BOF FF1 Chapter 7*29 Portable Fire Extinguishers

Air-Aspirating Foam Nozzle

designed to provide the aeration required to make the highest quality foam possible; most effective appliance for the generation of low-expansion foam.

Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)

Synthetic foam concentrate that, when combined with water, can form a complete vapor barrier over fuel spills and fires and is a highly effective extinguishing and blanketing agent on hydrocarbon fuels *Class B

Class A Fire

Fires involving ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and similar materials.

Class B Fire

Fires of flammable and combustible liquids and gases.

Class C Fire

Fires involving energized electrical equipment.

Class D Fire

Fires of combustible metals such as magnesium, sodium, and titanium.

Class K Fire

Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media, such as vegetable or animal oils and fats; commonly occurring in commercial cooking facilities such as restaurants and institutional kitchens.

Dry Chemical

Any one of a number of powdery extinguishing agents used to extinguish fires.

Dry Powder

Extinguishing agent suitable for use on combustible metal fires.

Extinguishing Agent

Any substance used for the purpose of controlling or extinguishing a fire.

Fire Extinguisher

Portable fire fighting device designed to combat incipient fires.

Halogenated Extinguishing Agents

Chemical compounds that contain carbon plus one or more elements from the halogen series. Halon 1301 and Halon 1211 are most commonly used as extinguishing agents for Class B and Class C fires (halogenated hydrocarbons)

Saponification

Phenomenon that occurs when mixtures of alkaline-based chemicals and certain cooking oils come into contact, resulting in the formation of a soapy film.

Smothering

Act of excluding oxygen from a fuel.

Water-Mist Extinguisher

Fire extinguisher capable of discharging atomized water through a special applicator; pressurized water-mist extinguishers use distilled water, whereas backpack pump water-mist extinguishers use ordinary water.

Wet Chemical System

Extinguishing system that uses a wet chemical solution as the primary extinguishing agent; usually installed in range hoods and associated ducting where grease may accumulate.

What are the five classifications of portable fire extinguishers?

A,B,C,D, and K [Ordinary Combustibles, Flammable and Combustible Liquids and Gases, ELectrical Equipment, Combustible Metals/Materials, and Kitchen (cooking oils)]

What kind of extinguishing agents can be used on Class A fires?

Water, Water-based agents, foam, and dry chemicals

What type of materials may be involved in Class B fires?

Flammable and combustible liquids and gases - Tars, Oil Based Paints, Lacquers, Petroleum greases, Oils, Solvents, and Alcohols

Why are water and water-based agents not typically used on Class C fires?

They may conduct electrical current, and shouldn't be used until the electricity is cut off.

Which type of extinguisher should be used on a Class D fire?

Dry powders

Where would you typically find Class K fires?

Private homes, Commercial and institutional kitchens, and industrial cooking facilities

What methods do extinguishing agents use to extinguish a fire?

Smothering, cooling, and chemical flame inhibition

What are the differences between pump-type and stored-pressure extinguishers?

Pump-type extinguishers are for ground cover fires and manually operate a side pump where the nozzle will produce a straight stream/fog/water mist patter; Stored-pressure extinguishers are useful for all Class A fires including confined hot spots during overhaul, and use water with compressed air or nitrogen which travel up the siphon tube and out through the hose

What class of fires are AFFF extinguishers designed to extinguish?

Class B fires (not suitable for C, D, or K)

What are the differences between dry chemical and dry powder extinguishers?

Dry chemical extinguishers are for use on Class A-B-C fires and/or Class B-C fires; Dry powder extinguishers are for use on Class D fires

What are some factors to consider when selecting a fire extinguisher?

Classification of the burning fuel, Hazards to be protected against, Atmosphere conditions, Any life hazard or operational concerns, Rating of the extinguisher, Size and intensity of the fire, Ease of handling the extinguisher, and Availablity of trainer personnel to operate the extinguisher

How do you extinguish a fire using the PASS method?

Pull and twist the pin to break the thin wire or plastic seal, Aim the nozzel at the base of the fire, Squeese the handles together to release a short burst to test the extinguisher, and then sqeeze continuously to release the agent, Sweep the nozzle back and forth to cover the base of the burning surface

Hydrocarbons are used as extinguishing agents for which class of fires?

Class B & C

Class A Color/Shape

Green Triangle

Class B Color/Shape

Red Box

Class C Color/Shape

Blue Circle

Class D Color/Shape

Yellow Star

Class K Color/Shape

Black Hexagon

Class A associated image

trash can

Class B associated image

gasoline tank

Class C associated image

outlet plug

Class D associated image

car rim

Class K associated image

cooking pan

Class A rating association

1-A through 40-A (1.25 gal per)

Class B rating association

1-B through 640-B (1 per square foot non expert)

Class C rating association

No extinguish tests

Class D rating association

None

Class K rating association

None

What is deemed an emergency when exiting a fire?

air cylinder bells go off