Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers – Types and Uses

Goals:          This safety session should teach employees to:

Know how to select the right fire extinguisher for a fire.
Know how and when to use a fire extinguisher.

Applicable Regulations: 29 CFR 1910.157

  1. OSHA Requires Most Employers to Have and Maintain Fire Extinguishers
    • Approved, fully charged, operable extinguishers must be placed and identified, so employees can reach them easily.
    • Extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly and tested at least yearly to be sure they're working properly.
    • Our fire extinguishers are located... [List locations].

  2. Use Fire Extinguishers Only on Small, Contained Fires
    • If in doubt, sound alarm, evacuate properly, and let trained firefighters handle it.

  3. Use Class A Extinguishers on Fires of Ordinary Combustibles
    They wet down and cool fires involving paper, cloth, trash, wood, etc.
    • Class A extinguisher numbers (1-A, 2-A, etc.) indicate the size fire each can handle.
      -    The higher the number, the larger the fire area it can handle.
      ·    OSHA requires Class A's to be no more than 75 feet from the area of likely use.
      4.  Use Class B Extinguishers on Fires Involving Gases or Flammable Liquids
      They cut off oxygen to, or reduce flame in, fires involving combustibles such as grease, oil, paint, solvents.
      ·    Class B extinguisher numbers (5-B,10-B) tell how many square feet each can handle.
      ·    OSHA requires Class B's to be no more than 50 feet from the area of likely use.
      5.  Use Class C Extinguishers on Fires on or Near Electrical Equipment
      They use carbon dioxide or a dry chemical to put out these fires.
      ·    Never use water on an electrical fire. Water conducts electricity and could cause a dangerous shock to the person holding the extinguisher.
      ·    Class C's don't have numbers
      6.  Use ABC or BC Extinguishers on Combination Fires
      The letters identify the type of fire they can handle.

7.  Use Class D Extinguishers on Combustible Metal Fires
They're used on sodium, magnesium, zinc, potassium, powdered aluminum, titanium, and other combustible metal fires.
·    They must be within 75 feet of operations that generate combustible metal powders, flakes, or shavings.
·    Class D's are considered "special hazard" protection and have no numbers.
8.  Use Extinguishers Properly
If you feel a fire is small enough to handle with an extinguisher:
·    Pull the pin.
·    Stand about 8 feet from the fire.
·    Aim carefully at the base of the fire; you probably won't have a second chance.
-    Be especially careful not to spread combustible fires (e.g., by blowing burning papers out of a wastebasket).
·    Squeeze the trigger.

Discussion Points:
-    Explain locations and types of fire extinguishers in your work area.
-    Ask for volunteers to demonstrate and describe how to use a fire extinguisher.
Conclusion: Know How to Choose and When to Use a Fire Extinguisher
The right extinguisher, properly used, can handle small fires. In all other cases, turn in an alarm and leave the job to trained firefighters.

2023 © Cleveland Integrity Services
Privacy Policy

Headquarter Address


370690 E Old Hwy 64
Cleveland, OK 74020

Stay Updated with CIS



Eagle Infrastructure Services Compliance Website is available for all employees and contractors of its subsidiary companies. The company provides this compliance website and hotline to allow employees and contractors to report concerns regarding: workplace safety; compliance with laws, rules and regulations; the workplace environment; and compliance with policies and procedures. The compliance website and hotline are managed by a third-party who does not have information regarding payroll, benefits, job assignments or other similar job-specific information. You may choose to remain anonymous in any report to the third-party administrator. For additional information, you may also visit the FAQ section.