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Fire Extinguisher Training: Selection, Placement, and NFPA Facts

Posted by Joshua Fleishman on Tue, Mar 11, 2014 @ 12:01 PM

Previously, we did an article on fire extinguisher service and the steps involved in monthly inspection. I wanted to take this a step further and discuss a few more topics related to fire extinguishers because we are all familiar with them, know what they are and for the most part, how they work. In order to fill in the few gaps left, we have put together this article covering training, selection, and location of fire extinguishers along with some statistics from the National Fire Protection Agency (NFPA).

So you’re ready to buy a fire extinguisher? Well first you need to know what you are using it for in order to choose the correct class of extinguisher. Below you will find a chart matching the facility with what fire extinguisher to be used:

Facility

Hazard

Extinguisher

Home/Office Paper, computers, copiers, cloth, trash ABC
Server Room Servers, computers, paper, trash Clean agent,
carbon dioxide, water mist
Kitchen (Commercial) Grease fire Class K
Kitchen (Home/Office) Electrical equipment, grease fires Wet chemical, BC
Warehouse Gasoline, grease, oil, paint,
flammable liquids
ABC
Boiler Room Flammable liquids BC
Flammable
Liquid Storage
Flammable liquids ABC, carbon dioxide
Hospital
Operating Room 
Electrical equipment Clean agent,
carbon dioxide, water mist
Chemical Facility Chemicals, wood, paper, trash ABC
fire extinguishers, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguisher training, osha

As you can see, having an ABC fire extinguisher in most instances will take care of most fires. You simply need to be aware of the few instances where this is not the case. Electrical equipment, servers, and grease fires are the big ones to note. This requires a different type of fire extinguisher as seen above.

Now that you have your extinguisher type picked, your next task is to select an appropriate placement for the extinguisher. Remember when selecting a place for your fire extinguisher, they must be selected and positioned based on the potential type and size of fire that can occur [29 CFR 1910.157(d)(1)].

Fire extinguisher locations should be:

  • Easily accessible
  • Not blocked by equipment or other materials
  • Near normal paths of travel
  • Near entrance and exit doors
  • Readily visible
  • Mounted on a wall or placed in a fire extinguisher cabinet

Fire extinguisher travel distance varies on its classification:

fire extinguishers, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguisher training, oshaOnce a fire extinguisher has been selected and placed in compliance with OSHA/NFPA standards, you then need to know how to use it. Training for yourself and/or employees is a very important step and should not be overlooked. The unfortunate reality, as you’ll see further below via the NFPA stats, is that fires happen all the time. Having properly learned how to use an extinguisher can save someone’s life. Below you find training specifics, as presented by the 1910.157 OSHA standard guidelines, as well as a few tips for how to engage employees further with hands-on training.

 

OSHA Training Standard Guidelines – 1910.157

  • Have all employees who are expected to use fire extinguishers in an emergency been trained in the principles of extinguisher use and the hazards involved? [(g)(1)]
  • Are employees trained when initially hired and then at least annually thereafter? [(g)(2)]
  • Have all employees specifically designated as emergency responders in your emergency action plan (fire brigades, for example) been trained to use appropriate fire-fighting equipment? [(g)(3)]
  • Do these specially designated employees receive training when they are initially assigned their special duties and at least annually thereafter? [(g)(4)]

Tips for hands-on training (to further engage & educate employees):

  • Simulate various fire situationsfire extinguishers, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguisher training, osha
    • Include different types of fires
  • Consider using digital fire simulators
    • Train anywhere, safer than conventional fire extinguisher training, different difficulty levels, no recharging extinguishers
  • Have employees work with varying sizes of extinguishers
    • Help employees to understand the potentials and limits of each type
  • Teach employees to maintain proper distance from fires
    • This is dependent on the size of extinguishers used and type of fire
    • Make sure to demonstrate how to properly move away from a fire once it is believed to be under control
  • Teach employees to check the pressure gauges and test extinguishers before approaching a fire.
    • An excellent learning tool can include having trainees select from multiple training extinguishers where one or more are not fully charged
  • Keep class sizes small, ideally fewer than 20 students at a time.
    • This makes it easier for everyone to participate and stay engaged
  • Allow all trainees to extinguish the fire and provide them with opportunities to refine their technique and retry if they fail

FIRES IN THE U.S. (Provided by NFPA)

In 2012, there were 1,375,000 fires reported in the United States. These fires caused 2,855 civilian deaths, 16,500 civilian injuries, and $12.4 billion in property damage.

  • 480,500 were structure fires, causing 2,470 civilian deaths, 14,700 civilian injuries, and $9.8 billion in property damage.
  • 172,500 were vehicle fires, causing 300 civilian fire deaths, 800 civilian fire injuries, and $1.1 billion in property damage.
  • 692,000 were outside and other fires, causing 60 civilian fire deaths, 825 civilian fire injuries, and $813 million in property damage.

fire extinguishers, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguisher training, oshaThe 2012 U.S. fire loss clock a fire department responded to a fire every 23 seconds. One structure fire was reported every 66 seconds.

  • One home structure fire was reported every 85 seconds.
  • One civilian fire injury was reported every 32 minutes.
  • One civilian fire death occurred every 3 hours and 4 minutes.
  • One outside fire was reported every 46 seconds.
  • One vehicle fire was reported every 156 seconds.
If you want your employees to use fire extinguishers correctly and effciently in an emergency, you must make sure they are fully trained. For more information, feel free to check out our fire extinguisher training course here:

Click Here for Fire  Extinguisher Training

Tags: OSHA, importance of safety training, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguishers, fire extinguisher training, fire extinguisher class, fire extinguisher maintenance

Fire Extinguisher Service & the 7 Steps of Monthly Inspections

Posted by Joshua Fleishman on Tue, Feb 04, 2014 @ 09:00 AM

When it comes to fire extinguisher inspections, many of us think that annually you should be checking your fire extinguisher(s) and getting them serviced or refilled. Hopefully, you do at least this otherwise what I'm about to say may shock you.
 

You must do a monthly inspection of all of your fire extinguishers in your home/workplace.
 

importance of safety training, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguisher training, fire extinguisher inspectionLuckily for us, this is a simple 7 step process that will become routine in time. The first two things you must know before starting an inspection of your fire extinguishers are:

  • Who is responsible for doing the monthly checks? If you are at home reading this, it may be a simple answer of yourself. But if you are at work then who is responsible? 
    • Whoever is should always be; it tends to be easier this way. The person held accountable gets used to that responsibility.
  • Before doing a monthly fire extinguisher inspection, you should always have a pen or marker and a rag with you.

Now that you have decided who will be responsible and they have all the necessary materials to check the fire extinguisher, here are the 7 steps to follow in order to properly inspection your fire extinguisher.
 
  1. As you as approaching the fire extinguisher, you should first be checking that it is readily available. This means that it is not blocked by any objects, is not difficult to get to, and is within reach. It should be mounted with a sign above that states that an extinguisher is underneath.  
  • If anything is blocking the fire extinguisher, now is the time to resolve the issue.
     
  • Your next check is to pick up the extinguisher. Is it a powder type? Youimportance of safety training, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguisher training, fire extinguisher inspection must prevent the powder from settling. Go ahead, give it a shake. While its in your hands, is it any lighter than usual or than you'd expect? Call your servicing company (or Safety Training Services here) to have them check it out. It's better to be safe than sorry!
     
  • The next check should be to check the extinguisher all over for dents, rust, oil, etc. If any substance (such as oil) is on it, dampen your rag and wipe it off. If there is any rust or the extinguisher has severe abuse, replace it soon as possible.
     
  • Mount the fire extinguisher back on the wall, make sure the instructions are still legible, and check the labels. Make sure to turn extinguisher so that the label is facing outward.
    • If the label is missing or anything is illegible, get a new label when possible. You may even, depending on the extinguisher's state, look into purchasing a whole new fire extinguisher.
       
  • importance of safety training, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguisher training, fire extinguisher inspectionNow that the extinguisher is placed correctly and the label is facing outward, check the pin or safety seal. It should still be intact; if not, you should replace the fire extinguisher.
     
  • You should now look check the gauge. Is it still in the green zone? If not, call a service person/company immediately to have the extinguisher serviced and back in working order.
     
  • Lastly, make sure to check the tag on the fire extinguisher to verify that yearly service has been done within the last year. This is usually marked off on the tag or hole-punched (month/year). Most service companies sign off or mark when the inspection took place, not when its due, so be sure to take a moment to process the information so that you are in compliance with the yearly inspection. Check with your servicing company (or simply contact STS here) if you need assistance. If your fire extinguisher has NOT been serviced in the last year, call immediately to schedule for that to be done.
     
  • importance of safety training, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguisher training, fire extinguisher inspectionCongratulations, your monthly inspection is complete. Be sure to sign your initials on the tag when it has space for monthly inspections. This verifies that the extinguisher is up-to-date and also proves to OSHA (if need arises) that a monthly inspection has been performed. 

    Click here for more about Fire Extinguisher Services


    If you want some or all of your employees to use fire extinguishers in an emergency, you must make sure they are fully trained. We will discuss fire extinguisher training; some issues and some safety tips in the next safety blog article! In the meantime, feel free to check out our fire extinguisher training course here:

    Click Here for Fire  Extinguisher Training

    Tags: OSHA, importance of safety training, fire extinguisher service, fire extinguishers, fire extinguisher training, fire extinguisher class, fire extinguisher maintenance