LOCKING MECHANISM PRESSURE INDICATOR

TRIGGER HANDLE

hose

CYLINDER

LABEL

NOZZLE

DEVELOPED BY: KENNETH WASMUTH FOR: AAFSA A DIVISION OF BIDAIR SERVICES

INTRODUCTION COMBUSTION IS A CHEMICAL REACTION, OR SERIOUS OF REACTIONS, IN WHICH HEAT AND LIGHT ARE INVOLVED. WHEN THE RATE OF REACTION IS VERY SLOW ONLY HEAT IS EVOLVED AND A SLOW OXIDATION OCCURS, SUCH AS RUSTING.

ONE WAY OF DISCUSSING COMBUSTION IS IN TERMS OF THE TRIANGLE OF COMBUSTION.

FOR COMBUSTION TO OCCUR THREE FACTORS ARE NECESSARY.

FUEL

COMBUSTION WILL CONTINUE AS LONG AS THESE THREE FACTORS ARE PRESENT.

REMOVAL OF ONE OF THESE LEADS TO THE COLLAPSE OF THE TRIANGLE AND COMBUSTION STOPS.

COMBUSTIBLE SOLIDS EXIST IN THREE FORMS NAMELY: A. SOLIDS B. LIQUIDS C. GASSES

THE NATURE OF FLAME

FLAME MAY BE DEFINED AS A REACTION HAVING THE ABILITY TO PROPAGATE (OR SPREAD) THROUGH AN ATMOSPHERE WITH THE EMISSION OF HEAT AND LIGHT.

FLASH POINT

FLASH POINT IS THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE AT WHICH THERE IS SUFFICIENT VAPORIZATION OF THE SUBSTANCE TO PRODUCE A VAPOR WHICH WILL FLASH MOMENTARILY WHEN A FLAME IS APPLIED.

FIRE POINT

THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE AT WHICH THE HEAT FROM THE COMBUSTION OF A BURNING VAPOR IS CAPABLE OF PRODUCING SUFFICIENT VAPOR TO ENABLE COMBUSTION TO CONTINUE.

SPONTANEOUS IGNITION TEMPERATURE

THE LOWEST TEMPERATURE AT WHICH THE SUBSTANCE WILL IGNITE SPONTANEOUSLY, THAT IS TO SAY THE SUBSTANCE WILL BURN WITHOUT THE INTRODUCTION OF A FLAME OR OTHER IGNITION SOURCE.

SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION CERTAIN MATERIALS MAY REACT WITH OXYGEN AT ROOM TEMPERATURE. IF THE HEAT GENERATED CANNOT ESCAPE, THE IGNITION TEMPERATURE WILL BE REACHED AND COMBUSTION TAKES PLACE. THE ACTIONS OF BACTERIA CAN ALSO LEAD TO SPONTANEOUS COMBUSTION.

LIMITS OF FLAMMABILITY

A FLAMMABLE GAS OR VAPOR WILL ONLY BURN IN THE AIR IF THE COMPOSITION LIES BETWEEN CERTAIN LIMITS. IF TOO MUCH, OR TO LITTLE, FUEL IS PRESENT, BURNING WILL NOT TAKE PLACE.

METHODS OF EXTINGUISHMENT

IT HAS BEEN SHOWN FROM THE TRIANGLE OF COMBUSTION THAT THREE FACTORS ARE ESSENTIAL TO COMBUSTION.

FIRE EXTINCTION, IN PRINCIPLE, CONSISTS IN THE LIMITATION OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE FACTORS. THE PRESENCE OF FUEL THE PRESENCE OF OXYGEN THE PRESENCE OF HEAT

LIMITATION OF FUEL

LIMITATION OF OXYGEN

LIMITATION OF TEMPERATURE

THE INHIBITION OF THE CHAIN REACTION

COOKING OIL FIRE IN THE KITCHEN

TRANSMISSION OF HEAT (FIRE SPREAD)

BACKDRAUGHT

SIGNS OF A PENDING BACKDRAFT 1. THE DISCOLORATION OF WINDOW. 2. SMOKE EXITING THROUGH CRACKS. 3. HIGH HEAT CONCENTRATIONS

INTRODUCTION FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE USED TO PUT OUT HUNDREDS OF FIRES DAILY. FIRE EXTINGUISHERS RANGE IN SIZE FROM 1KG UP TO 250KG.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE USED FOR DIFFERENT PURPOSES AND INVOLVE DIFFERENT OPERATIONAL METHODS.

FIRE FIGHTERS MUST KNOW WHICH EXTINGUISHER TO USE ON DIFFERENT TYPES OF FIRES.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE PLACED IN VARIOUS LOCATIONS SO THAT THEY ARE AVAILABLE FOR IMMEDIATE USE ON SMALL FIRES. A TRAINED INDIVIDUAL WITH A SUITABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER COULD EASILY CONTROL THIS TYPE OF FIRE.

DO NOT PLACE YOURSELF IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION BY TRYING TO FIGHT A LARGE FIRE WITH A SMALL FIRE EXTINGUISHER. YOU CANT FIGHT A FIRE OR PROTECT YOURSELF WITH AN EMPTY EXTINGUISHER.

ONE ADVANTAGE OF A FIRE EXTINGUISHER IS THEIR PORTABILITY.

IT TAKES LESS TIME TO CONTROL A FIRE THAN IT WOULD TAKE TO CHARGE A HOSE.

THE ONE DISADVANTAGE IS THAT THEY ARE ONE SHOT DEVICES. ONCE THE CONTENTS ARE DISCHARGED, IT IS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE.

PROPER TECHNIQUE IN USING A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER IS IMPORTANT FOR BOTH SAFETY AND EFFECTIVENESS. PRACTICE USING A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER UNDER THE CAREFUL SUPERVISION OF A TRAINED INSTRUCTOR.

CLASSES OF FIRE CLASS A FIRES

THIS IS FIRES THAT INVOLVE SOLID COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS SUCH AS WOOD, PAPER, PLASTIC ETC.

CLASS B FIRES THESE ARE FIRES INVOLVING FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS SUCH AS PETROL, JET A 1, AVGAS, BENZENE, TURPENTINE ETC. CLASS C FIRES THESE ARE FIRES INVOLVING FLAMMABLE GASSES SUCH AS BUTANE, METHANE, PROPANE, HELIUM ETC.

CLASS D FIRES THESE ARE FIRES THAT INVOLVE METALS THAT WILL BURN IF INVOLVED IN A FIRE.

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE CLASSIFIED AND RATED ON THEIR CHARACTERISTICS AND CAPABILITIES.

IT DETERMINES WHAT TYPE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHER SHOULD BE PLACED IN A GIVEN LOCATION. THE CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM USES LETTERS AND NUMBERS.

THE LETTERS INDICATE THE CLASS OR CLASSES OF FIRE FOR WHICH IT CAN BE USED.

THE NUMBERS INDICATE ITS EFFECTIVENESS.

FOR CLASS A FIRE WILL BE RATED WITH AN A AND SO FORTH. CLASS B EXTINGUISHERS IS BASED ON THE APPROXIMATE AREA OF BURNING FUEL. FOR EXAMPLE A 2A/2B IS SUITABLE FOR 2 SQUARE METERS.

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS ARE LABELED TO INDICATE THE CLASSES OF FIRE IT IS CAPABLE OF EXTINGUISHING SAFELY. THE PICTOGRAPH LABELING SYSTEM THE USE OF SYMBOLS ARE USED TO INDICATE FOR WHICH TYPE OF FIRE IT IS SUITABLE.

DRY POWDER CARBON DIOXIDE HALOGENATED AGENTS FOAM AGENTS

SODIUM BICARBONATE-CLASS B AND C FIRES. POTASSIUM BICARBONATE-CLASS B AND C FIRES.

UREA- BASED POTASSIUM BICARBONATECLASS B AND C FIRES. POTASSIUM CHLORIDE-CLASS B AND C FIRES. AMMONIUM PHOSPHATE-CLASS A, B AND C FIRES.

SOME DRY CHEMICALS CANNOT BE USED IN COMBINATION WITH PARTICULAR TYPES OF FOAM.

IT IS A GAS THAT IS 1.5 TIMES HEAVIER THAN AIR.

IT FORMS A CLOUD THAT DISPLACES THE AIR SURROUNDING A FIRE. IT REDUCES THE AMOUNT OF OXYGEN THAT CAN REACH THE FUEL.

IT IS STORED UNDER PRESSURE AS A LIQUID.

IT HAS 2 ADVANTAGES OVER DRY CHEMICAL POWDER.

IT IS NOT CORROSIVE AND DOES NOT LEAVE ANY RESIDUE.

WEIGHT THEY ARE HEAVIER THAN SIMILAR RATED EXTINGUISHERS.

RANGE IT HAS A SHORT DISCHARGE RANGE WHICH REQUIRES YOU TO BE CLOSE TO THE FIRE, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURY.

WEATHER DOES NOT PERFORM WELL IN TEMPERATURE BELOW -18 AND WINDY CONDITIONS.

CONFINED SPACES WHEN USED IN CONFINED SPACES, IT DILUTES THE OXYGEN IN THE AIR. IF ENOUGH OXYGEN IS DISPLACED, PEOPLE CAN BEGIN TO SUFFOCATE.

SUITABILITY CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHERS ARE NOT SUITABLE FOR USE ON FIRES INVOLVING PRESSURIZED FUEL OR ON COOKING GREASE FIRES.

BROMOCHLORODIFLUROMETHANE (BCF) IT IS PRODUCED FROM A FAMILY OF LIQUIFIED GASES KNOWN AS HALOGENS THAT INCLUDES FLUORINE, BROMINE, IODINE AND CHLORINE.

THEY ARE EXTREMELY EFFECTIVE AT EXTINGUISHING FIRES. THE PRODUCTION IS LIMITED DUE TO THE FACT THAT IT DAMAGES THE OZONE LAYER. IT IS ONLY ALLOWED TO BE USED IN THE AVIATION INDUSTRY ON AIRCRAFT.

PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER PARTS A CYLINDER TO HOLD THE AGENT. A CARRYING HANDLE. A NOZZLE OR HORN. A TRIGGER AND DISCHARGE VALVE. A LOCKING MECHANISM. A PRESSURE INDICATOR.

DRY POWDER - BLUE CARBON DIOXIDE- BLACK HALONS-GREEN FOAM-CREAM

ENSURE TAMPER SEALS ARE INTACT. DETERMINE THE FULLNESS BY WEIGHTING OR HEFTING. EXAMINE PARTS FOR SIGNS OF DAMAGE, CORROSION OR LEAKAGE.

CHECK THE PRESSURE GAUGE TO SEE IF IT IS IN THE OPERABLE RANGE.

ENSURE THE EXTINGUISHER IS PROPERLY IDENTIFIED BY TYPE.

CHECK THE NOZZLE FOR DAMAGE OR OBSTRUCTION BY FOREIGN OBJECTS. SHAKE THE CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER TO LOOSEN POWDER.

LOCKING MECHANISM PRESSURE INDICATOR

TRIGGER

HANDLE

hose

CYLINDER

LABEL

NOZZLE

FOAM EXTINGUISHER

SYMBOLIC SIGNS

SYMBOLIC SIGNS ARE PLACED ABOVE EXTINGUISHERS WHERE THEY ARE MOUNTED OR LOCATED.

THESE SIGNS MAKE IT EASIER TO LOCATE EXTINGUISHERS WHEN NEEDED.

SIGNS BEARING THE PICTURE OF AN EXTINGUISHER (RED) IS PLACED HIGH ENOUGH ABOVE THE EXTINGUISHERS TOGETHER WITH AN ARROW INDICATING THE LOCATION OF THE EXTINGUISHER.

HOSE REELS

HOSE REELS ARE USED AS FIRST LINE ATTACK IN BUILDINGS, WAREHOUSES ETC.

THE LACK OF JET REACTION FROM THE NOZZLE MAKES THE HOSE REELS AN IDEAL PIECE OF EQUIPMENT TO BE USED BY PERSONNEL.

THE REEL IS FITTED WITH A HOSE AND NOZZLE. IT HAS A VALVE WHICH MUST BE TURNED ON TO ALLOW WATER TO FLOW THROUGH IT. THE SYSTEM CAN BE OPERATED BY ONE PERSON ONLY.

THE HOSE REEL IS NORMALLY CONNECTED TO THE MAIN WATER SUPPLY, WHICH GIVES A CONSTANT PRESSURE. THE REEL ITSELF IS MOUNTED ON A HOLLOW ROTATING SHAFT WHICH IN TURN IS CONNECTED TO THE WATER SUPPLY.

THE HOSE CAN BE PULLED OFF THE REEL. ALWAYS ENSURE THAT ENOUGH HOSE IS REELED OFF TO BE ABLE TO GET TO FIRE.

FIRE PREVENTION IN THE WORK PLACE  DO NOT OVERLOAD ELECTRICAL WALL PLUGS.  DO NOT INSERT BARE WIRES INTO WALL SOCKETS.  DO NOT STORE FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS IN AN OFFICE SPACE.

 DO NOT THROW CIGARETTE BUTTS IN WASTE BASKETS.  DO NOT STACK GOODS IN FRONT OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS.  DO NOT RUN ELECTRICAL WIRING UNDERNEATH CARPETS IN OFFICE SPACE.

 ENSURE THAT FIRST AID FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT IS CHECKED ON A REGULAR BASIS.  DO NOT PLACE HEATERS TO CLOSE TO COMBUSTIBLE MATERIALS, AND SWITCH THEM OFF BEFORE GOING HOME.

 ENSURE THAT YOU KNOW THE LAYOUT OF YOUR BUILDING AND WHERE THE ESCAPE ROUTES ARE.  IN THE EVENT OF A FIRE DO NOT RUN, BUT WALK WHEN LEAVING THE BUILDING.

FIRE SAFETY AT HOME  ALWAYS HAVE TWO OR MORE FIRE ESCAPE ROUTES FROM THE HOUSE.  WINDOWS SHOULD BE EASILY OPENED BY ANYONE AND DOORS MUST REMAIN CLOSED.

 ALWAYS STAY LOW IF AWAKENED BY SMOKE, DO NOT STAND UP IN THE SMOKE.  HAVE A MEANS OF ALERTING OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS IF AWAKENED BY THE SMELL OF SMOKE.

 ROLL OUT OF BED AND CRAWL TO THE FLOOR. FEEL THE DOOR IF IT WARM, USE THE WINDOW FOR ESCAPE.  NEVER RETURN TO THE HOUSE ONCE YOU ARE OUTSIDE.

 A MEETING PLACE OUTSIDE THE HOUSE SHOULD BE AGREED UPON SO THAT ALL MEMBERS CAN BE ACCOUNTED FOR AFTER ESCAPING.  ASK A NEIGHBOR TO CALL THE FIRE DEPARTMENT.

ABC OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS