Though not a legal health and safety requirement, fire extinguishers should be part of every household’s emergency kit. Fire and Emergency New Zealand recommends having fire extinguishers installed in or near the kitchen and work areas as well as the garage, and keeping one in your vehicle, caravan and boat. They are a valuable add-on to smoke alarms and your fire escape plan and can help protect you and your belongings if they are maintained and operated properly.
Choosing the right fire extinguisher
Each fire extinguisher is designed to put out specific fires, and the kind that suits you best depends on what classes of fire you are most likely going to encounter. It therefore pays to know what has caused the fire and what materials are burning.
Classes of fire
Class A fires are burning solids such as wood, paper and plastic. Class B fires involve flammable and combustible liquids including paraffin and petrol, while Class C fires are flammable gasses like propane, butane or methane. Class D fires involve combustible metals such as aluminium, magnesium or titanium, Class E fires involve electrical equipment and Class F includes cooking oils and fats.
Types of fire extinguishers
There are several types of fire extinguishers based on the acting agent. Water-based extinguishers are best for Class A fires, while foam-based ones can be used for Class A and B. Dry powder extinguishers are multi-purpose for Classes A, B and C, however, they can obscure vision and damage goods and machinery if used indoors. Extinguishers based on carbon dioxide are suitable for Classes B and E, though fires put out with these extinguishers can re-ignite once the gas is finished.
The most commonly experienced house fire is Class F, as the majority is caused when cooking in the kitchen. Class F fires are extinguished by wet chemicals which can also be used on most other types of house fires apart from those involving live electrical sources.
On the other hand, an ABE dry powder extinguisher is suitable for most house fires but should never be used on burning oils and fats. Fire and Emergency New Zealand recommends having a wet chemical and an ABE dry powder extinguisher to cover as many classes of fire as possible.
Purchase and storage
You can buy fire extinguishers at most warehouses or from fire protection companies who will also schedule regular maintenance check-ups. Fire extinguishers should be mounted to the wall out of reach of children, but where you can easily reach them if necessary.
Maintenance
Unless they have been used, fire extinguishers should technically last you a lifetime. However, they need to be tested and serviced regularly to ensure functionality. If you are worried about your fire extinguisher and would like to know whether it needs replacement or where to dispose of it, contact Building & Fire Services, your fire protection expert in Northland.
Using a fire extinguisher
Having a fire extinguisher does not replace calling 111, and it does not mean you should be less vigilant about writing up and practicing your fire escape plan regularly. Only use a fire extinguisher if you are familiar with it and confident about how to operate it.
Once activated, most fire extinguishers only last for 10 to 15 seconds, so they won’t be able to put out a large fire that is already starting to get out of control. Before you use your fire extinguisher, make sure that you have called 111 and that everyone has evacuated to your designated safe place. Only attempt to extinguish a fire if you can safely access it and retreat from it.
How to operate a fire extinguisher
An easy way to remember how to use a fire extinguisher is the PTASS method.
Pull out the safety pin or clip.
Test the fire extinguisher to ensure its working by squirting a tiny amount away from the fire.
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire but keep a safety distance of about 2 to 3 metres. Most fire extinguishers are designed to operate from that distance.
Squeeze the handles.
Sweep the fire extinguisher from side to side to ensure as much area of the base of the fire as possible is being covered.