Small fires can occur almost anywhere and quickly turn into catastrophic incidents posing a major threat. Preparedness is key to minimizing potential loss of life and property damage. Fire extinguishers, for example, are a common emergency item for every house, office, worksite, and vehicle! Learn more fire safety tips and facts below.
United States National Fire Protection Association 2021 Facts
- Fire departments fought 1,353,500 fires.
- Fires killed 3,800 people, injured 14,700, and destroyed $15.9 billion in property.
- Firefighters respond to a fire every 23 seconds.
Dawood-Recommended Workplace Fire Safety Tips
- Store flammable and combustible materials in well-ventilated cabinets away from heat sources.
- Smoke only in designated areas.
- Follow safe practices when working with electrical systems and equipment.
- Educate your workers on how to properly use a fire extinguisher.
- Only allow your trained workers to fight an incipient-stage fire with a fire extinguisher.
- Evacuate non-trained workers from the emergency area.
“PASSing” Fire Extinguisher Basics
- Trained workers should practice the PASS method:
- P: Pull the fire extinguisher pin.
- A: Aim at the base of the fire.
- S: Squeeze the handle/trigger.
- S: Sweep side-to-side, expelling the extinguishing agent across the base of the flames.
Equipment Rating Matters
- Trained workers should ensure that fire extinguishers chosen for an emergency are rated correctly!
- Class A fire extinguishers are used for ordinary combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and some plastics.
- Class B fire extinguishers are used for flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, grease, and oil-based paints & lacquers.
- Class C fire extinguishers are used for electrical fires from energized equipment, wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery, and appliances.
- Class D fire extinguishers are used for fires involving combustible metals like magnesium, sodium, potassium, etc.
- Class K fire extinguishers are used in commercial kitchens for fires involving vegetable and animal oils or fats.
Remember, fire inspections must be documented annually at a minimum, and some workplaces may have more stringent requirements. In recognition of Fire Prevention Week, use these fire safety tips and contact us at healthandsafety@dawood.cc