Name: _____________________________________ Class: ________________ Date: _______________

FIRES & FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

1. Fire is oxidation
2. The fire triangle demonstrates the three components
necessary to create a fire.
a. Oxygen
b. Heat
c. Fuel

3. Research talks about a 4th component of fire which is referred to as the chain reaction which is a
combination of all three parts (heat, fuel & oxygen) to form the fire tetrahedron. Combustion
takes place when the three components combine in their correct proportions. Remove any of the
three components or adjust their levels enough or interrupt the chemical reaction to stop fires.
4. Combustion is when there is a chemical reaction.
5. Understanding the three components of the fire triangle.
a. Fuels: All matter exists in one of three physical states; they are solids, liquids and gasses.
i. All fuels have a flash point which is the lowest temperature at which vapours of the
material (fuel) will ignite, given an appropriate ignition or heat source.
ii. This is not be confused with auto ignition which is the temperature at which
vapours will ignite without another or separate ignition source.
iii. Solid fuels like wood, paper, coal, grains and metals (magnesium). Not all solid fuels
are the same fire category.
iv. Bulky solid fuels burn longer and finely divided solids like dust burn faster because
they provide more surface area, they have more access to oxygen and they don’t
require as much energy to heat up the solid to create the vapour. When heated up
enough carbon dioxide and water vapour are given off and eventually an ignition
temperature is reached. Volatile gasses are given off and catch fire.
v. The amount of heat required to start a fire of wood compared to paper is different
because the mass has to be heated up enough to change its current state and
create the vapour. Paper has very little mass compared to a piece of hardwood
timber, so the amount of heat required to start a fire with paper is very little.

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 vi. Combustible & flammable liquid fuels; liquid fuels release vapours more readily
because they have less densely packed molecules. Liquids produce more heat than
solids because the vapours release more easily and in greater volume at the same
time. Note that vapours from liquids can travel away from the vessel that contains
the liquid to a heat source that may be able to ignite the vapours.
vii. Gasses are always in a vapour state and may already be mixed with oxygen ready
for a heat source to ignite the vapours. These situations can grow so rapidly they
cause an explosion.
b. Oxygen
i. The amount of available oxygen limits the process of combustion and the spread of
a fire.
ii. Too much to quickly may even extinguish a fire (like blowing out a candle)
iii. Drawing oxygen into a fire can also feed it and help it grow rapidly.
iv. Rapid introduction of oxygen into a situation where the other parts of a fire already
exist can also cause an explosive situation.
v. Look up the term backdraft to see this type of situation.
c. Heat
i. This can come from:
a. Friction
b. Chemical reactions
c. Solar
d. Pressure
e. Electrical
ii. Heat can also be divided into categories:
1. Radiation heat from light
2. Convection heat transferred through the air
3. Conduction heat spreads through matter
iii. The amount of heat generated must be enough to create the vapours and ignite the
vapours and then sustain enough heat to further generate vapours to grow the fire.

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 6. We can extinguish fire by removing any one part of the triangle, this can be done by:
a. Cooling
b. Smothering
c. Starvation
d. Interruption of flame chain reaction. (Chemical reaction)

7. Cooling
a. If heat generated by the combustion can be removed at a faster rate than it can be generated,
combustion will cease.
b. The most common method is by the application of water.
8. Smothering
a. If oxygen is excluded or limited from a fire, the combustion process cannot continue.
i. Applications can include:
1. Foam
2. Carbon dioxide
3. Dry chemical powder
4. Vapourising liquid
5. Fire blanket
6. Earth or sand
9. Starvation
a. If all fuel is consumed or if unburned fuel is removed from a fire or a fire is removed from
unburned fuel the combustion process will cease.
i. Examples of starvation are:
1. Total consumption of fuel, allowing a fire to totally burn all combustible
material under controlled conditions.
2. Removal of unburned fuel from source using metal rake or similar, creating
firebreaks.
3. Removal of fire from unburned fuel by separation or pulling apart of burning
material.
10. Interruption of flame chain reaction. (Chemical reaction)
a. Flames are a chain reaction between vapourised fuel and oxygen molecules. As a result,
fire spreads through the vapourised air mixture.
b. Vapourising liquids (halogenated hydrocarbons) and to a lesser extent dry chemical
powders have the ability to interrupt the flame chain reaction.

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 11. Australian Standards
a. AS2444-2001 (Name this Standard)
__________________________________________________________________________
b. AS/NZS 1841.1 : 2007 Portable fire extinguishers Part 1: General
c. AS/NZS 1841.2 : 2007 Portable fire extinguishers – Specific requirements for water type
extinguishers
d. AS/NZS 1841.3 : 2007 Portable fire extinguishers – Specific requirements for wet chemical
type extinguishers
e. AS/NZS 1841.4 : 2007 Portable fire extinguishers – Specific requirements for foam type
extinguishers
f. AS/NZS 1841.5 : 2007 Portable fire extinguishers – Specific requirements for powder type
extinguishers
g. AS/NZS 1841.6 : 2007 Portable fire extinguishers – Specific requirements for carbon
dioxide
h. AS/NZS 1841.7 : 2007 Portable fire extinguishers – Specific requirements for vaporizing
liquid type extinguishers
i. AS/NZS 1841.8 : 2007 Portable fire extinguishers – Specific requirements for non-
rechargeable type extinguishers.

12. How to use fire extinguishers. Watch these youtube videos

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5HNHUGCFZw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvU3gQnOsGM

13. Using an extinguisher; some call this the PASS method

a. P = Pull the pin which allows the trigger to be squeezed so the contents can be discharged
b. A = Aim; aim the extinguishment at the base of the fire
c. S = Squeeze the handle/trigger which releases the extinguishment
d. S = Sweep form one side to the other, sometimes back and forth to extinguish the fire.

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 14. Classes of fires & the appropriate use of fire extinguishers (Complete the table)
TYPES OF EXTINGUISHERS Types of Fire, Class & Suitability Comments
A B C D E F
Colours Extinguishment Wood, Flammable Flammable Metal Energized Cooking
paper, liquids gasses fires electrical oils &
plastics equipment fats
Dangerous if used
on flammable
Water liquid, energised
Red YES NO NO NO NO NO
electrical
equipment &
cooking oil/fat fires
Dangerous if used
Red & on energised
Wet chemical YES NO NO NO NO YES
oatmeal electrical
equipment
Dangerous if used
Red & on energised
Foam Yes No Yes No Yes Yes
blue electrical
equipment
Red & Check which type it
Powder (ABE) Yes Yes No No Yes No
white is (ABE or BE)
Red & Check which type it
Powder (BE) Yes Yes No No Yes No
White is (ABE or BE)
Red & Not suitable for
Carbon dioxide
black outdoor use
Check the
Red & Vaporising characteristics of
yellow liquid the specific
extinguishment

15. Go to the following web site and complete the table below by filling in
the discharge time and reach of the following extinguishers.
http://www.fireworld.com.au/fire_extinguishers.html

(Complete the table)

TYPE OF CAPACITY (KGS) APPROX. APPROXIMATE
EXTINGUISHER or Model DISCHARGE TIME REACH
(seconds)
Carbon dioxide 3.5kgs 10.5 sec 3M
Carbon dioxide 5.0kgs 11 sec 3M
Dry chemical (ABE) 4.5kgs 17.20 sec 3M
Dry chemical (ABE) 9.0kgs 20.23 sec 3M
Dry chemical (BE) 9.okgs 20.23 sec 3M
Water 9.0kgs 80 sec 3M
Foam 9.0kgs 70 sec 3M

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 16. Other points to remember in relation to the stressful and generally unfamiliar situation of dealing
with a fire emergency situation:
a. Assess the size of the fire first remembering the capacity of the extinguishers which
generally last no more than 90 seconds with some small extinguishers lasting less than 30
seconds. So the fire must be small enough to be able to extinguish it using a fire
extinguisher.
b. How quickly can the fire grow and spread? See rapid flashover below.
c. What type of fire is it and what extinguisher is available to you?
d. Always test the extinguisher before proceeding to the fire. It may not work.
e. Is there an escape route from where you intend to attack the fire?
f. Are you able to fight the fire up wind or away from where it is heading?
g. Can you see the doorway and do you have direct access to it when inside?
h. Using a powder extinguisher can create a white out situation in a room making it near
impossible to see and very difficult to breathe. It may also hide the fire from your sight, so
you may think the fire is extinguished, but it could still be there.
i. Is there any latent heat, heat source or ignition that will continue to ignite the fire after the
extinguisher runs out?
j. Is there any way you can remove one of the elements via any other method other than
using an extinguisher? Like:
i. Removing the heat source (turning off the electricity)
ii. Removing or restricting the oxygen (closing doors and windows or smother the fire
with a fire blanket)
iii. Removing the fuel (pulling the material away from the heat source)
17. Rapid flashover; there are many you tube videos that demonstrate how quickly fires grow.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piofZLySsNc

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 18. Give four examples of a fuel source on a construction site.
i. Waste bins full of combustible material
ii. Flammable liquid
iii. Flammable gases like oxy-acetylene
iv. Stacked materials
19. Give four examples of a heat or ignition source on a construction site.
i. Welding
ii. Torching liquid membraces
iii. Live electricity
iv. Smoking
v. Grinding
20. Provide four strategies on a construction site that will help prevent fires.
i. A fire safety plan with passive & active system in place
ii. Use alternate options to heat or ignition source
iii. Control the site,keep it clean
iv. Isolate any ignition source from flammable material
v. Training
21. What extinguisher would be most appropriate to use on the following fires.
a. Paint fire:Dry chemicals
b. Electrical switchboard fire:Carbon dioxide
c. Motor vehicle: Dry chemical
d. Rubbish: Water
e. LPG forklift: Dry chemical
f. Stacked timber: Water
g. Particleboard flooring sheets: Water

Comments & notes.

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Some further industry sites that provide training, information & support.

https://www.wormald.com.au/product/fire-extinguishers

http://www.boc.com.au/shop/en/au/fire-extinguishers

http://www.fire.nsw.gov.au/page.php?id=699

http://www.quell.com.au/

http://www.extinguisherservices.com.au/extinguishers.html

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http://asta.edu.au/

STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE:

Fire extinguishers
Note: These instructions are for the use of adults and responsible students in an emergency.
___________________
1. Introduction

Experiments conducted in school laboratories often require a source of heat from a naked flame or some
form of ignition, which can cause a sudden fire. Occasionally electrical faults can cause sparking.
Students are fascinated with matches and have the potential to behave irresponsibility. Any of these
occurrences can introduce fire into a room and therefore fire extinguishers must be placed in each
laboratory and also outside a chemical store, usually close to an exit door. A fire needs heat (ignition),
fuel, and oxygen and can engulf a room exceedingly fast, although most deaths result from inhaling the
toxic smoke containing dangerous fumes released by the fire melting various plastics and paint in the
room.
2. Context
Instructions for emergency fire response should be addressed in the Science Safety Policy and also
reflected in your school’s emergency planning policies.

3. Safety notes
Purchase fire extinguisher/s from a reputable, recognised and certified fire safety company and follow
their advice regarding which type of fire extinguisher to purchase.
Ensure that you purchase a fire extinguisher that has an Australian Standards AS/NZS1841 series
label.
Obtain relevant SDS chemical safety sheets from the manufacturer’s web site.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for placement of the fire extinguisher and secure using the
correct bracket.
Secure the fire extinguisher at a height that can be reached by both adults and students.
Secure relevant safety signs above or adjacent to the fire extinguisher as per AS 2444-2001. The signs
should be white on a red background and visible from 20 metres in all directions.
Reduce combustibles in rooms.
Eliminate all combustibles in a chemical store.
Install ceiling smoke alarms to provide early warning of a fire.
Regularly familiarise yourself with the operating instructions.
Professional firefighting hands-on training is recommended for staff in high risk areas.
Purchase the correct fire extinguisher to suit the environment in which it will be used. Using the wrong
extinguisher type on a fire may have disastrous consequences. It may feed the fire, causing it to spread or
result in the operator being injured. See chart below:
Version 1.0 SOP: Fire extinguishers Written by: Science ASSIST Disclaimer: ASTA excludes all liability to any person arising directly or
indirectly from using this resource. Date: May 2015

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Fire Extinguisher Chart

Source: https://exelgard.com.au/fire_fighting_equipment/extinguishers

4. Regulations, licences and permits

Fire extinguishers must conform to AS/NZS 1841.6:2008.
No licence or permit is required.
Fire extinguisher technicians need to be licensed in Queensland.
5. Equipment
Fire extinguisher

6. Operating procedure
1. Ignore the fire!
2. Stay calm.
3. Turn off all electrical and gas services to room.
4. Immediately evacuate all staff and students to a safe area.
5. Send responsible students to alert and evacuate rooms either side of the affected area.
6. Send a responsible person to the Administration Office to ask them to call 000.
7. Only return to fight the fire if you are confident that you can bring the fire under control.
8. Make sure the fire is not blocking your exit and ensure you can get out quickly if necessary.
9. If safe to do so, close doors and windows (fans and air conditioners should have ceased
operating when electrical power was turned off).
10. Select the correct class of extinguisher for the type of fire.

Version 1.0 SOP: Fire extinguishers Written by: Science ASSIST Disclaimer: ASTA excludes all liability to any person arising directly or
indirectly from using this resource. Date: May 2015

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 11. Only stand as close as you can without getting burnt.
12. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire, operate and use a sweeping motion to extinguish
flames. See PASS diagram below:

13. If the fire is not doused by the time the extinguisher is empty, drop the extinguisher and leave
the room quickly.
14. Ensure that the Fire Brigade has checked whether any ceiling insulation has been affected as
this can smoulder for a considerable time and then reignite

7. Trouble shooting/emergencies
First aid: If clothing is on fire, stop, drop to the floor and wrap around a blanket, coat or rug (not
synthetic) and roll along the ground until flames are extinguished.
o Treat all thermal burns by holding the burnt area under running water for up to twenty minutes
until skin returns to normal temperature. Remove clothing from burnt area unless stuck; cover burn
with a non-adherent burns dressing, plastic wrap or loosely applied aluminium foil. Seek urgent
medical aid.
o Smoke/Toxic fume inhalation: Remove casualty from area to fresh air. Sit up and loosen tight
clothing. Administer oxygen if available and you are trained in its use and consider an asthma
inhaler if casualty has difficulty in breathing or is wheezing. If breathing stops commence CPR.
Seek urgent medical aid.
Maintenance: A pressure test and service of fire extinguishers is required every six months and
must be provided by an experienced person from a recognised and certified fire safety company.
Test dates must be recorded, usually on a yellow metal tag attached to the extinguisher.
Extinguishers failing the test must be removed and a temporary one left as a replacement. A
partially discharged extinguisher must be replaced with a full extinguisher immediately.
Extinguishers need to be emptied, pressure tested and refilled every five years.

8. Waste disposal

Contact a reputable, recognised and certified fire safety company to remove unwanted, depressurised
or used extinguishers: Note: a partially used fire extinguished is regarded as an ’empty’ extinguisher.

Version 1.0 SOP: Fire extinguishers Written by: Science ASSIST Disclaimer: ASTA excludes all liability to any person arising directly or
indirectly from using this resource. Date: May 2015

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9. Related material

Websites for emergency services organisations in Australian states and territories:

Australian Capital Territory

ACT Government, Emergency Services Agency website http://esa.act.gov.au/ (Accessed May 2015)
New South Wales

NSW Government, Emergency New South Wales website https://www.emergency.nsw.gov.au/ (Accessed

May 2015)
Northern Territory

Northern Territory Government, Police, Fire and Emergency Services website http://www.pfes.nt.gov.au/
(Accessed May 2015)
Queensland

Queensland Government, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) website

https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/ (Accessed May 2015)
South Australia

Government of South Australia, South Australian Fire and Emergency Services Commission website
http://www.safecom.sa.gov.au/site/home.jsp (Accessed May 2015)
Tasmania

Tasmanian Government, Department of Police and Emergency Management website

http://www.dpem.tas.gov.au/ (Accessed May 2015)
Victoria

Victorian Government, Emergency services website, http://www.vic.gov.au/emergencies-

safety/emergency-services.html (Accessed May 2015)
Western Australia

Government of Western Australia WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services website

http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/alerts/Pages/default.aspx (Accessed May 2015)

References:
‘Fire Blankets and Extinguishers’, Government of Western Australia. WA Department of Fire and
Emergency Services website,
http://www.dfes.wa.gov.au/safetyinformation/fire/fireinthehome/pages/fireblanketsandextinguishers.aspx
(Accessed May 2015)

Fire extinguishers’ Exelgard website https://exelgard.com.au/fire_fighting_equipment/extinguishers

(Accessed May 2015) Standards Australia, 2001. AS2444-2001 Portable fire extinguishers and fire
blankets – Selection and location. Sydney, Australia.
St John Ambulance Australia 2011. Australian First Aid 4th Edition, St John Ambulance Australia. Barton,
ACT
On example Risk Assessment
Wormald. 2008. Pyro-Chem ABC Multipurpose Dry Chemical Powder Material Safety Data Sheet Fire
Systems Services website
http://www.firesys.com.au/rs/7/sites/846/user_uploads/File/MSDS%20DCP%20Pyro-Chem%20ABC.pdf

Version 1.0 SOP: Fire extinguishers Written by: Science ASSIST Disclaimer: ASTA excludes all liability to any person arising directly or
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