Portable fire fighting equipment is designed to provide the user with an appliance to attend a small fire during its initial stage. When deciding to attack a fire, always designate another person to raise the alarm and obtain a back-up fire extinguisher. Portable fire extinguishers should be provided in all buildings. Training in the use of these fire extinguishers is available.
Fire Service Plus provide Workplace Training. CLICK HERE to view our PDF information file. The file will open in a new window.
There are a number of types of portable fire extinguishers available in Australia. Each type of extinguisher may be rated for one or more classes of fire. In some cases, particular extinguishers are not only considered ineffective against certain classes of fire, they can be dangerous in those circumstances. The Classes of fire are:
| CLASS A |
Ordinary Combustibles (paper, wood, cardboard) |
| CLASS B |
Flammable and combustible liquids ( metholated spirits) |
| CLASS C |
Flammable gases (LPG, hydrogen) |
| CLASS D |
Combustible metals |
| CLASS E |
Electrical fires |
| CLASS F |
Cooking oils and fats |
Portable fire extinguishers are distinguishable by their labels and their colouring. In 1997 the Standard Colours of some portable extinguishers were changed. It is therefore likely that you will encounter two of the same type of extinguishers with different colours.
Extinguisher Description
|
|
Water
Red in colour, it contains nine litres of water under pressure and is to be used in an upright position. It is designed for use on carbonaceous solids such as wood, paper, rubbish or textiles, and has a discharge period of 60 - 100 seconds. Water extinguishers are unsuitable for flammable liquid fires. This extinguishers must never be used on fires involving live electrical equipment. |
|
|
|
|
|
Foam
Blue in colour, it contains nine litres of an aqueous film-forming foam additive, and is to be used in an upright position. It is designed for use on flammable liquid fires such as petrol, oils and paint and has a discharge period of 40 - 90 seconds. This extinguishers must never be used on fires involving live electrical equipment. |
|
|
|
|
|
Carbon Dioxide
Red in colour with a black band, it is designed for use on fires involving flammable liquids and live electrical equipment. The discharge period depends on the size of the extinguisher. |
|
|
|
|
|
Dry Chemical
Red in colour with a white band, it contains a bi-carbonate based powder and is suitable for fires involving flammable liquids and live electrical equipment. The discharge period depends on the size of the extinguisher. |
|
|
|
|
|
Wet Chemical
Gold in colour, it has a liquid alkaline extinguishing agent, and is specifically designed for use in kitchens on deep fryer fires involving fat and cooking oil. This extinguishers must never be used on fires involving live electrical equipment. |
Portable fire extinguishers can save lives and property by putting out or containing fires within the capability of the extinguisher, However they must be of the correct type for the particular fire, and they must be used correctly.
Report a Used or Damaged Extinguisher
One day you may need to use a fire extinguisher. If you use the extinguisher for an emergency, you need to report the use of the extinguisher and have it re-filled. Or you may come across a used/damaged fire extinguisher that also requires re-filling or servicing.
Placement of Extinguishers
Extinguishers should be placed near to where they may be used.
However, they should not be so close that a fire will prevent you from reaching the extinguisher.
Fire protection specialists and the emergency planning coordinator can offer you some advice. In most buildings (other than your family home) it is a requirement that extinguishers be clearly visible with an approved indicator sign placed above or contained in a clearly labeled cupboard.
Maintenance of Extinguishers
Fire Extinguishers are serviced every six months. They are checked to make sure they are charged and nothing is missing on them.
You can check the yellow metal tag on your extinguisher to see when it was completed last.
Fighting the Fire
Before you even consider fighting a fire, you must ensure that all persons in the area area alerted and have left or are leaving the building, and ensure that someone calls 000.
The first question you must then ask yourself is whether or not you should fight a fire at all.
If the fire is from an electrical source, only if safe to do so, remove the power source by either turning it off or pulling the plug out.
In most cases, a portable fire extinguisher only offer sufficient fire fighting agent to fight a relatively small fire.
It may be more effective and safer to leave the fire to the fire brigade.
If you leave a fire, close off the area as you go.
If you do propose to fight the fire remember a "PASS" word.
To be safe rather than sorry, use the whole extinguishing agent
to ensure the fire is out.
Fire Safety Measures
More modern buildings are equipped with automatic fire alarms triggered by heat (or in some cases, by smoke). Older buildings may have different systems, so check in the building that fire extinguishers and fire hoses are readily available in all buildings.
Each building should have a warden who coordinates fire safety, including evacuations. Evacuation drills to familiarise staff and students with building evacuation procedures regularly.
It is a requirement by law to participate. Failure to comply may incur severe penalties
Evacuation Drills Planned building evacuations or fire drills should be held for each building twice per year, No warning of these is given, and they should be treated as genuine emergencies.
Wardens
Wardens are responsible for the evacuation of a particular level of the building.
Stair Wardens are responsible to evacuate a particular stairwell.
During the evacuation, Wardens have complete authority over all persons in and near the building. They may be identified by the "hard Hats" they wear:
Building Warden: White
Floor / Stair Warden: Yellow
First Aid Officer: Green
When evacuating a building, follow the directions of the Wardens. Fire Fighting Training
If you or your staff wish to have first attack fire fighting or emergency evacuation training, please contact Fire Service Plus on 1800 650180, we will assist you with your request.
CLICK HERE to view our PDF information file. The file will open in a new window. Use our convenient fire extinguisher selection chart to pick the right extinguisher for your needs. Having the wrong fire extinguisher is the same as having no protection at all.
Use this chart as a guide only. Talking to one of our consultants is the right way to guarantee that you get the correct extinguisher to suit your particular commercial, residential, industrial, marine or other extinguisher needs. Fire training in conjunction with the correct extinguisher is the only sure way of a safe outcome to a fire situation.
Extinguisher Selection Chart
Click to Enlarge
Material Safety Data Sheet
Material Safety Data Sheets are documents describing the properties and uses of a substance including its identity, chemical and physical properties, health hazard information, precautions for use and safe handling information. To view the MSDS for chemicals that may be used in your workplace please select a file from the list below. (all MSDS copywrite Tyco Australia)
|
