Fire Extinguishers

On-Scene Firefighting

Locations of fire extinguishers, alarm pull stations, and exit points are noted on floor plans located at https://pdc.uccs.edu/emergency-exit-floor-plans

Fires are classified into the following:

• Class A fires occur in ordinary materials, such as wood, paper, excelsior, rags and rubbish. Memory jogger: "Makes an Ash."
• Class B fires occur in the vapor-air mixture over the surface of flammable liquids, such as gasoline, oil, grease, paints and thinners. Memory jogger: "Burns Black smoke."
• Class C fires occur in or near energized electrical equipment. Memory jogger: "Caution electricity."
• Class D fires occur in combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, lithium, potassium and sodium. Memory jogger: "Dirty metal fires."

Fire Extinguisher Use:

Personal safety is the highest priority:

• The building alarm should be activated prior to attempting to fight a fire.
• Never fight a fire unless you or someone else has called 9-911.
• If you doubt your ability to extinguish a fire, evacuate.
• If you need more than one extinguisher to put out a fire, evacuate.

Remember the acronym P.A.S.S.:

• Pull the pin at the base of the handle.
• Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze and hold the handle (trigger). (Be prepared for the noise!)
• Sweep the nozzle across the base of the fire.

For hands on Fire Extinguisher Training, see the Training Website.