Fire safety: Flame is leaping up from the frying pan on your stove. A lamp cord sparks and catches fire. The campfire in your backyard has spread to a nearby bush. How do you put them out? If you were to use the same type of extinguishing method for each fire you could end up with worse trouble on your hands.
Flame is leaping up from the frying pan on your stove. A lamp cord sparks and catches fire. The campfire in your backyard has spread to a nearby bush. How do you put them out? If you were to use the same type of extinguishing method for each fire you could end up with worse trouble on your hands.
Fires can be nightmares wherever they occur. They can be costly, take lives, destroy property, burn irreplaceable items, and injure people. Fires can happen anywhere and without warning, so it is good to be prepared for them.
The most critical time during a fire is when it first breaks out. The response during a fire's first several minutes can make the difference between a minor scare and a catastrophe. The most important steps are calling the fire department and using the appropriate fire extinguisher or extinguishing method.
Evaluate the fire to determine the proper response. There are three main types of fires that occur in homes and businesses:
Class A: ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, etc.
Class B: flammable liquids such as grease, paints, oils, and gas
Class C: electrical equipment
Two other types of fires include:
Class D: combustible metals (magnesium, lithium, titanium)
Class K: Cooking media (cooking oils and fat)
Usually a fire will start out in one of the three classes and then quickly spread to the other types. A different extinguishing agent must be used for each type. A fire extinguisher should be clearly marked A, B, or C, depending on its type. Two types of extinguishers can be used on all three classes of fire: dry chemical triplex and halon extinguishers.
Class A fires can be extinguished with foam, water, loaded steam, dry chemical or halon. Class B fires can be extinguished with foam, loaded steam, dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or halon. Class C can be extinguished with dry chemical, carbon dioxide, or halon. Class K fires must be fought with wet chemical.
If there is time, and no danger, you should also close doors and windows and turn off electrical equipment. However, do not lock any doors or block them closed in any way. If there is time and the fire has not been entirely extinguished, turn off the gas and electrical lines to prevent explosions or additional damage.
If it is not safe to contain or extinguish the fire, immediately leave the area. Remember that smoke and gases cause the majority of fire injuries and deaths. Stay low to the ground and if the room is filled with smoke, cover your nose and mouth with a wet towel to help filter the smoke.
