Portable Fire Extinguishers are intended to be used… ~ On small fires in the incipient or early growth stage. ~Primarily intended for occupancy use.
What is the purpose of a portable fire extinguisher?
Fires can occur only in the presence of adequate heat, oxygen, fuel (combustible material), and a chemical reaction, which is the actual fire. Portable fire extinguishers function by releasing an extinguishing agent intended to cool the fuel, remove or displace the oxygen, or stop the chemical reaction.
What fire phase are fire extinguishers meant for?
Fire extinguishers are appropriate for small, incipient stage fires, no bigger than a wastepaper basket. University policy states that individuals are not required to fight fires, but those who choose to do so must have been trained in the proper use of fire extinguisher.
What are the limitation of portable fire extinguisher?
Portable fire extinguishers have limitations. They are not designed to fight large fires or those that may spread quickly. Portable fire extinguishers are appropriate for fighting fires such as those on the stove-top, in the oven, or in a wastepaper basket. Use an extinguisher only if the fire is in its early stages.
What is the operating time for most portable fire extinguishers?
The approximate discharge time for 10 to 20 pounds of dry chemical ranges from 10 to 25 seconds.
What is a correct use for a portable fire extinguisher?
When using an extinguisher, use the PASS system – Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Pull the pin on the extinguisher. Aim the extinguisher. Squeeze the trigger or top handle.
Which type of fires should you fight with a portable fire extinguisher?
The most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A fires. Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B and C fires only.
What are the 3 stages of a fire?
Stages of fire
- Ignition: Fuel, oxygen and heat join together in a sustained chemical reaction. …
- Growth: With the initial flame as a heat source, additional fuel ignites. …
- Fully developed: Fire has spread over much if not all the available fuel; temperatures reach their peak, resulting in heat damage.
What is the difference between ABC and CO2 fire extinguisher?
CO2s are designed for Class B and C (flammable liquid and electrical) fires only. Carbon Dioxide is a non-flammable gas that extinguishes fire by displacing oxygen, or taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle.
What is the best defense against fire?
As always, the best defense against a fire is to be prepared. Take a moment to look at your fire extinguisher.
What are the 4 types of fire extinguishers?
There are four classes of fire extinguishers – A, B, C and D – and each class can put out a different type of fire. Multipurpose extinguishers can be used on different types of fires and will be labeled with more than one class, like A-B, B-C or A-B-C.