Chapter 7 Portable Fire Extinguishers

Portable fire extinguishers are only classified by the type of extinguishing agent used.

False

Types of portable fire extinguishers are organized by the type of agent and method used to expel contents.

True

Portable fire extinguisher ratings are classified according to the types of fire for which they are intended.

True

Most portable fire extinguishers are operated in very different ways.

False

Maintenance for both fire department and privately owned portable fire extinguishers is based on NFPA� 10.

True

List and then briefly define the classifications of portable fire extinguishers

� Class A - Used on fires that involve ordinary combustibles that can be extinguished with water, water based agents, or dry chemicals
� Class B - Used on fires that involve flammable, combustible liquids and gases that can be extinguished with carbon dio

List four types of portable fire extinguishers and then briefly describe what each is designed for.

� Pump-Type Water - Ground cover fires
� Store-Pressure Water - All types of small Class A fires
� Water-Mist Store-Pressure - Safe on Class C fires
� Wet Chemical Store-Pressure - Intended for Class K fires
� Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) - Intended f

List the class ratings used for portable fire extinguishers and describe the test or qualifications each is based on.
Class A

� Class A - Based on amount of extinguishing agent and duration and range of discharge

List the class ratings used for portable fire extinguishers and describe the test or qualifications each is based on.
Class B

� Class B - Based on approximate square foot (square meter) area of flammable liquid a nonexpert operator can extinguish using one full extinguisher

List the class ratings used for portable fire extinguishers and describe the test or qualifications each is based on.
Class C

� Class C - Tested for electrical nonconductivity

List the class ratings used for portable fire extinguishers and describe the test or qualifications each is based on.
Class D

� Class D - Test varies based on metal being tested; considers reactions between metal and agent, toxicity of agent, toxicity of fumes and products of combustion, and time to allow metal to burn completely without suppression as compared to time using ext

List the class ratings used for portable fire extinguishers and describe the test or qualifications each is based on.
Class K

� Class K - Test based on capability to extinguish fire from deep fryer using light oils with a surface area of 2.25 square feet (0.2 m2)

What are the two goals used when selecting a portable fire extinguisher?

Minimizes risk to life and property; Is effective in extinguishing fire

List at least three factors that impact selecting portable fire extinguishers

� Classification of burning fuel
� Rating of extinguisher
� Hazards to be protected
� Size, intensity of fire
� Atmospheric conditions
� Availability of trained personnel
� Ease of handling extinguisher
� Any life hazard or operational concerns

Portable fire extinguishers should be chosen based on the:

type of fuel that is burning

What classification of portable fire extinguisher is used for fires that involve combustible liquids and gases?

Class B

What classification of portable fire extinguisher is used for fires that involve combustible metals and alloys?

Class D

What classification of portable fire extinguisher is used on fires that involve combustible cooking oils?

Class K

Which method of extinguishing works by excluding oxygen from the burning process?

Smothering

What expelling mechanism works when the operator physically applies pressure to a pump that increases pressure within the container

Manual pump

What type of portable fire extinguisher is intended primarily for ground cover fires?

Pump-type water

What type of portable fire extinguisher uses air stored in the tank to force water up a siphon tube when operated?

Stored-pressure water

What type of portable fire extinguisher is intended for use on Class K fires?

Wet chemical stored-pressure

The resulting foam from an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) extinguisher will ___ fuels lighter than air

float on the surface of

What application method is used with an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) extinguisher in order to prevent disturbing the fuel?

Allow foam to gently rain down onto fuel surface

What type of portable fire extinguisher is discharged in the form of gas and works on Class B and Class C fires?

Carbon dioxide (CO2)

What type of portable fire extinguisher may produce a cloud that reduces visibility when discharged?

Dry chemical

What type of portable fire extinguisher may be applied with either an extinguisher or a scoop?

Dry powder

What portable fire extinguisher rating is based on the approximate square foot (square meter) area of flammable liquid a nonexpert operator can extinguish?

Class B rating

What portable fire extinguisher rating considers both the toxicity of the extinguishing agent and the toxicity of fumes produced when the agent is applied?

Class D rating

On a multiple marking extinguisher the ratings for each class are:

separate, they do not affect each other.

Which statement BEST describes portable fire extinguisher selection?

The correct extinguisher will minimize risk to life and property.

Once the proper extinguisher is selected, you must perform a visual inspection to ensure the extinguisher:

is charged and operable

Once the proper extinguisher is selected, you must check to ensure the pressure gauge:

is in the operable range

The P in the PASS acronym stands for

pull pin by breaking wire or seal

Which of the following statements BEST describes how to prevent scattering of lightweight fuels?

Apply the agent from point where it reaches, but does not disturb, the fuel surface

Signal to others that a portable fire extinguisher is empty by:

laying it on its side.

NFPA� 10 requires inspection of portable fire extinguishers at least:

once a year.

During inspection, if a portable fire extinguisher is found deficient in weight by ___ percent it should be removed from service and replaced

10

Do not remove the safety pin on a portable fire extinguisher until:

ready to use the extinguisher.

How often should portable fire extinguishers be removed from service for maintenance?

Annually