Fire Department - Fire Extinguishers

Many lives have been lost simply because people were not prepared to deal with accidental fires. In fact, it is estimated that less that 5% of the nation's homes have fire extinguishers.

Fire extinguishers are considered first-aid equipment for controlling and putting out small fires before they become too large. However, they are no substitute for the fire department in the event of a large or major blaze.

Having the proper fire extinguisher, as well as knowing how to use it and when not to use it, is important in safeguarding your household. Selecting the proper extinguisher for your home is as simple as A-B-C. Make sure that all adult family members know how to use fire extinguishers. A unit with a gauge will enable you to check for enough pressure to do the job effectively. Most home units are disposable. Therefore, never expel the home extinguisher to see if it works. Hold practice fire drills so everyone knows how to escape a fire.

Fire Extinguisher ratings:

New System	Old System
		Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood, paper and cloth.
		Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc.
		Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires. The presence of the letter "C" indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive. You may want to keep a class B:C extinguisher in the kitchen, workshop and laundry areas.
		Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. There is no picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.

Place extinguishers in areas of potential fire hazards, but never on or near furnaces, stoves, or equipment which couldn't be approached in case it caught fire. Place one extinguisher on each floor of your home and one inside each vehicle.

Multi-Class Ratings:

	Many extinguishers available today can be used on different types of fires and will be labeled with more than one designator, e.g. A-B, B-C, or A-B-C. Make sure that if you have a multi-purpose extinguisher it is properly labeled.
	This is the old style of labeling indicating suitability for use on Class A, B, and C fires.
	This is the new style of labeling that shows this extinguisher may be used on Ordinary Combustibles, Flammable Liquids, or Electrical Equipment fires. This is the new labeling style with a diagonal red line drawn through the picture to indicate what type of fire this extinguisher is NOT suitable for. In this example, the fire extinguisher could be used on Ordinary Combustibles and Flammable Liquids fires, but not for Electrical Equipment fires.

How to use a fire extinguisher:

Even though extinguishers come in a number of shapes and sizes, they all operate in a similar manner.

Here's an easy acronym for fire extinguisher use: P.A.S.S. (Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep)

• Pull - the pin at the top of the cylinder. Some units require the releasing of a lock latch or pressing a puncture lever.
• Aim - the nozzle at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze - or press the handle.
• Sweep - Standing 6 - 8 feet away, sweep the contents from side to side at the base of the fire until it goes out.

Shut off the extinguisher and then watch carefully for a rekindling of the fire.

When to fight a fire:

You should fight a fire with a fire extinguisher only when all the following are true:

1. All other members of the family are evacuated;
2. The fire department has been called;
3. The fire is small and confined to the immediate areas where it started such as in a wastebasket, cushion, small appliance, stove, etc;
4. You can fight the fire with your back to a safe escape route;
5. Your extinguisher is rated for the type of fire you are fighting and is in good working order; and
6. You had training in the use of the extinguisher and are confident that you can operate it effectively.

The Ravenna Fire Department offers Fire Extinguisher training to all businesses, organizations, and residents in Ravenna City. Call the Fire Department to request training at (330) 297-5738.