Fire Safety

Never use any source of fire without wearing goggles.

• Always maintain a clean work area, especially when using a flame.
• Know where the nearest fire extinguisher is located and know how to use it (see Fire Extinguisher Operation Safety below).

• Know where the fire blanket is located, and know how to use it (see Fire Blanket Safety below).

Fire Extinguisher Operation Safety

• PASS
• Pull . . . The ring or lock pin
• Aim . . . At the base of the fire standing back 8–10 feet
• Squeeze . . . The discharge lever
• Sweep . . . Side to side

Types of Fire Extinguishers

• Class A Ordinary combustibles (paper, wood, etc.)
• Class B Organic solvents (acetone, alcohols, ethers)
• Class C Electrical wiring or static charges
• Class D Active metals (sodium, potassium, magnesium)

Fire Blanket Safety

• An emergency fire blanket should be used if someone’s clothes are on fire and if they are unable to reach the safety shower.
• To use an emergency fire blanket, wrap the body in the blanket, drop to the floor, and roll around to extinguish the flames.
• Never cover with the emergency fire blanket the head of an individual whose clothing is on fire because it may trap smoke and heat under the blanket. The injured person may receive additional damage to their lungs from inhaling the trapped smoke.

Fire Safety Questions

1. What does PASS refer to?

2. Why is it important not to cover with an emergency fire blanket the head of an individual whose clothing is on fire?