Health and Safety 1 FIRE EXTINGUISHER

MACHINE WORKSHOP

What do i know about health and safety well I’ve learned so far from last semester and the first couple weeks of this semester is to know what you are doing and that it is important to have the right clothing(overalls, safety boots, gloves etc.). Also know and understand the machine (drill, grinder, lathe, milling machine etc.) for which u are about to use. Finally I will also talk about some hand tools the right way to use them and also the wrong. As I go on I learn more and more about health and safety I will also be showing the different classes of fires and there extinguishers.


FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

As you can see here are the different fire extinguishers and the class of fire they are most suitable for. I will now explain the right way and wrong way for using the fire   extinguisher. 

HOW TO USE A FIRE EXTINGUISHER

The right way to use a fire extinguisher is:

·         Before using the fire extinguisher even though there are different types of extinguishers they all work for the same purpose.

·         For simple and easy memory of using the fire extinguisher use the acronym for which I’m about to explain.(PASS)

·         P: Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher by doing that it will then release a lock and allow to discharge.

·         A: Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames u must aim for the base of the fire to put it out.

·         S: Squeeze the lever slowly, when you do this you will release the solution in the extinguisher out.

·         S: Sweep from side to side, using the sweeping back and forth to put out the flame.

·         Use the extinguisher from a safe distance several meters away from the flame and move closer as the fire starts to diminish.

Watch video for demonstration:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCSms-jyOao

THE WRONG WAY OF USING THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER
So pretty much it’s the total opposite of using it rightfully and using for all the wrong reasons, some are just to play with but always take using a fire extinguisher very seriously.


THE DIFFERENT CLASSES OF FIRE

There are SIX DIFFERENT CLASSES OF FIRE.

Class A: Class A fires are the most common fires and are caused when solid and organic materials such as wood, cloth, rubber become heated so much that they ignite and then combust and cause a fire.

Class B: Class B fires are caused by flammable liquids and gases(petrol, diesel, propane, LPG etc.). Also use the same formula as all the other classes of fires which is heat +oxygen+fuel equals fire.

Class C: Class C is electrical equipment(overloading power points, faulty equipment etc.). Is a type of fire which starts from inside the machine(short circuiting, or overloading of a circuit). Causing fires.

Class D: Class D fires are caused by combustible metals such as sodium, titanium, magnesium, potassium, uranium, lithium, plutonium, calcium and others are flammable.This fires are very common and can spread to class A materials and make it alot more worst.

Class K: Class K fires are caused by cooking oils and fats. when over heated can combust and cause a fire.


References:
http://www.fire-extinguisher101.com/using.html
http://www.juliantrubin.com/encyclopedia/engineering/fire_classes
http://nz.images.search.yahoo.com