Top Fire Fighting Tips For Home And Business

Fire prevention can help to reduce the likelihood of a fire occurring, but not eliminate the chance of fire altogether so knowing how to fight a fire safely is essential to stop it getting out of control.

But, and an important but, it is also imperative you know when to fight a fire, as some fires are beyond your control and the best course of action for your safety and others is to evacuate the area as quickly as possible.

To make sure that you have the best chance of escaping a fire and possibly stopping it from getting out of control, here are some top fire fighting tips for home and work.

First Things First

Whether you are going to tackle the fire or not, call the Fire Service as it is easy to forget once you jump into action.

In the UK, the phone numbers 999, 911 (USA) and 112 (Europe) are all programmed to send you to the emergency services.

Fight Or Don't Fight?

If a fire has broken out, you need to decide fairly quickly if you are capable of fighting it or not. If the fire is small and looks to be contained then you can tackle it, providing you have the right fire extinguisher to hand. However, if the fire looks to be spreading get out of the room as quickly as possible, as a fire like this can double in size in just a few minutes.

Never, ever tackle a fire unless you believe you can put it out without risk to yourself, and should the fire spread you can still easily escape from the area unharmed.

Although you might want to try and be a hero, your life and those around you is more important than protecting your possessions from damage.

If You Do Fight The Fire

If you do decide to fight the fire, make sure you do so quickly to avoid the fire growing. Make sure you already know how to use the fire extinguisher, as there will not be time to work out how to use it whilst the fire rages. And make sure you have the right type of extinguisher for the fire, as using the wrong type could make things much worse.

Keep your exit free and at your back so you can escape easily, and if possible have someone nearby to call for help if things get out of hand. This will allow you to deal with the fire safely and effectively, as well as helping you to avoid injury.

Some Fires Should Not Be Fought

Whilst you might want to save your possessions, you need to realise that some fires are beyond your ability to control.

If the fire is spreading quickly or you do not know what is burning, then you need to evacuate immediately. Failing to do so could make things worse and could put your life or the lives of others in danger whilst you try to tackle a fire beyond your control.

Never risk your life to put out a fire, but rather concentrate on getting yourself out of the building to safety.

Different Fire Fighting Tools

Although fire extinguishers are the main fire fighting tool, there are other items that you can use to help you stop a fire. Fire blankets can be useful for small contained fires, as long as you can get close enough to apply the blanket. The blanket will stop oxygen from reaching the fire and put it out quickly.

A hose reel will be a big help but you need to be able to run it all the way to the fire without getting in the way of exits and people and without getting stuck.

You also need to know if it is automatic - it will turn the water flow on without a tap but you still need to twist the nozzle - or manual - you will need to turn the tap by the reel and twist the nozzle. However, fire extinguishers are still the most effective method of putting out a fire, as long as the right extinguisher is used for the particular fire. A water-based extinguisher can also be used to damp down "hot spots" to ensure a fire will not re-ignite.

Fighting fires can be done safely and can prevent damage to property and possessions. However, the most important fire fighting tip is to only fight the fire if you are in a position where you can still escape. If there is any doubt, any at all, get out of the premises immediately and stay out. Leave the hero stuff to the professional fire fighters.

Fire Extinguishers For Fire Safety Tools

A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires. It is essential safety equipment in any home and come in many different sizes.

Fire extinguishers are labeled according to the types of fire they put out. Make sure you buy the extinguisher, which fits the type of fire.

It is always better to fight a fire through prevention and early detection. However, with training and practicing, adults can use portable fire extinguishers to extinguish small, contained fires. Extinguishing a small-contained fire, such as a cooking pan, wastebasket fire or campfire may prevent needless injury and minimize property damage.

Typically, a fire extinguisher consists of a handheld cylindrical pressure vessel containing an agent, which can be discharged to extinguish a fire. The extinguishing agent cools the burning fuel, displaces the oxygen, or stops the chemical reaction so a fire cannot carry on burning.

Fire extinguishers can be divided into four classifications: Class A, Class B, Class C, and Class D. Each class corresponds to the type of fire the extinguisher is designed for, and the type of extinguishing agents used. Different extinguishers come in the form of water, foam, dry powder, carbon dioxide (co2), and wet chemical.

You should inspect your fire extinguishers at least monthly for signs of damage, discharge or tampering. You should check that it is not obstructed and its operating instructions are able to seen and facing outwards so anybody who needs to use it promptly can see the user instructions.

Do You Know How to Use a Fire Extinguisher?

Millions of people everyday rely on fire extinguishers to put out minor fires which start in the home. Fire extinguishers contain a powder which is known to instantly put out a fire and prevent it from spreading any further. In 2004, fire extinguishers saved over 25 lives in the United States and prevented over 1,500 injuries. Fire departments all over the world encourage home owners to have at least one fire extinguisher in the home at all times. That said, studies show that approximately 80% of homeowners do have at least one in their home, but the question is do they know how to use it?

Sure it's great to know there's a fire extinguisher close by if you ever need one, but what most people don't understand is if you don't know how to use these devices, they are practically useless. Everyone should know how to use a fire extinguisher and if you are one of the many who don't, the follow steps will provide you with everything you need to know.

The easiest way to learn how to use a fire extinguisher is to memorize the acronym P.A.S.S. and memorize the meaning of each letter. The following list will provide you with the meanings of each letter:

P – The first letter to remember is "P". This indicates to the user to pull the pin. Pulling the pin is the first step in the process and is crucial to the successful execution of fire extinguishers.

A – The "A" stands for Aim. This tells the user to aim the fire extinguisher nozzle towards the base of the flames.

S – The first "S" stands for Squeeze. This advises the user to squeeze the trigger while maintaining the extinguisher in an upright position.

S – The last "S" stands for Sweep. The user will then sweep the extinguisher from side to side making sure to cover the area of the fire completely.

Remembering the word PASS can save the life of you or someone you love.

Having a fire extinguisher in your home is a great idea however the location of your extinguisher is a determining factor in whether or not it will be useful. You will want to keep your fire extinguisher in areas which are most likely to produce fires such as kitchens, near fireplaces, garages or areas with a number of candles (perhaps a bedroom).

Do not keep your fire extinguisher near your stove. Stoves are a prime target for fires and should a fire break out near your stove, you will want to be able to access your extinguisher. You may also want to keep your extinguisher near an exit so you can leave it the fire becomes too large.

Know the Basic of Fire Extinguisher

Using the right type of fire extinguisher in the proper way can keep a small fire from becoming a destructive and dangerous one. A fire in your residence can involve any one or a combination of three things: live electricity, combustible solids, or flammable liquids.

The best fire extinguishers are rated ABC, and can handle any of these type of fire. However, some extinguishers can only douse one type of fire. For example:

Class A fires are fed by combustible solids, such as paper, wood, fabric, and most plastics. Class A extinguishers use water propelled by a gas, or can be easily pumped. Foam can also put out a Class A fire.

Class B fires burn in flammable liquids such as gasoline, grease, oil and kerosene. Foam, carbon dioxide (CO2), and dry chemical Class B extinguishers are effective against these types of fires. Never use a Class A extinguisher with a Class B fire, as water will spread the flames.

Class C fires are caused by live electricity. Use a CO2 or dry chemical extinguisher on electrical fires. Never use foam or water, because you could suffer a serious shock and/or spread the fire. With the power off, Class C fires become Class A or B.

When purchasing a fire extinguisher, it should be rated by an independent testing agency such as Underwriters Laboratory (UL, or ULC in Canada). Look closely at the label for a number that indicates the capacity of its contents. The larger the number, the greater the capacity, but also the more the extinguisher will weigh. Home fire extinguishers typically weigh from 10 to 36 pounds.

Be sure to think about how many extinguishers you will need. At minimum, buy one each for the basement, garage, and kitchen. Providing a fourth for your sleeping area is highly recommended. As soon as you get the extinguisher home, read the directions in front of your family, and recheck the extinguishers monthly to make sure they are fully charged.

Mount each fire extinguisher near a doorway, no more than five feet above the floor. Keep them as far as possible from any location in which a fire could likely break out, such as a range, wood stove, or fireplace.

How to Choose the Most Suitable Fire Extinguisher for House

Fire extinguisher serves as first line battle against the fire before fire brigade arrives your house if there is any fire. It is advisable to have at least two fire extinguishers in your house.

Fire occurs if the following elements exist:

(i) oxygen
(ii) heat
(iii) fuel and
(iv) chemical reaction.


These elements form the Fire Triangle.

Fire can be extinguished by removing or isolating any of those elements in the Fire Triangle from the rest.

There are many types of fire extinguisher available in the market. It is vital that you use the correct fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire. The wrong type of fire extinguisher may not be able to put off the fire and hence not effective. Using incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished successfully.

Some suppliers are ignorant about the suitable type of fire extinguisher for different household use. It is advisable to check the fire extinguisher you have in your home.

Household use

Normally a fire in a house occurs on wood, paper, cloth, plastic etc. This type of fire is known as Class A fire.

Fire also quite often occurs in the kitchen involving cooking oil and grease like animal fats and vegetable fats. This is Class K fire.

Sometimes, fire also occurs at electrical equipments like motor, transformer and appliances. This type of fire is called Class C fire.

Recommendation

The suitable fire extinguisher for household use are:-

i. Dry chemical fire extinguisher
It is effective on Class A and Class C fire. It extinguishes fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the Fire Triangle. It works by creating a barrier between oxygen and fuel elements of Class A fire.
ii. Water mist
This type of fire extinguisher is primarily for Class A fire although they are safer for use on Class C fire. It extinguishes fire by taking away the heat element of the Fire Triangle.
iii. Cartridge operated dry chemical
This agent works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and fuel element on Class A fire. It is also suitable for use on Class C fire.


If you choose to use any of the above fire extinguisher, you may achieve cost-effectiveness as it is suitable for both Class A and C fire.


Other types of fire extinguisher which are suitable only for one type of fire are:


i. Water and foam fire extinguisher
It is only suitable for Class A fire. It extinguishes fire by taking away the heat element from the Fire Triangle. It is not suitable for Class C fire which involves electrical equipments. You may get electrocuted because the water is current conductor.
ii. Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher
It can be used on Class C fire. It operates by taking away the oxygen element of the Fire Triangle and removing heat.
iii. Clean agent and halogenated fire extinguisher
It extinguishes Class C fire only. It involves halon agents and halocarbon agents. The agents extinguish fire by interrupting the chemical reaction of the Fire Triangle.


For kitchen involving Class K fire, you need to use wet chemical fire extinguisher. It operates by removing the heat element of the Fire Triangle and prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier between the oxygen and fuel elements. This type of fire extinguisher can be used on Class C fire as well.

In conclusion, you need to have 2 fire extinguishers i.e. one for Class A and C fire and the other for Class K fire in the kitchen.

Tips
Fire extinguisher must be maintained in accordance with the relevant local regulations. In Malaysia, fire extinguisher has to be maintained by the supplier once per year and examined by the Fire Brigade Department. The Fire Brigade will issue a Fire Brigade Certificate upon completion of examination and compliance with its regulations.