Fire Extinguishers Chapter 6 Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

How are portable fire extinguishers classified?

According to the type of the fire they are designed to extinguish.

How are the different classes of portable fire extinguishers distinguished from one another?

Letter and/or symbol labels.

What is an example of a Class A combustible material?

Paper.

A fire involving ________ would be considered a Class A fire.

Rubber. Signup and view all the answers

Which extinguishing agent is used to extinguish a Class A fire?

Water. Signup and view all the answers

Class B fires involve:

Flammable or combustible liquids. Signup and view all the answers

________ is a Class B fuel.

Alcohol. Signup and view all the answers

What would be classified as a Class B fire?

Fuel storage tank fire. Signup and view all the answers

If a small diesel fuel spill catches on fire, the most effective extinguishing agent would be:

Carbon dioxide. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a Class C fire?

Electrical fire. Signup and view all the answers

What would be the safest action for an incipient fire in a circuit breaker box if the electricity cannot be turned off?

Use a Class C extinguisher. Signup and view all the answers

What is an example of a Class D fuel?

Titanium. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of extinguisher is designed for a fire involving magnesium?

Class D foam. Signup and view all the answers

What statement about Class D extinguisher ratings is accurate?

Instead of numerical rating, Class D extinguishers include application instructions on the faceplate of the extinguisher. Signup and view all the answers

A grease fire involving a deep fryer would be classified as:

Class K. Signup and view all the answers

Class K fires are extinguished using portable fire extinguishers or ________ systems.

Wet chemical. Signup and view all the answers

Class K extinguishers convert fatty acids into a soapy film, which is known as the process of:

Saponification. Signup and view all the answers

Portable extinguishers that use the smothering method to extinguish fire work by:

Excluding oxygen from the burning process. Signup and view all the answers

When the cartridge seal is broken on a fire extinguisher with a pressure cartridge, the:

Expellant will enter the container and force the agent out of the nozzle. Signup and view all the answers

The appropriate extinguisher to use for a small ground cover fire would be a:

Pump-type water extinguisher. Signup and view all the answers

What is designed to fight Class A fires but is also safe for use on energized electrical equipment?

Water-mist stored-pressure extinguisher. Signup and view all the answers

Which type of extinguisher contains a special agent formulated to saponify the oils in a Class K fire?

Wet chemical stored-pressure extinguisher. Signup and view all the answers

An aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) extinguisher would be appropriate to use on a:

Small fuel spill. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes an aqueous film forming foam (AFFF) extinguisher from a stored-pressure water extinguisher?

Air-aspirating foam nozzle that aerates the foam solution. Signup and view all the answers

Clean agent extinguishers:

Are non-conductive and can extinguish energized electrical equipment fires. Signup and view all the answers

A carbon dioxide extinguisher would be an appropriate choice to extinguish a ______ fire.

Class B. Signup and view all the answers

Carbon dioxide extinguishers work by:

Displacing oxygen and smothering the fire. Signup and view all the answers

When using a dry chemical extinguisher, firefighters should be aware that:

Application of the agent may result in a cloud of airborne particulates. Signup and view all the answers

What are two basic designs for handheld dry chemical extinguishers?

Cartridge-operated and stored-pressure. Signup and view all the answers

When using a wheeled dry chemical extinguisher unit, the operator should:

Stretch out the hose completely before discharging the agent. Signup and view all the answers

What type of fire requires a dry powder extinguisher?

Class D. Signup and view all the answers

What effect will water have when applied to a combustible metal fire?

Water will intensify the combustion and spatter the material in every direction. Signup and view all the answers

What is the best plan of action if the goal is to protect highly sensitive computer equipment?

Select a clean agent or carbon dioxide extinguisher. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Portable Fire Extinguishers Classification

Portable fire extinguishers are classified by the types of fires they are designed to extinguish.
Classifications are identified by letter and/or symbol labels.

Class A Fires

Class A fires involve ordinary combustible materials, such as paper and rubber.
Water serves as the extinguishing agent for Class A fires.

Class B Fires

Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids, such as alcohol.
A fuel storage tank fire is an example of a Class B fire.
Carbon dioxide is the most effective extinguishing agent for small diesel fuel spills.

Class C Fires

Class C fires occur due to electrical equipment, exemplified by electrical fires.
The safest response for electrical fires, especially in circuit breaker boxes, is the use of a Class C extinguisher.

Class D Fires

Class D fires involve combustible metals, with titanium as an example of a Class D fuel.
Class D extinguishers do not have numerical ratings but include application instructions on their faceplate.

Class K Fires

Grease fires, particularly in deep fryers, are classified as Class K fires.
Portable fire extinguishers or wet chemical systems are used to extinguish Class K fires.
The process of saponification occurs when Class K extinguishers convert fatty acids into a soapy film.

Extinguishing Methods

Smothering method extinguishers work by excluding oxygen from the fire.

Fire Extinguisher Operation

Breaking the cartridge seal on a pressure cartridge fire extinguisher allows the expellant to force the extinguishing agent out.
A pump-type water extinguisher is recommended for small ground cover fires.

Types of Extinguishers

Water-mist stored-pressure extinguishers are effective against Class A fires and safe for energized electrical equipment.
Wet chemical stored-pressure extinguishers are designed for Class K fires.
Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) extinguishers are suitable for small fuel spills and feature an air-aspirating foam nozzle.
Clean agent extinguishers are non-conductive and useful for extinguishing energized electrical fires.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers are effective for Class B fires by displacing oxygen.
Dry chemical extinguishers come in two basic designs: cartridge-operated and stored-pressure.
Wheeled dry chemical units require the operator to stretch the hose completely before using it.
Class D fires necessitate dry powder extinguishers, and water can exacerbate combustible metal fires.

Protecting Equipment

For highly sensitive computer equipment, clean agent or carbon dioxide extinguishers are the best choice.

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Description

Test your knowledge on portable fire extinguishers with these flashcards covering classification and types. Each card helps reinforce understanding of fire extinguisher classes, their uses, and distinguishing labels. Perfect for anyone looking to enhance their fire safety knowledge.