Fire Extinguishers
The week of October 4 – 10 is National Fire Prevention Week, and with this week being Fire Prevention Week, I thought it would be the perfect time to discuss the different types, proper location, and inspection of fire extinguishers.
Fire Extinguishers are classified by the type of fire that they will be used on. A Class ‘A’ Fire Extinguisher is used for your ordinary types of combustibles, like wood, textiles, paper and some plastics. Extinguishers that are used for class A fires should be identified with a triangle and the letter “A”. If the label is in color, the triangle should be green in color. A Class ‘B’ Fire Extinguisher is used on flammable liquids and gas fires like oil, gasoline, ect., this type of extinguisher should be identified by a square and the letter “B”. If the label is in color, the square should be red in color. A Class ‘C’ Fire Extinguisher is used on fires that have live electrical equipment, or electrical power involved. A Class ‘D’ Fire Extinguisher would be used combustible metals like sodium, magnesium, etc., this fire extinguisher would be marked with a five-point star and have the letter “D”, and if in color, the stare would be yellow. One more class would be Class ‘K’, this one would be used on fires involving fats, grease, and oils that you would find in kitchens, this class of fire extinguisher would be mark just with the letter “K”, no shape or color.
Next, let’s look at location for the different types of Fire Extinguishers. A Class A should be no more than 75 feet in travel distance, a Class B should be at 50 feet of travel distance, and the Class C is normally based on the hazards that the Class A and B would be used on, typically you would want the Class C to be no more than 50 feet away in my opinion, the Class D would be t a travel distance of no more than 75 feet, and last, the Class K, there is no real requirement on distance. The Class K type FIRE EXTINGUISHER is typically located near the point of possible fire ignition.
Last, I would like to go over briefly inspecting Fire Extinguishers, portable Fire Extinguishers must have a visual inspection monthly, the inspection should cover the following;
- They are in their assigned location
- They are not hidden nor blocked
- They are mounted in accordance with the NFPA Standard #10
- Pressure gauge show adequate pressure
- Pin and seals are in place
- No visual sign of damage or abuse
- The nozzle is free of blockage
If you would like more information on FIRE EXTINGUISHERS, please look at the OSHA reg 29CFR 1910.157 portable Fire Extinguishers, or the NFPA Standard #10, portable Fire Extinguishers.
Len
Safety Director
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