Water fire extinguishers
This fire extinguisher can be used for Class A fires i.e. solids only, such as wood,
paper and fabrics. Not suitable for Class B liquid fires i.e. paraffin, petrol,
oil fires, or where electricity is involved. The fire extinguisher is colour coded
red. The fire extinguisher works by cooling burning material.
How to use a water fire extinguisher:
1 Direct the jet at the base of the flame and keep
it moving across the area of the fire.
2 Seek out any hot spots after the main fire is extinguished.
3 A fire spreading vertically should be attacked at
its lowest point and followed upwards.
Foam fire extinguishers
This fire extinguisher is more versatile than water. It can be used for Classes
A & B fires but is not recommended for fires involving electricity. The fire extinguisher
is colour coded cream. The fire extinguisher forms a blanket or film on the surface
of a burning liquid.
How to use a foam fire extinguisher:
1 Where the liquid on a fire is in a container, direct
the spray at the back edge of the container or at an adjoining vertical surface
above the level of the burning liquid. This allows the foam to build up and flow
across the surface of the liquid to smother the fire.
2 Where this is not possible stand well back, direct
the spray with a gentle sweeping movement, allow the foam to drop down and lie on
the surface of the liquid.
3 Do not aim the spray directly into the liquid as
this will drive the foam beneath the surface and render it ineffective. In addition,
it may splash the fire onto the surroundings.
Dry powder fire extinguishers
This fire extinguisher is a multi-purpose fire extinguisher and can be used on Classes
A, B & C fires. The fire extinguisher is colour coded blue. The fire extinguisher
works by "knocking down" the flames.
How to use a dry powder fire extinguisher:
1 On fires involving either liquids in containers or
spilled liquids, direct the nozzle towards the near edge of the fire. With the rapid
sweeping motion drive the fire towards the far edge until all the flames are extinguished.
2 On fires involving flowing liquids, direct the nozzle
at the base of the flames and sweep upwards.
3 On fires in electrical equipment, switch of the current
if safe to do so and then direct the nozzle straight at the fire.
4 Where the equipment is enclosed, direct into any
opening with the object of penetrating the interior.
5 When the fire appears to be extinguished shut off
the discharger and wait until the atmosphere clears. If any flame is then still
visible, discharge again.
Co2 fire extinguishers
This fire extinguisher is ideal for fires involving electrical apparatus and Class
B liquid fires. It does not cool and is not suitable for solids. The fire extinguisher
is colour coded black.
How to use a Co2 fire extinguisher:
1 Carbon dioxide extinguishers should NOT be used in
confined spaces where there is a danger that fumes may be inhaled.
2 DO NOT HOLD THE HORN SINCE IT BECOMES EXTREMELY COLD
DURING USE.
Wet chemical fire extinguishers
This fire extinguisher is used for Class F cooking oil or fat fires.
How to use a wet chemical fire extinguishers:
1 Turn off the source of heat if safe to do so.
2 Hold the lance at arm's length, well above the fire
with its nozzle at least 1 Metre away from the fire.
3 Holding the lance still, discharge so that the spraying
wet chemical falls gently onto the surface of the fire.
4 Even if the fire appears to go out quickly, discharge
the entire contents of the extinguisher.
Siting of Extinguishers
Extinguishers should be located in conspicuous positions, available at all times
for immediate use and fitted on brackets or stands where they will be readily seen
by persons following an escape route. Fire extinguishers should be securely hung
on wall brackets. Where this is impractical extinguishers should be located on suitable
stands (not on the floor). If wall mounted the carrying handle of larger, heavier
extinguishers should be 1 metre from the floor but smaller extinguishers should
be mounted so that the carrying handle is 1.5 metres from the floor. Extinguishers
should be sited in such a way that it is not necessary to travel more than 30 metres
from the site of a fire to reach an extinguisher. To avoid confusion, all extinguishers
installed in any one building or single occupancy should have the same method of
operation and if intended for the same function should be similar in shape, appearance
and colour. Wherever possible, portable extinguishers should be grouped to form
a fire point.
Fixing
Within each box will be the wall bracket required for fixing the fire extinguisher
to the wall - care should be taken to ensure the fabric of the fixing surface is
suitable for the weight of the particular extinguisher and that the correct screw
fixings are used. As an example, on a breeze block or brick wall we recommend a
7mm masonry drill bit, 7mm brown wall plugs, 2" x 10mm screws are used. Work should
be carried out by a competent person. Safety glasses should be worn while drilling.
Be careful to ensure that the wall or area to be drilled is free from electrical
cables, pipe work or any other obstruction.
Maintenance
Extinguishers should be routinely inspected by the user at not less than quarterly
and preferably at least monthly intervals to make sure that appliances are in their
proper position and have not been discharged or lost pressure. The user should replace
extinguishers not available for use by serviceable extinguishers. Annual inspection,
service and test discharging should be carried out by a competent person. The UK
servicing standard BS 5306 Part 3 puts the onus on the user (i.e. the Company) to
use a competent person and that extinguishers should be serviced to that standard
and the manufacturers recommended pressure.
Training
All people regularly employed in a workplace should be aware of the risk of fire.
They need to know:
How to summon the fire brigade.
How to warn others of the fire including the operation of the fire? warning apparatus.
The location and use of escape routes.
The procedure for assisting visitors or members of the public from the workplace.
