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SAFETY CORNER

(The following article provided by the Bituminous Insurance Company.   Fire extinguisher are not much help if you do not understand how to use them)

Fire Extinguisher Use

Improper use of a fire extinguisher (herein after referred to as "extinguisher") can lead to injury, property damage, and an increase in a fire's size. The following actions should be taken when attempting to control a fire with an extinguisher.

Preliminary Procedures

• Call the fire department. Identify the type of fire (Class A, B, C, D, and K) and size.

• Locate and identify the extinguisher for that class and size of fire.

• Check to see if the extinguisher is charged. If inside, keep an escape path (i.e., exit) to your back; never let the fire get between you and your exit.

• If outside, keep the wind to your back.

• Pull the pin with a twisting motion (for canister-type extinguishers, pull the hose straight up and hit the plunger with heal of your hand to puncture the charging cartridge).

• Aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire.

Application

• Squeeze the trigger to discharge the extinguishing agent.

• Sweep the extinguisher from one side to the other side of the fire, always keeping your back to the exit, until the fire has been extinguished.

• Try not to agitate the fuel's surface, as this can cause a flare up.

• Once the fire has been extinguished, back away from the fire to a safe area with the extinguisher ready to reapply if necessary.

• Place the extinguisher on its side after use.

Safety Tips

• When using a CO2 extinguisher, never touch the hose or the horn; only touch the handle of the extinguisher. Severe frostbite can occur if the discharge hose or horn is touched.

• Never turn your back on a fire; back away slowly.

• Do not get closer than necessary to control the fire - check your stream reach before moving in on the fire; some extinguishers have a long reach.

• Crouch down so the steam hits the fire on as level a plane as possible; directing the stream down into the fire will only make it larger.

• DO NOT cancel the fire department response. Even if you think the fire is out, have the fire department check for hidden hot spots.

• Remember Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep

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