Fire extinguisher training - How to use a fire extinguisher

DVD Summary

DVD Summary

A best-seller fire safety programme in DVD format.

This programme shows employees receiving training in the use of workplace fire-fighting equipment, in particular the identification and choice of portable fire extinguishers. Includes:

• types of extinguishers and the fires for which they are suitable;

• training guidance on operating the various extinguishers;

• demonstration of a 'wet chemical' extinguisher on a deep fat fryer;

• information on hose reels and fire blankets.

The programme shows true novices getting the benefit of hands-on training, using the whole range of equipment.

DVD Detail

Scenario

The programme provides thorough practical advice about how to extinguish workplace fires, which extinguishers are suitable for use on different types of fires and how they should be used. It also shows how to use fire blankets and hose reels. The video features an office worker and kitchen worker being trained in the practical use of fire extinguishers.

Key training points

Action in the event of fire

The vital steps that should be taken on discovering a fire are:

1. Raise the alarm
2. Call the fire brigade
3. Evacuate the building
4. Tackle the fire, if it is safe to do so

The programme emphasises that it is important to find out now where the nearest extinguishers are, as it will be too late to start looking when the fire happens.

Types of fires

There are different types of fire extinguisher because there are different types of fire.

The main types of fire are:

• fires involving solid materials such as wood, paper, fabrics and furnishings
• fires involving flammable liquids such as solvents, paints and oils, or waxes and greases that will melt to create a flammable liquid
• fires involving electrical equipment
• fires involving fat or oil, such as deep fat fryer fires or chip pan fires
• fires involving gases (including pressurised gas cylinders or aerosols) or metals – these should only be tackled by fully trained professionals. If such a fire occurs where you work, raise the alarm and evacuate the building as quickly as possible

The fire triangle

All fires require:

• fuel (the combustible material which provides the source of energy)
• oxygen (present in the air)
• heat (to trigger the chemical reaction that ignites the fire)

Remove any one of these elements and the fire will go out.

General safety (advice interspersed throughout programme)

• When tackling a fire, make sure the fire doesn’t get between you and your means of escape – always keep your exit behind you
• If the fire doesn’t die down quickly and the flames start to approach ceiling height, make your escape, closing any doors behind you

Water extinguishers

• Usage: this is the best extinguisher for tackling fires involving solid combustible materials such as wood, paper, fabrics and furnishings
• How it works: by removing the heat from the fire
• Colour identification zone: red
• Method: Pull the pin, release the hose, hold the end of the hose and squeeze the levers together. Direct the jet at the base of the fire and if the fire is spreading vertically, follow it upwards using a slow sideways sweeping motion. Discharge the whole extinguisher and make sure all the hot spots have been dealt with once you have finished with the main fire
• Do not use on:
  • electrical equipment – the current can travel up the jet and electrocute you
  • a deep fat fryer fire or chip-pan fire – this is extremely dangerous as it will create a fire-ball (this is covered in the wet chemical section)
  • fires involving flammable liquids such as oil, solvents or petrol

Hose reels

These work in the same way as water extinguishers but can deliver a much greater volume of water quickly. Hose reels can be used by anyone that has been trained to use them. It is normally recommended that two people use them. There are two types, manual (the water must be turned on at the stop-cock) and automatic (the water will start to flow as the hose reel is unwound). With both types, ensure that the nozzle is switched off until you are ready to use the hose reel.

Foam extinguishers

• Usage: for use on flammable liquid fires, particularly contained flammable liquids; (they can also be used to tackle fires involving combustible solids such as wood, paper and fabrics, although for these fires, water is best)
• How it works: by starving the fire of oxygen as a blanket of foam forms across the top of the liquid. If you accidentally spill a flammable liquid you can also use foam to reduce the risk of the liquid igniting
• Colour identification zone: cream
• Method: Pull the pin, release the hose, hold the end of the hose and squeeze the levers together. Direct the spray at the back inside edge of the container so that the foam builds up and flows across the surface from back to front
• Do not use on:
  • flowing burning liquids as it is difficult to form a blanket over the surface
  • fires involving electrical hazards (foam is water-based and this could therefore electrocute you)
  • burning solvents such as alcohol

Fire blankets

• Usage: these can be used on small contained flammable liquid fires such as a domestic chip pan fire

• How it works: by starving the fire of oxygen
• Method: pull down the tapes to release the fire blanket from its container. Take the blanket by the two top corners, grabbing plenty of material in each hand. Turn your hands in behind the blanket so that they are completely covered and protected from the fire. Stretch your arms out in front of you and lay the blanket over the fire. Switch off the gas/electricity at the mains or at the appliance. Fire blankets are not designed for repeated use so after one has been used it should be discarded and replaced.

Dry powder extinguishers

• Usage: these are particularly effective on spilled or flowing flammable liquid fires; they can also be used on fires involving live electrical equipment, combustible solid fires, contained flammable liquid fires
• How it works: by depriving the fire of oxygen by covering it with a layer of dry powder
• Colour identification zone: blue
• Method: Pull the pin, release the hose, hold the end of the hose and squeeze the levers together. With a spilled flammable liquid fire, use a very rapid sweeping motion as if driving the fire away from you. The first thing to do if faced with a fire involving electrical equipment is to turn off the power if you can do so safely
• Disadvantages: The extinguisher is very messy and can impair vision, making it difficult to see what you’re doing

Carbon dioxide extinguishers

• Usage: this is the best extinguisher for tackling electrical fires; they can also be used on spilled or flowing liquid fires (although dry powder is best for these fires) or contained burning liquids
• How it works: releases pure carbon dioxide which extinguishes the fire by excluding the oxygen
• Colour identification zone: black
• Method: if using on fires involving electrical equipment, first switch off the power source to prevent re-ignition. Pull the pin, and direct the horn before use (you should not hold the nozzle or base during use – the horn becomes extremely cold during use). Aim the horn into the grilles and vents of the electrical equipment and get as close as possible without putting yourself at risk. Squeeze the handles together and keep the extinguisher going until the fire is out – do not use in short bursts
• Tip: be aware that the extinguisher is very noisy during use

Wet chemical extinguishers

• Usage: specially developed for use on deep fat fryer fires or chip-pan fires; (they can also be used to tackle fires involving combustible solids such as wood, paper and fabrics, although for these fires, water is best)
• How it works: by cooling and turning the top layer of the burning oil into a soapy emulsion which excludes the oxygen
• Colour identification zone: canary yellow
• Method: Pull the pin, release the lance, hold the handle on the lance and with your other hand squeeze the levers together. You must remain at least a metre away from the fire. Aim the spray down onto the fire and totally discharge the extinguisher
• Do not use on: fires involving electrical equipment

Summary of the key points at the end, principally which extinguishers can and cannot be used on which fires, and the main safety points.

Duration: 19 min

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