There are a lot of different types of fire extinguishers on the market today. Not all of them are manufactured for the same uses, though. Fires are caused by different things, such as electrical problems or chemicals. Cooking fires, too, can happen, as with grease fires.
Fires that have not been caused by chemical or electricity can use a Water Fire Extinguisher. Before you use a fire extinguisher, look on the bottle to check the code on the bottle. The fire codes in most countries are very similar, only with a few exceptions. These codes are there to inform the user of the type of fire that this particular fire extinguisher can put out. For instance, a restaurant should have at least two types of fire extinguishers available and placed in the proper spot. An electrical or a grease fire is the most common types of fires in restaurants. You would not want a Water Fire Extinguisher on an electrical fire. This could cause severe electrocution, and you would not want to use an electrical fire extinguisher on a grease fire, because of the mess that it would make.
If the fire has not been caused by electricity or chemicals, you can probably use a water fire extinguisher. Before you use this type of fire extinguisher, check the code on the container to ensure that it’s the right one. Most fire codes are similar between countries, with just a few exceptions. The codes will tell you what type of fire a particular fire extinguisher can be used for. Restaurants, for example, should carry at least two types of fire extinguishers, placed strategically so that they’re easy to get to. Grease or electrical fires are two of the most common types of fires that occur in restaurants. For these types of fires, a water fire extinguisher is not sufficient. If used on an electrical fire, it could cause severe electrocution, it would create unnecessary mess if used on a grease fire.
If a fire occurs in your work area and there is another person with you; you should get them to call the fire department while you try to put the fire out. If you are certain what type of fire needs to be put out, there is a procedure that everyone should follow.
Remember the word “PASS.” This stands for, “P, Pull (the pin), A, Aim (at the fire’s base), S, Squeeze (the lever slowly), S, Sweep (from side to side).” The pin is at the top of the fire extinguisher, and pulling it releases the locking mechanism so that you can use it. You Aim at the fire extinguisher at the base of the fire, not the flames. Then, you Squeeze the lever slowly, so that it comes out in short spurts. If you squeeze hard, you empty the contents too soon. And Sweeping the fire extinguisher back and forth helps put the fire out completely.
You should use the water fire extinguisher while standing a safe distance away from the fire and move a little closer as the fire starts to go out. Read each fire extinguisher’s instructions, as every one will be slightly different and will require you to stand slightly different distances away from the fire as you use them.
A water fire extinguisher contains about 10 seconds of charge, so this is sufficient for a small fire and you should be able to put it out. For larger fires, though, you should have more than one fire extinguisher, because it may take more than one to do the job.
If you’re able to put the fire out, stand by it if you can to make sure that it doesn’t restart. If it’s not possible to do that because there are too many fumes, move a safe distance away and wait for the fire department to arrive and take control of things.
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