PART D - TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND INSPECTION
PROCEDURES
Types of Fire Extinguishers.
There are four types of fire extinguishers your personnel should be familiar with: water, carbon dioxide, dry
chemical, and Halon.
Water extinguishers (pumped or pressurized) - May be used for Class A fires. This type of extinguisher
is used to control the heat. DO NOT USE for electrical, combustible metal, or flammable liquid fires.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers - May be used on electrical, chemical, or petroleum fires (Class B, C,
and D). This type of extinguisher controls the fire by diluting the air, thus choking the fire.
Dry chemical extinguishers - May be used on Class B, C, and D fires. This type of extinguisher is used
to smother the fire.
Halon extinguishers - Are effective against Class A, B, and C fires. The Halon extinguisher works
chemically to stop the combustion process. The agent, discharged as a liquid becomes a gas when it
contacts the fire.
Inspection Procedures.
You must ensure that fire extinguishers are inspected at least monthly for serviceability. Any fire extinguisher
found unserviceable or discharged should be taken to the fire station for repair or recharging. The areas on the
extinguisher to be checked are:
In the body, check for dents, cracks, and excessive rust.
In the hose, check for dry rot, cracks, and missing parts.
Ensure that the seal is intact.
Ensure that the pressure gauge is in the "green," fully-charged position.
PART E- PRINCIPLES OF EXTINGUISHING FIRES
There are three basic methods your personnel will use to control and/or extinguish a fire:
Control the heat - Cooling or reducing the temperature of the fire below the ignition point will remove
the source of heat and control the fire.
Control the air - By reducing or eliminating oxygen in the air, combustion will no longer be supported.
Air is diluted by reducing the percentage of oxygen to the point where it will no longer support
combustion. If all air is cut off at the surface of combustion, a fire is smothered.
Control the fuel - Removing the combustible material or shutting off the flow of fuel will control the fire.
General Procedures to Extinguish a Fire.
As a petroleum manager you can use drills or other
testing methods to ensure that your personnel are aware of the sequence of steps to take when a fire is
discovered. The recommended sequence is as follows:
Sound the alarm.
Call the fire department.
Determine the class of fire (A, B, C, D).
Select the appropriate fire extinguisher.
Stand upwind so that the flames and smoke blow away from you.
Point the fire extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
Move the nozzle from side to side until the fire is extinguished.
PART F - FIRE FIGHTING TOOLS, CLOTHING, AND SAFETY TECHNIQUES
Tools. There are several types of tools used to fight ground cover fires. As a senior petroleum NCO, you
should ensure that the following items are on hand and in serviceable condition for all petroleum operations:
Rakes - Rakes are used to rake ground cover and dirt and to chop light growth. The types of rakes used
are as follows:
McLeod.
1-4
QM 5097
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