"As a Fire Chief who has witnessed the devastating effects of fire on families and property far too many times, I am pleased to be part of a project like this. It is time for change!"

Fire Chief G.R. Senay
Vaughan Fire & Rescue

"As the Chief Fire Prevention Officer, I certainly support this initiative that promotes fire safety in the home."

John Caruso
Chief Fire Prevention Officer
Vaughan Fire & Rescue

Fire Extinguishers

Having fire extinguishers in your home is recommended but it's not enough to have them; you also need to know how to use them. This page gives you information on how to use fire extinguishers.

Fire Extinguisher Tips

  • Fire Extinguishers should only be used to extinguish small fires.
  • Anyone using a fire extinguisher indoors should always have an exit to their back in case they have to exit quickly.
  • Extinguishers should have the operating directions and what fires they are able to extinguish on the front label. Look for the following:
Class A Fires:
Are fires that have a fuel of ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, clothing.
Class B Fires:
Are fires that are fuelled by flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint thinners, oils.
Class C Fires:
Are electrically energized fires such as a electrical motor shorting out and arcing.

 

Types Of Extinguishers

There are four types of fire extinguishers in common use:


Dry Chemical Carbon Dioxide Water Halon


 

How To Use A Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are easy to use! The sequence of pictures below shows how:

Pull the Pin.
Aim The Nozzle Of The Extinguisher At The Base Of The Fire.
Squeeze The Handle Of The Extinguisher.
Sweep Back And Forth Aiming At The Base Of The Fire.


 

Maintainance

Where Fire Extinguishers are required, they should be maintained in the following manner:

  • Portable extinguishers should be maintained in a fully charged and operable condition and kept in their designated places at all times when they are not being used.
  • Extinguisher should be conspicuously located where they will be readily accessible and immediately available in the event of a fire.
  • Cabinets housing extinguishers should not be locked.
  • Extinguishers should not be obstructed or obscured from view.
  • Extinguishers should be installed on the hangers or brackets that are supplied with the extinguisher, mounted in Cabinets, or set on shelves unless the extinguisher is a wheeled type.
  • If extinguishers have a gross weight not exceeding 40 lbs should be installed so the top of the extinguisher is not more than 5 feet above the floor.
  • Operating instructions should be located on the front of the extinguisher. Other labels and markings should not be placed on the front.
  • Extinguishers mounted in Cabinets or wall recesses or set in shelves should be placed in a manner such that the extinguisher operating instructions face outward. The location of such extinguishers should be made conspicuously.
  • Where extinguishers are installed in closed Cabinets that are exposed to elevated temperature, Cabinets should be provided with screened openings and drains.
  • A trained person who has undergone the instruction necessary to reliably perform maintenance, has the manufacturers service manual, and is ULC certified shall service the fire extinguishers not more than one year apart.

 

COURTESY OF THE PROVINCE OF PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND:
http://www.gov.pe.ca/cca/index.php3?number=1012104

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