Chapter 7: Portable fire extinguishers

This chemical process occurs when another substance such as a fuel is combined with oxygen.

Oxidation

Material used to stop the combustion process

Extinguishing agent

These locations contain more Class A combustibles and/or Class B flammables than do ordinary hazard locations. The combustibility and heat release rate of the materials are high.

Extra (High) hazard locations

Fire extinguishers weighing more than 40lbs should be mounted so that the top of the extinguisher is not more then__________.

3.5ft (1m) above the floor

The bottom of a fire extinguisher should be at least__________.

4in (10cm) above the floor

A fire extinguisher with a 10-B rating indicates that a non expert user should be able to extinguish a fire in a pan of flammable liquid that is__________ in surface area while an expert user should be able to extinguish a fire that is__________ in surface area.

-10 Feet Squared -25 Feet Squared

A non expert user should be able to use a fire extinguisher rated 40-B to control a flammable liquid pan fire with a surface area of__________, while an expert user should be able to extinguish a fire with a surface area of__________.

-40ft squared -100ft squared

Numbers used to rate fire extinguisher's effectiveness only for__________, and__________.

-Class A fires -Class B fires

All fires require three basic ingredients, list them

-Fuel -Oxygen -Heat

Some agents can successfully suppress a fire but are unable to prevent the material from reigniting. A rating is given only___________

-If the fire extinguisher completely extinguishes the standard test fire and prevents rekindling.

Areas are divided into three risk classifications, they are?

-Light -Ordinary -Extra hazard

These are two combustible metals that are used to produce automotive and aircraft parts because they combine high strength with light weight.

-Magnesium -Titanium

Class A, and Class B fire extinguishers also include a__________ indicating the relative effectiveness of the fire extinguisher in the hands of a __________

-Number -Non expert user

The classification system for fire extinguishers uses both letters and numbers. Th letters indicate__________, and the numbers indicate__________

-The classes of fires for which the fire extinguisher can be used -The numbers indicate its effectiveness

Portable fire extinguishers have two primary uses, list them

-To extinguish incipient stage fires -To control fires where traditional methods of fire suppression are not recommended

List the different types of extinguishing agents

-Water -Water with additives -Dry chemicals -Wet chemicals -Dry powders -Gaseous agents

What are some common examples of Extra (High) hazard locations?

-Woodworking shops -Service and repair facilities for cars -Aircraft -Boats -Kitchens that have deep fryers -Flammable liquids or gasses under pressure

A fire extinguisher that is rated 1-A contains the equivalent of__________ of water.

1.25 Gal of water (5.56L)

A typical Class A fire extinguisher contains 2.5 Gal (9L) of water and has a__________ rating.

2-A

The numerical rating is about__________ of the area of burning fuel that an expert can consistently extinguish.

40%

Fire extinguishers weighting up to 40lbs should be mounted so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than__________.

5ft (2m) above the floor

A red slash icon indicates that the fire extinguisher must not be used on that type of fire because doing so would create__________.

Additional risk

A fire extinguisher in which the expelling gas is in a separate container from the agent storage container.

Cartridge/Cylinder-operated fire extinguisher

Once the power is cut to a Class C fire, the fire is then treated as?

Class A, or Class B fire

As long as electrical equipment is energized it must be treated as a?

Class C fire

The traditional lettering system identifies a class K fire as?

Currently there is no designation for class K fires due to the class K designation being new.

The body of the fire extinguisher is known as the?

Cylinder, or container (Holds the extinguishing agent)

Nitrogen, compressed air, or CO2 can be used to pressurize the cylinder and?

Expel the agent

True or false: Electricity can burn.

False: Electricity does not burn, but electrical energy can generate tremendous heat that could ignite nearby Class A, or B materials.

The effectiveness of a Class B fire extinguisher is based on the approximate are measured in__________, of burning fuel that these devices are capable of extinguishing.

Feet squared

The quantity of a buildings combustible materials present is sometimes called a buildings__________ and is measured as the average weight of combustible materials per square foot of floor area.

Fire load

The combustion process begins when the fuel is heated to its__________ -the temperature at which it begins to burn

Ignition temperature

These are areas where the quantity, combustibility, and heat release of the materials are low, and the majority of materials are arranged so that a fire is not likely to spread.

Light (low) fire hazard.

The__________ is a simple quick-release device that prevents accidental discharge of the extinguishing agent.

Locking mechanism

Where are wheeled fire extinguishers typically located?

Military bases, airports, industrial settings

Fire extinguishers that are safe and effective for more than one class will be rated with__________.

Multiple letters

NFPA standard for portable fire extinguishers.

NFPA 10 (Lists the requirements for placing and mounting portable fire extinguishers)

A device for use in applications requiring special water discharge patterns, directional spray, or other unusual discharge characteristics.

Nozzle

The primary disadvantage to fire extinguishers is that they are__________ devices.

One shot

These areas contain more Class A and Class B materials than do light hazard locations. The combustibility and heat release rate of the materials is moderate. Typical examples of__________ hazard locations include retail stores with on site storage areas, auto showrooms, parking garages, workshops

Ordinary (low) hazard locations

Most self expelling agents are normally gasses but are stored as liquids under__________ in the fire extinguisher.

Pressure

This shows whether a fire extinguisher has sufficient pressure to operate properly. Over time this may dissipate. Checking the gauge first will tell you whether the fire extinguisher is ready for use.

Pressure Indicator.

Some extinguishing agents, such as CO2, are called__________.

Self expelling agents

A fire extinguisher in which both the extinguishing agent and the expelling gas are kept in a single container and that includes a pressure indicator or gauge.

Stored pressure fire extinguisher

A special plastic tie, called a__________, is used to secure the pin. This seal is designed to break easily when the pin is pulled. It is best removed using a twisting motion.

Tamper seal

How is fire load measured?

The average weight of combustible materials per square foot of floor area

The higher the number on a fire extinguisher the greater__________.

The extinguishing capability of the fire extinguisher

The traditional lettering system identifies a class A fire as?

The letter A on a solid green triangle

The traditional lettering system identifies a class B fire as?

The letter B on a solid red square

The traditional lettering system identifies a class C fire as?

The letter C on a solid blue circle

The traditional lettering system identifies a class D fire as?

The letter D on a solid yellow five pointed star

The__________ is a simple quick-release device that prevents accidental discharge of an extinguishing agent.

Trigger

In the United States__________ is the organization that developed the standards, classification, and rating system for portable fire extinguishers Each fire extinguisher has a specific rating that identifies the classes of fire for which it is both safe and effective.

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.

What is the most commonly used extinguishing agent used for a class A fire?

Water

These are large units that are mounted on shelled carriages and typically contain between 150lbs and 350lbs of extinguishing agent.

Wheeled fire extinguishers