Fire Extinguisher Training

OSHA regulation mandate fire safety training for every business.

Raider Fire Protection can provide these mandated Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety Training Demostations at your business location, during a convenient time for you and your employees. First, we address the use of fire protection equipment through a video presentation, as well as an in-depth training forum on the types of fires, and the proper extinguisher to use for each specific situation. Immediately following, the "hands on" Fire Extinguisher Use and Safety Training Demonstations are performed by our professionally trained and licensed fire and safety personnel at an outdoor location at your business. We provide all necessary fire extinguisher equipment for each training session.

Each employee you select to participate in the training will be given an opportunity to learn the following:

• Recognition of the type of fire they have encountered, and determining the appropriate type of fire extinguisher to utilize.
• The proper "hands on" use of a fire extinguisher. This is accomplished during a controlled fire produced by our professional training staff.
• The three (3) elements of fire.
• The PASS technique - Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

Providing proper training in the use and operation of fire extinguishers can be instrumental to the safety of life and property in the event of a fire.

 

All you ever wanted to know about Fire Extinguishers
Everybody has seen fire extinguishers. Many people have them in their  car, at home or at work. Not everyone understands them or knows how to use them or work on them. Raider Fire Extinguisher would like for you to have a working knowledge of fire extinguishers. We would like to remind you to set up and have fire drills. It could save your life or those whom you love.

Fire Extinguishers:
Fire extinguishers are not designed to fight a large or spreading fire. Even against small fires, they are useful only under the right conditions.

An extinguisher must be large enough for the fire at hand. It must be available and in good working order, fully charged. The operator should be familiar with the extinguisher so it won't be become necessary to read directions during an emergency.

There are basically four different types or classes of fire extinguishers each of which extinguishes specific types of fire. Newer fire extinguishers use a picture / labeling system to designate which types of fires they are to be used on. Older fire extinguishers are labeled with colored geometrical shapes with letter designations. Both of these types of labels are shown below with the description of different classes of extinguishers.

Additionally, Class A and Class B fire extinguishers have a numerical rating which is based on tests conducted by Underwriter's Laboratories that are designed to determine the extinguishing potential for each size and type of extinguisher.

Buy Extinguishers Carefully:
A fire extinguisher should be "listed" and "labeled" by an independent testing laboratory such as FM (Factory Mutual) or UL (Underwriters Laboratory).

The higher the rating number on an A or b fire extinguisher, the more fire it can put out, but high rated units are often the heavier models. Make sure you can hold and operate the extinguisher you are buying.

Remember that extinguisher need care and must be recharged after every use. Ask us about the extinguisher and how it should be serviced and inspected. A partially used unit might as well be empty.

You may need more than one extinguisher in your home. For example, you may want and extinguisher in the kitchen as well as one in the garage or work shop. Each extinguisher should be installed in plain view near an escape route and away from potential fire hazards such as beating appliances.

When to Fight a Fire:

• You should fight a fire with a fire extinguisher only when all of the following are true:
  
• Everyone has left or is leaving the building.
  
• The fire department has been called.
  
• The fire is small and confined to the immediate areas where it started such as in a waste basket, cushion, small appliances, stove, etc.
  
• You can fight the fire with your back to a safe escape route.
  
• Your extinguisher is rated for the type of fire you are fighting and is in

Types of Fires and Fire Extinguishers

 

Fire Extinguisher Regulations

The following are some important fire extinguisher regulations:

NFPA 10: Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers
Scope. The provisions of this standard apply to the selection, installation, inspection, maintenance, and testing of
portable extinguishing equipment. 1.1.1 Portable fire extinguishers are intended as a first line of defense to cope
with fires of limited size. 1.1.2 The selection and installation of extinguishers is independent of whether the building
is equipped with automatic sprinklers, standpipe and hose, or other fixed protection equipment. (See 5.5.5, 6.1.1.1,
6.2.1.1, and 6.2.1.5.) 1.1.3 The requirements given herein are minimum. 1.1.4 The requirements do not apply to
permanently installed systems for fire extinguishment, even where portions of such systems are portable (such as
hose and nozzles attached to a fixed supply of extinguishing agent).

OSHA REGS on PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

1910.157 Portable fire extinguishers.

1. Scope and application. The scope and application of this section is written to apply to three basic types of
workplaces. First, there are those workplaces where the employer has chosen to evacuate all employees from the
workplace at the time of a fire emergency. Second, there are those workplaces where the employer has chosen to
permit certain employees to fight fires and to evacuate all other non-essential employees at the time of a fire
emergency. Third, there are those workplaces where the employer has chosen to permit all employees in the
workplace to use portable fire extinguishers to fight fires.

The section also addresses two kinds of work areas. The entire workplace can be divided into outside (exterior)
work areas and inside (interior) work areas. This division of the workplace into two areas is done in recognition of
the different types of hazards employees may be exposed to during fire fighting operations. Fires in interior
workplaces, pose a greater hazard to employees; they can produce greater exposure to quantities of smoke, toxic
gases, and heat because of the capability of a building or structure to contain or entrap these products of combustion
until the building can be ventilated. Exterior work areas, normally open to the environment, are somewhat less
hazardous, because the products of combustion are generally carried away by the thermal column of the fire.
Employees also have a greater selection of evacuation routes if it is necessary to abandon fire fighting efforts.

In recognition of the degree of hazard present in the two types of work areas, the standards for exterior work areas
are somewhat less restrictive in regards to extinguisher distribution. Paragraph (a) explains this by specifying which
paragraphs in the section apply.

2. Portable fire extinguisher exemptions. In recognition of the three options given to employers in regard to the
amount of employee evacuation to be carried out, the standards permit certain exemptions based on the number of
employees expected to use fire extinguishers.

Where the employer has chosen to totally evacuate the workplace at the time of a fire emergency and when fire
extinguishers are not provided, the requirements of this section do not apply to that workplace.

Where the employer has chosen to partially evacuate the workplace or the effected area at the time of a fire
emergency and has permitted certain designated employees to remain behind to operate critical plant operations or
to fight fires with extinguishers, then the employer is exempt from the distribution requirements of this section.
Employees who will be remaining behind to perform incipient fire fighting or members of a fire brigade must be
trained in their duties. The training must result in the employees becoming familiar with the locations of fire
extinguishers. Therefore, the employer must locate the extinguishers in convenient locations where the employees
know they can be found. For example, they could be mounted in the fire truck or cart that the fire brigade uses when
it responds to a fire emergency. They can also be distributed as set forth in the National Fire Protection Association's
Standard No. 10, "Portable Fire Extinguishers."

Where the employer has decided to permit all employees in the workforce to use fire extinguishers, then the entire
OSHA section applies.

3. Portable fire extinguisher mounting. Previous standards for mounting fire extinguishers have been criticized for
requiring specific mounting locations. In recognition of this criticism, the standard has been rewritten to permit as
much flexibility in extinguisher mounting as is acceptable to assure that fire extinguishers are available when needed
and that employees are not subjected to injury hazards when they try to obtain an extinguisher.

It is the intent of OSHA to permit the mounting of extinguishers in any location that is accessible to employees
without the use of portable devices such as a ladder. This limitation is necessary because portable devices can be
moved or taken from the place where they are needed and, therefore, might not be available at the time of an
emergency.

Employers are given as much flexibility as possible to assure that employees can obtain extinguishers as fast as
possible. For example, an acceptable method of mounting extinguishers in areas where fork lift trucks or tow-motors
are used is to mount the units on retractable boards which, by means of counterweighting, can be raised above the
level where they could be struck by vehicular traffic. When needed, they can be lowered quickly for use. This method
of mounting can also reduce vandalism and unauthorized use of extinguishers. The extinguishers may also be
mounted as outlined in the National Fire Protection Association's Standard No. 10, "Portable Fire Extinguishers."

4. Selection and distribution. The employer is responsible for the proper selection and distribution of fire
extinguishers and the determination of the necessary degree of protection. The selection and distribution of fire
extinguishers must reflect the type and class of fire hazards associated with a particular workplace.

Extinguishers for protecting Class A hazards may be selected from the following types: water, foam, loaded stream,
or multipurpose dry chemical. Extinguishers for protecting Class B hazards may be selected from the following types:
Halon 1301, Halon 1211, carbon dioxide, dry chemicals, foam, or loaded stream. Extinguishers for Class C hazards
may be selected from the following types: Halon 1301, Halon 1211, carbon dioxide, or dry chemical.

Combustible metal (Class D hazards) fires pose a different type of fire problem in the workplace. Extinguishers using
water, gas, or certain dry chemicals cannot extinguish or control this type of fire. Therefore, certain metals have
specific dry powder extinguishing agents which can extinguish or control this type of fire. Those agents which have
been specifically approved for use on certain metal fires provide the best protection; however, there are also some
"universal" type agents which can be used effectively on a variety of combustible metal fires if necessary. The
"universal" type agents include: Foundry flux, Lith-X powder, TMB liquid, pyromet powder, TEC powder, dry talc, dry
graphite powder, dry sand, dry sodium chloride, dry soda ash, lithium chloride, zirconium silicate, and dry dolomite.

Water is not generally accepted as an effective extinguishing agent for metal fires. When applied to hot burning
metal, water will break down into its basic atoms of oxygen and hydrogen. This chemical breakdown contributes to
the combustion of the metal. However, water is also a good universal coolant and can be used on some combustible
metals, but only under proper conditions and application, to reduce the temperature of the burning metal below the
ignition point. For example, automatic deluge systems in magnesium plants can discharge such large quantities of
water on burning magnesium that the fire will be extinguished. The National Fire Protection Association has specific
standards for this type of automatic sprinkler system. Further information on the control of metal fires with water
can be found in the National Fire Protection Association's Fire Protection Handbook.

An excellent source of selection and distribution criteria is found in the National Fire Protection Association's
Standard No. 10. Other sources of information include the National Safety Council and the employer's fire insurance
carrier.

5. Substitution of standpipe systems for portable fire extinguishers. The employer is permitted to substitute
acceptable standpipe systems for portable fire extinguishers under certain circumstances. It is necessary to assure
that any substitution will provide the same coverage that portable units provide. This means that fire hoses, because
of their limited portability, must be spaced throughout the protected area so that they can reach around obstructions
such as columns, machinery, etc. and so that they can reach into closets and other enclosed areas.

6. Inspection, maintenance and testing. The ultimate responsibility for the inspection, maintenance and testing of
portable fire extinguishers lies with the employer. The actual inspection, maintenance, and testing may, however, be
conducted by outside contractors with whom the employer has arranged to do the work. When contracting for such
work, the employer should assure that the contractor is capable of performing the work that is needed to comply
with this standard.

If the employer should elect to perform the inspection, maintenance, and testing requirements of this section
in-house, then the employer must make sure that those persons doing the work have been trained to do the work and
to recognize problem areas which could cause an extinguisher to be inoperable. The National Fire Protection
Association provides excellent guidelines in its standard for portable fire extinguishers. The employer may also check
with the manufacturer of the unit that has been purchased and obtain guidelines on inspection, maintenance, and
testing. Hydrostatic testing is a process that should be left to contractors or individuals using suitable facilities and
having the training necessary to perform the work.

Anytime the employer has removed an extinguisher from service to be checked or repaired, alternate equivalent
protection must be provided. Alternate equivalent protection could include replacing the extinguisher with one or
more units having equivalent or equal ratings, posting a fire watch, restricting the unprotected area from employee
exposure, or providing a hose system ready to operate.

7. Hydrostatic testing. As stated before, the employer may contract for hydrostatic testing. However, if the employer
wishes to provide the testing service, certain equipment and facilities must be available. Employees should be made
aware of the hazards associated with hydrostatic testing and the importance of using proper guards and water
pressures. Severe injury can result if extinguisher shells fail violently under hydrostatic pressure.

Employers are encouraged to use contractors who can perform adequate and reliable service. Firms which have been
certified by the Materials Transportation Board (MTB) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) or State
licensed extinguisher servicing firms or recognized by the National Association of Fire Equipment Distributors in
Chicago, Illinois, are generally acceptable for performing this service.

8. Training and education. This part of the standard is of the utmost importance to employers and employees if the
risk of injury or death due to extinguisher use is to be reduced. If an employer is going to permit an employee to fight
a workplace fire of any size, the employer must make sure that the employee knows everything necessary to assure
the employee's safety.

Training and education can be obtained through many channels. Often, local fire departments in larger cities have
fire prevention bureaus or similar organizations which can provide basic fire prevention training programs. Fire
insurance companies will have data and information available. The National Fire Protection Association and the
National Safety Council will provide, at a small cost, publications that can be used in a fire prevention program.

Actual fire fighting training can be obtained from various sources in the country. The Texas A & M University, the
University of Maryland's Fire and Rescue Institute, West Virginia University's Fire Service Extension, Iowa State
University's Fire Service Extension and other State training schools and land grant colleges have fire fighting
programs directed to industrial applications. Some manufacturers of extinguishers, such as the Ansul Company and
Safety First, conduct fire schools for customers in the proper use of extinguishers. Several large corporations have
taken time to develop their own on-site training programs which expose employees to the actual "feeling" of fire
fighting. Simulated fires for training of employees in the proper use of extinguishers are also an acceptable part of a
training program.

In meeting the requirements of this section, the employer may also provide educational materials, without classroom
instruction, through the use of employee notice campaigns using instruction sheets or flyers or similar types of
informal programs. The employer must make sure that employees are trained and educated to recognize not only
what type of fire is being fought and how to fight it, but also when it is time to get away from it and leave fire
suppression to more experienced fire fighters.