Safety Precautions To Follow When Using Fire Extinguishers
When fuel, oxygen, and an ignition source come together
, the result is fire. Fire benefits human beings in many ways, but there are also times when a fire can be devastating. There are four different classes of fire, depending on the type of fuel that was used to start the fire:
Class A fire is fueled by everyday household items, such as wood, clothing, and paper
Class B fire is fueled by flammable liquids and solids, such as lighter fluid, oil and gasoline, and gases, such as natural gas or propane
Class C fire is fueled by electrical components, including motors, fuse boxes, machinery and any electrical appliance that can be plugged in
Glass D fire is fueled by metals, such as potassium, sodium or aluminum (these types of fires typically only occur in laboratories or industrial workplaces)
If you use the wrong type of fire equipment on the wrong class of fire, you can actually make the fire worse. To put out a fire, it is necessary to use the specialized equipment designed for that class of fire. There are different types of fire extinguishers, for example, to combat different types of fires. When using fire extinguishers, as with any other type of equipment, safety precautions must be followed. Incorrect usage can not only jeopardize your efforts to extinguish the fire, it may even cause you injuries. Below are some basic safety precautions that should be followed when using fire extinguishers.
First and foremost, fire extinguishers should be located in a conspicuous place in a designated area for easy access in the event of a fire. To prevent injuries, everyone in the workplace or home should be trained on how to properly use the equipment. Below is a list of the different types of fire extinguishers that can be used to put out a fire:
Water (casing is red in color) is used to extinguish Class A fires. It is important to note that this type of extinguisher should not be used to put out fires caused by live electricity. However, a red fire extinguisher can be used to put out an electrical fire after the power supply has been cut off.
Powder (casing is blue in color) is mostly used to put out Class A fires, though it can also be utilized in Class B fires and Class C fires.
Foam (casing is cream in color) can be used in Class A or Class B fires.
Carbon dioxide (casing is black in color) is safe for use on electrical fires, and this is also suitable in case of Class B fires. This type of equipment should be handled with care because it can cause suffocation.
Vaporizing liquid (casing is green in color) is used to put out Class B and Class C fires.
Fire extinguishers should be accessible to all occupants of a structure, whether it be a home or a commercial building. The equipment should also undergo regular testing and maintenance to be sure that it works when you need it most. To learn more about the proper usage of fire safety equipment, contact a fire safety equipment and services provider in your area.
by:Robert M. Grable
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