Fire Safety, Part 1: About Fires and Fire Types

A general note on fire safety:

If your clothing catches on fire, it is a natural response to panic and run to
the nearest shower or fire blanket. Don't do it! Running will just fan the
flames and increase the potential for serious injury. The correct response
is to
Stop, Drop, and Roll
on the ground to extinguish the flames. Cover your face with your hands to
protect your face and lungs. If one of your colleagues catches fire, panics,
and starts to run, tackle him or her and smother the flames.
The information given here is intended as an introduction to fires and fire
extinguishers. It is not a comprehensive reference. Be aware that fires are
dangerous, and many aspects of fire safety are not discussed here. For
more in-depth information and hands-on training, contact your local Fire
Marshal's office.
Combustion
Combustion is a chemical reaction in which a fuel is rapidly oxidized. Three
things are required to sustain a fire:
Oxygen (more properly, an oxidizing agent)
Fuel (a reducing agent)
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Heat
Therefore, to kill a fire, you must deny the fire one or more of these three
things. You may:
Exclude oxygen from the fire.
Remove the fuel on which the fire is feeding.
Lower the temperature.
Types of Fires
There are four classes of fires, categorized according to the kind of
material that is burning. For the first three classes of fires, there are two
sets of color-coded icons in common use. One or both kinds of icons
appear on most fire extinguishers to indicate the kinds of fire against
which the unit is intended to be used. There is only one icon used to
indicate the fourth (class D) kind of fire. Class D fires involve uncommon
materials and occur in fairly specialized situations. Note that any given fire
can fall into more than one class; a fire that involves both burning paper
and kitchen grease would be a Class AB fire.
Class A fires are those fueled by materials that, when they
burn, leave a residue in the form of ash, such as paper, wood, cloth,
rubber, and certain plastics.
Class B fires involve flammable liquids and gasses, such as
gasoline, paint thinner, kitchen grease, propane, and acetylene.
Fires that involve energized electrical wiring or equipment
(motors, computers, panel boxes) are Class C fires. Note that if the
electricity to the equipment is cut, a Class C fire becomes one of the other
three types of fires.
Class D fires involve exotic metals, such as magnesium,
sodium, titanium, and certain organometallic compounds such as
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alkyllithium and Grignard reagents.
Fire Safety, Part 2: Putting Out Fires
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers are categorized according to the substances that they
contain and by class of fire. Extinguishers are rated for use against only
certain kinds of fires, and will carry an ABCD marking to indicate the
classes of fire against which they may properly be used. For example, an
extinguisher rated for class B and C fires is called (and marked) a type BC
extinguisher. A fire extinguisher should never be used on a class of fire for
which it is not rated -- see notes following the table.
Type Mechanism Effective Range Discharge Duration Classes of
Fire
A B C D
water reduces temperature 30-40 ft 60 sec 1 2
1
CO2 displaces oxygen 3-8 ft 8-30 sec 1
dry chemical binds oxygen 5-20 ft10-40 sec 3
halon binds oxygen 4-10 ft8-24 sec
Met-L-X smothers See Note 4 NA
Extinguisher rated for this type of fire
Extinguisher not rated for this type of fire
Discharge Classes of Fire
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Type Mechanism Effective Range Duration A B C D
---- --------- --------------- --------- ---------------
water reduces 30-40 ft 60 sec Y N N N
temperature

CO2 displaces 3-8 ft 8-30 sec N Y Y N
oxygen

dry binds oxygen 5-20 ft 10-40 sec Y Y Y N
chemical
halon binds oxygen 4-10 ft 8-24 sec N Y Y N
Met-L-X smothers see note 4 NA N N N Y
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Y => extinguisher rated for this type of fire
N => extinguisher not rated for this type of fire
Notes:
Fire extinguishers should never be used on classes of fires for which they
are not rated. In some cases (eg. water used on a Class D fire), the
extinguisher can actually make the fire worse!
Never use water on a class C fire -- shock hazard.
Some dry-chemical extinguishers are rated BC, others are rated ABC.
Those rated BC contain sodium or potassium bicarbonate; those rated
ABC contain ammonium phosphate.
Extinguishing agents for class D fires are usually applied with a scoop or
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shovel.
Fire Extinguisher Operation
The information given here describes how a fire extinguisher should be
used to fight a fire. However, do not believe, because you have read this,
that you know how to use a fire extinguisher! If you really want to learn how
to use a fire extinguisher properly (and you should), you should seek out a
hands-on training class in which you will have the opportunity to put out
some real fires using portable extinguishers. Such classes are offered free
of charge through the Fire Marshal's office in many cities in the US,
including the city of Eugene.
To remember how to use a fire extinguisher, think of putting out the fire as
a test you must PASS.
P Pull the locking pin.
A Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
S Squeeze the trigger all the way closed.
S Sweep the extinguisher discharge side to side over the area of the
fire.
When should you fight a fire?
In the event of a fire, your personal safety is your most important concern.
You are not required to fight a fire. If all of the following conditions are met,
then you may choose to use a fire extinguisher against the fire. If any of the
conditions is not met, or you have even the slightest doubt about your
personal safety, do not fight the fire.
Attempt to use a fire extinguisher if and only if...
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The fire alarm has been pulled and fire department has been called. The
on-campus emergency number at the University of Oregon is 6-6666. The
off-campus emergency number in the Eugene-Springfield area is 911.
The fire is small and contained.
You know your escape route and can fight the fire with your back to the
exit.
You know what kind of extinguisher is required.
The correct extinguisher is immediately at hand.
You have been trained in how to use the extinguisher.
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