Hotels & Fires
Fire ABCs Big Hotel Fires Fire Safety Detection Suppression Case Inspection How to Survive Sprinkler
HOW FIRES ARE CLASSIFIED
CLASS A
Ordinary combustibles or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth, rubber and some plastics.
CLASS B
Flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, paint, paint thinners and propane.
CLASS C
Energized electrical equipment, such as appliances, switches, panel boxes and power tools.
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.




HOW TO PREVENT FIRES

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 flammable liquids away from spark-producing sources.

Use flammable liquids only in well-ventilated areas.


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 buring reaction produces sufficient oxygen to support combusion, even under water.

In some cases, covering the burning metal with sand can help contain the heat and sparks from the reaction. Class D exinguishing agents are available (generally as a dry powder in a bucket or box) which can be quite effective, but these agents are rare on the campus.

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.

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 on the OU campus, 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 judgement and common sense.
WHEN NOT TO FIGHT A FIRE

Never fight a fire:
  • 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
In any of these situations,

DON'T FIGHT THE FIRE YOURSELF.
CALL FOR HELP.


HOW TO EXTINGUISH SMALL FIRES

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.

* Even though halon is widely used, EPA legislation is phasing it out of use in favor of agents less harmful to the environment.

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.

NOTE: Multipurpose (ABC-rated)chemical extinguishers leave a residue that can harm sensitive equipment, such as computers and other electronic equipment. Because of this, carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are preferred in these instances because they leave very little residue.

ABC dry powder residue is mildly corrosive to many metals. For example, residue left over from the use of an ABC dry powder extinguisher in the same room with a piano can seriously corrode piano wires.

Carbon dioxide or halon extinguishers are provided for most labs and computer areas on campus.



HOW TO IDENTIFY THE 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.

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.


HOW TO USE A PORTABLE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
Remember the acronym, "P.A.S.S."—
P ......Pull the Pin.
A ......Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames.
S ......Squeeze trigger while holding the extinguisher upright.
S ......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!

HOW TO INSPECT YOUR 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 Fire Safety Unit at 325-1015.

Look at the gauge and feel the weight. Is the extinguisher full? Does it need to be recharged?
  • 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).

    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 Unit staff to determine the amount of contents remaining.
Make sure the pin, nozzle and nameplate are intact.


The APPEARENCE of different types of extinguishers:

Generally, you can tell with a glance which type an extinguisher is hanging on the 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 electrical fire) - you can STOP them before they are injured or make matters worse!


ABC-rated multipurpose dry powder extinguishers are the most common on campus/hotels, particularly in the corridors of . They are almost always RED in color and have either a long narrow hose or no hose (just a short nozzle). These extinguishers are very light (5-25 lbs total weight) Halon extinguishers look virtually identical to ABC multipurpose dry chemical extinguishers.

Water extinguishers are generally only found in the dormitories and are usually SILVER (crome-metal) in color, have a flat bottom, have a long narrow hose, are quite large (2-1/2 gallons). Foam extinguishers (rare on the OU campus, nowadays) look similar and the type without gauges have a handle inset in the flat bottom (you turn the extinquisher upside down to start it and use it)



CO2 (carbon dioxide) extinguishers are generally red (often yellow around aircraft or on military sites), have a LARGE "tapered" nozzle (horn), are VERY HEAVY (15-85 lbs.) -some CO2 extinguishers for aircraft hangers or special industrial use are so large as to require roll-around carts to move them. These are all high-pressure cylinders.

Care should be used not to drop a CO2 cylinder; if it is damaged it can punch a hole through the nearest wall(s) and end up on the other side of campus! (The containers are quite sturdy, but don't abuse them.) CO2 cylinders do not have a pressure gauge - they must be weighed to determine the amount of contents.


"WHERE can I find a fire extinguisher ?"
  • In the corridors of hotels and office buildings, and inside very large rooms.
     
  • In the fire hose RED backing board cabinets

    "If I just use a little, do I have to report the extinguisher as USED?"

    YES!

    While CO2 and halon 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 a fire extinguisher classes where you can actually put out a test fire!

    HOW TO USE AN EMERGENCY ACTION PLAN
    A written, up-to-date Emergency Action Plan for your hotel/office/dorm/workplace is essential in case of emergency. Make sure you read and understand your department's/dorm's Emergency Action Plan.

    The plan should contain information about evacuation from the facility, including who is in charge of the evacuation.

    Primary and secondary escape routes should be outlined for every area of the building. Since stairways are the primary escape route in multiple story buildings (elevators should NEVER be used in fire emergencies), they should not be used for any kind of storage.

    Emergency Action Leaders should be assigned specific duties, such as verifying that all students/faculty/staff have evacuated.

    Disabled workers and those with known medical problems such as heart disease or epilepsy, should EACH be assigned an Emergency Action Leader to guide them to safety.

    All workers who might need assistance during a fire should be identified during planning.

    Fire drills should be scheduled to test the Emergency Action Plan. Let the drill be used to find problems before a fire happens, then make the necessary changes.

    All university housing has prepared Emergency Action Plans. These are generally posted on the inside of individual dorm/guest room doors.

    If your department does not have an Emergency Action Plan, contact your department head and get one! If your department needs assistance in creating an Emergency Action Plan, contact the Fire Safety Unit (325-1015) for assistance.

    HOW TO EVACUATE A BURNING BUILDING
  • The last one out of the room should not lock the door, just close it. Locking the door hinders the fire department's search and rescue efforts.
     
  • Proceed to the exit as outlined in the Emergency Action Plan.
     
  • NEVER, NEVER use elevators under any circumstances.
     
  • Stay low to avoid smoke and toxic gases. The best air is close to the floor, so crawl if necessary.
     
  • If possible, cover your mouth and nose with a damp cloth to help you breathe.
     
  • If you work in a building with multiple stories, a stairway will be your primary escape route. Most enclosed stairwells in buildings over two stories are "rated" enclosures and will provide you a safe means of exit; don't panic descend stairs slowly and carefully.
     
  • Once in the stairwell, proceed down to the first floor. Never go up.
     
  • Once outside the building, report to a predetermined area so that a head count can be taken.
     
WHAT TO DO IF TRAPPED IN A BURNING BUILDING
If you're trying to escape a fire, never open a closed door without feeling it first. Use the back of your hand to prevent burning your palm. If the door is hot, try another exit. If none exists, seal the cracks around the doors and vents with anything available.

If in a dorm room, use wet towels to seal the space under the door and prevent the entry of smoke. Cracks around the door can be sealed with masking tape if necessary.

If trapped, look for a nearby phone and call the fire department, giving them your exact location.

If breathing is difficult, try to ventilate the room, but don't wait for an emergency to discover that window can't be opened.

If on an upper floor and your window is of a type that CANNOT be opened, DON'T break it out- you'll be raining glass down on rescuers and people exiting the building. If you can't contact the fire department by phone, wave for attention at the window. Don't panic.

WHAT TO DO IF SOMEONE CATCHES ON 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.