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When to use, how to use. Fire Extinguisher Safety. Objective. To make all employees aware of the danger posed by fires, and when and how to use fire extinguishers safely. Background. In 2013, there were 1,240,000 fires reported in the United States 3,240 civilian deaths
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When to use, how to use Fire Extinguisher Safety
Objective To make all employees aware of the danger posed by fires, and when and how to use fire extinguishers safely SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Background In 2013, there were 1,240,000 fires reported in the United States • 3,240 civilian deaths • 15,925 civilian injuries • $11.5 billion in property damage SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Background • 487,500 were structure fires • 2,855 civilian deaths • 14,075 civilian injuries • $9.5 billion in property damage SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Background • 188,000 were vehicle fires • 320 civilian fire deaths • 1050 civilian fire injuries • $1.3 billion in property damage SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Background • 564,500 were outside and other fires • 65 civilian fire deaths • 800 civilian fire injuries • $607 million in property damage SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Background In 2013, U.S. fire departments responded to a fire every 25 seconds • One structure fire was reported every 65 seconds SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Background • Home structure fire: every 85 seconds • Civilian fire injury: every 33 minutes • Civilian fire death: every 2 hours and 42 minutes • Outside fire: every 56 seconds • Vehicle fire: every 167 seconds SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Preparing for safety • OSHA's position: • The decision to use fire extinguishers must not be left up to the employees • Must be spelled out in an emergency action plan by the employer • Emergency Action Plan, 1910.38 SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Option 1 Fire extinguishers ARE NOT available in the workplace MUST develop • Written safety policy, requiring complete and total evacuation upon hearing alarm • 1910.38, Emergency Action Plan • 1910.39, Fire Prevention Plan Must do • Provide fire extinguishers if a Standard requires it SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Option 2 Employer has DESIGNATED CERTAIN EMPLOYEES to be the only ones authorized to use them in a fire MUST develop • 1910.38, Emergency Action Plan • Requires all other employees to evacuate upon alarm activation Must do • Not required to distribute fire extinguishers (d) • Training requirement: 1910.157(g)(3) • The employer shall provide employees who have been designated to use fire fighting equipment as part of an emergency action plan with training in the use of the appropriate equipment SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Option 3 Provide portable fire extinguishers and permit all employees to use them to fight fires Must do • Requires the employer to comply with all the requirements in 29 CFR 1910.157 Placement, use, maintenance, testing, training and education • Not required to distribute fire extinguishers (d) • Education requirement - 1910.157(g)(1) • Where the employer has provided portable fire extinguishers for employee use in the workplace, the employer shall also provide an educational program to familiarize employees with the general principles of fire extinguisher use and the hazards involved with incipient stage fire fighting SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Purpose of a fire extinguisher Two functions: To control or extinguish small or incipient stage fires To protect evacuation routes that a fire may block directly or indirectly with smoke or burning/smoldering materials SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Definitions From OSHA: "Incipient stage fire" means a fire which is in the initial or beginning stage and which can be controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, Class II standpipe or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Definitions From the National Fire Protection Association: A fire is considered to be beyond the incipient stage when the use of thermal protective clothing or self contained breathing apparatus is required or an industrial fire brigade member is required to crawl on the ground or floor to stay below smoke and heat SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Using a fire extinguisher safely Use this acronym as a quick reference: P.A.S.S. SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Using a fire extinguisher safely Pullthe pin at the top of the extinguisher • The pin releases a locking mechanism and will allow you to discharge the extinguisher • Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames • This is important; to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Using a fire extinguisher safely • Squeeze the lever slowly • This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher • If the handle is released, the discharge will stop • Sweep from side to side • Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Additional safety tips • Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish • Read the instructions on your fire extinguisher - different fire extinguishers recommend operating from different distances • Remember: aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!! SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Safety checklist Be familiar with your company’s policy and what is being asked of you in the event of a fire Learn how to identify the type of fire extinguisher you will use Know your work environment, process, equipment, and what types of fires could potentially start Understand the capabilities and limitations of your fire extinguisher Know the general steps to responding to a fire and when to call for help SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
Safety checklist Know how to operate a fire extinguisher using the P.A.S.S. system Confirm whether your facility has tested its sprinkler system Confirm that your company has a monthly inspection procedure to ensure that the fire extinguishers are in safe working order Ensure that your fire extinguishers have an annual inspection and are hydrostatically tested by a qualified third party Coordinate hands-on training if you have been designated to use a fire extinguisher for your company SAFETY SCHOOL > Information provided by the Georgia Urban Ag Council and W.S. Pharr & Co.
