Portable Fire

Extinguishers
Objectives (1 of 2)
Explain the five classes of fire and the risks
associated with each class.
Identify the kinds of fire extinguishers used
for each class.
Explain the rating systems of portable
extinguishers for Classes A,B, and C.
Identify the limitations of portable
extinguishers.
Objectives (2 of 2)
Demonstrate the operation of portable fire
extinguishers.
Explain the care and maintenance of
portable fire extinguishers.
Discuss the inspection requirements of
portable fire extinguishers.
Introduction (1 of 3)

Click Here to View Video:
Portable Fire Extinguishers
Introduction (2 of 3)
Portable fire extinguishers are designed to
fight small incipient fires.
Firefighters must know how to use
extinguishers and be able to teach others.
Proper instruction can improve department
effectiveness and reduce damage costs.
Fire extinguishers come in a variety of types
and sizes.
Introduction (3 of 3)
Firefighters should know the extinguishers
carried on apparatus.
Firefighters should be capable of answering
questions regarding fire extinguishers.
Citizens will often request information and
training on the use of extinguishers.
FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
ONE OF THE MOST COMMON FIRE-
PROTECTION APPLIANCES USED TODAY
1ST LINE OF DEFENSE AGAINST FIRES
EXCELLENT TOOL FOR EXTINQUISHING
INCIPIENT FIRES
CAN OFTEN EXTINGUISH A SMALL FIRE
IN LESS TIME THAN DEPLOYING A HOSE
LINE

GENERAL :
It is important that firefighters be knowledgeable
about the different types of portable fire
extinguishers and their use.
We will discuss the various types of portable fire
extinguishers that firefighters are likely to
encounter.
NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
provides information on rating, placement and use.
GENERAL :
Firefighters should rely on extinguishers carried on
their apparatus and not those found in occupancies.
Two portable extinguishers are required on fire
apparatus by NFPA standard 1901
One suitable for class B and C fires and one for
class A
Sizes are as follows: Co2 rated 10 BC, Dry
Chemical rated 80 BC, & 2.5 Gal H2o for Class A
Fire Classification and Risk
The type and nature of the burning material
(fuel) defines the fire.
There are five classes of fire.
Class A
Class B
Class C
Class D
Class K (As of 1998)
Class K Fires
Click Here to View Video:
Class K Fires
Types of Fire Extinguishers (1 of 2)
Many types of fire
extinguishers are
available today.
Click Here to View Video:
Fire Extinguisher
Functions/Ratings
Types of Fire Extinguishers (2 of 2)
Many factors need to be considered before
using an extinguisher.
Type and amount of fuel
User and occupancy
Building construction
Environmental conditions
Type of equipment being protected
Types of Extinguishing
Agents (1 of 2)
Water is the basic agent for Class A fires.
Water-based foam extinguishers for class B fires have
either AFFF or FFFP.
CO
2
is an inert gas stored under pressure.
CO
2
is effective on Class B or C fires.
Dry chemical agents are particles propelled by a gaseous
medium.
There are three categories of dry chemicals.
Types of Extinguishing
Agents (2 of 2)
Wet chemicals are water-based solutions.
Wet chemicals are used for Class K fires.
Clean agents have replaced halons.
Clean agents do not conduct electricity or leave a residue.
There are two classes.
Halocarbon agents and inerting gases
Kinds of Extinguishers
Pump-type extinguishers are hand-pumped devices.
Pressurized extinguishers operate by expelling gas that
propels the agent out.
Cartridge-operated extinguishers are used for dry
chemical and most dry powder Class D extinguishers.
Backpack Pump Tank
PUMP-TANK WATER

STREAM REACH 30 to 40 ft.

DISCHARGE TIME 45 sec. To 3 min.
Stored Pressure
Water Extinguisher
Stored Pressure
Foam Extinguisher
Stored Pressure
Extinguishers (1 of 2)
STORED-PRESSURE WATER

STREAM REACH - 30 to 40 ft.

DISCHARGE TIME - 45 sec. To 60 sec.
FOAM EXTINGUISHERS:
STREAM REACH - 20 to 25 ft.
DI SCHARGE TI ME - Approx. 50 sec.
AFFF- USED ON CLASS B FIRES NOT INVOLVING
WATER SOLUABLE LIQUIDS (POLAR SOLVENTS)
AIR ASPIRATING CREATING A BLANKET
FFFP- USED ON CLASS B FIRES INVOLVING
ALCOHOL RESISTANT LIQUIDS (SMOTHERS)
Stored Pressure Dry
Chemical Extinguisher
Carbon Dioxide
Extinguishers
Stored Pressure
Extinguishers (2 of 2)
DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS
ABC ( MULTI- PURPOSE)- MOST COMMON USED
(MONOAMMONIUM PHOSPHATE)
BC (REGULAR, OR SODIUM BICARBONATE)
POTASIUM BICARBONATE
AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE
POTASIUM CHLORIDE
PKP (POTASSIUM BICARBONATE)
USED FOR MOST CLASSES OF FIRES
DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS
STREAM REACH: 5 TO 20 Ft.

DISCHARGE TIME: 8 TO 25 Sec.

!!!!!! NEVER MIX DRY CHEMICAL WITH OTHER TYPES
OF AGENTS , MAY CAUSE A DANGEROUS RISE IN
PRESSURE INSIDE EXTINGUISHER

NON-TOXIC ONLY AN IRRITANT
HALON EXTINGUISHERS:
1211- CLEAR LIQUID STREAM
Stream Reach - 8 to 18 ft.
Discharge Time - 8 to 18 sec.
1301-FIXED SYSTEMS (FLOODING)
Stream Reach - 4 to 6 ft
Discharge Time - 8 to 10 sec.
NEARLY INVISIBLE (WIND)

HALOTRON(CLEAN-AGENT)- B&C
NON OZONE DEPLETER, ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE
Cartridge-Operated
Dry Chemical Extinguisher
CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHERS
STREAM REACH - 3 to 8 ft.
DISCHARGE TIME - 8 to 30 sec.
HORN- DISPERSION
UNLIKE OTHERS ITS STORED UNDER
ITS OWN PRESSURE
DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHERS:
DRY POWDER( LITH-X) - EXTINGUISH
COMBUSTIBLE METALS
NOT EVERY DRY POWDER
EXTINGUISHER WILL WORK ON ANY
COMBUSTIBLE METAL FIRE
GRAY OR BLACK IN COLOR
APPLY WITH SUFFICIENT DEPTH
WET CHEMICAL
CLASS K - FOUND IN KITCHENS
WITH UNSATURATED FATS & OILS,
EXTINGUISHES WITH MINIMAL
SPLASH BACK AND PREVENTION OF
REFLASH

Common Size - 2-1/2 Gallon

Operating Principle - Air Pressure
WET CHEMICAL
CLASS K -

STREAM REACH - 8 to 12 ft.

DISCHARGE TIME - 75 to 80 sec.




Rating Systems of
Portable Extinguishers
Each class of fuel is subject to a separate type of
rating test.
Class A rating test uses wooden cribbing test.
Class B rating test uses a pan of flammable liquid.
Class C rating test only involves conductivity of the
agent and the nozzle or hose and nozzle combination.
Rating Systems of
Portable Extinguishers

CLASS A RATINGS:
CLASS A RATINGS RANGE FROM 1-ATO 40-A

1-A EQUALS 11/4 GAL.OF WATER (BENCH MARK)

2-A HAS TWO TIMES THE EXTINGUISHING CAPABILITY OF
A 1-A

ACCORDING TO OCCUPANCY HAZARD,MAXIMUM FLOOR
AREA PER UNIT, PER EXTINGUISHER, AND MAXIMUM
TRAVEL DISTANCE TO EXTINGUISHER
CLASS B RATING:
CLASS B RATINGS RANGE FROM 1-B TO 640-B

THE 1-B RATING EQUALING 1 SQUARE FOOT

THE TEST CONSIST OF THE APPROXIMATE
SQUARE FOOT AREA OF A FLAMMABLE LIQUID
FIRE THAT A NON-EXPERT OPERATOR CAN
EXTINGUISH
CLASS C & D RATINGS:
CLASS C FIRES ARE TYPICALLY CLASS A OR B FIRES
INVOLVING ENERGIZED EQUIPMENT (AGENT NON-
CONDUCTIVE)

THERE IS NO EXTINGUISHER WITH A CLASS A-C RATING

CLASS D FIRES EXTINGUISHING CAPABILITY VARIES
WITH THE FUEL METAL BEING BURNED

CLASS D EXTINGUISHERS ARE NOT GIVEN A MULTI
PURPOSE RATING

Limitations of Portable
Extinguishers
Extinguishers have limited capabilities.
They are designed and rated for certain types
and sizes of fire.
The wrong extinguisher will create greater
problems.
You need to use the right extinguisher for the
fire present.
Extinguisher Operation
Pull the pin.
Aim the nozzle.
Squeeze the handle.
Sweep the nozzle.
Click Here to View Video:
PASS Procedure/Fire
Extinguisher Maintenance
OPERATION OF EXTINGUISHER:
SELECTING
QUICK INSPECTION
APPROACH
APPLICATION
SELECTION:
CHOOSE PROPER EXTINGUISHER
ACCORDING TO SIZE OF FIRE, TYPE
OF FIRE.

CHOOSE AN EXTINGUISHER THAT
WILL EFFECTIVELY DO THE JOB
WITHOUT RISK TO LIFE AND
PROPERTY
QUICK INSPECTION:
EXTERNAL DAMAGE

HOSE-HORN/NOZZLE ARE IN PLACE

PROPER WEIGHT OF EXTINGUISHER

PRESSURE GAUGE IN OPERATING RANGE
APPROACH:
SAFETY I S PARAMOUNT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

NEVER RUN WITH EXTINGUISHER
APPROACH FROM WINWARD SIDE
MAKE SURE AGENT REACHES FIRE
WATCH FOR RADIANT HEAT

APPLICATION:
PULL OUT THE PULL PIN IN OUTWARD
DIRECTION WITH RIGHT HAND
AIM NOZZLE AT BASE OF FIRE WITH RIGHT
HAND
SQUEEZE HANDLE WITH LEFT
SWEEP NOZZLE FROM SIDE TO SIDE AT BASE OF
FIRE WITH RIGHT HAND, MOVING FORWARD
UNTIL FIRE IS EXTINGUISHED
Obsolete Extinguishers
Firefighters should never
operate obsolete
extinguishers.
Soda acid
Chemical foam (except film-
forming)
Vaporizing liquids
Cartridge-operated water or
loaded stream
Copper or brass
extinguishers
Click Here to View Video:
Obsolete Fire
Extinguishers
Care and Maintenance of
Portable Extinguishers
Carefully inspect before placing in service.
Remove them from bracket periodically.
Occasionally invert dry chemical
extinguishers.
Clean dirt and grit to maintain good
working order.
Inspection Requirements (1 of 2)
First, perform visual inspection.
It should be checked every 30 days.
Pin seal should be in place.
Gauge should register proper pressure.
Inspection Requirements (2 of 2)
Some extinguishers, such as CO
2
, are
only checked by weighing.
Weight is stamped on the cylinder.
Check for hydrostatic testing.
INSPECTION :

LOCATIONS/ACCESSABILITY
SEAL
PHYSICAL DAMAGE
GAUGE
HOSES&HORNS/NOZZLE
INSTRUCTION& NAMEPLATE
CHECK WEIGHT
INSPECTION TAG/COLLAR& STICKERS

LOCATION/ACCESSABILITY:
IN DESIGNATED LOCATION

IN BRACKET/CASE

CLEAR OF OBSTRUCTIONS
SEAL/PIN:
PIN IS IN

SEAL IS NOT BROKEN

PROPER TYPE OF SEAL AND PIN IS
ON EXTINGUISHER
PHYSICAL DAMAGE:
DENTS
CRACKS
CORROSION
BROKEN OR BENT HANDLES
CRACKED OR BROKEN
HOSES/NOZZLES
GAUGE:
IN OPERATION RANGE
NO WATER IN IT
BENT
LEAKING
BLOWOUT DISC
NEEDLE NOT BROKE
HOSES&HORNS/NOZZLES
FREE OF OBSTRUCTIONS
CRACKED OR SPLIT
MELTED
FITTINGS
ALL CO2 HOSES REQUIRE A
CONDUCTIVITY TEST LABEL

INSTRUCTIONS/NAMEPLATE:
THERE

LEGIBLE

RATING

SYMBOL


WEIGHT:
LIFTING

SCALE

GAUGE

NAMEPLATE
INSPECTION TAG/COLLAR& STICKERS:
DATE OF INSPECTION,MAINTENANCE,OR
RECHARGING
ANY EXTINGUISHER SERVICED AFTER JANUARY
1999, SHALL HAVE A SERVICE COLLAR
ALL EXTINGUISHERS MADE OR SERVICED AFTER
1989 SHALLHAVE HMIS LABEL OR STICKER
HYDROSTATIC STICKER
6YR STICKER

MAINTENANCE/SERVICING:
RESPONSIBILITY

ANNUAL SERVICE

6YR MAINTENANCE

HYDROSTATIC TEST


RESPONSIBLILITY:
THE BUILDING OCCUPANT

PROPERTY OWNER

LICENSED COMPANIES

CERTIFIED EXTINGUISHER TECHNICIANS

ANNUAL SERVICE:
INSPECTED ANNUALLY EITHER BY
BUILDING OWNER, FIRE INSPECTOR,
LICENSED BUISNESS
CHECK HOSE
CHECK GAUGE
CHECK SEAL
CHECK LABELS
WEIGHT
6 YEAR MAINTENANCE:
COMPLETED EVERY 6 YEARS AFTER
MANUFACTURED, OR
HYDROSTACIALLY TESTED
COMPLETE TEARDOWN
CHECK VALVE STEM
CHECK O-RING
AGENT
OVERALL EXTINGUISHER
HYDRO-STATIC TESTING:
DRY CHEM/POWDER- 12 YEARS

HALON- 12 YEARS

CO2- 5 YEARS

FOAM- 5 YEARS( AGENT EVERY 3)

HYDRO CONT:
WATER- 5 YEARS

COMPLETE TEARDOWN

DEFORMATIES, DENTS, SCRATCHES

ALL STORED PRESSURE EXTINGUISHERS THAT
REQUIRE A 12 YEAR HYDRO ARE REQUIRED TO
UNDERGO A 6 YEAR MAINTENANCE
IF ANY OF THE ITEMS LISTED ARE
FOUND DEFICIENT IN EITHER
INSPECTION OR MAINTENANCE, THE
EXTINGUISHER SHOULD BE REMOVED
FROM SERVICE, AND REPAIRED IN
ACCORDANCE WITH DEPARTMENT
POLICIES

Summary
There are various classes of fires.
There are various kinds of extinguishers.
The proper type of extinguisher is needed for
various classes of fire.
It is important to remember extinguishers have
limitations.
Extinguishers need to be maintained, serviced, and
inspected regularly.