But do not use water on flammable liquids. #4 – How far away should you stand when you are using a fire extinguisher to put out a fire? Once you activate the extinguisher, you want to slowly sweep the nozzle back and forth across the fire, to ensure you cover as much of the fuel source as you can. Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher. Extinguisher Update. Using the wrong type of extinguisher for the wrong class of fire. Fire extinguishers should not be used by people who have not been trained. Class A: Class A is used when the burning materials are solids. You are aware of what’s burning and are using the proper extinguisher. They usually contain multiple fire risks from solid combustible material to high temperature cooking media. Using a water-based fire extinguisher for a kitchen fire may further escalate the hazard. Recognize when to use a portable fire extinguisher. In addition, there are rules relating to how often an employer should test a fire extinguisher, both visually and in more detail, as well as the training that they should offer employees regarding their use and the hazards and risks involved. The fire is small enough to be extinguished. Before you use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire, it's important to take a couple safety precautions. Use this guide to determine which class of fire extinguisher you should purchase to keep your home or workplace safe. And you or somebody else showed the courage and initiative to use the available extinguisher to put it out. The types of Fire extinguishers are: TYPE A — Class A extinguishers are for use on fires that contain ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth, plastics, etc. If you can get some hands-on training with a fire extinguisher (some emergency services/community organizations offer classes), it’s highly recommended that you do so. However, once in a while, there’s a fire. Also, because water conducts electricity, you should not use it or any extinguisher that incorporates it where there may be live electrical wires. Organizations are required to provide this training when employees are first hired and annually thereafter. Always use the right extinguisher for the right fire. Move the jet across the bottom of the fire until it is completely out. If you are not sure which is the right extinguisher to purchase, you can contact fire experts or fire extinguisher suppliers. The pros of fire extinguishers They are very effective when used properly. For instance, electrical systems caught on fire must be extinguished with a CO2 extinguisher, while most common fires should be put out by regular ABC dry powder extinguishers. Any fire extinguisher has a label on it. If you still have questions, or if you’d like to book a free survey of your premises by one of our BAFE registered extinguisher engineers, please just call us on 0800 157 1113 or email us at info@surreyfire.co.uk . In sufficient volume, water simply steals heat faster than the fire can regenerate it, and thus the fire dies out. Each different type of extinguisher agent has a corresponding colour making identification easier for the user. Before tackling a fire with a fire extinguisher make sure you or someone else has raised the fire alarm and that you have a safe evacuation route. The best way to use a fire extinguisher is to remember the acronym PASS. For an easy-to-remember 4-step process to operating a fire extinguisher, learn the PASS system: Pull the pin while holding the extinguisher away from you to unlock the mechanism. Extinguisher you should use in the event of a fire extinguisher to put a... 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