Fire Types

Class A fires involve solid

materials of an organic nature such
as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and
plastics that do not melt.
Class B fires involves liquids. They
include petrol, diesel, thinners,
oils, paints, wax, cooking fat and
plastics that melt.
 Fire Types

Class C fires involve electricity.

Class D fires involve flammable metals

such as magnesium, aluminum,
titanium, sodium and potassium.
Each type of fire poses their own
particular risk.
 Fire Types
Try and answer these questions, explaining
your answer.
1. Would you use water on a type C fire?
2. Would you use water on a chip pan fire?
 Fire Types
3. Copy and complete the table:
Fire Type
What is burning?
A B C D
Wood
Petrol
Wax
A Television
Manganese
Paint Stripper
 Fire Extinguishers
There are 4 main types of fire extinguishers used
for fighting fire:
- Water
- Foam
- Carbon dioxide
- Powder.
Different fire extinguishers are used on different
types of fire.
Would you use water on an electrical fire? Why not.
 Fire Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers used to be of different colours
but now, in a workplace, they must all be red.
To tell them apart they all have a different
coloured 'flash' on them.

Type of Extinguisher Colour of Flash

Water Red
Foam Cream
Carbon Dioxide Black
Powder Blue
 Fire Extinguishers
Here are what they look like. Can you see
the flash?
 Fire Extinguishers
Each type of fire requires the use of a different
fire extinguisher;
Fire Type
Fire
Type Water Foam CO2 Powder

A X X
B X X
C X X X
D X X X X
Type D fires are best left to the experts!
 Fire Extinguishers
Before using your fire extinguisher, be sure to
read the instructions before it's too late. Although
there are many different types of fire
extinguishers, all of them operate in a similar
manner.
Use this acronym as a quick reference:

P A S S
 Fire Extinguishers
P A S S
Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher.
The pin releases a locking mechanism and
will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames.
This is important - in order to put out the
fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
 Fire Extinguishers
P A S S
Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the
extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the
handle is released, the discharge will stop.
Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping
motion, move the fire extinguisher back and
forth until the fire is completely out.
 Fire Extinguishers
Operate the extinguisher from a safe
distance, several feet away, and then move
towards the fire once it starts to diminish.
Be sure to read the instructions on your fire
extinguisher - different fire extinguishers
recommend operating them from different
distances. Remember: Aim at the base of
the fire, not at the flames!!!!
 Fire Extinguishers
A typical fire extinguisher contains 10
seconds of extinguishing power. This could
be less if it has already been partially
discharged.
Once the fire is out, don't walk away! Watch
the area for a few minutes in case it re-
ignites. Recharge the extinguisher
immediately after use.