PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:

FIGHTING SMALL FIRES

Extinguishers Have Limits

Used properly, a portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. Portable extinguishers for home use, however, are not intended to fight large or spreading fires. Even against small fires, they are useful under only certain conditions.

• The operator must know how to use the extinguisher. There is no time to read instructions during an emergency.

• The extinguisher must be within easy reach and in working order, fully charged.

• The extinguisher must be kept near the exit, so the user has an escape route that will not be blocked by the fire.

• The extinguisher must match the type of fire you are fighting. Extinguishers that contain water are unsuitable for use for use on grease or electrical fires.

Choosing Your Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are tested by independent testing laboratories. They will be labeled for the type of fire they are intended to extinguish.

CLASSES OF FIRES: There are three basic classes of fires. All fire extinguishers are labeled using standard symbols for the classes of fires they can put out. A red slash through any of the symbols tells you the extinguisher cannot be used on that class of fire. A missing symbol tells you only that an extinguisher has not been tested for a given class of fire.

Many household fire extinguishers are "multipurpose" A-B-C models, labeled for use on all three classes of fire. If you are ever faced with a Class A fire and don't have an extinguisher with an "A" symbol, don't hesitate to use one with a "B:C" symbol. WARNING: It is very dangerous to use water or an extinguisher labeled only for Class A fires on a grease or electrical fire. The "C" in a rating indicates that you can use the unit on electrical fires.

Extinguisher Sizes

Portable extinguishers are also rated for the size of fire they can handle. Normally, an extinguisher that has a rating of 2-A:10-B:C on its label is recommended for each floor level. The larger the number, the larger the fire that the extinguisher can put out. Higher-rated models are often heavier. Make sure you can hold and operate the extinguisher before you buy it.

Installation and Maintenance

Extinguishers should be installed in plain view, above the reach of small children, near an escape route and away from stoves and heating appliances.

Extinguishers require rountine care. Read your operator's manual and ask your dealer how your extinguisher should be inspected and serviced. Rechargeable models must be serviced once a year and after every use. Disposable fire extinguishers can be used only once, and must be replaced after use. Following manufacturer's instructions, check the pressure in extinguisher once a month.

Using Your Fire Extinguisher:

Remember the PASS Word!

Keep your back to an exit and stand six to eight feet away from the fire. Follow the four step "PASS" procedure. If the fire does not begin to go out immediately, leave the area at once.

PASS