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ABC Dry Chemical
These are found in sizes containing from 5 to 20 pounds of monoammonium phosphate. Monoammonium phosphate is a finely ground extinguishing agent, which looks like yellow talcum powder. Nitrogen gas is used for propellant. This extinguisher is particularly effective on class A, B, and C fires but also extremely messy. Operation is fairly simple. Pull the pin through the seal, aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, and sweep from side to side. The extinguisher has a range of about 15 feet. These extinguishers are found in hallways and occasionally in labs.
Carbon Dioxide
This is a high pressure vessel filled with either 5 or 10 pounds of liquid CO2. It is only to be used on flammable liquid or electrical fires. Because the CO2 is expelled as a gas the extinguisher has a very limited operation range of about 4 to 6 feet. This extinguisher is found mostly in labs or mechanical rooms. The carbon dioxide extinguisher can be easily identified because it does not have a pressure gauge.
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Halon
A halon fire extinguisher uses bromochlorodifluoromethane, halon 1211, as its extinguishing agent. Halon is an extremely clean agent that leaves no residue, making it a good agent for use around computers and other sensitive equipment. It has a range of about 15 feet. Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, and sweep from side to side. Operation is similar to the ABC extinguisher.
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using your fire extinguisher, be sure to read the instructions before it’s too late. Although there are many different types of fire extinguishers, all of them operate in a similar manner.
THE PASS EXTINGUISHER OPERATING PROCEDURE
The following are the steps in using a fire extinguisher;
- Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
- Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important – in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
- Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
- Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish. Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher – different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!
The picture below shows how to focus the fire extinguisher on a flame;
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REMEMBER:
The following steps should be followed when responding to incipient stage fire:
• Sound the fire alarm and call the fire department, if appropriate.
• Identify a safe evacuation path before approaching the fire. Do not allow the fire, heat, or smoke to come between you and your evacuation path.
• Select the appropriate type of fire extinguisher.
• Discharge the extinguisher within its effective range using the P.A.S.S. technique (pull, aim, squeeze, and sweep).
• Back away from an extinguished fire in case it flames up again.
• Evacuate immediately if the extinguisher is empty and the fire is not out.
• Evacuate immediately if the fire progresses beyond the incipient stage.
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