Different fire extinguishers in your facility
You may or may not have noticed that the fire extinguishers in your office or industrial building all have different coloured labels on them. Chances are, if you have not had the necessary fire training when you started your new job (which you definitely should have done!) and perhaps even periodic assessments, you will know that there are fire extinguishers in your building; perhaps even in the room you work in; but you will not know the difference between the nearest fire extinguisher and the one down the hall way. This could become a major problem if a blaze were to actually break out in your building.
As mentioned before, when you started your new job you should have received fire safety training, which includes both the operation of equipment such as extinguishers, blankets and alarm systems, as well as company policy in regards to what you should do in case of fire. If this was not the case, it is essential that you notify your manager and arrange the proper instruction, as it is a legal requirement. It is also for the benefit of your company that you receive instruction in the different uses of different fire extinguishers, as it can help ensure that a fire is contained, and expensive equipment saved, if you use the right kind of red can for the type of blaze that is occurring. These types are:
The traditional solid red container sprays water onto the flames, and is ideally suited for organic solid fires, such as those fuelled by wood and paper. For obvious reasons it is unsuitable for electrical fires, as it will be dangerous to the operating person, and potentially will destroy or badly damage the electrical equipment it is sprayed onto. Foam extinguishers (with a blue ring around them) are also unsuitable for this, and are best used for organic fuelled and flammable liquid fuelled fires.
For electrical fires, it is best to use a carbon dioxide extinguisher, which in the UK is denoted by a red canister with a black band around it. Carbon dioxide is a good bet for most kinds of fires, as it leaves no lasting damage and is usually safe, though it is unsuitable for use on chemical flames or combustible gasses. For this end, dry chemical containers, which are identified by their white band around the red canister, are good, and are generally suitable for most fires as well. Unfortunately they leave a white powdery residue; but are at least safe for the operator.
It is important to remember that a fire extinguisher is to be used to assist in escaping a burning building; nobody wants to see an employee armed with a small red canister tackling a fully-fledged inferno by themselves; best leaving that to the professionals.
Fire extinguishers should be installed in your building, and along with fire safety training, are provided by commercial property management companies. The safety of employees is a vital aspect of facilities management.
Processing your request, Please wait....
