Read through the following list of tips/facts regarding fire extinguishers:
- The Faribault Fire Department recommends that you have 1 U.L. listed, all-purpose fire extinguisher in your home, car, and boat. Having a fire extinguisher available in the event of fire can save your property from needless fire loss.
- Do you know how to use a fire extinguisher? Remembering the acronym PASS may help. P = Pull the Pin. A = Aim at the base of the fire. S = Squeeze the trigger. And S = Sweep the extinguishing agent back and forth at the base of the fire.
- Knowing how and when to use a fire extinguisher is very important because it can save property. Knowing when not to fight a fire is just as important. You should never fight a fire if you will have to breathe the smoke. Smoke contains many poisonous chemicals that due harm to your body. It never makes sense to put you life at risk to fight a fire involving property that can be replaced.
- Not every fire extinguisher is a multipurpose fire extinguisher. Multipurpose fire extinguishers can be used on any type of fire and are very popular. Unfortunately they can leave a mess after the fire is extinguished. Some extinguishers work better that a multipurpose extinguisher in certain situations, so you may encounter different types. Identify and become familiar with the fire extinguishers in your home or at work. Types of Fire Extinguishers:
- Class A: Extinguish ordinary combustibles like paper or wood by cooling the material below it's ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition. Use pressurized water, foam or a multipurpose extinguisher for these types of fires. Do not use carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC rated) dry-chemical extinguishers in Class A fires.
- Class B: Extinguish flammable liquids, greases, or gases by removing oxygen, preventing the vapors from reaching the ignition source or inhibiting the chemical chain reaction. Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC rated) dry chemical, multipurpose dry chemical, and halon extinguishers may be used to fight Class B fires. Do not use pressurized water to fight Class B type fires.
- Class C: Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an extinguishing agent that is not capable of conducting electrical currents. Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC type) dry chemical, multipurpose dry chemical and halon fire is widely used, EPA legislation is phasing it out of use. Do not use water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment.