree it's much better to
be safe than sorry. A small investment of your time and
effort now is all it takes to protect your family from the
dangers of fire. Keeping a small extinguisher in your vehicle
is also highly recommended.
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 area's.
Nobody wants to think about the possibility of a fire
happening in their home, but we all agree it's much better to
be safe than sorry. A small investment of your time and
effort now is all it takes to protect your family from the
dangers of fire. Keeping a small extinguisher in your vehicle
is also highly recommended.
HOW TO IDENTIFY THE PROPER FIRE EXTINGUISHER
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.
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.
| Fire Extinguishers |
