Use pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose (ABC-rated)dry chemical extinguishers. If you don't have adequate fire-fighting equipmentĬlass A- Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material below its ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition. If you can't fight the fire with your back to an escape exit If the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started It must be kept in a sealed container with a non-reactive solution to prevent contact with air. White phosphorus is air-reactive and will burn/explode on contact with room air. Generally these metals are stored in sealed containers in a non-reactive liquid to prevent decay (surface oxidation)from contact with moisture in the air. Pure metals such as potassium and sodium react violently (even explosively)with water and some other chemicals, and must be handled with care. If you are planning a research project using a large amount of flammable metals you should consider purchasing a five or ten pound container of Class-D extinguishing agent as a precaution. Class D extinguishing agents are available. In some cases, covering the burning metal with sand can help contain the heat and sparks from the reaction. Two outlets should have no more than two plugs.įlammable metals such as magnesium and titanium generally take a very hot heat source to ignite however, once ignited are difficult to extinguish as the burning reaction produces sufficient oxygen to support combustion, even under water. Unusual odors can be the first sign of fire.ĭon't overload wall outlets. Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells strange. Never install a fuse rated higher than specified for the circuit. Heat from an uncovered light bulb can easily ignite ordinary combustibles.ĭon't misuse fuses. Utility lights should always have some type of wire guard over them. A spark from a rough-running motor can ignite the oil and dust in it. Prevent motors from overheating by keeping them clean and in good working order. Report any hazardous condition to your supervisor. Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings. Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas. Store flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources. Pour from storage drums only what you'll need. Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly closed, self-closing, spill-proof containers. Keep storage and working areas free of trash Place oily rags in covered containers.ĭon't refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space, especially in the presence of an open flame such as a furnace or water heater.ĭon't refuel gasoline-powered equipment while it's hot. They may react violently with water or other chemicals, and must be handled with care. These metals burn at high temperatures and give off sufficient oxygen to support combustion. Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and some plastics.įlammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane.Įnergized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes and power tools.Ĭertain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. Take any one of these factors away, and the fire cannot occur or will be extinguished if it was already burning. Fire occurs when this rapid oxidation, or burning takes place. HEAT - Heat is the energy necessary to increase the temperature of the fuel to a point where sufficient vapors are given off for ignition to occur.ĬHEMICAL REACTION- A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire are present in the proper conditions and proportions. fire only needs an atmosphere with at least 16 percent oxygen. OXYGEN - The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. Most solids and liquids become a vapor or gas before they will burn. It needs three elements to occur:įUEL - Fuel can be any combustible material - solid, liquid or gas. If you answered yes to all those questions, are you willing to take a quiz to prove it?įire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of a fuel. What to do if trapped in a burning building? How to identify the proper fire extinguisher? More than 150 workplace fires occur every day. Fire Extinguisher Training & Emergency Evacuationįire is the third leading cause of accidental deaths in the United States, yet most people ignore it.
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