GROTON TOWNSHIP FIRE DEPARTMENT
9414 PORTLAND ROAD
CASTALIA, OHIO 44824
EMERGENCY: 911
NON-EMERGENCY: 419-483-7840

FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

FIRE CLASSIFICATIONS

Class A - Extinguish ordinary combustibles by cooling the material below its
ignition temperature and soaking the fibers to prevent re-ignition. 
Use pressurized water, foam or multipurpose (ABC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers. 
DO NOT USE carbon dioxide or ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical extinguishers on Class A fires.

Class B - Extinguish flammable liquids, greases or gases by removing the oxygen,
preventing the vapors from reaching the ignition source or inhibiting
the chemical chain reaction. 
Foam, carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical,
multipurpose dry chemical, and halon extinguishers may be used to fight Class B fires.

Class C - Extinguish energized electrical equipment by using an extinguishing agent
that is not capable of conducting electrical currents. 
Carbon dioxide, ordinary (BC-rated) dry chemical, multipurpose dry chemical and halon fire extinguishers
may be used to fight Class C fires.          
DO NOT USE WATER extinguishers on energized electrical equipment

EXTINGUISHER TYPES

                                                                           

TYPICAL WATER EXTINGUISHER                                        TYPICAL DRY CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHER


All ratings are shown on the extinguisher faceplate as to what type of Class the fire is designed. 
Some extinguishers are marked with multiple ratings such as AB, BC and ABC. 
These extinguishers are capable of putting out more than one class of fire.


- RECOMMENDATION -
Groton Township Fire Department recommends that homes have at least one five pound (5 lb) ABC rated fire extinguisher
in the home.  You should check the gauge every three months and extinguishers that are over five years old
need to be tested.  If you have any questions concerning extinguishers and use, please contact the fire department
at 419-483-7840 or e-mail chief@grotonfire.org


NOTE:
Multi-purpose (ABC-rated) chemical extinguishers (except Halon) leave a residue that can harm sensitive equipment, such as computers, electronic equipment and internal combustion engines.   Because of this, carbon dioxide or Halon extinguishers are preferred in these instances because they leave very little residue.  ABC dry powder residue is mildly corrosive to many metals.


EXTINGUISHER USE

Class A and B extinguishers carry a numerical rating that indicates what size of fire an experienced person can safely extinguish.
Class C extinguishers have only a letter rating to indicate that the extinguishing agent will not conduct electrical current. 
Class C extinguishers must also carry a Class A or B rating.

What steps should you take if you have to use a fire extinguisher?

1.  Sound Alarm
2.  Call your fire department at 9-1-1
3.  Have a method of escape
4.  Make sure you know how to use a fire extinguisher
5.  Make sure you have the right class of extinguisher for the job
6.  Check to see that the extinguisher is fully charged and can extinguish the fire

"P.A.S.S."

If you ever need to use a fire extinguisher, remembering "PASS" will be a big help in
using the extinguisher properly and, more importantly, safely.

P.....Pull the pin  
A.....Aim the nozzle at the base of the flames
S.....Squeeze the trigger while holding the extinguisher upright
S.....Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area of the fire