Fires can be
very dangerous and you should always be certain that you will not endanger yourself or
others when attempting to put out a fire. For this reason, when a fire is discovered:
- Assist any person in immediate danger to safety, if it can be accomplished without risk
to yourself.
- Activate the building fire alarm system or notify the fire department by dialing 911 (or
designating someone else to notify them for you). When you activate the building fire
alarm system, it will automatically notify the fire department and get help on the way. It
will also sound the building alarms to notify other occupants, and it will shut down the
air handling units to prevent the spread of smoke throughout the building.
- Only after having done these two things, if the fire is small, you may attempt to use an
extinguisher to put it out.
However, before deciding to fight the
fire, keep these rules in mind:
Know
what is burning. If you don't know what is burning, you don't know what type of
extinguisher to use. Even if you have an ABC extinguisher, there may be something in the
fire that is going to explode or produce highly toxic smoke. Chances are, you will
know what's burning, or at least have a pretty good idea, but if you don't, let the fire
department handle it.
The
fire is spreading rapidly beyond the spot where it started. The time to use an
extinguisher is in the incipient, or beginning, stages of a fire. If the fire is already
spreading quickly, it is best to simply evacuate the building, closing doors and windows
behind you as you leave.
Do Not Fight the Fire If:
You
don't have adequate or appropriate equipment. If you don't have the correct type or
large enough extinguisher, it is best not to try to fight the fire.
You
might inhale toxic smoke. If the fire is producing large amounts of smoke that you
would have to breathe in order to fight it, it is best not to try. Any sort of combustion
will produce some amount of carbon monoxide, but when synthetic materials such as the
nylon in carpeting or foam padding in a sofa burn, they can produce highly toxic gases
such as hydrogen cyanide, acrolein, and ammonia in addition to carbon monoxide. These
gases can be fatal in very small amounts.
Your
instincts tell you not to. If you are uncomfortable with the situation for any reason,
just let the fire department do their job.
The
final rule is to always position yourself with an exit or means of escape at your back
before you attempt to use an extinguisher to put out a fire. In case the extinguisher
malfunctions, or something unexpected happens, you need to be able to get out quickly, and
you don't want to become trapped. Just remember, always keep an exit at your back.
Fire Triangle / Fuels
/ Types / Rules / How
to / Quiz
