College of Engineering

Chemical Engineering Department

Fire Fighting Guidelines
Introduction to Fire
Fire is a chemical reaction involving rapid oxidation or burning of a fuel. It needs three elements
to occur:
1. Fuel - Fuel can be any combustible material (solid, liquid or gas). Most solids and liquids
become a vapor or gas before they will burn
2. Oxygen - The air we breathe is about 21 percent oxygen. Fire only needs an
atmosphere with at least 16 percent oxygen
3. 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
A chain reaction can occur when the three elements of fire are present in the proper conditions
and proportions. Fire occurs when this rapid oxidation or burning takes place. Take any one of
these factors away, and the fire cannot occur or will be extinguished if it was already burning.
Fire Classification
1. CLASS A: Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber
and some plastics
2. CLASS B: Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint
thinners and propane
3. CLASS C: Energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes and
power tools
4. CLASS D: Certain combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and
sodium. These metals burn at high temperatures and give off sufficient oxygen to support
combustion. They may react violently with water or other chemicals, and must be handled
with care
Preventing Fire
Class A - Ordinary combustibles
Keep storage and working areas free of trash Place oily rags in covered containers.
Class B - Flammable liquids or gases
Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment in a confined space, especially in the presence of an
open flame such as a furnace or water heater. Don't refuel gasoline-powered equipment while it's
hot. Keep flammable liquids stored in tightly closed, self-closing, spill-proof containers. Pour from
storage drums only what you'll need. Store the flammable liquids away from spark-producing
sources.

Class C - Electrical equipment

Look for old wiring, worn insulation and broken electrical fittings. Report any hazardous condition
to your supervisor. Prevent motors from overheating by keeping them clean and in good working
order. A spark from a rough-running motor can ignite the oil and dust in it. Utility lights should
always have some type of wire guard over them. Heat from an uncovered light bulb can easily
ignite ordinary combustibles. Don't misuse fuses. Never install a fuse rated higher than specified
for the circuit. Investigate any appliance or electrical equipment that smells strange. Unusual
odors can be the first sign of fire. Don't overload wall outlets. Two outlets should have no more
than two plugs.
Class D - Flammable metals:
Flammable 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. In some cases, covering the burning metal with
sand can help contain the heat and sparks from the reaction. Class D extinguishing agents are
available as a dry powder, which can be quite effective. Pure metals such as potassium and
sodium react violently (even explosively) with water and some other chemicals, and must be
handled with care. 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. White phosphorus is
air-reactive and will burn/explode on contact with room air. It must be kept in a sealed container
with a non-reactive solution to prevent contact with air. All of these metals are not uncommon in
labs but are generally only found in small quantities and accidental fires/reactions can be
controlled or avoided completely through knowledge of the properties of the metals and using
good judgment and common sense.
When Not to Fight Fire
Never fight a fire:
1.
2.
3.
4.

If the fire is spreading beyond the spot where it started

If you can't fight the fire with your back to an escape exit
If the fire can block your only escape
If you don't have adequate fire-fighting equipment

Extinguishing Small Fire

Class A

Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material below its ignition temperature
and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition.
Use pressurized water, foam or multi-purpose (ABC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers.
DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers on Class
A fires.

Class B

Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or gases by removing the oxygen, preventing the
vapors from reaching the ignition source or inhibiting the chemical chain reaction.
Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical, and
halon extinguishers may be used to fight Class B fires.

Class C

Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an extinguishing agent that is not

capable of conducting electrical currents.
Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multi-purpose dry chemical and halon
fire extinguishers may be used to fight Class C fires. DO NOT USE water extinguishers
on energized electrical equipment.

Class D

Extinguish combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium with
dry powder extinguishing agents specially designated for the material involved.
In most cases, they absorb the heat from the material, cooling it below its ignition
temperature.

Identifying Proper Fire Extinguisher

All ratings are shows on the extinguisher faceplate. Some extinguishers are marked with multiple
ratings such as AB, BC and ABC. These extinguishers are capable of putting out more than one
class of fire. See fire extinguishing chart shown below.
Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicates how large a fire an experienced
person can safely put out with that extinguisher.
Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the extinguishing agent will not
conduct electrical current. Class C extinguishers must also carry a Class A or B rating.
Class D extinguishers carry only a letter rating indicating their effectiveness on certain amounts
of specific metals.

Method of Using Portable Fire Extinguisher

Remember the acronym, "P.A.S.S."
P

Pull the Pin

Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames

Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher upright

Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area of the fire with the
extinguishing agent

REMEMBER:

Should your path of escape be threatened

Should the extinguisher run out of agent
Should the extinguisher prove to be ineffective
Should you no longer be able to safely fight the fire

THEN LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY!

Inspecting Fire Extinguishers
Know the locations of the fire extinguishers in your work area.
Make sure the class of the extinguisher is safe to use on fires likely to occur in the immediate
area.
Check the plastic seal holding the pin in the extinguisher handle. Has the extinguisher been
tampered with or used before? Report any broken/missing seals/pins to the safety officers of the
school of engineering at AUS.
Look at the gauge and feel the weight. Is the extinguisher full? Does it need to be recharged?
CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are high pressure cylinders with pressures ranging from 1500
lb to 2150 lb. These extinguishers DO NOT have gauges and must be weighed by Fire Safety
staff to determine the amount of contents remaining.
Water, some foam, and dry chemical extinguishers have gauges indicating the pressure inside
the extinguisher. The pressure needle should be in the "green" area (generally 100-175 lbs.,
depending on the type of agent). Make sure the pin, nozzle and nameplate are intact.
The Fire Safety Company inspects and services all fire extinguishers twice a year-round basis,
but we would still encourage you to be aware of the condition of your area's extinguishers by
visual inspection on a frequent basis to ensure you have a working extinguisher there when you
need one. Report any missing, empty or damaged fire extinguishers to the safety officers of SOE
when you notice any discrepancies.
Generally, you can tell with a glance which type an extinguisher is hanging wall, or in the cabinet,
just by looking at its shape. Check the labels of the extinguishers in your area and note the color
and shape/size of the extinguisher. This may help if someone runs in to help you fight a fire with
the WRONG extinguisher (i.e. water on an electric fire) - you can STOP him/her before they are
injured or make matters worse.
4

Location of Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers can be found:

In the corridors of the Left and Right building

In all laboratories and engineering workshop

While CO2 extinguishers will generally hold their pressure after a slight discharge, BC and ABC
rated DRY CHEMICAL extinguishers will usually NOT hold a charge after partial use. This is true
for all your personal home and vehicle dry chemical extinguishers, too!
While the gauge may hold steady in the green immediately after a slight use, check it the next
day and you'll find the gauge on EMPTY! This is because upon use the dry powder gets inside
the seals and allows the nitrogen carrier to escape over a period of time.
After ANY use a BC or ABC extinguisher MUST be serviced and recharged. This is very important
for home extinguishers also; YOU MUST HAVE THE EXTINGUISHER REFILLED AFTER ANY
USE. You can't "test" an extinguisher and put it back in the cabinet! If you want to try out an
extinguisher and learn how it feels to use one, contact the Fire Safety Unit and they'll arrange for
you to attend fire extinguisher classes where you can actually put out a test fire!
What to Do If Someone Catches Fire
If you should catch on fire:
STOP - where you are
DROP - to the floor
ROLL - around on the floor
This will smother the flames, possibly saving your life.
Just remember to STOP, DROP and ROLL.
If a co-worker catches on fire, smother flames by grabbing a blanket or rug and wrapping them
up in it. That could save them from serious burns or even death.