Fire Safety for International Schools

Module 3 – Using Fire Extinguishers

Introduction

Welcome to module three of your course on Fire Safety for International Schools. In the previous module we looked
at fire risks and fire safety signage. In this module we will look at the different types of fire extinguisher, and when
and how to use them.

When to use a fire extinguisher

The fire fighting equipment in your building is only designed to extinguish a small fire – no larger than a waste paper
basket.

If you are unsure or in any doubt, evacuate the premises, close the door on the fire and leave the fire and rescue
service to deal with it.

Many people put out small fires quite safely; however there are some simple rules.

1. Do not tackle a fire which is beyond your capabilities.

2. Fire extinguishers are only for fighting a fire in its very early stages.
3. Never tackle a fire if it is starting to spread or has spread to other items.
4. If you cannot put out the fire or if the extinguisher becomes empty, remove yourself and everyone
else from the risk.
5. Always put your own and other peoples’ safety first.

If you do decide to tackle the fire, remember the important safety points outlined in this module and if you can, ask
a colleague for help.

Before taking action assess the fire and the dangers it may pose.

What is on fire? – This will determine which extinguisher type is suitable.

Is it larger than a waste paper basket? – If it is, do not attempt to tackle the fire.

Is it very smoky? – Smoke is dangerous as it can affect your breathing and your visibility. If the fire is smoking
profusely, do not attempt to tackle it.

Is your escape clear? – Remember to keep checking that your means of escape is not becoming cut-off by spreading
smoke.

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Training

The training in this course should be supplemented with the opportunity to discharge different types of fire
extinguisher. Your organisation’s annual fire extinguisher service is the ideal time to carry this out as using fire
extinguishers which are due their periodic discharge is a cost-effective way to receive training.

Which fire extinguisher should I use?

There are several different types of fire extinguisher, so understanding the types found in your building could prove
invaluable; using the wrong one may make the situation worse.

Fire can be extinguished by removing any one of the elements of the fire triangle – heat, fuel or oxygen.

Fire extinguishers work by expelling an extinguishing medium from the body of the fire extinguisher under pressure;
this can be controlled by the fire extinguisher lever which controls the valve to start and stop it.

Fire extinguishers are provided as part of the control measures detailed in your organisation’s fire risk assessment.

As discussed in the previous module, there are several classes of fire and there are several types of fire extinguisher
to deal with them.

Colours of fire extinguishers in Europe

Fire extinguishers are predominantly red in Europe but may have a colour-coded area sited above or within the
instructions which denotes the type of fire extinguisher.

Water – Red
Foam – Cream
Dry powder – Blue
Carbon dioxide – Black
Wet chemical – Yellow

These fire extinguishers are designed to deal with any class of fire that may arise and although some can deal with
several classes, each one is particularly suitable for a certain class of fire.

Make a note of which types of fire extinguisher you have on site and those that are within the vicinity of the area
where you work.

Water

Water fire extinguishers are suitable for use in environments containing solid combustible materials. They are
limited in their use but are effective on class A fires (fires involving flammable solids).

Water extinguishers can vary in size, and can be very heavy; the largest extinguisher can weigh around 14.5
kilograms.

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aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.

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The water extinguisher is only for use on class A fires (in Europe)

Although you cannot use a water extinguisher on electrics, many water spray types have passed a 35 kilovolt test,
which means if you accidentally discharged the fire extinguisher onto an electrical appliance you should not get
electrocuted.

Water fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by cooling; the water uses the heat from the fire to become steam.

Dry Powder

Dry Powder fire extinguishers are ideal for use in mixed risk environments and offer excellent all-round protection.

Dry powder extinguishers should not be used in enclosed spaces or escape routes as they can reduce visibility
significantly.

Dry powder extinguishers work by adhering to the burning fuel, smothering the fire. The powder also chemically
inhibits the combustion process, preventing reignition.

These extinguishers are often located in plant rooms – rooms generally used to house large machinery, for example
boilers, air conditioning and main electrical cabinets.

Foam

Foams are effective on class A* fires and class B* fires (fires involving flammable liquids and liquefiable solids).

Like the water extinguisher, many spray foam extinguishers have passed a 35 kilovolt test, so you should not be
harmed if you accidentally use the extinguisher with electrics.

Foam fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by cooling; the water content reduces the heat available. They can also
form a layer on top of burning liquids preventing oxygen reaching it and the further escape of vapour.

The foam extinguisher has the ability to prevent ignition by spraying over spilled flammable liquids.

*Only in Europe – Classes of fire change from country to country.

Carbon Dioxide

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are for use on live electrical equipment as the gas is able to reach the interior of
the equipment. As it is considered a ‘clean agent’, it does not cause property or material damage.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers can also be used on class B fires (fires involving flammable liquids and liquefiable
solids), but there is a risk of reignition if the gas dissipates quickly, especially if used outdoors.

Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers extinguish a fire by removing the oxygen.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.

No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
These extinguishers are relatively light-weight, making them user-friendly and therefore common in office
environments.

The initial discharge can be very noisy and can alarm people who are not used to it.

Wet chemical

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are effective on class F fires (fires involving cooking fats and oils) but they can also be
used on class A fires (fires involving flammable solids).

The wet chemical extinguisher discharges as a spray and prevents dangerous splashes of hot grease. These
extinguishers are often found in kitchen environments with deep fat fryers.

Wet chemical extinguishers work by ‘saponification’, a process in which the wet chemical agent combines with the
grease to form a soapy layer at the surface of the grease to seal off the fuel from the oxygen; this also prevents
reignition.

Using the extinguisher – P.A.S.S

As we have seen, fire extinguishers are available in a number of classes and sizes, but they all operate in a similar
manner.

A useful acronym that is often used to remember how to use fire extinguishers is P.A.S.S

Pull the safety pin

• Break the safety tag and pull the safety pin from the fire extinguisher lever.

Aim the nozzle

• Remove the hose from its holder, holding the hose firmly at the end and aim it at the base of the fire.

Squeeze
• Squeeze the operating lever to discharge the fire extinguishing agent.

Sweep
• Sweep the hose from side to side quickly to spread the extinguishing agent over the fire until the fire
diminishes.

Operating instructions and the use of fire extinguishers information is located on the fire extinguisher itself. It is
important to check the instructions on the fire extinguishers in your building.

Before approaching the fire, test the fire extinguisher first by discharging it to the side of the fire, then squeeze the
lever slowly to begin discharging the extinguisher, and sweep the extinguishing material across the base of the fire in
a fast sweeping motion.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.

No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
How to use a fire extinguisher – Water

The following demonstrations are based on EU fire safety regulations and may differ from your own country.
Please familiarise yourself with your appropriate extinguishers.

Jet type

Quickly check that there is no live electrical equipment in the area.

Aiming the extinguisher

Fires spreading horizontally: Aim the hose at the base of the fire, moving the jet across the area of the fire.

Fire spreading vertically: Aim the hose at the base of the fire, slowly moving the jet upwards following the direction
of the fire.

Ensure all the fire has been extinguished; try to focus on any hot spots that may reignite.

Spray type

Spray type water extinguishers work largely in the same way, however, the distance over which an extinguisher can
expel its contents can vary. Jet type discharge will travel a considerably further distance than a spray type.

How to use a fire extinguisher – Dry Powder

Aiming the extinguisher

Solid materials: aim the hose at the base of the flames, moving across the area of the fire.

Spilled liquids: aim the hose at the near edge of the fire and with a rapid sweeping motion, drive the fire towards
the far edge until all the flames have been extinguished.

Flowing liquid: direct the hose at the base of the flames and sweep upwards until all the flames have been
extinguished.

Electrical equipment: switch off the power (if safe to do so) and then direct the hose straight at the fire.

Squeeze the lever slowly to begin discharging the extinguisher, as the fire starts to diminish carefully move closer to
it.

Ensure all the fire has been extinguished; reignition can be possible when a powder fire extinguisher has been used.

NOTE: Dry powders can reduce visibility because of the tendency to cloud. Do not use in confined spaces.

How to use a fire extinguisher – Foam

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.

No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
Aiming the extinguisher

Flammable liquids: Aim the hose at a vertical surface near the fire, do not spray directly at the fire as this could
cause the fire to be pushed and spread to surrounding areas. Foam extinguishers allow a build-up of foam across the
surface of the fire causing it to be smothered.

Solid combustibles: Aim the hose at the base of the fire, sweeping across the area of the fire.

As the fire starts to diminish carefully move closer to it.

Ensure all the fire has been extinguished; the foam creates a blanket over the fire and helps to prevent reignition.

How to use a Fire Extinguisher – Carbon Dioxide

Aim the horn at a 45 degree angle from the body of the extinguisher. The horn should stay in place; if it does not, do
not use the fire extinguisher.

Do not hold the horn as it becomes extremely cold during use and can lead to frost burns. Double-lined or frost-free
horns help eliminate this possibility.

Aiming the extinguisher

Electrical equipment: Switch off the power (if safe to do so) and then direct the horn across the base of the fire.

As the fire starts to diminish carefully move closer to it. Ensure all the fire has been extinguished; reignition is
possible when a CO2 extinguisher has been used.

Flammable liquids: Aim the horn at the base of the fire and move across the area.

NOTE: Carbon dioxide extinguishers can be noisy on initial discharge.

How to use a fire extinguisher – Wet Chemical

Hold the hose at arm's length, well above the fire with its nozzle at least one metre away from the fire. Squeeze the
lever slowly to begin discharging the extinguisher.

Normally the hose on a fire extinguisher is flexible all the way to the nozzle. On some wet chemical extinguishers the
bottom half of the hose is a stiff metal section. This is known as a lance and allows the user to control the flow of the
discharge better.

Aiming the extinguisher

Apply the fine spray in slow circular movements, this allows the wet chemical agent to fall gently onto the surface of
the fire and helps to prevent hot oils splashing on to the user.

Discharge the entire contents of the extinguisher to ensure that all of the fire has been extinguished; the wet
chemical formula helps to prevent reignition.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.

No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.
In summary

It is essential that you only tackle a fire if you are able, and it is safe to do so. Remember the five rules:

1. Do not tackle a fire which is beyond your capabilities.

2. Fire extinguishers are only for fighting a fire in its very early stages.
3. Never tackle a fire if it is starting to spread or has spread to other items.
4. If you cannot put out the fire or if the extinguisher becomes empty, remove yourself and everyone
else from the risk.
5. Always put your own and other peoples’ safety first.

In this module we have covered the different types of fire extinguisher, and when and how to use them. In the next
module we will look at what to do in the case of a major fire and your setting’s fire procedures.

You are now ready to complete the corresponding questionnaire. Click ‘Questionnaire 3’ to begin the questions.

Whilst Tes Global Ltd have made every effort to ensure that the courses and their content have been devised and written by leading experts who have ensured that they reflect best practice in all
aspects, Tes Global Ltd exclude their liability of the consequences of any errors, omission or incorrect statements to the fullest extent permitted by law and Tes Global Ltd make no warranty or
representation as to the accuracy, completeness or fitness for purpose of any statements or other content in the course.

No part of this material may be reproduced or utilised in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing by Tes Global Ltd.