Anybody know an easy way to know the right kind of fire extinguishers to have on hand? We have a large variety of manufacturing processes and materials, and it gets very confusing about which type should be where.

Heh Oshaman - nice handle!

Certainly the regulations and/or the NFPA will help you understand the best fire extinguishers for each situation.  But you might make your life a little easier by contacting a local fire safety (extinguisher) service provider and ask them to give you a rundown on what you need.  If they know their stuff you can get up to speed quickly and avoid the hassles, after all, you have to buy the equipment from somebody.

I think you are right Safetymahn!  But in order to guage what fire extinguishers you might need for your facility-you need to evaluate your needs.  Fire extinguishers are listed in multiple categories -Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper; Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc; Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires; Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question.

The most common fire extinguishers are ABC, for 80% of the workplaces this is what they will have.

Placement and maintenance are also important!  Best practice is to have the fire extinguisher by the door so that you’re heading toward the door first, then if you have time you can use the extinguisher to put it out.  Most people want to put the fire extinguisher in the center of the room, but that may be making you move toward the danger and away from the exit.

 

Make sure you use a monthly checklist and inspect the extinguishers. 

Monthly visual inspections includes the following:

 

Confirmation that the extinguisher is in its proper location

Inspection/service tag in place

Inspect service tag showing the last date of service and that the date is current

No obstruction to access or visibility

Operating instructions on nameplate legible and facing outward

Tamper seals not broken or missing

Examined for obvious physical damage, corrosion, leakage or clogged nozzle

Pressure gauge reading or indicator in the operable range

 

Hope this helps!

 

57 ft. apart  abc extinguishers

OSHAMAN,

 

We had a similar problem in the shipyard due to all the different components of our industry. We talked to Seattle Fire Marshal and reviewed the entire things that can go wrong in an emergence. Such as people pick up the wrong type of extinguisher for the fire at hand. We came to a solution that all Washington shipyards now put in practice. That we use 2-A 40BC extinguishers for all our location and we also have our own fire brigade that in case of a fire these are the people who start by evacuating the workers and first response until the fire department arrives. These people go though a class on basic fire fighting and fire watch training. These classes are a day long each and fairly inexpensive. They also have drills every month to keep them refreshed in their techniques.  

 

I hope this helps.   

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Will
HR,SAFETY,ENVIRONMENTAL SUPERVISOR
Lake Union Drydock Co.

Type C would be the safest choice it can be used for a variety of different type fires.  It is also safe to use on live electrical equipment.

We usually use an ABC type of fire extinguisher as it is the best in most types of fires.  In areas that require specialized fire extinguishment, I would suggest contacting a local fire company to assist in identifying hazards at your workplace where they could suggest different types of extinguishment for the application found.

I hope this assists you.

 

I agree that a  local provider would certainly have the knowledge and equipment to provide you the necessary extinquishers.  We use a local provider and they service any used equipment and complete the safety checks on all extingquishers.

We use ABC Extinguishers pluse we have Annual Training on proper use for all employees in the

Company

I believe that it is 75' apart instead of 57'.

Review the MSDS for the chemicals used in the various areas.

Just to clear up some of the confusion here!  It is recommended for areas in sprinklered facilities with general hazards 75' travel distance.  Fire extinguishers shall be at-least 4" off the floor and no higher then 3 1/2' <40# and no higher then 5' >40# (exept wheeled units).  There shall be a extinguisher 50' away from flammable liquid (class B)storage.  As others have stated ABC dry chem is the most commonly used in the workplace.  However, you need to availuate the hazards of each area in your facility. For example you do not want to use a dry chem in your computer room ( a new product called Halatron is a good choice).  I would not go with the idea of a just class C CO2 extinguisher (it does have some properties to put out other classes but has a low rating to do so).  Also for those of you that have a kitchen facility they are required to have ABC dry chem and a Class K extinguisher.  For areas where there is a potential for a class D fire a D extinguisher shall be availible.  The size required depends on the amount of area and level of hazard protection you are trying to protect.  I hope this helps.  I have been in EMS&Fire for over 13yrs.  Dana 

I am the Fire Cheif of the Board Camp Fire Dept. and the Trainer/Founder of Homeland America. All the fire Extinguishers in the world can't help if your people don't know how to use them.

Fire extinguishers are labeled according to the type of fire on which they may be used. Fires involving wood or cloth, flammable liquids, electrical, or metal sources react differently to extinguishers. Using one type of extinguisher on the wrong type of fire could be dangerous and make matters even worse. Traditionally, the labels A,B, C or D have been used to indicate the type of fire on which an extinguisher is to be used. Type A
A Type A label is in a triangle on the extinguisher. This extinguisher is used for ordinary combustibles such as cloth, wood, rubber and many plastics. Type B
A Type B label is in a square on the extinguisher. This extinguisher is used for flammable liquid fires such as oil, gasoline, paints, lacquers, grease, and solvents. Type C
A Type C label is in a circle on the extinguisher. This extinguisher is used for electrical fires such as in wiring, fuse boxes, energized electrical equipment and other electrical sources. Type D
A Type D label is in a star on the extinguisher. This extinguisher is used for metal fires such as magnesium, titanium and sodium. These types of fire are very dangerous and ,as a rule, should be avoided by the general public. Just call 911 Many of the fire extinguishers you will find in day to day life are multipurpose (ABC). Read the label on the fire extinguisher(s) in your area before the need arises for their use. Using the P A S S system can help to remind your empolyees of the correct steps to follow when attempting to extinguish a fire: Pull the pin.
Aim low; point at the base of the fire
Squeeze the handle
Sweep from side to side keeping the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire.

You should fight a fire with a fire extinguisher only when "ALL" the following are true:

1. An evacuation alarm has been issued.
2. 911 has been called.
3. The fire is small and confined to the immediate areas where it started such as in a wastebasket, cushion, small appliance, stove, etc.
4. You have a clear escape route behind you when you are fighting the fire.
5. Your extinguisher is rated for the type of fire you are fighting and is in good working order.
6. You have had training in use of the extinguisher and are confident that you can operate it effectively.
7. Never go back into a burning building!

Remember, if you have the slightest doubt about whether or not to fight the fire, Don't!. Instead, Get Out!, closing the door behind you to slow the spread of the fire.

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Orville Murphy, Trainer/ Founder
Homeland America
http://www.homelandamerica.org