SELECTION, INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRST-AID FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

1. AN OVER VIEW
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3. • A fire begins by an external ignition source which is usually in the
form of a flame or spark. With its turn, the external ignition source
heats the fuel under the presence of oxygen. As both fuel and oxygen
are heated, molecular activity increases. If properly heated, a self-
sustaining chemical reaction is developed. The consequent chemical
reaction will then escalate at a point where the external ignition
source is no longer necessary for the propagation of the fire.
• Once ignition has occurred, it will continue until:
- all the available fuel has been consumed or
- the fuel and/or oxygen is removed or
- the temperature is reduced by cooling or
- the number of excited molecules is reduced and the chain reaction
is broken.
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4. Fire triangle illustrate a three elements a fire needs to ignite. Heat , fuel
& Oxidizing agent. A fire occurs when the elements are present and
combined in the right mixture.
To create or ignite a fire you have to have the three necessary
ingredients that are commonly known to make up the “Fire Triangle”:
1. Fuel - You need some sort of combustible solid, liquid or gas
2. Oxygen (or oxidizing agent) - to react with the fuel
3. Heat - There must be enough heat to get the fuel above its flash
point.
Although simplistic in nature, presented diagrams are in fact a good
example of how to actually extinguish a fire in the real world. For
example, we can create a barrier using foam in order to reduce/eliminate
the ''fueling'' of fire and therefore deprive the fire from one of its necessary
elements (oxygen). By applying water, we can also reduce the temperature
below the ignition temperature. Finally, by using a gas based extinguisher,
we can create an inert gas barrier which will interfere with the chemical
chain reaction.
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6. • Portable fire extinguishers shall be installed as a first line of defence
to cope with small fires.
• As a first line of defence during the initial stages of Fire, availability
of portable fire extinguishers is mandatory for all occupancies for the
use of occupants to extinguish the fire before the fire grows out of
control.
The selection of fire extinguishers for a given situation shall be
determined by the following factors:
• Type of fire most likely to occur
• Size of fire most likely to occur
• Hazards in the area where the fire is most likely to occur
• Energized electrical equipment in the vicinity of the fire
• Ambient temperature conditions.
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7. CLASS A
•Ordinary combustible material Such as wood , cloth , paper, rubber
and many Plastics.
CLASS B
•Flammable liquids, combustible liquids, petroleum gases, Tars, oil,
oil based paints, solvents, lacquers, alcohol and flammable gases.
CLASS C
•Fire that involves energized electrical equipment due to ignition of
electrical nature.
CLASS D
•Fire involving combustible materials such as magnesium, ttitanium,
zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.
CLASS K
•Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media
(vegetable oranimal oils and fats).
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9.  The wall mount type portable fire extinguishers shall be installed in such a way that the
top of the fire extinguisher is not more than 1.5 metres above the floor and not less than
30 cm from the bottom of extinguisher to the finished floor.
 Fire extinguishers shall be installed in an easily accessible location, immediate vicinity
areas without obstructing the escape path.
 All extinguishers shall be installed in such that the operating instructions are facing
towards front side to read clearly.
 In the corridor, passage way, lift lobby etc. areas where aesthetic issue raises, the fire
extinguishers can be installed inside the fire hose cabinet, recessed inside the wall. In
such case, proper identification signs shall be placed on the cabinet and the front door
shall be of partially wired glass door to view the fire extinguishers. The fire
extinguishers placed inside the cabinets shall face towards front side to read the
operating instructions clearly.
 Fire extinguishers shall not be installed / placed in any areas where the temperatures
outside of the listed temperature range shown on the fire extinguisher label. Generally
the fire extinguishers are permitted to be installed in the areas where temperatures
ranging from 4 deg. C to 49 deg, C.
 Fire extinguishers cabinets shall not be kept locked in any case with in the facility.
While installation, all the fire extinguishers shall be fully charged and ready for use in
case of an emergency.
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10. Fire extinguishers should ideally only be used by someone who has been
trained to do so – and the following text does not count as training. Moreover,
a fire extinguisher should only be activated once the fire alarm has been
triggered and you have identified a safe evacuation route. Evacuate the
building immediately if you still feel unsure about using a fire extinguisher or
if doing so is clearly the safest option.
Nevertheless, the following technique can serve as a refresher for those who
have undertaken training or if someone without training ever needs to use one
in order to improve the chances that everyone escapes unharmed.
The following four-step technique can be memorized more easily with the
acronym PASS:
 Pull: Pull the pin to break the tamper seal.
 Aim: Aim low, pointing the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire. (Do not
touch the horn on a CO2 extinguisher since it becomes very cold and can
damage skin.
 Squeeze: Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
 Sweep: Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire – the fuel source –
until the fire is extinguished.
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11.  BEFORE PROCEDDING WITH THE PLACEMENT AND SIZE OF
EXTINGUISHERS IT IS IMPORTANT TO KNOW THE BUILDING HAZARD
CALSSIFICATION.
 BUILDING OR OCCUPANCY CLASSIFIED INTO THREE CATEGORIES.
 LIGHT,ORDINARY & EXTRA HAZARD.
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12. NOTE : HAZARD CALSSIFICATION CAN ALSO BE COMPUTED USING FIRE LOAD
CALCULATION METHOD.
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17.  All fire extinguishers shall be inspected immediately after the installation
and periodically at regular intervals not more than 30 days or as per the
standards.
 Inspection record shall be maintained at the facility by the management
representative .
 The persons conducting inspections shall maintain the record of all fire
extinguishers installed in the facility including the fire extinguishers
which requires corrective action and the date of action taken.
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18.  INDIAN STANDARD-IS-2190- SELECTION, INSTALLATION
AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRST-AID FIRE EXTINGUISHERS
 NBCI – NATIONAL BUILDING CODE OF INDIA
 NFPA 10- Standard for Portable Fire Extinguisher.
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19.  The facts and opinion set out in this presentation are believed to
be correct in light of the information currently available and the
author cannot accept any responsibility in respect of the contents
of this documents or its implementation.
 The information provided in this presentation is for general
information purpose only and provides a general overview.
 Also you should seek advice from an expert on the subject or your
local Fire safety officer or fire safety Professional.
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20. THANK YOU
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