Portable Fire Extinguishers Selection and Placement University Safety Council April 19, 2006

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Portable Fire ExtinguishersSelection and
Placement University Safety CouncilApril 19,
2006

• Steven G. Triebold
• Fire Prevention and Protection
• Program Manager
• Environmental Health and Safety
• Penn State University
• 865-6391
• sgt4_at_psu.edu

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Program Outline

• Purpose of Portable Fire Extinguishers
• Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers
• Selection Criteria for Extinguishers
• Distribution Criteria for Extinguishers

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When a building is constructed or renovated the
selection, placement and installation of fire
extinguishers is part of the construction project
based on the layout of the building. As the
building is occupied and additional uses are
added it may be necessary to add additional fire
extinguishers to protect against fire.
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Purpose of Fire Extinguishers

• Used properly, a portable fire extinguisher can
  save lives and property by extinguishing a small
  fire or containing it until the fire department
  arrives. Portable fire extinguishers are not
  designed to fight large or spreading fires.

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Definitions

• Class A Fires involving ordinary combustibles
  (wood, paper, rubber, plastics)
• Class B Fires involving flammable liquids,
  oils, greases, tars, oil based paints, flammable
  gases.
• Class C Fires involving energized electrical
  equipment
• Class D Fires involving combustible metals
• (magnesium, titanium, sodium etc.)
• Class K Fires involving combustible cooking
  media (fats, oils)

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Class A Fire Extinguisher

• 75 foot maximum travel distance
• Pressurized water extinguisher (2 ½ gallons)
• Extinguishes by reducing temp of burning fuel.
• Easy cleanup

             
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Class B Fire Extinguisher

• 50 foot maximum travel distance
• Dry Chemical extinguishing agent (Common Type)
• Extinguishes by interfering with the chemical
  chain reaction of fire.
• Residue clean up

               
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Class C Fire Extinguisher

• Located in proximity to electrical equipment.
• Extinguishing agent non-conductive.
• De-energize electrical equipment.
• Removes Oxygen, interferes with chemical chain
  reaction of fire.
• Some agents leave no residue for cleanup.

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Class D Extinguisher

• 75 foot maximum travel distance
• Installed in areas where combustible metal
  powders, flakes, shavings, chips are generated.
• Dry Powder extinguishing agent
• Encapsulates burning metal.
• Extinguishes by removing oxygen.

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Class K Extinguisher

• 30 Foot maximum travel distance.
• Used in conjunction with Hood Suppression System
• Extinguishes by creating foam blanket on burning
  material and excluding oxygen.

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Light (Low) Hazard

• Locations where the total amount of Class A
  combustible materials including finishes,
  decorations and contents is of minor quantity.
  (ex. office, classrooms, churches, guestrooms in
  hotels)
• Class A Extinguisher

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Ordinary (Light) Hazard

• Locations where the total amount of Class A
  combustibles and Class B flammables are present
  in greater amounts than expected under light
  (low) hazards. (ex. Dining areas, mercantile
  shops, research operations)
• Multi Class Extinguisher ABC.

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Extra Hazard

• Locations where total amounts of Class A
  Combustibles and Class B Flammables is over and
  above those expected in Ordinary Light hazard
  occupancies. (ex. Commercial kitchen fryers, wood
  shops)

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Extra Hazard Extinguishers

• Kitchen
• Type K extinguisher
• Maximum 30 feet travel distance.
• Other Areas
• Type ABC
• Maximum 50 feet travel distance.

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Selection Principles

• Nature of the combustibles or flammables that
  might be ignited.
• Potential severity (size, intensity, speed of
  travel) of any resulting fire.
• Effectiveness of the fire extinguisher on the
  hazard.
• Ease of use of the extinguisher

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A fire creates conditions of stress and intense
excitement. Under these conditions, the choice of
a correct fire extinguisher needs to be made
quickly. The following procedures can be used to
ensure selection of the correct fire extinguisher.

• Locating the fire extinguisher near fire hazards
  for which they are suitable.
• Using fire extinguishers suitable for more than
  one class of fire.
• Marking clearly the intended use of the fire
  extinguisher.
• Training employees in the proper use of provided
  fire extinguishers.

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Placement of ExtinguishersSelected locations
should.

• Provide uniform distribution.
• Provide easy accessibility.
• Free from blocking by equipment and storage.
• Be near normal paths of travel.

• Be near entrance and exit doors.
• Be free from the potential of physical damage.
• Be readily visible.
• Mounted on wall or in cabinet 4 to 48 off
  floor.
• Be installed on a floor by floor basis.

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Non-Accessible Locations
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Accessible Locations
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Max 150ft
FE
FFE
Exit
Exit
Exit
Max 30 ft
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FE
FE
FE
FE
FE
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Successful use of a Fire Extinguisher
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Successful use of a Fire Extinguisher
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Questions??