Fire Extinguisher Training - Jasperwood Fire Equipment

To extinguish a fire with a portable extinguisher, a person must be able to access the portable fire extinguisher, know how to activate the unit and know how to apply the agent effectively—all in the span of a few seconds. Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company can provide comprehensive training for you and your employees to ensure proper and safe use of your portable fire extinguishers. It is important to know the locations and the types of fire extinguishers in your workplace prior to actually using one. Portable Fire Extinguishers can be heavy, so it's a good idea to practice picking up and holding an extinguisher to get an idea of the weight and feel. Take time to read the operating instructions and warnings found on the portable fire extinguisher label. Not all portable fire extinguishers look alike. Practice releasing the discharge hose or horn and aiming it at the base of an imagined fire. Do not pull the pin or squeeze the lever unless actually fighting a fire because this will break the extinguisher seal and cause it to lose pressure. Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company can provide fire safety and portable fire extinguisher training to suit your individual needs, from a simple power-point presentation, to actual hands-on live fire safety and portable fire extinguisher training. To schedule portable fire extinguisher Training in the Texas Panhandle including Plainview TX, Amarillo TX and Lubbock TX as well as the surrounding areas; call Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company at (806) 292-9605 or submit your request by clicking here.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST INFORMATION, SERVICE, TRAINING OR A QUOTE or call Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company in Amarillo TX at (806) 373-0000, in Lubbock TX at (806) 793-3000 or in Plainview TX at (806) 296-9789.

The ABCs of fire protection

There are four elements that must be present for a fire to exist. There must be Oxygen to sustain combustion, Heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature, Fuel to support the combustion and a Chemical Reaction between the other three elements. The concept of Fire Prevention is based upon keeping these four elements separate.

Types of Fires

Different fuels create different fires and require different types of fire extinguishing agents. Some types of fire extinguishing agents can be used on more than one class of fire. Others have warnings where it would be dangerous for the operator to use a particular fire extinguisher agent.

Class A Fires are fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, trash, and plastics.
Class B Fires are fires in flammable liquids such as gasoline, petroleum oil and paint.
Class C Fires are fires involving electrical equipment such as motors and transformers.
Class D Fires are fires in combustible metals such as potassium, aluminum, sodium and magnesium.
Class K Fires are fires in cooking oils and greases such as animal fats and vegetable fats.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST INFORMATION, SERVICE, TRAINING OR A QUOTE or call Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company in Amarillo TX at (806) 373-0000, in Lubbock TX at (806) 793-3000 or in Plainview TX at (806) 296-9789.

Types of fire extinguishers

Water and Foam Portable Fire Extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle. Foam agents also separate the oxygen element from the other elements. Water portable fire extinguishers are for Class A fires only - they should not be used on Class B or C fires. The discharge stream could spread the flammable liquid in a Class B fire or could create a shock hazard on a class C fire. Foam portable fire extinguishers can be used on Class A & B fires only. They are not for use on Class C fires due to the shock hazard.

Carbon Dioxide Portable Fire Extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle and also by removing the heat with a very cold discharge. Carbon Dioxide Portable Fire Extinguishers can be used on Class B and C fires. They are usually ineffective on Class A fires.

Dry Chemical Portable Fire Extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle. Today's most widely used type of portable fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on Class A, B and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A fires. Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the correct portable fire extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to reignite after apparently being extinguished successfully.

Wet Chemical Portable Fire Extinguishers utilize an agent that extinguishes the fire by removing the heat of the fire triangle and prevents reigniting by creating a barrier between the oxygen and fuel elements. Wet chemical or Class K portable fire extinguishers were developed for modern, high efficiency deep fat fryers in commercial cooking operations. Some may also be used on Class A fires in commercial kitchens.

Halogenated or Clean Agent Fire Extinguishers include the halon agents as well as the newer and less ozone depleting halocarbon agents. They extinguish the fire by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle. Clean agent fire extinguishers are primarily for Class B & C fires. Some larger clean agent extinguishers can be used on Class A, B and C fires.

Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers are similar to dry chemical except that they extinguish the fire by separating the fuel from the oxygen element or by removing the heat element of the fire triangle. However, dry powder fire extinguishers are for Class D or combustible metal fires, only. They are ineffective on all other classes of fires.

Water Mist Portable Fire Extinguishers are a recent development that extinguishes the fire by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle. They are an alternative to the clean agent fire extinguishers where contamination is a concern. Water mist fire extinguishers are primarily for Class A fires, although they are safe for use on Class C fires as well.

Cartridge Operated Dry Chemical Portable Fire Extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle.  Like the stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers, the multipurpose dry chemical is effective on Class A, B and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A fires. Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the correct extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished successfully.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST INFORMATION, SERVICE, TRAINING OR A QUOTE or call Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company in Amarillo TX at (806) 373-0000, in Lubbock TX at (806) 793-3000 or in Plainview TX at (806) 296-9789.

The three A’s of fighting fires

The three A's of fighting fires are Activate, Assist and Attempt.

Activate the building alarm system or notify the fire department by calling 911.
Assist any persons in immediate danger, or those incapable on their own, to exit the building, without risk to yourself.
Only after these two are completed, should you Attempt to extinguish the fire. Only fight a fire with a portable fire extinguisher if the fire is small and contained and the time to use a portable fire extinguisher is in the early, or incipient, stage of a fire. Once the fire starts to grow or spread, it is best to evacuate the building, closing doors or windows behind you. If the fire is producing large amounts of thick, black smoke or chemical smoke, it may be best not to try to extinguish the fire. Neither should you attempt to extinguish the fire in a confined space. Outdoors, approach the fire with the wind at your back. Remember that all fires will produce carbon monoxide and many fires will produce toxic gasses that can be fatal, even in small amounts. You should always fight a fire with an exit or other means of escape at your back. If the fire is not quickly extinguished, you need to be able to get out quickly and avoid becoming trapped. If you do not feel comfortable attempting to extinguish the fire, don't try - get out and let the fire department do their job.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST INFORMATION, SERVICE, TRAINING OR A QUOTE or call Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company in Amarillo TX at (806) 373-0000, in Lubbock TX at (806) 793-3000 or in Plainview TX at (806) 296-9789.

When it is time to use a portable fire extinguisher on a fire, just remember to P.A.S.S.

Pull - Pull the pin.
Aim - Aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire from the recommended safe distance.
Squeeze - Squeeze the operating lever to discharge the fire extinguisher agent.
Sweep - Starting at the recommended distance, Sweep the nozzle or hose from side to side until the fire is out. Move forward or around the fire area as the fire diminishes. Watch the area in case of re-ignition.

CLICK HERE TO REQUEST INFORMATION, SERVICE, TRAINING OR A QUOTE or call Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company in Amarillo TX at (806) 373-0000, in Lubbock TX at (806) 793-3000 or in Plainview TX at (806) 296-9789.

Contact Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company Today

Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company has been providing fire equipment sales and service to the Texas Panhandle since 1953. Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company provides complete fire protection services for restaurants, commercial kitchens and other industries in the Texas Panhandle including Plainview TX, Amarillo TX and Lubbock TX. Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company is your best solution for all fire protection and fire suppression system products and services. Don’t gamble with the safety of your restaurant, your employees, your valuable assets or your guests — Request Information, Service, Training Or A Quote or call Jasperwood Fire Equipment Company TODAY. In Amarillo TX call (806) 373-0000, in Lubbock TX call (806) 793-3000 and in Plainview TX call (806) 296-9789.