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Incipient Stage Firefighting

Incipient Stage Firefighting. Learning Objectives. Objectives: Define an incipient stage fire Know different fire classifications Recognize different portable fire extinguishers Know basic principles of fire extinguisher operation. Agenda. Agenda: Overview

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Incipient Stage Firefighting

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  1. Incipient Stage Firefighting

  2. Learning Objectives • Objectives: • Define an incipient stage fire • Know different fire classifications • Recognize different portable fire extinguishers • Know basic principles of fire extinguisher operation

  3. Agenda • Agenda: • Overview • Incipient stage fire definition • Classifications of fires • Types of fire extinguishers • Fire extinguisher basic principles • Your responsibilities

  4. Section 1 Overview

  5. Fire Statistics • According to OSHA: • Workplace fires kill nearly 500 each year • 5,000+ workers injured each year • Costs businesses billions of dollars • 50% of installed smoke detectors have dead batteries • The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends one extinguisher every 600 square feet

  6. What Does OSHA Have to Say? • OSHA says: • Buildings must have proper fire extinguishers for the fire hazards present: • Only approved fire extinguishers • Must be in good operating condition • Employees instructed in proper use • Evacuate employees instead of firefighting

  7. What is an Incipient Stage Fire? • Incipient stage fire: • A fire in the beginning stages • Controlled with a portable fire extinguisher or small hose • Personal protective equipment not needed • Fire extinguishers for incipient fires only

  8. Deciding to Fight an Incipient Stage Fire • Ask: • Is the fire too big? • Is the air safe to breathe? • Is the environment too hot or smoky? • Is there a safe evacuation path?

  9. Portable Fire Extinguishers • Portable fire extinguishers: • Control or extinguish small or incipient stage fires • Protect evacuation routes • Contain a limited amount of extinguishing agent: • Discharged in a matter of seconds

  10. Section 2 Classification of Fires

  11. Classification of Fires • Four distinct classes of fires: • Class A: Ordinary Combustibles • Class B: Flammable or Combustible Liquids • Class C: Energized Electrical Equipment • Class D: Flammable or Combustible Metals

  12. Class A Fires • Class A: • Occur in ordinary combustible materials: • Wood • Cloth • Paper • Most plastics • Rubber

  13. Class B Fires • Class B: • Occur in the vapor-air mixture over the surface of flammable and combustible liquids: • Petroleum products • Alcohols

  14. Class C Fires • Class C: • Involve energized electrical equipment: • Electric motors • Transformers • Appliances • Electrical distribution panels

  15. Class D Fires • Class D: • Occur in combustible metals: • Magnesium • Titanium • Sodium

  16. Section 3 Types of Fire Extinguishers

  17. Types of Fire Extinguishers • Fire extinguishers: • Identified by the class and size of a fire designed to extinguish • Identified by the extinguishing agent they contain • Universal fire class symbols (A,B,C) are present on extinguisher labels

  18. Class A Extinguishers • Class A: • Extinguishes ordinary combustibles: • Wood • Paper • Numerical rating 1-A to 40-A

  19. Class B Extinguishers • Class B: • Extinguishes flammable liquids: • Grease • Gasoline • Oils • Numerical rating 1-B to 640-B

  20. Class C Fire Extinguishers • Class C: • Extinguishes electrically energized fires • No numerical rating • “C” indicates extinguishing agent is non-conductive

  21. Class D Extinguishers • Class D: • Designed for specific flammable metals • Marked with a yellow star • No numerical rating • No multi-purpose rating

  22. Section 4 Using a Portable Fire Extinguisher

  23. Using A Portable Fire Extinguisher - PASS • PASS stands for: • Pull • Aim • Squeeze • Sweep

  24. Step One - Pull • Step One: • Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher

  25. Step Two - Aim • Step Two: • Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire

  26. Step Three - Squeeze • Step Three: • Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher

  27. Step Four - Sweep • Step Four: • Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire

  28. Hydrostatic Testing • Hydrostatic leak testing: • Tests components for leaks • Dry chemical and Halon 1211- tested at 12-year intervals • High-pressure carbon dioxide- tested at 5-year intervals

  29. Extinguisher Placement • Extinguishers placement: • Class A and Class D: no more than 75 feet • Class B: 50 feet

  30. Extinguisher Inspection • Annual inspections and service to ensure: • Proper working order • Well-supported and accessible • Class markings present • Operating instructions available • Discharge opening clear • Hydrostatic testing within limits

  31. Section 5 Your Responsibilities

  32. Your Responsibilities • Ask: • Has the fire department been called? • Do you have a clear exit? • Is the fire small and contained? • Is the proper extinguisher available? • Have the monthly and annualinspections been performed?

  33. Your Responsibilities • Fire prevention practices: • Follow flammable liquids storage procedures • Store flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources • Use flammable liquids in well-ventilated areas • Observe the proper use of electrical devices

  34. Additional Information • Fire Safety: • OSHA Fact Sheet (2002) • How to Plan for Workplace Emergencies and Evacuations: • OSHA Publication 3088 (2001)

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