Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers

1. Use of Portable Fire Extinguishers

2. Fire Extinguisher Use Cal/OSHA Training Requirement Initially Annually Thereafter General Principles of Fire Extinguisher Use Incipient Stage Fire Fighting Hazards This month�s safety meeting topic is the use of portable fire extinguishers. Question: Why are we discussing fire extinguishers? Wasn�t this discussed last summer at our safety meeting? Answer: Yes. This month will be one year. Cal/OSHA safety regulations require all employees who are expected to use a fire extinguisher to receiving training initially, and annually thereafter. Today we will revisit the general principles in fire extinguisher use and review guideline on when and how you should use a fire extinguisher during the initial stage of a fire.This month�s safety meeting topic is the use of portable fire extinguishers. Question: Why are we discussing fire extinguishers? Wasn�t this discussed last summer at our safety meeting? Answer: Yes. This month will be one year. Cal/OSHA safety regulations require all employees who are expected to use a fire extinguisher to receiving training initially, and annually thereafter. Today we will revisit the general principles in fire extinguisher use and review guideline on when and how you should use a fire extinguisher during the initial stage of a fire.

3. Major Types of Fires Type A � Combustible Materials Paper, Wood, Rubbish Type B � Flammable/Combustible Liquids Chemicals, Oil, Paint, Grease Type C � Energized Electrical Equipment Appliances, Computers, Electrical Wiring, Plugs How are fires classified? For UCOP purposes, there are 3 major classification of fires: Type A, B, and C. Type A Fires are combustible materials, such as wood, paper, and rubbish. Type B Fires are flammable/combustible liquids, such as chemicals, oil, paint, and grease Type C Fires are energized electrical equipment such as appliances, computers, electrical wiring, and electrical wall plugs How are fires classified? For UCOP purposes, there are 3 major classification of fires: Type A, B, and C. Type A Fires are combustible materials, such as wood, paper, and rubbish. Type B Fires are flammable/combustible liquids, such as chemicals, oil, paint, and grease Type C Fires are energized electrical equipment such as appliances, computers, electrical wiring, and electrical wall plugs

4. Types of Fire Extinguishers Multi-Purpose - Dry Chemical (Red Color) Type ABC Fire (Ammonium Phosphate) or Type BC Fire (Potassium Bicarbonate) Pressurized Water (Silver Color) Type A Fire Only Carbon Dioxide (Red Color) Type BC Fire Only What are the types of fire extinguishers we may find in UCOP facilities? Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Extinguisher: The most common type is the multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher, which is a red colored. This type of extinguisher puts out a fire by coating the burning material with a dry chemical. The multi-purpose extinguisher can be rated to extinguisher either an ABC type of fire or just a BC type of fire. The ABC type extinguisher contains ammonium phosphate. The BC type extinguisher contains potassium bicarbonate. Pressurized Water Extinguisher: A pressurized water extinguisher is silver colored. This type of extinguisher is only used to extinguisher Type A fires, such as wood, paper, and ordinary trash. Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher: A carbon dioxide extinguisher is also red colored. This type of extinguisher does not have a gauge on the top. A carbon dioxide extinguisher is to be used on Type B and Type C fires only. You cannot use a carbon dioxide fire on a Type A fire because once the carbon dioxide dissipates, a Type A fire may flare up again. What are the types of fire extinguishers we may find in UCOP facilities? Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical Extinguisher: The most common type is the multi-purpose dry chemical extinguisher, which is a red colored. This type of extinguisher puts out a fire by coating the burning material with a dry chemical. The multi-purpose extinguisher can be rated to extinguisher either an ABC type of fire or just a BC type of fire. The ABC type extinguisher contains ammonium phosphate. The BC type extinguisher contains potassium bicarbonate. Pressurized Water Extinguisher: A pressurized water extinguisher is silver colored. This type of extinguisher is only used to extinguisher Type A fires, such as wood, paper, and ordinary trash. Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher: A carbon dioxide extinguisher is also red colored. This type of extinguisher does not have a gauge on the top. A carbon dioxide extinguisher is to be used on Type B and Type C fires only. You cannot use a carbon dioxide fire on a Type A fire because once the carbon dioxide dissipates, a Type A fire may flare up again.

5. Fire Extinguisher Rated Capacity Number in Front of the �A� Equals to the Equivalent Number of Units for 1.25 Gallons of Water 2A Equals 2.5 Gallons of Water: (2 X 1.25) = 2.5 Number in Front of the �BC� Area in Square Feet That a Non-Expert is Able to Extinguish a Class B or Class C Fire 10BC Equals 10 Square Feet How can you determine the rated capacity for a portable fire extinguisher? The majority of the portable fire extinguishers in UCOP office and kitchen areas are rated 2A:10 BC Number in Front of the Letter A: The number in front of the letter A equals the equivalent number of units for 1.25 gallons of water. So the 2A means the extinguisher has the capacity of extinguish a fire equal to 2.5 gallons of water. 2 times 1.25 equals 2.5. Number in Front of the Letters BC: The number in front of the letter BC is equal to the area in square feet that a non-expert is able to extinguish a Class B or Class C Fire. So 10 BC equals 10 square feet How can you determine the rated capacity for a portable fire extinguisher? The majority of the portable fire extinguishers in UCOP office and kitchen areas are rated 2A:10 BC Number in Front of the Letter A: The number in front of the letter A equals the equivalent number of units for 1.25 gallons of water. So the 2A means the extinguisher has the capacity of extinguish a fire equal to 2.5 gallons of water. 2 times 1.25 equals 2.5. Number in Front of the Letters BC: The number in front of the letter BC is equal to the area in square feet that a non-expert is able to extinguish a Class B or Class C Fire. So 10 BC equals 10 square feet

6. Typical Fire Extinguisher Locations 1111 Franklin Street Kitchen Areas Outside Restrooms Near Elevator Lobby Near Emergency Exits Kaiser Building Main Hallway & Near Exits 415 � 20th Street Outside the Copy Room at Each End of the Floors Here are portable fire extinguisher locations in the major UCOP buildings. [NOTE: Department Safety Officers should point out where the specific fire extinguisher locations are for your Unit/Department�s work area ] 1111 Franklin Street: On a typical floor, the portable fire extinguishers are located in or near the kitchen area, near the restrooms, near the emergency exit doorways, and near the elevator lobby. Kaiser Building: The portable fire extinguishers are located in the main hallway and near the exits for the floor. 415-20th Street: Portable fire extinguishers are located outside the copy room(s) on each of the floors.Here are portable fire extinguisher locations in the major UCOP buildings. [NOTE: Department Safety Officers should point out where the specific fire extinguisher locations are for your Unit/Department�s work area ] 1111 Franklin Street: On a typical floor, the portable fire extinguishers are located in or near the kitchen area, near the restrooms, near the emergency exit doorways, and near the elevator lobby. Kaiser Building: The portable fire extinguishers are located in the main hallway and near the exits for the floor. 415-20th Street: Portable fire extinguishers are located outside the copy room(s) on each of the floors.

7. Prior to Using an Extinguisher Prior to Approaching an Extinguisher Set off the Fire Alarm or Have Co-Worker Set off the Fire Alarm Evaluate the Situation � Is It Safe To Use A Fire Extinguisher for This Situation? Prior to approaching a fire extinguisher to use: Either set off the fire alarm or have a co-work set off the fire alarm. Next you should ask yourself the question, Is it safety to use this fire extinguisher for this particular situation?Prior to approaching a fire extinguisher to use: Either set off the fire alarm or have a co-work set off the fire alarm. Next you should ask yourself the question, Is it safety to use this fire extinguisher for this particular situation?

8. When to Use a Fire Extinguisher Small & Contained ? Wastebasket, Small Appliance, etc. Can You Fight the Fire with a Safe Escape Route Behind You? Is the Extinguisher Rated for Type of Fire You are Going to Be Fighting? Are You Trained in the Use & Confident You Can Operate the Extinguisher Effectively? Slightest Doubt - DON'T! Get Out. Close the Door Behind You to Slow the Spread of the Fire When should you use a fire extinguisher? Small and Contained: You should use a fire extinguisher if it is a small contained fire, such as a wastebasket or a small appliance. If the fire has spread do not attempt to use an extinguisher! Safe Escape Route: If there is a safe escape route behind you, then it is OK to attempt to use an extinguisher to put out the fire. If the fire comes between you and the exit, do not attempt to put the fire out. Properly Rated Extinguisher: You should use the extinguisher only if it is the proper type of extinguisher for the type of fire you will be attempting to put out. If it is the wrong type or size extinguisher, do not attempt to put the fire out with the extinguisher. Trained and Confident in Use: Lastly, only use the extinguisher if you have been trained in the proper use and you personally feel confident that you can use the extinguisher effectively to put out the fire. If you have any doubt about your ability to use the extinguisher, do NOT attempt to use it. Just leave the area, and close the door behind you to help slow the spread of the fire. When should you use a fire extinguisher? Small and Contained: You should use a fire extinguisher if it is a small contained fire, such as a wastebasket or a small appliance. If the fire has spread do not attempt to use an extinguisher! Safe Escape Route: If there is a safe escape route behind you, then it is OK to attempt to use an extinguisher to put out the fire. If the fire comes between you and the exit, do not attempt to put the fire out. Properly Rated Extinguisher: You should use the extinguisher only if it is the proper type of extinguisher for the type of fire you will be attempting to put out. If it is the wrong type or size extinguisher, do not attempt to put the fire out with the extinguisher. Trained and Confident in Use: Lastly, only use the extinguisher if you have been trained in the proper use and you personally feel confident that you can use the extinguisher effectively to put out the fire. If you have any doubt about your ability to use the extinguisher, do NOT attempt to use it. Just leave the area, and close the door behind you to help slow the spread of the fire.

9. How to Use a Fire ExtinguisherRemember �PASS� Stand 6 to 8 Feet Away P - Pull the Pin A � Aim at Base of Flame S � Squeeze the Handle S � Sweep from Side to Side Step Backwards When Done� Never Turn Your Back Towards an Extinguished Fire! Here�s how to use a portable fire extinguisher. Remember the term �PASS�. You should stand 6 to 8 feet away from the fire and: PULL the pin Aim at the base of the flame Squeeze the handle Sweep from side to side When the fire has been extinguished, step backwards towards the exit. You should never turn your back towards an extinguished fire. The fire may suddenly flare up behind you!Here�s how to use a portable fire extinguisher. Remember the term �PASS�. You should stand 6 to 8 feet away from the fire and: PULL the pin Aim at the base of the flame Squeeze the handle Sweep from side to side When the fire has been extinguished, step backwards towards the exit. You should never turn your back towards an extinguished fire. The fire may suddenly flare up behind you!