VALMONT Fire Extinguisher Best Safe Practices
OSHA STANDARD • 29 CFR 1910.157 “The requirements of this section apply to the placement, use, maintenance, & testing of portable fire extinguishers provided for the use of employees”. *Exceptions: 29CFR1910.157 (b)(1) 1. Employer has established & implemented a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate & total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal which includes an EAP and fire prevention plan which meet 29CFR1910.138.
OSHA STANDARD (exceptions) *29CFR1910.157 (b)(1) • Employer has established & implemented a written fire safety policy which requires the immediate & total evacuation of employees from the workplace upon the sounding of a fire alarm signal which includes an EAP and fire prevention plan which meet 1910.138. • Where the employer has an EAP meeting the requirements of 1910.138 which designates certain employees to be the only employees authorized to use the available portable fire extinguishers, & all others must evacuate the affected area.
Location of Fire Extinguishers • Class B, & C Fire extinguishers must be staged no further than 50’ in travel distance from each other. • Class A & D must be staged no further than 75’ from each other. • Properly mark the location of all fire extinguishers in you facilities.
Inspection • Fire extinguishers must be properly hung & inspected monthly by a competent employee inside of your facility. • Inspection must be marked on the inspection tag.
Inspection • While performing the inspection, check for exterior damage to the extinguisher, make sure it is properly charged (A.B.C.), make sure that there is no damage to the hose, & make sure that the hose is not blocked. • Extinguishers must be inspected by a licensed professional once a year.
Classes of Fire • Class A – Ordinary Combustibles Wood, Paper etc.
Classes of Fire • Class B – Flammable Fuels Gasoline, Kerosene, etc.
Classes of Fire • Class C – Energized Electrical Panel boxes, motors, etc
Classes of Fire • Class D – Flammable Metals Zinc, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium **REACTS VIOLENTLY TO WATER!!
Classes of Fire • Class K – Kitchen Fires Cooking greases, oils, etc.
Types of Extinguishers • ABC • For class A,B,C fires only • Contains Ammonium Phosphate (baking powder type substance • Has a range of 15’
Types of Extinguishers • BC • For class B,C fires only • Contains Carbon Dioxide • Has a range of 3’ – 8’
Types of Extinguishers • D • For flammable metal fires only • Contains Metal X • Must not be disturbed once applied
Types of Extinguishers • PW • For class A fires only • Contains 2 ½ gallons of pressurized H20
Types of Extinguishers • Halon • For valuable electrical equipment (pc’s) • Contains Halogenated Hydrocarbons • Range of 4’ – 6’
P.A.S.S. • Pull the pin • Aim at the base of the fire • Squeeze the handle • Sweep at the base of the fire
Points to Remember • OSHA standard states that extinguishers are for incipient fires only. • Always test the fire extinguisher before use. • Always use the buddy system. • NEVER turn your back on the fire even if you think it is out.
Fire extinguishers are located throughout the facility.Become familiar with the location of all extinguishers in your work area.
FIRE EXTINGUISHER TRAININGREGULATION29 CFR 1910.157 TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS WATER DRY CHEMICAL CO2
TYPES OF FIRES • “A” wood and/or paper • “B” flammable liquids • :C” electrical
PROPER USE • CHECK FOR PROPER CHARGE • PULL PIN • AIM AT BASE OF FIRE & USE SWEEPING MOTION • 8 – 10 FEET DISTANCE
FIRE EXTINGUISHER SAFETY • NEVER PUT YOURSELF IN DANGER • BE AWARE OF MATERIAL THAT IS ON FIRE • NOTIFY YOUR SUPERVISOR
