NEVER fight a fire if:

• You don’t have the proper extinguisher or equipment.
• Fire has spread beyond its point of origin.
• Your instincts tell you GET OUT.
• One extinguisher is not enough.
• Smoke is affecting your breathing.
• You cannot see the way out.
• Gas cylinders or chemicals are on fire.

A class D fire cannot be extinguished by water as it produces hydrogen at high temperatures and eventually an explosion occurs and spreads of fire further. It is, therefore, a special extinguishing powder based in sodium chloride (edible salt) or other salts, are used to extinguish a class D fire. Sands are also effective in putting out a class D fire.

n fire classes, a Class B fire is a fire in flammable liquids or flammable gases, petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, lacquers, or alcohols. For example, propane, natural gas, gasoline and kerosene fires are types of Class B fires. The use of lighter fluid on a charcoal grill, for example, creates a Class B fire.

Stand approximately 8 feet away from the fire and squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher. If you release the handle, the discharge will stop. Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire and slowly move forward to extinguish the remaining fire. After the fire appears to be out, watch it carefully since it may re-ignite!

Class B fire extinguishers are designed to be used on flammable liquids, gases, and greases.

Water is not recommended for Class B fires as water can scatter the liquid fuel. Further, some liquids float on water, meaning the water is not the best substance for separating the energy from an oxygen source.

In fire classes, a Class B fire is a fire in flammable liquids or flammable gases, petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, lacquers, or alcohols. For example, propane, natural gas, gasoline and kerosene fires are types of Class B fires. The use of lighter fluid on a charcoal grill, for example, creates a Class B fire.

A class A fire refers to a fire that involves solid combustibles such as wood, coal, paper, plastic, straw, cloth, rubber or any other solid material. These solid substances are mainly of organic origin and contain carbon and its compounds.

Fire extinguishers are matched explicitly to certain types of fires. Their use is indicated by a lettering system and should be used following the terms specified: Class A: Ordinary combustibles including wood, paper, cloth, trash, and plastics. Class B: Flammable liquids and gases that include gasoline, oil, grease, acetone, and propane.

To stop a fire, one of the three elements of the fire triangle must be removed. So, if a fire runs out of fuel, it will smoulder out; if you can cool a fire down it will lose heat and go out; and if the oxygen is removed it will suffocate. Therefore, attempts at combatting a fire and also preventing a fire are based upon these principles.

You should always aim at the base of the fire and never the flames. To put out a fire, it is important that you extinguish the fuel. If you aim at the flames, the extinguishing agent will fly through them without putting out the fire.

The dangers of oxygen displacement in a burning building as well as other hazards including the presence of toxic gases, the ire itself, the risk of explosion, building collapse, and electrocution make re-entering a burning structure a dangerous, if not deadly proposition. NEVER re-enter a burning building! Results could be deadly!

The presence of flammable vapors or gases that are in the air in sufficient quantities can be explosive or ignitable. When these materials are located near electrical or other source of ignition, the potential for explosion exists.

Sources of ignition can create a hazardous location. Typically there are three causes of ignition:

1. Arcs and sparks produced by the normal operation of equipment (i.e. motor starters, contactors, and switches)
2. The high temperatures of some heat-producing equipment (i.e. lamps and lighting fixtures)
3. Electrical equipment failure (i.e. shorting of a terminal)

Class A fires include fires in ordinary combustibles: paper, wood, cloth, rubber, and many plastics. Water based fire extinguishers and multi-purpose dry chemical based fire extinguishers are suitable for Class A fires. However, ordinary dry chemical fire extinguishers are suitable for only Class B and Class C fires.

If you’re unable to escape the building, you should create an area of refuge by- - Sealing the room. Stuff wet cloth around cracks in doors, and seal up vents. This stops the smoke from coming through such openings. - Keeping windows and doors closed. Do not break windows. Smoke and flames can come in from the inside. Crack open a window slightly if you need air. - Staying low under smoke. Smoke, heat, and poisonous gases rise, leaving the freshest air closer to the floor. Remember to cover your nose and mouth with a wet cloth. - Breathing only through your nose. - Hanging something in the window to signal for help.

Even in the case that there is no sign of a fire hazard you should always treat a fire alarm like it were a dangerous fire.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Type A: Pressurized water to be used on Class A fire only. Do not use on Class B or C fires; may cause fire spread or electrical shock.
Type ABC: Dry chemical effective on all classes of fires
Type BC: Carbon dioxide to be used on chemical or electrical fires
Type K:  Used in kitchens on grease fires

When operating a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS:

• Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
• Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly.
• Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side.

A closed door can limit the oxygen to a fire; since the oxygen consumed by a fire is directly proportional to the energy it produces, the closed door will slow the fire growth.

A class C fire refers to a fire that involves flammable gases such as natural gas, petroleum gas, butane, hydrogen, acetylene or propane. These gases are highly combustible and may cause large scale fires and explosions if mixed with enough oxygen.