Fire 3 - Chapter 9 Book Terms & Definitions

Some of (AFFF) extinguishers now include what type of rating?

(AR) Alcohol Resistance.

What are some Clean Agents available

(HCFC)-Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HFC)-Hydrofluorocarbons

Specialized extinguishers are available for temperatures as low as?

-65 degrees

What are the Discharge Duration criteria that must be met?

1) A portable extinguisher that uses water under pressure as an extinguishing agent must have a minimum of 45-60 sec. discharge time. The time period depends of the desired rating. 2) A minimum effective discharge time is required for any extinguisher for which a class B rating is desired. 3) Dry chemical extinguisher 10 pounds and larger must have a discharge time of 1 pound per second.

What are the Discharge Volume Capability characteristics evaluated?

1) Any portable fire extinguisher that uses dry chemical or dry powder as an extinguisher agent must be able to discharge 80% of its contents. 2) Any fire extinguisher that uses agents other than dry chemical or dry powder (Halon, carbon dioxide, water etc.) must discharge 95% of its contents.

What are the four magnesium fire test that are used to evaluate class D portable fire extinguishers?

1) Area Fire Test 2) Pallet-Transfer Fire Test 3) Premix Fire Test 4) Casting Fire Test

In order to obtain a UL rating what are the fire tests used to determined an extinguishers rating?

1) Discharge Volume Capability 2) Discharge Duration 3) Discharge Range 4) Hydrostatic Testing of the Vessel and Discharge Hose.

The effective range of the extinguisher stream must meet the following requirements:

1) Extinguishers that use water stored under pressure must have a minimum effective discharge of 30 feet for a 40 sec. period 2) Dry chemical and dry powder extinguishers must have minimum horizontal discharge of 10 feet.

What are the name of the two fire test used for sodium & potassium ratings?

1) Spill-Fire test 2) Pan-Fire test. Both are conducted when metals are in a liquid state.

The ratings for Class A are based of the two tests that are called?

1) Wood-Crib Test 2) Wood-Panel Test

Class A Fire Attack

10 to 30 Feet from fire. (Attacking a fire from more than 30 feet will not be very effective) When fires are knocked down the operator should move closer to wet down any remaining fire. AFFF and other foam-type extinguishers are effective against Class A Fires.

The pressure in extinguishers varies from how many psi?

100 to 850 psi depending upon the type.

Class A portable fire extinguishers are rated from 1A to?

1A-40A

Extinguishers from Class A that are required to test for both Wood-Crib Test & Wood-Panel Test ratings are?

1A-6A

Class B portable fire extinguishers are rated from 1B to?

1B-640B

A 5-6lb of dry chemical is rated at?

2A or 3A depending on its chemical Mixture

What is the clearance between the bottom of the extinguisher and the floor should never be less than?

4 inches

What is the maximum size (weight) that is considered truly portable for a water extinguisher?

5 Gallons/42pounds

What is the smallest B:C type extinguisher?

5B-10B Rating

Many extinguishers completely discharge the extinguishing agent in how long?

8-15 seconds

Explain The "Hydrostatic Testing of the vessel and Discharge hose"

All agent storage cylinders, the discharge hose (if applicable), and the discharge nozzle are required to pass a "Hydrostatic Test" This test consist of pressurizing the components to five times their rated capacity for a period of not less than 5 seconds.

What is the meaning of (AFFF)

Aqueous Fill Forming Foam

How come Class D is not assigned a number rating?

Because extinguishers are generally tested against metals including magnesium, sodium, potassium.

How come Class C is not assigned a number rating?

Because it signifies only that the extinguishing agent agent is electrically nonconductive.

Halon 1211

Bromochlorodifluoromethane

What is the most common halon found in extinguishers?

Bromochlorodifluoromethane, Commonly referred to as Halon 1211

Halon 1301

Bromotrifluoromethane

What is mainly seen in fixed extinguishing equipment?

Bromotrifluoromethane, Commonly referred to as Halon 1301

Wet Chemical Agents can be used on what fire?

Can be used on Class K fire. The agents primary extinguishing benefits is its ability to mix with the cooking grease to form a barrier, or soapy mixture, over the burning fuel through saponification. Saponification process only works on animal fats and vegetables oils.

Which gas forms its own expellent for Stored-Pressure fire extinguishers?

Carbon Dioxide

Which classes of fires (AFFF) is suitable for?

Class A and Class B Fires.

Class C fires are fueled by materials that are class?

Class A and or B

What are the Extinguisher Classifications?

Class A, Class B, Class C, Class D, Class K

Which class fires is Monoammonium Phosphate effective on?

Class A, Class B, and Class C fires. On Class A materials, the Monoammonium Phosphate forms a solid coating and extinguishes the fire by smothering.

What are the geometric shapes & colors the Letter-Symbol System uses to identify each class?

Class A- color GREEN Shape TRIANGLE Class B- color RED shape SQUARE Class C- color BLUE shape CIRCLE Class D- color YELLOW shape STAR Class K- color BLACK shape HEXAGON

How is (AFFF) effective on Class A and B fires?

Class A- cooling and penetrating the fuel. Class B-The double effect of a foam blanket and a surface film to exclude air from the fuel

Which fires is Carbon Dioxide suitable for?

Class B and Class C Fires. Has a limited value on Class A fires because of its gaseous nature.

What classes of fires is Halon effective on?

Class B and Class C fires.

Which class fires is Sodium Bicarbonate effective on?

Class B and Class C fires.

Which class fires is Potassium Bicarbonate effective on?

Class B and Class C fires. It is also used as a water-repellent.

Which class should NEVER be assigned to any type of multipurpose extinguisher?

Class D

What class of fire is Dry Powder Agents used for?

Class D Fires

Explain Na-X

Class D extinguishing agent designed specifically for use on sodium, potassium, and sodium- potassium alloy fires. NA-X is not suitable on magnesium fires. It forms a crusting or caking on the burning material, causing an oxygen-deficiency and thereby extinguishing the fire.

Class "D" Fire

Combustible Metals

Class "K" Fire

Cooking oils and fats

Class "C" Fire

Energized Electrical Equipment

Class B Fire Attack

Extinguisher should be discharged from a distance approximately 10 feet. (If the attack range is started at a closer range, the velocity of the dry chemical discharge may cause the fuel to splash) AFFF is effective on class B fires involving hydrocarbons such as fuel oils, gasoline, and kerosene. Carbon Dioxide is also effective on Class B Fires.

What kind of Fire Extinguishers are obsolete?

Extinguishers made of copper or brass with cylinders either soft-soldered or riveted together are discontinued. Because of its toxicity of carbon tetrachloride and chlorobromomethane, extinguishers using these agents are prohibited in the workplace.

What is the meaning of (FFFP)

Film Forming Fluoroprotien

Class "B" Fire

Flammable or Combustible Liquids or Gasses

What atoms do Halons contain?

Fluorine, Chlorine, Bromine, and Iodine

What are the Class C and Class D Factors?

For Class C there are no special spacing rules for Class C hazards because the fire involving energized equipment usually involves Class A or Class B Fuels. For Class D combustible metals cannot be generalized. NFPA 10 recommend that the travel distance for Class D extinguishers not exceed 75 feet.

How are Halogenated agents harmful?

Harmful to humans and ozone layer.

Is Carbon Dioxide heavier or lighter than air?

Heavier

HCFC

Hydrochlorofluorocarbons

HFC

Hydrofluorocarbons

How is Carbon Dioxide stored in a extinguisher?

In a Liquid State

What is the "Pictorial System"?

Indicates the type of fire the extinguisher is capable of extinguishing.

Class D Fire

Involves combustible metals such as magnesium, potassium, sodium, titanium, and zirconium, which require the use of an agent that absorbs heat and does not react with the burning metal.

Class K Fire

Involves cooking oils and fats in appreciable depth. With the advent of wet chemical fire-suppression systems in commercial kitchens, manufacturers developed K-rated extinguishers. These extinguishers use an identical fire-suppression agent as the fixed system. Class K-rated agents work by forming a barrier over the product, thus smothering the fire.

Class C Fire

Involves energized electrical equipment, which requires the use of a nonconductive agent for protection of the extinguisher operator. If electrical power is eliminated, these fires become Class A or Class B, and may be extinguished properly.

Class B Fire

Involves flammable or combustible liquids and gases, including greases and similar fuels, which can be extinguished by oxygen exclusion, smothering and insulating, and inhibiting the chemical chain reaction.

Class A Fire

Involves ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics. These fires can be extinguished by cooling, smothering, insulating, or inhibiting the chemical chain reaction.

What is the "Letter-Symbol System"

Is a method of extinguisher identification.

A stored-pressure fire extinguisher contains an expellant gas and an extinguishing agent in how many chambers?

It contains both in a single chamber

What is the disadvantage of using a Carbon Dioxide extinguisher?

It is difficult to project it very far from the discharge horn of the extinguisher.

How is the Pump-Operated extinguisher discharged?

It is discharge by manual operation on the pump.

If the gross weight of the extinguisher is exceeding 40 pounds, except wheeled types, should be installed how many feet above the ground?

It should be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is no more than three and a half feet above the ground

If the gross weight of a extinguisher is 40 pounds or less, It should be installed how many feet above the ground?

It should be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than five feet above the ground.

Explain Lith-X

Lith-X can be used on several combustible metals. It controls fire by Lithium but can used to extinguish magnesium, zirconium, and sodium fires. Lith-X consist of a graphite base that extinguishes fires by conducting head away from the fuel after a layer of the powder has been applied to the fuel. Unlike other dry powders, this agent does not form a crust on the burning material.

Class K Fire Attack

May be difficult to extinguished because of their tendency to reignite. A Class A:B:C or Class B:C rated extinguisher may be effective, but be prepared for a possible of autoreignition and a second or third attack on the fire. Application of the agent should be from a distance of 10 to 12 feet from the burning material.

Explain Met-L-X

Met-L-X is a sodium chloride-based extinguishing agent intended use on magnesium, sodium, and potassium fires. Like other dry powders It forms a crusting or caking on the burning material to exclude oxygen. The agent is is applied from the extinguisher to first control the fire, and then the agent is applied more slowly to bury the fuel in a layer of powder.

Dry chemicals should NEVER be?

Mixed because of the dangerous reactions.

Which dry chemical is a multipurpose dry chemical?

Monoammonium Phosphate

What are the Class K Factors

NFPA 10 assigns a more restrictive distance requirement. In areas where Class K fires are likely, The maximum travel distance from the hazard to the extinguishing is 30 feet.

A Stored-Pressure Fire Extinguishers that uses Dry Chemical as an extinguishing agent typically contains what kind of expellant gas?

Nitrogen

What are the two types of extinguishers that are required to be carried on fire apparatus are?

One dry chemical extinguisher for B:C fires with at least an 80-B:C rating. One two and a half gallon or larger water extinguisher.

Class "A" Fire

Ordinary Combustibles

What are the Class A Factors?

Ordinary combustibles, two or more extinguishers may be used to satisfy a 6A rating if there are enough individuals trained to use the extinguishers. Two extinguishers with lesser weight may be used to replace a heavier extinguisher.

An extinguisher should never be subjected to hydrostatic testing and should be removed from service if the extinguisher shows?

Physical defects such as damage threads, corrosion, or welded repairs.

Which dry chemical is known as "Purple K"

Potassium Bicarbonate

NFPA 10 recommends that extinguisher inspections be preformed monthly. During a monthly Inspection include the following:

Proper location, Access (Visible and Accessible), Inspection Tag (Check for annual inspection), Horn or nozzle (Look for obstructions), Lock pins and tamper seals (Ensure extinguisher is fully charged), Applicability of extinguisher for hazard classification.

What is the P.A.S.S method?

Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep.

What are some dry chemicals that are used as extinguishing agents?

Sodium Bicarbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, Monoammonium Phosphate.

NFPA 1901

Standard for Automotive Fire Apparatus

NFPA 10

Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers

UL 711

Standard for rating and fire testing of fire extinguishers

What are the types of fire Extinguishers?

Stored-Pressure, Cartridge-Operated, Pump-Operated

What are the disadvantage and advantage of the Pump-Operated Extinguisher?

The disadvantage is the limited use of the water as the extinguishing agent. The advantage is that it can be refilled from any available water source.

Where is the extinguishing agent and expellant gas stored in a Cartridge-Operated fire extinguisher?

The extinguishing agent is stored in an adjacent cylinder called an "agent cylinder". The expellant gas It is stored in the cartridge.

What does the number mean in Class B ratings?

The numbers for Class B ratings are the indications of the approximate square foot.

Is there any agent that is effective on all combustible metals?

There is no single agent that is effective on all combustible metals.

What are some disadvantages that each extinguishing agent might have during a discharge against a Class D fire?

These effects include agent toxicity, fumes developed, and products of combustion.

What are the Class B Factors?

Two situations may be encountered with Class B hazards. One is a spill fire where the flammable liquid does not have depth. The other involves a flammable liquid where the liquid has depth such as with dip tank. NFPA 10 established 1/4 inch is classified as having depth. Anything less is considered to be without depth.

Class D Fire Attack

Various dry powders agents will extinguish fires involving magnesium, sodium, and potassium alloys. Most dry powder agents extinguish combustible metals by caking and adhering to the material, which excludes necessary air required for combustion. The burning material should be covered with a 2-inch layer of dry powder.

When using dry powder agents what may occur when water contacts the burning metal?

Violent reactions may occur and toxic gasses my be released when water contacts the burning metal.

In placing a fire extinguisher, what are the following factors that must be followed?

Visible and well-signed, Not blocked by storage or equipment, Near points of egress and ingress, Near normal paths of travel.

Class C Fire Attack

When attacking a Class C Fire, the agent must be nonconductive so the operator is not injured. If possible the equipment should be de-energized. You can use halogenated agent, Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemicals, or even a water-mist type fire extinguishers can be used from a distance far as 12-feet.

Water based extinguishers at temperatures between 40 degrees and 120 degrees should be located where?

Where freezing is not possible.