Fire Extinguisher Safety Tips. Back away from the fire i

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Standard 29 CFR Part 1910.157
Portable Fire Extinguishers
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Fire Extinguishers Agenda

• During this presentation, you will learn the
  following about fire extinguishers
• When a fire extinguisher should and should not be
  used
• How to choose the proper fire extinguisher
• How to operate a fire extinguisher and
• The necessary steps to ensure your safety.

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Fire extinguisher use

• Fire extinguishers are designed to fight small
  fires in their early stages when a fire presents
  a relatively small hazard to the operator.
• When confronted with a need to use a fire
  extinguisher, remember There is no property
  worth a human life in our facility. No one should
  ever feel that they are required to use a fire
  extinguisher, it is a judgment call.

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When to use fire extinguishers

• An incipient stage fire is
• Small
• Slow to grow
• Minimal smoke
• Minimal heat
• Fire Extinguishers are Designed
• for Incipient Stage Fires Only
• If a fire is too large, if there is too much
  smoke, or if you are too frightened, DO NOT USE
  THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER. EVACUATE!

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Types of Fires

• Fires are classified by the burning fuel
• Class A (A Ash)
• Ordinary combustibles (paper, wood)
• Class B (B Boil)
• Flammable and combustible liquids and gasses
  (gasoline, oil, propane)
• Class C (C Current)
• Energized electrical (motors, wires)
• Class D
• Combustible Metal (aluminum, sodium)
• Class K
• Cooking fats and oils

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Selecting a fire extinguisher to use

• After determining what fuel is burning, we can
  choose from the following types of extinguishers
  in our facility
• Dry Chemical
• Carbon dioxide
• Water/foam
• Halon/halon replacements
• Class K
• Note Class D fires require special
  extinguishers and special training

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Fight a small fire with PASS
PPull (pull the safety pin) AAim (Aim at
the base of the fire) SSqueeze (squeeze the
operating handle) SSweep (sweep side to side)

• To operate a fire extinguisher, we use this
  word
• PASS
• Each letter represents one of the operations

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A closer look at PASS

• Pull
• -The safety pin is usually held in place by a
  plastic seal, it will pull off
• -Do not push down on the operating lever while
  pulling the pin, it wont come out
• Aim
• -Aim at the base of the fire, the lowest flame
  closest to you
• -The base of the fire will recede from you as
  you use the extinguisher, so you must adjust your
  aim
• Squeeze
• -The operating lever is above the carrying
  handle. The operating lever opens the valve when
  you squeeze it down. When you let go, the valve
  closes and the discharge stops
• Sweep
• -Sweep the nozzle by moving your arm at the
  elbow
• -Direct the discharge to cover the entire width
  of the base of the fire

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Steps to take when using a fire extinguisher

• Alert others who are at risk from the fire
• Activate the fire alarm and call the fire
  department
• Position yourself between the fire and an exit
• Stay low
• Start from 8-10 feet back from the fire
• Use the PASS system
• You need to work fast, discharge time is short
  generally 10-30 seconds

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Fire Extinguisher Safety Tips

• Back away from the fire in case of re-ignition
• Avoid breathing smoke and products of combustion
• Always report fire extinguisher use to your
  supervisor
• Above all else Never attempt to fight a fire
  if your instincts tell you it is unsafe

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Conclusion

• Safety is always more valuable than property. Do
  not use a fire extinguisher if A fire is too
  large, if there is too much smoke or if you are
  too frightened, DO NOT USE THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER.
  YOU MUST EVACUATE!
• Always alert others at risk and activate the fire
  alarm or call the fire department before using an
  extinguisher
• Your safety is more important than putting the
  fire out
• Always report use of a fire extinguisher do not
  return used extinguishers to operation

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For more information

• For more information regarding Portable Fire
  Extinguishers, or other safety issues, please
  contact
• Gregory Appel Insurance
• Mike Salazar, Vice President
• Direct 317-686-6407
• Email msalazar_at_gregoryappel.com