{"id":22549,"date":"2021-04-19T13:21:37","date_gmt":"2021-04-19T20:21:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/?page_id=22549"},"modified":"2025-09-18T09:35:44","modified_gmt":"2025-09-18T16:35:44","slug":"sppm-8-22","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/policies.wsu.edu\/prf\/index\/manuals\/safety-policies-procedures-manual\/sppm-8-22\/","title":{"rendered":"8.22 Fire Extinguishers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Safety Policies and Procedures Manual<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Fire Extinguishers<\/h2>\n\n\n
\r\n \n
\r\n\t\n\n

SPPM 8.22<\/strong><\/p>\n

For more information contact:<\/strong>
\u00a0 \u00a0Facilities Services, Operations
\u00a0 \u00a0509-335-9000
\u00a0 \u00a0WSU Fire and Safety Compliance Officer
\u00a0 \u00a0509-335-8548
\u00a0 \u00a0Emergency
\u00a0 \u00a0911<\/p>\n

\n

Availability<\/h3>\n

WSU campus facilities services or EH&S departments, as applicable, and colleges, departments, and areas provide fire extinguishers to put out small fires on University property. Do not attempt to put out a large fire exceeding four feet in height with a fire extinguisher (see SPPM 8.20<\/a>). Call 911 and report all fires impacting University property to the local fire department.<\/p>\n

Ratings of Fire Extinguishers and Fires<\/h3>\n

Look on the front of a fire extinguisher to determine what sort of fire the extinguisher will put out. Usually, extinguishers are labeled with the letters A, B, C, D. or K, or a combination of these letters. Each letter signifies a class of fires the extinguisher will suppress. Extinguishers labeled with multiple letters will put all of the types of fires indicated.<\/p>\n

An extinguisher marked ABC will put out fires involving ordinary combustibles (e.g., paper and wood), flammable liquids, and electrical equipment.<\/p>\n

IMPORTANT: Do not use an inappropriate extinguisher on a given fire. Such a practice can make the fire worse and\/or cause injury to the user. A common error is the use of a water extinguisher (A) on a grease or electrical fire (B or C).<\/p>\n

The higher the numerical classification rating on the extinguisher, the more fire it will put out.<\/p>\n

A: Ordinary Combustibles<\/h4>\n

Fires in paper, wood, drapes, and upholstery require an extinguisher labeled A.<\/p>\n

B: Flammable Liquids<\/h4>\n

Fires in fuel oil, gasoline, paint, grease in a frying pan, solvents, and other flammable liquids require an extinguisher labeled B.<\/p>\n

C: Electrical Equipment<\/h4>\n

Fires started in wiring, overheated fuse boxes, conductors, and other electrical sources require an extinguisher labeled C.<\/p>\n

D: Metals<\/h4>\n

Certain metals, such as magnesium and sodium, require special dry powder extinguishants labeled D.<\/p>\n

K: Cooking Oil or Fat<\/h4>\n

Fires in commercial cooking operations, such as deep fat fryers, are more efficiently put out with a special class K “kitchen” fire extinguisher than with a class B or with a combination ABC dry chemical extinguisher.<\/p>\n

Using a Fire Extinguisher<\/h3>\n

To operate most fire extinguishers, perform the following steps (PASS: Pull\/Aim\/Squeeze\/Sweep):<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Pull<\/strong> the pin. Some units require the releasing of a lock latch, pushing a puncture lever, inverting or other motion.<\/li>\n
  2. Aim<\/strong> the extinguisher nozzle (horn, or hose) at the base of the fire.<\/li>\n
  3. Squeeze<\/strong> or press the handle.<\/li>\n
  4. Starting at the distance recommended on the fire extinguisher, sweep<\/strong> the nozzle or hose from side to side until the fire is out. Move forward or around the fire area as the fire diminishes. Watch the area in case of reignition.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Although the above instructions apply to most extinguishers, there are exceptions, e.g., foam and water extinguishers require slightly different actions. Read the instructions<\/b> on all extinguishers in or near the work area.<\/p>\n

    Before attempting to fight an electrical fire, turn off the power to the involved electrical device. Turn off the circuit breaker or switch, or unplug the device if this can be done without risking electrical shock or burns.<\/p>\n

    Training<\/h4>\n

    All employees must receive fire extinguisher training, unless the written college, department, or area emergency action plan authorizes certain employees to use fire extinguishers and requires all others to evacuate. (See SPPM 2.16). Employees may not obtain enough information from reading the labeled instructions on the fire extinguishers to properly use the extinguishers in an emergency.<\/p>\n

    Employees may attend live fire extinguisher training (see Pullman Locations or Non-Pullman Locations below) or complete the online Portable Fire Extinguisher Training course<\/a> available at the HRS Training website.<\/p>\n

    Pullman Locations<\/h5>\n

    The WSU Fire and Safety Compliance Officer arranges training in the proper use of fire extinguishers upon request. Departments contact the WSU Fire and Safety Compliance Officer to schedule training sessions; telephone 509-335-8548.<\/p>\n

    Non-Pullman Locations<\/h5>\n

    Contact the applicable campus facilities or EH&S department to schedule training sessions:<\/p>\n