2020 will go down as a year like no other with the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic affecting every community across the globe. The first line of defence is social distancing, face masks and good hygiene. Many businesses have substantially increased their reserves of hand sanitizer and we have been asked the question, does this place our building at an increased fire risk?
There are FIVE main types of portable fire extinguishers used in Australia. Each type of fire extinguisher is used for specific applications. To extinguish a fire using a portable fire extinguisher we recommend using the acronym PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze & Sweep).
Australian Standard AS/NZS 1850 sets out requirements for the classification, performance testing and rating of fire extinguishers. This article explores the classification system (class) for fire extinguishers.
The Building Code of Australia Clause EP1.2 requires Portable Fire Extinguishers must be installed to the degree necessary to allow occupants to undertake initial attack on a fire appropriate to (a) the function or use of the building; and (b) any other fire safety systems installed in the building; and (c) the fire hazard.
When a portable fire extinguisher is manufactured it is typically labelled or stamped with a date of manufacture. This label or stamp can then be used as the basis for calculating the date the extinguisher (a pressure vessel) needs to be pressure tested.
A portable fire extinguisher by definition is an item of equipment for the purpose of extinguishing a fire. Â The reality is however that a portable fire extinguisher is effective only for the type and size of a fire that it is rated for.
Portable fire extinguishers can be a very effective tools only if you read, understand, and follow all safety guidelines for their use. This article covers the typical use of a fire extinguisher and precautions prior to use.
A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device to extinguish or control a fire, often in emergency situations. Typically a fire extinguisher consist of pressure vessel containing an agent that when discharged, can extinguish a fire.
Not all fires are the same. If you use the wrong type of fire extinguisher on the wrong class of fire, you can, in fact, make matters worse. To assist people quickly identify the right type of fire extinguisher, pictographs are used to represent different classes of fire. There are six different classes represented by the letters A, B, C, D, E and F.
Portable fire extinguishers are generally provided as "first attack" units in fire fighting and should only be used in early stages of fire before it can spread and develop heat. There are five different types of extinguishers, and selection of extinguishers must be made with the class of fire in mind.