Class a Is Used on Ordinary Combustible Materials Like Wood, Paper, Cardboard and Most

Believe it or not, not all fires are created equal. Because of this, there are different types of extinguishers to better deal with the fires you may come upon.

 Class A is used on ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, cardboard and most plastics.

 Class B is used on fires that involve combustible or flammable liquids such as gasoline, fuel oil, and solvents.

 Class C extinguishers are used on fires involving energized electrical equipment, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets.

All of these extinguishers should be placed in workplaces, on jobsites and in vehicles to put out small fires and to reduce your risk of serious injury or property loss. The placement of the extinguisher depends on the type of fire they’ll fight.

 Class A fires need a Class A extinguisher placed within a 75’ travel-distance.

 Class B fire hazards should be protected by a properly sized Class B extinguisher within 50 feet.

 Class C extinguishers are required where electrical fires are likely.

In order to better protect the jobsite, it can be more convenient to use combination extinguishers. The same extinguisher can be used on multiple fire types. The most common and widely used combination extinguisher is a dry chemical extinguisher; these extinguishers can be rated as BC or ABC which means that they can safely fight a type B and type C fire or all three fire types.

No matter the type of fire extinguisher are on your jobsite, they should only be used by those that have been properly trained in when and how to use them. Training will include fire extinguisher selection, operation of extinguishers, the hazards of using an extinguisher and proper “fight or flee” decision making. Every fire extinguisher has its limits and you must be aware and respectful of them. If you try to fight a fire with the wrong type of extinguisher or one that is too small, you may very well make the situation worse by making the fire larger. For your safety and the safety of your coworkers, fleeing may be the best option rather than trying to fight a fire, leave it to the professionals.

Fire extinguishers must be wall-mounted using brackets not higher than 60 inches or in wall cabinets. They should be maintained and inspected to be sure they will work properly in case of an emergency.

 Maintenance should be completed each year by a qualified fire equipment vendor. This will usually be documented by attaching a tag.

 Visual inspections must be done monthly. These are “quick checks” that include ensuring the extinguisher is properly mounted and not blocked, any gauge that may be part of the extinguisher is “in the green”, the pin seal is intact and that the extinguisher looks to be ready for use. The monthly inspections are to be documented on the attached tag or in a log book.

Being aware of how, when and why to use a fire extinguisher can be the difference between life and death for you and those you share the jobsite with.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Which type of extinguisher will allow for fighting the most varied types of fires? What should be included in the training for the use of fire extinguishers?

COMPANY: ______SAFETY MEETING JOB/DEPT: ______SAFETY TRAINING DATE: ____/____/______TIME: ______

TOPICS ADDRESSED: ______

EMPLOYEE'S SIGNATURES:

______

EMPLOYEE SUGGESTIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: ______ACTION TAKEN: ______

______/_____/_____ Supervisor's Signature Date ______/_____/_____ Safety Coordinator's Signature Date