This presentation provides information on fire extinguishers and how to use them properly. It discusses the different classes of fires and the types of extinguishers used for each. The key points covered include: - The four elements required for fire and the five classes of fires. - The common types of fire extinguishers including water, dry chemical, CO2, and those for electrical and metal fires. - How to identify and use different extinguishers properly using the PASS method of Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. - The importance of maintenance and inspections to ensure extinguishers are in working order and accessible in case of an emergency. - Why training is

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PRESENTATION ON
“FIRE EXTINGUISHERS”
SAFARUL HAQUE
SAFETY ENGR.

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Fire Extinguishers
Everyone should know how to
c o r r e c t l y u s e a p o r t a b l e f i r e
extinguisher. You never know when
you might need to use one to save
your workplace, your home or a life.

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 Discuss About Fire and Fire Elements.
 Discuss How Fires are Classified.
 Discuss How To Extinguish Different Class Of Fires.
 Discuss How To Use a Fire Extinguisher.
OBJECTIVES

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WHY WE REQUIRE?
 Fire is One of the Most Common Industrial Accidents.
 More Than 300 Workers Per Year Lose Their Lives Due to
Fire.
 Training Greatly reduces the Probability of Fire
incidents.
ACME FIRE
EXTINGUISHER

6. FIRE EXTINGUISHER
F FIND
I INVESTIGATE
R RECTIFY
E EXTINGUISH

7. Elements of Fire
• Elements of Combustion (Fire Triangle)
• All required for a fire to occur.
• Trend is to include “Chemical Reaction” as
fourth element (Fire Tetrahedron).

8. COMMON FIRE CLASS
“Ordinary” combustibles
Paper, wood, rubber, plastics and textiles.
“Flammable liquids & Gases”
Oil, gasoline, solvents
“Energized circuits”
Electrical equipment and computers
• “Metals”
• Magnesium, Aluminum, etc.
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D

9. 5 Categories of Fires
– Class A Fires: Ordinary combustible
materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber
and many plastics.
– Class B Fires: Flammable Liquids,
combustible liquids, petroleum greases, tars,
oils, paints, solvents, lacquers, alcohols and
flammable gases.
– Class C Fires: Involve electrical equipment.
– Class D Fires: Involve combustible metals,
such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium,
sodium, lithium and potassium.
– Class K Fires: Involve cooking appliances that
involve combustible cooking media
(vegetable or animal oils/fats)

10. COMMON TYPES OF
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
• WATER
• DRY CHEMICAL
• CO2 and Halon
• METL- X 10
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11. HOW THEY WORK:
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• Works by cooling.
• Numerical rating indicates amount of agent,
duration, and range of discharge on test fires.
• Area of Class A fire which a “non-expert” can
extinguish, with proper training
– 1-A is equivalent on Class-A fire to five liters of water.
– 2-A contains has twice as much extinguishing agent.

12. HOW TO EXTINGUISH SMALL FIRES
 CLASS “A” FIRES - ORDINARY COMBUSTIBLES:
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 Point the extinguishing agent at the base of the fire.
 Do not attempt to put out the flames.
 Cool the material below its ignition temperature.
 Soak fibrous material to prevent re-ignition.
 Establish a fire watch to ensure no re-ignition occurs.
 Use water, foam or multi-purpose dry chemicals.

13. HOW THEY WORK:
• Works by blanketing the fuel.
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14. HOW TO EXTINGUISH SMALL FIRES
 CLASS “B” FIRES - FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS OR GASES:
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Continued
 Point the extinguishing agent at the base of the fire.
 Do not attempt to put out the flames.
 Attempt to prevent oxygenation of the fire.
 Close solvent tanks lids etc.
 Know that the fire may flare up momentarily.
 Use foam, carbon dioxide, dry chemicals and halon.

15. HOW TO EXTINGUISH SMALL FIRES
 CLASS “C” FIRES – ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT:
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Continued
 Extinguishing agent cannot conduct electricity.
 Disconnect power to the source ASAP.
 Ensure the extinguisher doesn’t make contact.
 Do not attempt to use water based extinguishers.
 Use carbon dioxide, dry chemicals and halon.

16. HOW TO EXTINGUISH SMALL FIRES
 CLASS “D” FIRES - COMBUSTIBLE METALS:
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Continued
 The agent cools the metal to below its ignition temp.
 These residues are harmful to electronic equipment.
 Attempt to prevent oxygenation of the fire.
 Use agents that deprive oxygen.
 Know that metal fires burn extremely hot (5000 deg.)
D

17. 6 Types of Fire Extinguishers
1. Fire Extinguishers should be appropriately
matched to work environment.
2. Use the symbols to quickly identify the Type
of Fire Extinguisher.
3. 6 Types of Fire Extinguishers
1. Class A – Wood, Paper, Plastics
2. Class AB – Wood, Paper and Flammable Liquid
3. Class BC (flammable liquid and electrical)
4. Class ABC Multipurpose
5. Class K – Kitchen Fire
6. Class D – Metal Fires

18. Learn to become aware of your
surrounding…what’s in the room?

19. Most Occupancies have Electricity
Computer -
Electrical
Lamp - Electrical
Electrical
Socket
Phone - Electrical
Paper - Fuel
Wood Desk - Fuel
Plastic Chair –
Fuel

20. Type: Class A Fire Extinguisher
Pressure Gauge: Yes
Agent: Water
Method: Water Cools fire by removing heat.
Designated for: Class A (wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and certain plastics.
Placement: 75 feet or less
Safety and Health
Precautions:
1. Never use water to extinguish flammable liquid fires.
2. Never use on Metal Fire (water reactive).
3. Water is a good conductor and may lead to electrocution
if used to extinguish an electrical fire.

21. Type: BC Fire Extinguisher
Pressure Gauge: No (Must be weighed to determine leakage)
Agent: Carbon dioxide is discharged as a white cloud of “snow”
Method: Removes oxygen from fire
Designated for: Class B and C (flammable liquid and electrical) fires only
Placement: 50 feet or less
Health and Safety
Precautions:
1. Carbon Dioxide is a clean, non-contaminating, odorless
gas.
2. After the CO2 dissipates, Class A fire may reignite.
3. Never use CO2 extinguishers in a confined space

22. Type: Multipurpose / ABC Dry Chemical
Pressure Gauge Yes
Agent: Mono ammonium phosphate, non-conductive, mildly corrosive
Method: Fire retardant powder separates the fuel from the oxygen.
Designated for: Wood, paper, Flammable Liquid, & Electrical Fire
Placement: < 50 feet (based on B or C fire)
Safety and Health
Precautions:
1. Mildly Corrosive – Sensitive to Electronic Equipment

23. Type: Class D – Metal Fires
Pressure Gauge Yes
Agent: Sodium Chloride, copper, Graphite…many types.
Method: Heat causes agent to cake and form a crust which excludes air
and dissipates heat from burning metal.
Designated for: Metal powders, flakes, shavings or chips (sodium, lithium)
Placement: < 75 feet
Safety and Health
Precautions:
Most Class D extinguishers will have a special low velocity nozzle
or discharge wand to gently apply the agent in large volumes to
avoid disrupting any finely divided burning materials.

24. Extinguisher
Common features
• Locking pin
• Carrying handle / operating lever
• Pressure gauge
• Label :
– Type (Water, C02, Dry Chemical)
– Classification (A, B, C,D)
– NFPA capacity Rating
– Instructions
• Discharge nozzle or horn
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25. REACT
upon discovery of fire or smoke
Remove persons in immediate danger!
Ensure doors are closed! (confine fire/smoke)
Activate the building alarm !
Call the Fire Department !
Treat ALL fires as DANGEROUS!
– Continue a complete building evacuation
– Do not attempt to fight with a fire if you don’t know how to use fire
extinguisher
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26. Use an extinguisher
ONLY if the:
• Fire is NOT spreading (small and contained)
• EXIT IS CLEAR (fight fire with your back to an exit )
• Proper extinguisher is at hand, and...
– You have been trained and know how to use it!
– You use “Buddy System” - have someone back you up!
• Get assistance BEFORE trying to fight a fire!
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27. Remember
the PASS
word:
1) Keep your back to a
clear escape route,
2) Stand back 6 to 8 feet
from the fire,
3) Then >>:
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P.A.S.S.
PULL
AIM
SQUEEZE
SWEEP

28. PULL the pin
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29. AIM
LOW at the base of the fire
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30. SQUEEZE
the lever
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31. SWEEP
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from side to side

32. OK, It’s out…
Now What?
• WATCH the fire area
–If the fire flares up again repeat!
–If you can’t control the fire, LEAVE immediately!
• Call the fire department to inspect the scene!
• Recharge or replace any used fire extinguisher!
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33. WHY UNTRAINED PEOPLE
Can’t use a fire extinguisher safely
INEXPERIENCED
• Don’t know about the
proper type of extinguisher
• Don’t know how to make
a “Fight or Flight” analysis
• Unfamiliar with the
“P.A.S.S. method”
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34. EMPLOYEE RESPONSIBILITIES
 DEPARTMENT AND FIRST LINE SUPERVISORS:
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 Replace used and damaged fire extinguisher(s).
 Notify Safety Officer of use or damage.
 Monthly check the fire extinguisher validity.
 Ensure installed equipment does not block access.
 Ensure employees are aware of where extinguishers
are located.
 Ensure extinguishers are clean and are free from
obstructions.
CHECK
LIST

35. MAINTAINING THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
 FIRE EXTINGUISHERS SHALL BE MAINTAINED:
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 Numbered to identify their proper location.
 Maintain an extinguisher master list.
 Check fire extinguisher validity date.
 Fully charged and in operable condition.
 Clean and free of defects.
 Readily accessible at all times.
CHECK
LIST

36. Monthly Inspection
1. Is the Fire Extinguisher in its designated place?
2. No obstruction to access or visibility?
3. Pressure gauge reading or indicator in operable range or
position?

37. Monthly Visual Inspection
Cylinder Shell
1. Corrosion
2. Mechanical Damage (dent abrasion)
3. Paint Condition
4. Presence of repairs (welds, soldering)
5. Damaged Threads
6. Broken Hanger attachment
7. Broken Handle Lug

38. Monthly Visual Inspection
Name Plate, Instructions and Pull Ring
1. Illegible Wording
2. Corrosion or loose plate
3. Verifying operating instructions on
nameplates are legible and face
outward.
4. Broken, missing safety seals and
tamper indicators.

39. Monthly Visual Inspection
Nozzle or Horn
1. Deformed, Damaged or Cracked
2. Blocked opening
3. Damaged threads
4. Hose obstruction
5. Hydrostatic test date

40. Monthly Visual Inspection
Pressure Indicating Device
1. Immovable, jammed, missing
pointer
2. Deformed, or broken crystal
3. Illegible or faded dial
4. Corrosion
5. Dented case or crystal retainer
6. Immovable or corroded pressure
indicating stem

41. THANK YOU
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