Importance of Fire Safety and Prevention Tips on Construction Sites
Thursday, 27 February 2020
Fire safety is a must important even at construction sites like any other business. Buildings under construction can be more at risk to fire because workers use chemicals on the production site, which are flammable. And, also wind can be present frequently around in-progress buildings, which is capable of causing a blaze to spread.
The survey reveals that there are many fires on construction sites and in buildings undergoing renovation every year, several people including many workers are killed or injured, and properties are destroyed. For this, the industry suffers disruption, which may experience a lot of unexpected costs, from which many never recover. Fires on a construction site can start from any number of sources from a lightning strike to burning or ignition, and many of them can be difficult to contain.
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
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ABC Fire Extinguishers And Their Uses
Thursday, 20 February 2020
We all know that every place, whether it’s your home, workplace, or any public place, require to have fire extinguishers just to prevent any kind of fire hazard. However, most of us even don’t know that a single fire extinguisher does not work on all types of fire.
There are many different types of fire extinguishers available to fight with many different classes of fire. Hence, we first of all need to ensure that we have the proper extinguisher installed appropriately for the potential fire hazards for your building for achieving true safety. ABC Fire Extinguisher is one of the most well-known yet very versatile kinds of extinguishers available in the market.
There are five basic classifications of fuel that exist in this sphere. And, the extinguishers are considered with either letter-shaped or pictorial symbols, which specify what types of fires they are proposed for.
Importance of Fire Extinguisher Training
Thursday, 13 February 2020
Fire extinguishers are the foremost part of protecting people and reducing any fire damage when a fire occurs in their home or business. Fire extinguishers are playing a major role in your fire safety plan but, only if you know how to operate the extinguisher properly. It’s not enough to have a fire extinguisher in your home, or at work, you need to understand how it works or usage guide. Comprehending this, a training program for Fire Extinguisher should be provided to the people to familiarize themselves with the operation of the Safety Equipment.
Therefore, it is important to attend the fire extinguisher training sessions. Appropriate fire extinguisher training helps ensure you to know the correct way to assess a fire situation (types of fire). The training will help you hold the extinguisher correctly you may not hurt yourself, or not face any problem extinguishing the fire. You will also be able to know what kind of fire the extinguisher is best suited to extinguish.
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
Fire Extinguisher Safety Tips At Your Home
Tuesday, 04 February 2020
A fire extinguisher, if it uses properly, can save lives and property. A portable fire extinguisher for your home uses to put out a small fire or control it until the fire department arrives.
There are some important things you need to know during the purchase of a fire extinguisher for your home. Fire extinguishers (safety products) are generally rated for different types of fires such as Class A type extinguisher is suitable for fire, which happens due to regular materials like wood, cardboard, and cloth; Class B type extinguisher is appropriate for fire, which happens due to flammable liquids, such as gas, oil, and grease; Class C type fire extinguisher is used for fire, which arises due to electrical equipment, like wires and fuse boxes.
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
Methods of Extinguishing Fire at Initial Stages
Thursday, 23 January 2020
Fire is the consequence of a chemical reaction called combustion, which happens because of a combination of fuel, and oxygen as well as a source of ignition. If used irresponsibly, it can cause havoc on life and property as fire is one of the foremost reasons for loss of life and living. Despite advances in firefighting techniques, fire is the biggest reason for the loss of several livings. But it is important to measure the fire before applying any of the methods for extinguishing the fire. For this, you need to read the fire by the smoke’s color, and source (types of fire) and after you have studied the fire, apply the appropriate method intelligently to extinguish the fire as well as minimizes the loss.
There are different safety methods used to extinguish fires. Here’s a list of methods useful for extinguishing a fire at the initial stage.
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
Types of Chemicals Using in Fire Extinguishers
Wednesday, 08 January 2020
One of the common questions that almost all people ask about the types of chemicals used in fire extinguishers or what chemicals are used in fire extinguishers? The chemical that a fire extinguisher contains depends on the purpose for which it is used. The most common chemical is Sodium Bicarbonate used in the fire extinguisher, and by heating up, it gives carbon dioxide. But today, Potassium Bicarbonate is widely used in fire extinguishers due to its effectiveness as compared to Sodium Bicarbonate.
As we stated that fire extinguisher contains the chemicals depending on its application areas, hence for an example, handheld extinguishers (use in garages and kitchens) contain chemicals such as pressurized carbon dioxide, and nitrogen, which are useful in extinguishing the fire. Other types of extinguishers (dry powder fire extinguisher) contain a powder such as potassium bicarbonate (KHCO3), liquid water, and an evaporating fluorocarbon (most commonly used chemical is the bromochlorodifluoromethane (CF2ClBr) referred to as halon 2111) to extinguish the fire.
Fire extinguishers are built in such a way to use in the buildings or other structures to protect. Water sprinklers in contemporary times are the most common systems and using widely due to their economical price, simple to use, and safe from any health hazard. However, the scope of their use is restricted in a fuel storage system, server rooms, and other electrical equipment fitted areas. You cannot use water as a fire-extinguishing agent in places stuffed with electrical equipment. In this case, a firefighting gas like CO2 is an appropriate chemical used to eliminate fire in a confined space. The important thing regarding the CO2 agent is that it works well to put out the fire but, its heavy concentration can be harmful in a place crowded with people.
Nowadays, several fire extinguishers use by utilizing an extensive range of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). Such types of extinguishers contain chlorine or bromine atoms, hence they have different effectiveness, especially when it comes to halting the progression of a chain combustion reaction. The extinguishers using HFC chemicals work in due resemblance to CO2 or N2 by absorbing heat and cutting out the supply of oxygen. Even though, various companies are promoting HFCs such as CHF3, C2HF5, and C3HF7 for a variety of applications. In addition to this, some other types of fire extinguishers use a chemical like potassium acetate based agent, discharged from the extinguisher as a fine mist that forms a soapy foam that suppresses vapors, and steams and prevent fire. Mono Ammonium Phosphate is a dry chemical powder or agent used in class A, B, and C types of fire extinguishers. This particular chemical is non-conductive but corrosive, and it can clean up after extinguishing the fire. Sodium bicarbonate (nontoxic, noncorrosive and does not require cleanup on usage) is another kind of dry chemical and used for class B and class C fires.
Final Say
We hope this article has helped to let you know about different types of chemicals, which are used in extinguishers, and of course, as per their application areas.
Know the fire extinguisher chemicals and stay safe from any fire hazard!
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
The Importance of Testing Your Fire Protection Systems
Saturday, 28 December 2019
Your fire protection systems are actually lifesaving systems that are also used in protecting property with 24 hours per day and 365 days per year. In order to operate the fire protection systems properly, those need to be tested and maintained regularly. With all your responsibilities as a building owner or business owner, still, the fire protection systems’ damages go unnoticed, which may cause system components destruction hence, those are unable to respond properly in an emergency. Therefore it is essential to test and inspect the fire protection systems on a regular basis even to consider those 100% reliable.
Regular inspection and maintenance of fire protection systems are beneficial in saving substantial amounts of money by preventing emergency repairs and expensive false system fines. As we all know, fire is a very serious concern but by using a fire protection system, be it a fire alarm sensor or a heat detector or a fire extinguisher, always worth in the long run since it could save several homes, businesses, and properties from devastation.
Here are some various ways you benefit from having a test for each component of your fire protection systems.
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
Importance of an Audible and Visible Alarm Systems
Monday, 16 December 2019
The foremost benefits of audible and visible fire alarm systems are to alert people about fire mishaps or their life as well as property in dangerous situations. In other words, the fire alarm system uses to aware people of the fire of the building that they need to evacuate. The alarm system is featured with both audible and visible signals (incorporating sirens and lights) that help in getting the messages across to everyone.
Here’s the importance of both audible and visible alarm system that you need to know.
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
How to Save your Home from Fire Accidents
Thursday, 05 December 2019
A fire mishap at home is a terrible tragedy as it can cause loss of life as well as severe property damage within no time. Therefore, it is important to know about certain effective ways to protect you and your family from any type of fire incidents.
Do you know how fire occurs at your house? Fire at house usually happens due to several reasons, be it short circuits from faulty electrical systems, unsafe cooking, or keeping combustible appliances near fire sources. Losing your home to a fire is a scary thought because even a small negligence can lead to a big fire accident. For this reason, we all should take proper safety measures at home to prevent fires as well as saves lives and property from any kind of massive destruction.
There are plenty of tips you can follow to stop a fire before it starts and keep your family and home safe. Let’s have a look!
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
SIMPLE TIPS TO PUT OUT KITCHEN FIRES
Saturday, 30 November 2019
Cooking is one of the important causes of occurring kitchen fires. The kitchen is the place where we always contact fire while cooking, boiling, frying, and grilling the food items. For this reason, there is a maximum chance for fire accidents to occur in the kitchen, which can be dangerous for the occupants as well as the property. So when any kitchen fire accident occurs, you need to be swift to suppress the fire in its initial stage itself! And your action depends on the types of fire that you come across as there are different types of kitchen fires that may happen.
Now a question arises on how to put out a kitchen fire? Here are some simple tips to put out already started a fire or prevent kitchen fires and keep your family safe.
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
Importance of Fire Safety Training in Workplaces
Monday, 18 November 2019
Having fire safety equipment in the workplace can’t only improve their fire safety unless employees are sufficiently trained to use those. For this reason, employees of the offices must undergo appropriate fire safety training sessions for safeguarding themselves against any fire hazard, and properly operating the fire-fighting apparatus specifically designed for the building of the offices they are working.
It is very essential to maintain safety to take on priority even in the workplace, or offices. It has seen that the maximum number of deaths and injuries because of fire mishaps, which are the result of employees not knowing the proper fire safety and exit strategies to follow at the time of fire emergency. Therefore all the employers should ensure that their employees are trained with adequate training to face any emergency, especially fire in the workplace.
An effective training program generally covers how to operate fire protection systems or equipment such as extinguisher and alarm, etc. The training like fire safety courses also empowers employees to feel more confident in identifying sources of fire within the office premises as well as help them to decide how to deal with fire situations.
What is fire safety training?
Fire safety training is a foremost preparation that prepares the employees of any office to deal with a fire. Therefore, safety training courses are provided to support your employees with the necessary knowledge and technical ability should a fire ever occur. The fire safety experts believe that fire safety awareness, demonstration, and practical experience can cause the behavior to be modified and prepare people for how to deal with a fire. Comprehending this fact, they even suggest for fire safety training, which is one of the best things that lead to the top chance of a safe and methodical evacuation being conducted.
Reports show that employers who have a fire safety strategy like fire and safety training offerings and others in their place, experience less property loss during a fire hazard. This is required for offices and factories that have a high risk of fires. Fire and safety training comprises a thorough demonstration of the following points:
- How to use emergency exit devices and know exit routes
- Assist any disabled employees during an emergency
- How to use any fire-fighting equipment located on the premises
- Company policy on labeled smoking areas
- Who to report to following a fire disaster at the workplace or office
Why fire safety training is important for employees?
Fire safety training, crucial to provide to your employees is one of the best investments that you should make in your company. Fire safety training in the offices is not only helping keep your employees’ safe but also helps prevent fire tragedies.
Have a look at some of the benefits of fire safety training!
- PREVENTS WORKPLACES FIRE
The best way to prevent a fire from happening in the workplace is by providing suitable training to all the employees. Fire safety training sessions provide to the employees on how to recognize fire hazards so they can feel safe to work even in a particular office. Training covers some important points such as electrical wires should not place near a heat source or locate under rugs and carpets; the emergency exits of the office buildings should not also block.
- MEASURES FIRE SAFETY RISKS
A fire safety risk assessment comes under the fire safety training that helps the employees in recognizing what areas of your office building or workplaces need improvement for fire prevention and safety. During the training period, a fire protection service provider helps in assessing workplaces’ fire safety risk based on certain aspects like whether the office has emergency routes planned, emergency lighting, and sufficient exit. However, employees with disabilities would be taken into account when making any evacuation plans.
- DEMONSTRATES EMPLOYEES TO TAKE ACTION DURING FIRE
All the offices should demonstrate their employees regarding a fire evacuation plan and make sure they know where the emergency exits are available so that staff or workforces can safely evacuate the office premise in the event of a fire. Fire safety training program is beneficial for the employees to take accurate action when they detect any of the warning signs of a fire.
It is important to train employees on how to use a portable fire extinguisher when the workplaces or offices at an increased risk for fire. Even the staff should also know where the fire safety alarms, as well as all the emergency exits, are located in the office building so they can activate them if necessary.
VariEx is a topnotch fire protection manufacturing and service providing company dedicated to empowering customers with fire safety training sessions or demonstrations. You as an employer can enroll your employees in VariEx fire safety products along with training.
Fire safety precautions in the workplace
There are certain safety precautions should be taken to prevent fire in workplaces.
- Ensure that all the electrical piece of equipment are turned off at the end of the day office closes and helps prevent a disastrous situation happening overnight.
- Don’t overload circuits with more than the recommended capacity, which may cause the fuse to blow, overheat and become a huge fire hazard.
- If it is noticed that any electrical cords get damaged, they should be replaced straight away.
- Make sure that anything that may easily catch fire, including waste paper or trash, is kept to a minimum.
- Ensure that smoking materials are always extinguished and exposed of safely, and never stored in the office.
- Be aware of chemicals in the workplace, and always use and store them safely according to the labels to prevent any potential ignitions.
Stay Safe by Availing Fire Safety Training!!
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
7 Main Categories of Fire Signage: A Brief Guide
Friday, 08 November 2019
Most of the people do not take seriously the presence of fire signs. If we don’t pay attention to the fire signage on a usual day, then it can create a major problem between life and death in a real emergency. For this reason, fire signages are playing a crucial element of any house or business’s fire safety strategy.
Why the fire safety sign is important to use?
Fire signage is important to use because it helps in guiding the occupants of buildings (house, office, malls, schools, hospitals, etc.) when a fire breaks out or hazard symbols occur. The fire safety sign boards are useful to help provide fire prevention facilities to the people, and also provide clear guidance so that they can know what to do in the event of an emergency. The foremost part of using a fire safety emergency sign in a building is to aware of the people of their nearest fire exit, or escape routes, and where to find firefighting equipment.
Have a look at the 7 main categories or types of fire signages!
Prohibition signage – This fire safety sign includes “No Smoking” messages. This type of message or notice encompasses a prohibited action, which may increase the risk of a fire.
(Image Source: Amazon.com)
Mandatory signage – This particular signage is designed to safeguard occupants and indicates certain steps that people must take to comply with fire regulations. Mandatory safety sign includes “fire door keep shut” notice.
(Image Source: Eurekadirect.co.uk)
Warning signage – It is used to make people aware of the presence of flammable materials. For instance, a storeroom of a chemical manufacturing factory contains potentially dangerous liquids.
(Image Source: Keysigns.co.uk)
Fire exit signage – The fire exit signage on VariEx is even useful to highlight the location of “fire exits” and allowing people to escape from the building quickly or let them know which door to head for.
(Image Source: Seton.co.uk)
Supplementary information signage – This specific signage is used to provide further instruction and including information such as a “directional arrows or text” to expand on neighboring notices.
(Image Source: Legislation.gov.uk)
Fire extinguisher signage – It helps in directing people to the location, or areas of firefighting equipment such as fire extinguishers. The fire extinguisher sign of VariEx brand should be installed, depending on the layout of your building. However, this concept may not be required if the extinguisher itself is highly visible.
(Image Source: Creativesafetysupply.com)
Safe condition signage – It indicates fire escape routes, fire assembly points, and first aid kit that help to guide occupants, who are dealing with an emergency and escaping the building.
(Image Source: Amazon.co.uk)
VariEx is one of the trustworthy Fire Safety Sign manufacturers, suppliers, traders and distributors in India. VariEx is engaged in dealing with a complete range of Fire Exit Signage, Fire Extinguisher Signage, Fire Extinguisher Chart, Stair Case Signage, Safe Assembly Area Signage, and 3D Signage Board. Its entire gamut of fire safety signs is designed to meet current fire safety regulations.
VariEx team is dedicated to developing and delivering the varied types of fire sign boards as per the exact requirements of clients. People across the country can even place their orders online through variexonline.com, which is involved in providing quality yet affordable fire signages at the clients’ doorstep
Here’s a table that briefs you with the different categories of Fire Safety Signs of Fire Signages.
| Type of Fire Safety Signage | Colour of Sign | Shape of Sign | Message |
| Mandatory sign | Blue with white writing or symbols | Circular | Fire door keep shut |
| Prohibition Sign | Red outline with a white background and a red strike through | Circular | No naked flames |
| Warning Sign | Yellow with black detail | Triangular | Fire risk |
| Fire Exit Sign | Green with white writing and symbols | Rectangular | Fire exit this way |
| Fire Extinguisher Sign | Red with white writing and symbols | Circular or rectangular | Fire extinguisher is located here |
| Safe Condition Signage or Supplementary Information Signs | Multiple colours, including green, red or yellow | Rectangular | Escape route |
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
Fire Alarm System can secure your Home during Diwali
Tuesday, 29 October 2019
Yes, a Fire Alarm is a device that helps in securing your home and offers fire safety solutions to the people during Diwali celebrations. Diwali is a festival of happiness and joy; one shares his love with others in various forms, like distributing sweets, gifts and bursting fireworks. Diwali denotes festival of lights hence, celebrated with the use of diyas, candles, and oil lamps. It is believed that light implies kindness and mercy, and because of this belief, several lamps used throughout the day and night to ward off the darkness, and evil.
The report shows, there is a bigger fire risk at Diwali time because of diyas, candles, and fireworks. But, you can reduce the risks for home and your family just by taking a few simple defenses.
Installation of Fire Alarm System in your house is one of the best precautions or safety measures that you should follow!
Fire alarms save lives, thus make sure to install it on every floor of your house. A fire alarm has a very good fire detection capacity, which is capable of warning you immediately if any fire happens even during Diwali. A fire alarm or a smoke detector is a useful safety product that detects fire in its early stages and alerts you with an audio-visual warning.
The VariEx Fire Alarm or Smoke Alarm is designed in such a way to detect any kind of fire or smoke, which allows you to escape from your home safety when a fire detects. It is one of the best safety tools or equipment that operates through diverse functionalities such as automatic, semi-automatic, or manual. There is a total of four types of fire safety alarm available on VariEx, such as Standalone Fire Alarm System, Conventional Fire Alarm System, Addressable Fire Alarm System, and Wireless Fire Alarm System. These types of fire alarms or smoke detectors are manufactured and inspected as per International Safety & Quality Standard. VariEx offers the best possible pricing facilities to its customers when they are willing to buy its fire alarm system.
Fitting instructions of Fire Alarms
Fire alarms (heat detectors / fire detectors) should be fitted in almost every room of your house for the maximum protection of smoke alarms. But you may install at least one alarm on each floor of your house-building. It is advisable to fix the fire alarm of the VariEx brand into the ceiling and at least 30 centimeters (12 inches) away from any wall or light fitting, and as close to the center of the room, or hallway as possible. And, it’s important to read the manufacturer’s instructions before attaching the smoke alarm in the ceiling.
Maintenance of Fire Alarms
- Test your smoke alarm system batteries by pressing the test button for at least five seconds until you hear the beeps, on every month.
- Replace the lead or alkaline batteries of fire alarm once in a year.
- Check the alarm by pressing the test button, once a week.
- Vacuum and wipe the dust from smoke alarms once in a year as it may cause blocking the sensor chamber.
- Replace our smoke alarms with new 10-year lithium powered smoke alarms in every 10 years, or earlier if it is specified by the manufacturer.
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
5 SAFETY TIPS TO CELEBRATE HAPPY DIWALI
Saturday, 19 October 2019
The most important yet exciting festival in India is just around the corner, and we all are looking forward to enjoying the celebrations! Diwali symbols the victory of good over evil or light over darkness and hence, celebrated by lighting diyas, burning crackers, decorating the home with lights, beautifying every corner of the house decorated with beautiful rangoli colors and sharing sweets with family and friends. During Diwali, the dark and gloomy nights are filled up with lightning, which brings joy & happiness all around.
We find every house, and every corner is getting lighted during this time called Diwali or Deepavali. One and all, regardless of their age, celebrate this festival of lights even by bursting of the huge varieties of crackers. But then, along with the enjoyable of bursting crackers comes great responsibility for staying safe and prevents fire in the house, workplace, and neighborhood. Accidents or mishaps can occur during Diwali celebrations without giving us the slightest sign. Most of these happen because we are not careful. And, a little bit of precaution by following certain tips that help you to the prevention of fire accidents and ensures you a safe Diwali.
Here’s a list of top 5 fire safety tips to follow and make your Diwali jolly rather than making it a folly.
Wear Cotton Clothes
People love to wear new garments during Diwali, but make sure to wear cotton clothes while bursting crackers just to avoid your outfits getting on fire. It is advisable not to wear clothes made of silk, nylon, polyester, and other similar material as they easily catch fire. In addition to this, you and your family should wear denim and khadi clothes that do not stick to the skin in case of any fire injuries.
Install a Fire Extinguisher
Installation of a fire extinguisher in the house is important, and therefore, ensure to keep it near the place where the crackers burn. Buy a couple of VariEx fire extinguishers with different capacities for your home and install them at places, which are easy to access. Use different types of fire extinguisher on the VariEx brand based on different fire types, and areas in the house or office, which is capable of helping you cease the fire, save a life, and get away safely, without any injuries.
The fire extinguishers you need to place near your staircases, along the hallway, or right near the door of your kitchen. In addition to this, you can also keep buckets of water and store sand in a bag that are a few traditional ways of fighting the fire. In case of a major fire accident, do not forget to inform the fire brigade immediately.
Store Crackers in Safe Places
Since crackers are combustible, therefore, they must be kept away from all sources of heat and stored in safe places where they do not catch any fire. Your carelessness with handling firecrackers can end in fire accidents, and a single spark of fire can lead to an explosion.
The report reveals that minor and major injuries are reported every year during Diwali. Hence, to prevent fire accidents, you need to buy firecrackers from those vendors who are licensed to sell those. And, make sure to read all the instructions mentioned on the packaging of the crackers before lighting them, which is capable of reducing the risk of fire mishaps.
Keep a First Aid Box Handy
Always keep a first aid box handy for emergency purposes in case of fire tragedy during Diwali. Ensure to keep a VariEx first aid box containing items like Band-Aid strip, Adhesive Tape, Cotton Wool, Eye Pad, Scissors, etc. while you are burning crackers. If you or anyone sustains a burn, use the first aid kit on the VariEx brand and rush to seek professional medical help immediately. First Aid Box Plastic Body, First Aid Box Wall Mount Metal Body, First Aid Box Wall Mount Plastic Body are the different types of VariEx first aid boxes used in medicals and health centers.
VariEx is one of the trusted Manufacturers, Suppliers, Distributors, and Wholesalers of fire safety products in India. It is engaged in dealing with several fire-fighting equipment such as Fire Extinguisher, Fire Hydrant System, First Aid Box, Fire Alarm, Fire Suppression System, Signage Board, and many others.
Special Attention for Senior Citizens and Pregnant Ladies
Firecrackers during Diwali results in noise pollution that can cause hearing loss, high blood pressure, and heart attack, especially of senior citizens. Noise pollution due to crackers burning is also uncomfortable for pregnant ladies as well as kids. Ensure not to burst the firecrackers in the prohibition of bursting crackers in silence zones and where the sick, pregnant, senior citizens, and infants are residing.
Over to You
The safest way to enjoy firecrackers during Diwali is to light them carefully. Observe the safety instructions or fire prevention tips that we have mentioned above in this blog post before you start bursting crackers. Ensure that diyas or candles are not near any flammable materials like curtains, table covers, cloth, paper, and furniture.
Have a Happy and Safe Diwali!!!
- Published in Fire Extinguisher
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher with a 4-step Process
Saturday, 05 October 2019
Fortunately, you’re lucky that have not experienced any fire tragedy! But imagine if any fire mishaps, how would you react? Do you have any idea to do what during a fire emergency? The answer is to operate a fire extinguisher correctly. Therefore, we all should learn the process of using a Fire Extinguisher to avoid the minor damage and a full-scale disaster at your home or business.
Comprehending this fact in mind, I am going to discuss the fire extinguisher guide, which describes the proper methods and proceedings to use it. In this blog post, you will get guidance to use a fire extinguisher properly and also helps to evacuate safely if the fire gets massive despite your efforts.
Now a question comes, what are the 4 steps in using a Fire Extinguisher? Consider the list of the following 4 steps to use a fire extinguisher accurately.
Distinguish the fire classification (what kind of fire)
When any fire tragedy occurs, it seems a fire mishap. But you should know that the fire categorizes into different classifications. And, it’s essential to know, what type of fire you’re trying to put out, especially when thinking to buy a fire extinguisher. The different kinds of fire or its classification named as Type A, Type B, Type C, Type D, and Type K and this 5-letter naming system is capable of helping you in using the right type of fire extinguisher.
It’s also important to remember that the type of fire depends on what’s burning, and therefore you’ll be able to use the right type of fire extinguisher. Have a look below to the different types or classes of fires.
- Type A – Fire happens linking to wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and many plastics.
- Type B – Fire occurs due to flammable liquids and gases or wet chemical including gasoline, solvents, propane, and paints
- Type C – Fire mishaps involving energized electrical equipment, including fuse boxes, wiring, control panels, computers, copiers, machines, and appliances (anything plugged into electricity).
- Type D – Fire tragedy arises concerning metals, including combustible powders, shavings, or flakes of metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium, sodium, and other dry chemicals.
- Type K – Fires involving cooking oil and fats (uses in commercial kitchens).
(Image Source: Comfire.ca)
Get the accurate type of fire extinguisher
Get the accurate kind of fire extinguisher to put out the fire, and check the correct one after knowing the type of fire. For instance, if you face a Type B fire, then you need a fire extinguisher that enables you to put out the same type of fire, which you’re experiencing. Understanding this point, now a question arises how do you know the type of fires that a fire extinguisher can put out? The answer is to look at the label highlighted on the fire extinguisher. It will help you to understand what type of fire it is to which the fire extinguisher can safely put out.
There are some extinguishers those can only put out one type of fire (extinguisher with an “A” rating puts out the only Type A fires); some other fire extinguishers can put out different types of fire (a fire extinguisher with an A, B, and C rating put out Type A, Type B, and Type C fires). VariEx is one of the trusted manufacturer, supplier, and dealer of fire extinguisher that helps in extinguishing the fire of every type.
Follow the PASS method for using a Fire extinguisher
People will want to use the extinguisher to put the fire after they get to know the type of fire, and selection of a suitable fire extinguisher. But this not enough to use an extinguisher because everybody does not know how to use an extinguisher. Hence, there’s a step by step method that anyone can follow to use a fire extinguisher correctly, and the method is known as PASS.
Let us explain the steps of fire extinguisher procedure (PASS) to operate a fire extinguisher.
- P for Pull: Pull the pin (it may break the tamper seal) while holding the extinguisher away from you to unlock the device.
- A for Aim: Aim low and indicate the nozzle of the extinguisher towards the base of fire. It is recommended not to touch the horn on a CO2 extinguisher as it gets very cold that can damage the skin.
- S for Squeeze: Squeeze the knob or handle of the extinguisher to release the extinguishing agent.
- S for Sweep: Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire, the fuel source, until the fire is out.
(Image Source: Firstlinefire.com)
What time to leave to fighting the fire and evacuate the fire part?
When you fight the fire actively, remember there may be cases when you’ll have to give up, quit fighting the fire, and evacuate the fire area for your safety. Here is a list of reasons to quit fighting a fire and to evacuate yourself immediately:
- If the fire is spreading too quickly
- If the fire might block your only exit
- In case the fire is too massive
- Even when the fire is so hot you can’t get close enough (10-15 feet) to fight it effectively
- The minute you’ve had to get down on your knees because you can’t see well; otherwise, because of high temperature, or smoke
Last Word
We hope this blog post has made you found the best answer to how to use a fire extinguisher. Check your house or office or shop to make sure that you have the appropriate fire extinguishers available.
STAY SAFE!!
- Published in Fire Extinguisher