F i r e !!!!!

If the fire is electrical in nature, remember to de-energize the circuit if possible.

 

<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; ch****t=utf-8"><meta name="ProgId" content="Word.Do***ent"><meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 9"><meta name="Originator" content="Microsoft Word 9"><link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:/DO***E%7E1/Ernest/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_filelist.xml"><link rel="Edit-Time-Data" href="file:///C:/DO***E%7E1/Ernest/LOCALS%7E1/Temp/msoclip1/01/clip_editdata.mso"><!--[if !mso]> <style> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} .shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </style> <![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDo***ent> <w:View>Normal</w:View> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <woNotOptimizeForBrowser/> </w:WordDo***ent> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} a:link, span.MsoHyperlink {color:blue; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {colorurple; text-decoration:underline; text-underline:single;} span.time {mso-style-name:time;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style> I posted this on another site> I thing this will help some of you with fire extinguishers. If anyone has any other questions about fire extinguisher I will be happy to answer.





Being a retired Fire Fighter/Fire Inspector and a State Fire instructor I will put in my 2 cents

Not all fire extinguishers are the same. Somewhere on the Fire extinguisher you will find a rating. It is usually somewhere near the UL lable. It is something like- 4A 10 B,C.

The A rating means that it will put out that many subic feet of fire. (4A would but out 4 cubic feet of cl*** A fire) B,C rating will put out that many square feet of fire. ( 10 B,C will put out 10 Square feet of fire) Now the rating only works if you know how to use a fire extinguisher.

A- ordinary combustables, Wood, Paper, clothing, Etc.
B- flammable Liquids and gases
C- Energize electrical
D- Combustible Metals

Rule of thumb A- Ash, B- Boils, C- Conducts

ABC- are a good all around fire extinguisher. A lot of cleanup and is
corrosive
PW or Pressureized Water- can not be used on liquids or electricial
CO2- Good all around Fire extinguisher, Be careful around electricial, Will
freeze your hand if you hold the cone and not the handle



Pull the pin first, stand a safe distance from the fire

When using a fire extinguisher you must aim at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth ( Not up and down)

make sure you have an escape route, keep yourself between the fire and the escape route.

Do not forget to call or have someone call 911

If the fire is too big get out and stay out.


Locate the fire extinguisher at each exit and near your work bench and welder. The extinguisher should be mounted between 5 feet and 8 inches from the floor. (* Never use the fire extinguisher as a coat rack) make sure it is in plain sight.

I have 8- 10lbs ABC in my garage. One at the exit door, both overhead doors, mounted on the welding cart, at the work bench and one in the center of both side walls and outside between the overhead doors

ABC Fire extinguisher check the gauge often. If the gauge is not in the green or its been used take it out of service. Every year turn the fire extinguisher upside down and hint it a couple time with a rubber mallet and shake it to make sure the powder is loose.

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Last edited by HOT40ROD; 12-23-2008 at 12:21 AM.
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I have a single car garage and I emptyed a 30lbs c/o2 on a fire my engine and a wall.

 

What happened to Halon?

 

Good info guys. I have a follow up question about the extinguishers. Since I can't spend a ton of time in my shop during the week I don't heat it most of the time in the winter. What effect will freezing have on the CO2 and chemical extinguishers? Would I be better off storing them in the house when I don't heat?

 

I think halon is freon. If so it is out lawed

 

One other tidbit of very important info, if you are ever somehow catch magnesium on fire, NEVER EVER spray water on it!!!! you have to deplete the O2 or stop the chemical reation
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1kVh4NQ7geg&feature=related

 

I know this might be obvious to most of you but never put a fireextinguisher right where you think you will need itput it handy to that spot but not right there. I'll use what I have seen several times in house fire situations don't put the extinguisher right beside or above the stove !I have seen kitchen fires that couldn't be put out with the fire extinguisher because it was not accessible when the fire started !Don't mount an extinguisher on or real close to your work bench but have it a few steps away in your direction of retreat so you can grab it quick but it won't be blocked by a fire and it's on your way to safety.I also saw a large motor home burned to the frame with 2 large fire extinguishers mounted on each side of the back bedroom door because when they had a grease fire on the stove fire itblocked access to the hall and the extinguishers.

 

P-Pull (the pin)
A-Aim
S-Squeeze
S-Sweep
Is the proper method and you walk toward the fire to keep the spray at the base. You can never over do safty. I've been to first responder training many times and have tought my children how to use fire ext's.

 

Personal experience here, don't rely on co2, it is effective but when it runs out the fire is back at full force, INSTANTLY!! Half our town burnt down because of a shop fire (gasoline). Three big co2 extinguishers had the fire down to about the size of a pilot light, the co2 ran out and the fire returned. I still owe a debt of gra***ude to a guy in Va. Beach in 1971 for extinguishing the fire in my '58 Corvette with dry chemical. Yes, it was a little messy but the car was saved. When you use dry chemical to put out a fire, it stays out.

 

If you have a safe let me repeat SAFE way of setting it up a good way to use up an outdated extinguisher is light a controlled fire and practicing the proper technique for extinguishing it. Practice never hurts!

 

CO2 and ABC extinguisher can be stored in the cold.

As for halon - They can not longer be sold and once you use it, it can not be refilled.

 

That a great idea. We do it all the time with training. Just make sure there are not issues with the local codes before you do it.

If you are using ABC or BC powder extinguisher you can not be near any water ways.