Everyone needs to know how to use a fire extinguisher in an emergency. According to research, 98% of ordinary people can properly use a fire extinguisher effectively to save lives during a fire.
Due to local and national fire code requirements, fire extinguishers are commonplace in most buildings but usually take a back seat to fire alarms and sprinklers during in-house inspections.
We want to help you understand how fire extinguishers work and how to properly test them so your business is prepared when an unexpected fire strikes.
How Does a Fire Extinguisher Work?
A fire extinguisher controls or extinguishes small fires, preventing them from spreading. At its core, a fire extinguisher consists of a handheld cylindrical pressure vessel containing an extinguishing agent that’s discharged to put out a fire.
When the handle of a fire extinguisher is pressed, a mechanism releases the pressurized extinguishing agent inside the canister. This pressure shoots the agent out of the extinguisher through a nozzle or hose aimed at the fire.
There are many kinds of fire extinguishers, each designed to tackle different types of fires. These include water, foam, dry chemical powder, carbon dioxide (CO2), or wet chemical substances.
To extinguish a fire, you must remove one of these four elements: heat, fuel, oxygen, and a chemical reaction. Different extinguishers use different agents to stop fires.
How Do You Use a Fire Extinguisher?
To operate your fire extinguisher, the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA) recommends you follow the easy-to-remember acronym PASS:
- Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and remove the pin from its place between the handles.
- Aim and point the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
- Squeeze the top and bottom handles evenly.
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side, aiming the extinguishing agent at the base of the fire.
**It’s important to remember that portable fire extinguishers save property and lives but are only designed to put out small fires or contain a fire until the fire department arrives. If the fire is large and spreading rapidly, the number one priority is to get out safely and unharmed.
Understanding Fire Extinguisher Types and Classes
Four common classes of fire extinguishers are classified into four groups – A, B, C, and D. Each one is designed to put out different types of fires.
- Class A extinguishers will put out fires fueled by ordinary combustibles like wood and paper
- Class B extinguishers are for use on flammable liquids like gasoline, grease, or oil
- Class C extinguishers are only designed for use on electrically energized fires
- Class D extinguishers are best for use with flammable metals
A couple of examples of fire extinguisher agents include:
- Water and foam extinguishers work primarily by cooling the fire and removing the heat component of the fire tetrahedron. Foam agents also act by separating the oxygen element from the other components.
- CO2 extinguishers work by displacing oxygen near the fire, suffocating it. Since CO2 does not leave a residue, it’s particularly useful for electrical fires or when damaging equipment is a concern.
- Dry chemical extinguishers release a fine powder, interrupting the fire’s chemical reaction. These multipurpose extinguishers are effective on class A, B, and C fires, making them suitable for a variety of common fire scenarios, including flammable liquids and electrical fires.
Fire Extinguisher Regulations
There are a few requirements a building owner should consider when choosing and installing a portable fire extinguisher.
Your local fire department or authority having jurisdiction can help advise you on what extinguisher you need. Some variables that will likely be assessed when choosing the correct extinguisher include:
- Size of building/floors
- Types of fire hazards in the building
- Fire extinguisher accessibility and placement
- Type of business being held
Fire Extinguisher Testing
The National Fire Code requires that building owners have their fire extinguishers certified by a licensed service person.
Any extinguisher in industrial and commercial applications requires annual maintenance. Depending on the type of extinguisher, it may also be subject to pressure testing and internal inspections.
Many authorities and insurance companies also require monthly extinguisher checks to be performed by the building owner.
How Should You Inspect Your Fire Extinguisher?
There are two types of fire extinguisher inspections, each serving a specific purpose: routine monthly checks by the building occupants and annual maintenance inspections conducted by certified professionals.
Monthly inspections are done to see if the extinguisher is accessible, has its seal intact, and shows no visible signs of damage or corrosion.
During these checks, individuals should ensure that the extinguisher is in its designated place, the instructions are legible, and the pressure gauge indicates the correct pressure level.
Also, keep an eye on the expiration date. The last thing you want is for one to no longer work due to its age.
Annual Maintenance Inspections are more thorough and must be performed by a trained and certified technician.
These inspections involve a comprehensive check of the fire extinguisher’s physical condition, including its weight, to confirm it still contains the correct amount of extinguishing agent.
The technician will also inspect the extinguisher’s internal components for signs of wear or corrosion, test the discharge mechanism to ensure it operates correctly, and replace any parts that are not functioning as intended.
Need Fire Extinguisher Help? Call Allegiant Fire Protection Today.
The professionals at Allegiant Fire Protection help take the guesswork out of fire safety compliance.
Our certified fire protection technicians will complete all required tests and inspections and update the fire extinguisher tags.
To learn more about our services or to schedule any Fire and Safety Equipment Testing and Inspections, don’t hesitate to call (630) 348-9636 or contact us online.