Overview

For fire to exist, four elements must be present at the same time, as follow:

• Enough oxygen to sustain combustion
• Enough heat to raise the material to its ignition temperature
• Some sort of fuel or combustible material
• The chemical reaction that is fire

Portable fire extinguishers apply an extinguishing agent that will either cool burning fuel, displace or remove oxygen, or stop the chemical reaction so a fire cannot continue to burn. When the handle of an extinguisher is compressed, the agent is expelled out of the nozzle.

According to OSHA 29 CFR 1910.157, all portable fire extinguishers must be approved by a nationally recognized testing laboratory. Under the same standard, OSHA does not require every workplace to conduct portable fire extinguisher safety training but employers must provide an educational program to familiarize employees with general principles of fire extinguisher use and hazards involved with incipient stage fire-fighting.

Prior to using a portable fire extinguisher, OSHA suggests employees consider certain factors, including the following:

• Is the fire too large to control?
• Is the fire extinguisher the right type and size?
• What are the proper steps to take to use an extinguisher?

Improper use of a portable fire extinguisher can lead to problems, such as:

• Property damage
• Personal injury
• Death

To learn more about Fire Extinguishers visit our Portable Fire Extinguishers Online Training web page.