Class A: Ordinary combustibles, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber,
many plastics, and other common materials that burn easily.
Class B: Flammable liquids. Includes gasoline, oil, grease,
tar, oil-based paint, lacquer, and flammable gas.
Class C: Electrical equipment, such as wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers,
machinery and appliances.
Class D: Combustible metals. Includes magnesium, aluminum, lithium,
and other combustible metals or metal dust.
Stored-Pressure Water Extinguishers:
These extinguishers are suitable for use on Class A fires only (ordinary
combustibles). Caution: DO NOT use these
extinguishers on Class B,C or D fires! Standard water extinguishers
contain 2 1/2 gallons of water. Under normal conditions, stream reach
is 15-30 feet. Discharge time is 30-60 seconds. These extinguishers
must be protected against freezing if they will be exposed to temperatures
less than 40 degrees F (4 degrees C).
Dry Chemical Extinguishers (Hand Carried):
Dry chemical fire extinguishers are the most common extinguishers.
They are two types available: those rated for Class B and C fires, and
those rated for Class A, B, and C fires. These extinguishers are
available from 2 1/2 to 30 pounds. Caution:
when used indoors, these extinguishers will produce a thick cloud of dust,
which obscures vision and may cause choking. They have a range of
5-20 feet, although they can be easily affected by wind. Discharge
time is 10-25 seconds.
Film-Forming-Fluoroprotein (FFFP) Foam Extinguishers:
These extinguishers are designed for use on Class A and B fires.
They are essentially 2 1/2 gallon water extinguishers with a FFFP foam
additive. When using this type of extinguisher on a Class B fire,
you must be careful to avoid splashing liquid fuels. The foam has
the ability to make water float on fuels that are lighter than water.
Halon 1211 Fire Extinguishers:
Halon 1211, or bromochlorodifluoromethane extinguishers, are primarly
designed for Class B and C fires. Hand carried extinguishers are
available in sizes from 2 1/2 to 22 pounds. Caution:
when used in a confined area, halon can cause dizziness and loss of coordination.
You should immediately evacuate an area after using an extinguisher of
this type.
When to Fight a Fire
Be certain to report any fire before
attempting to extinguish it!
Fight a fire only if:
Do not fight a fire if:
Inspection and Maintenance
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) sets the standard for fire extinguishers in the regulation NFPA 10. This section will briefly explain the inspection and maintenance requirements for fire extinguishers.
Inspection
An inspection is a "quick check" that an extinguisher is available
and will operate. It is intended to give reasonable assurance that
the fire extinguisher is fully charged and operable. This is done
by verifying that it is in its designated place, that it has not been actuated
or tampered with, and that there is no obvious or physical damage or condition
to prevent its operation. Fire extinguishers should be inspected
when they are initially placed in service and thereafter at 30-day intervals.
They may require more frequent inspections if circumstances dictate.
Inspection Procedures:
Maintenance
The following table lists the maintenance required for those extinguishers
most commonly found.
Maintenance intervals begin on the date of manufacture, which can usually
be found on the extinguisher nameplate.
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If an extinguisher has received maintenance, it should bear a tag or label indicating the type and date of maintenance and that identifies the person or company who performed the service. If an extinguisher is overdue for maintenance, it is the responsibility of the user to arrange and pay for the maintenance. Companies providing these services can be found in the phone book under "Fire Extinguishers".