Fire extinguishers are used during a fire emergency situation. Most people do not know the proper technique or how a fire extinguisher works. The first time someone uses a fire extinguisher should not be during an emergency situation. This puts the person in harm and at risk for burns. A good rule of thumb, whenever there is a fire, call the fire department. Therefore, do not try and take care of a large fires alone. In the same way, fire extinguishers are used on small fires. Once the fire grows beyond a small fire, leave the house immediately. Fire extinguishers are placed in an easy accessible place of the home. So, they can be kept in a closet or storage room to be readily available if a fire were to break out.It is recommended to have one on every floor of you house. A fire extinguisher does have an expiration date. Be sure to know the date and change out your fire extinguisher once the date comes.
What Type Of Fire Extinguishers Are There?
When it comes to fire there are 3 different items that determine what type of fire extinguisher to use. The three items needed are oxygen, heat, and fuel, referred to as the fire triangle. The fuel is the main factor that helps ignite the fire. There are 5 different categories of fire extinguishers that differ in the materials they put out. Fire extinguishers are available for multi-purpose use, for example, there are “A,B,C” extinguishers that are common in homes and businesses. The more advanced fire extinguishers are found in factories and commercial kitchens.
The different categories include:
Category "A"
"A" is for ordinary materials like cloth, wood, and paper. The extinguishers are made out of a water base or a dry chemical to help coat the fuel load.
Category "B"
"B" is used for combustible and flammable liquids. The different liquids include grease, gasoline, and oil.
Category "C"
“C” controls electrical fires. The different electrical equipment are appliances, tools, or outlet usage. This fire extinguisher works by stopping the flow of electricity.
Category "D"
"D" is used on all flammable materials. These fire extinguishers are commonly found in factories that have magnesium, sodium, aluminum, and titanium.
Category "K"
"K" is used during vegetable oil fires or oils and fats used in the kitchen. This fire extinguisher is mainly found in restaurants or commercial kitchens. They use an alkaline agent that traps the vapors causing the fire to go out.
P.A.S.S. The Fire Extinguisher
An acronym to simplify how to use a fire extinguisher is PASS. If you remember the simple steps below, you can help minimize damage.
P – Pull the pin. Hold the fire extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from your body and remove the pin that is locking the extinguisher.
A – Aim Low. Point the device at the base of the fire and not high at the flames.
S – Squeeze the lever.
S – Sweep the nozzle from side to side to put the fire out.
If your home is effected by fire damage or smoke damage, Thompson Building Associates is dedicated to getting your home back to normal. Thompson Building Associates provides temporary services to secure your home after a fire. The different services include roof tarp, fencing, board-up, and temporary utilities (if possible). To learn more about fire extinguishers and how to use them, visit The FEMA website here. Keep up to date on Thompson Building Associates through our social media accounts! Facebook Instagram Twitter