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Figure 15.3 – Fire action
15 .4. Fire Extinguishing Methods
There are following methods of fire extinguishing:
a) removal of combustible material on fire or hearth reducing its percentage
content;
b) removal of oxidant or reducing its concentration in the combustion zone
(reducing the percentage of oxygen in the air to 14–15 % leads to the cessation of
burning);
c) lowering the temperature of combustible environment to the point where
further combustion is not possible (below the ignition temperature).
The majority of portable fire extinguishers located throughout every office
building consists of multi-purpose, dry chemical extinguishers that will be
effective on any type of fire you may encounter:
ordinary combustibles, such as paper, cardboard, cloth, and
wood;
energized electrical equipment;
flammable liquids (except for flammable metals).
If you discover a fire, you must immediately set off the building fire alarm
system by activating a manual fire alarm pull station to warn building occupants.
Only attempt to extinguish the fire if it is very small, not more than 2 feet
high. Keep your escape route behind you. Should you decide to try to extinguish
the fire, use the following acronym to help you (Figure 15.4):
P. A. S. S.
Pull safety pin from handle.
Aim at base of fire.
Squeeze the trigger handle.
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