Posted: 25 Jul '16

Don't Panic: Why Get Fire Extinguisher Safety Training

Here is a story we heard from a confined space watch. A worker came suddenly crawling towards the opening and threw a burning binder out of the confined space. It happened really fast and she immediately went to the binder and dumped her bottle of water on it, extinguishing the fire. Many were amazed at her quick thinking; however, she confessed that it when she first saw the binder she panicked. She saw the flames and knew they had to be put out. She had panicked but then remembered the water bottle in her hand.

Had the water bottle not been effective her panic may have become more obvious. She admitted she never thought to grab for a fire extinguisher and realized that she wasn’t even sure where the closest one was. Have you ever gotten so used to something sitting in one spot that you no longer actually notice it? Unfortunately, sometimes fire extinguishers can fall into this category, which is why the right fire extinguisher safety training in Edmonton makes a difference. When you have to be a responder to an emergency you need to have enough training that it over-rides your panic in those emergency situations.

Fire Extinguishers and the P.A.S.S. Method

When using a fire extinguisher, by remembering the acronym PASS, you’ll ensure that you’re handling the extinguisher properly. Always remember to:

• Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher.
• Aim at the base of the fire – this is very important.
• Squeeze the lever releasing the extinguishing agent.
• Sweep from side to side, move the fire extinguisher in a sweeping motion until the fire is out.

Know The Class of Fire Extinguisher

Believe it or not all fire extinguishers are the same. There are certain kinds, or classes as they’re referred to, that are intended to be used for different situations and different flammable materials. The classes of fire extinguishers are:

• Class A – for ordinary combustible material, such as paper, wood, cardboard and most plastics. It will have a green triangle on it.
• Class B – for flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. It will have a red square on it.
• Class C – for electrical fires, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. It will have circle on it.
• Class D – for chemical fires involving combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. It will have a yellow decagon on it.
• Class K – commonly found in cafeterias and kitchens. For fires that involve oils such as cooking oils, trans-fats or fats in cooking appliances. It has a black hexagon on it.

Some fire extinguishers will be a combination, such as an ABC Fire Extinguisher, which is suitable for all items included in the Class A, B and C fires. It is important to know what type of extinguisher you are using. The wrong type of extinguisher for the fire you are trying to extinguish could result in dangerous, life-threatening situations.

Be Prepared with Extinguisher Safety Training

When it comes to putting out a fire, it isn’t always just as simple as getting the fire extinguisher and using it. At MI Safety, we have a variety of fire extinguisher safety training courses in Edmonton to meet your needs and desired knowledge base, including an online self-study or a live course with a live fire component. Contact us today to find out how our fire extinguisher training can make sure you’re prepared to respond if a fire ever occurs.