What do commercial/professional drivers know about
fire extingushers?
We know that Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration stated in Section393.95 with a 5BC rated extinguisher for all cargo loads except for HAZMAT LOADS and then a minimum of 10 BC or more. All FIRE EXTINGUISHERS must be LABELED WITH THE UNDER WRITERS LABEL ON IT "UL"
The only problem with a BC Rated Extinguisher it will not put out the following type of fires:
- Paper
- Tire
- Brakes
- Rubber Hoses/air lines
- Plastic(s)
- Fiberglass
- Seating Materials
- Matteress
- Clothing
- Carpet
- Aluminum
- Magnesuim
These are a few too name that this style of EXTINGUISHER WILL NOT PUT OUT! Oh yes these items maybe on your vehicle today in engine blocks, wheels. Lets look at Fire Extingusher and what the LETTERS and NUMBERS MEANS so you have a better understanding of what the Fire extinguisher will do and how too use this Safety Equipment.
Fire Extinguisher Ratings and what they mean too you:
Drivers may not be aware of the ratings and how they will effect the extinguishment of a fire.
The Ratings
A- ordinary combusitbles such as paper, seating materials, rubber, brake linings, etc
The Ratings
A- ordinary combusitbles such as paper, seating materials, rubber, brake linings, etc
B - flammable liquids
C - energized electrical
Means the different types of fires the extinguisher will put out, the number means the amount in general.
So do you really know how too use the fire extinguisher?
So you just pull the pin and squeeze the handle at the fire? Well not exactly! Can you remember:
P. Pull the pin
A. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
S. Squeeze the handle to start eh discharge of the extinguisher powder
S. Sweep side to side >> WHILE BACKNIG AWAY FROM THE FIRE, never turn your back to the fire <<
You must also know the type of load you are carrying, the size of your extinguisher and classification of said extinguisher. you must know that when you pull this and start to use the extinguisher you'll deplet the system in about 20 secondes.
Fire Extinguishers are useless on Tire Fires and any combustible metals such as Magneisum. So you need to make yourself aware of the DOT Hazard Material Response Guide if you are hauling hazardoous materials and your unit should catch on fire.
If your unit catches on fire.......and you can safely use the fire extinguisher remove it and use it as you back away from unit and stay safely away from the unit. Remain in/near the unit till the fire department arrives. the Fire/Police dispatcher may ask you common questuions such as What are you hauling, is ther anyone trapped, how much product do you have on/in the trailer. Make sure that when you leave the unit that you take the Bill of Lading with you. The Police and Fire Dept will appericate this as they can tell what you are hauling and how to proceed to extinguisher the fire. They may need to call for several more fire truck or water tanker if you have a trailer full of recyled paper/roll stock paper or cardboard.
Drivers it is your responsibality to ensure that you know what you are doing when hauling anything in the trailer including to promote the general safety of the public in the time of an emergency such as a fire.
If your unit catches fire, safely pull the unit to the side of the road, grab the BOL's when exiting the unit and get away from the rig......once you have exited the rig STAW AWAY > DO NOT RETRUN this is for your safety. The seats when buring will off gas hydrochloric gases as well as other chemnicals that will kill you in seconds.
Driver travel safe, be safe and always look out for the public safety!
Roy
P. Pull the pin
A. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
S. Squeeze the handle to start eh discharge of the extinguisher powder
S. Sweep side to side >> WHILE BACKNIG AWAY FROM THE FIRE, never turn your back to the fire <<
You must also know the type of load you are carrying, the size of your extinguisher and classification of said extinguisher. you must know that when you pull this and start to use the extinguisher you'll deplet the system in about 20 secondes.
Fire Extinguishers are useless on Tire Fires and any combustible metals such as Magneisum. So you need to make yourself aware of the DOT Hazard Material Response Guide if you are hauling hazardoous materials and your unit should catch on fire.
If your unit catches on fire.......and you can safely use the fire extinguisher remove it and use it as you back away from unit and stay safely away from the unit. Remain in/near the unit till the fire department arrives. the Fire/Police dispatcher may ask you common questuions such as What are you hauling, is ther anyone trapped, how much product do you have on/in the trailer. Make sure that when you leave the unit that you take the Bill of Lading with you. The Police and Fire Dept will appericate this as they can tell what you are hauling and how to proceed to extinguisher the fire. They may need to call for several more fire truck or water tanker if you have a trailer full of recyled paper/roll stock paper or cardboard.
Drivers it is your responsibality to ensure that you know what you are doing when hauling anything in the trailer including to promote the general safety of the public in the time of an emergency such as a fire.
If your unit catches fire, safely pull the unit to the side of the road, grab the BOL's when exiting the unit and get away from the rig......once you have exited the rig STAW AWAY > DO NOT RETRUN this is for your safety. The seats when buring will off gas hydrochloric gases as well as other chemnicals that will kill you in seconds.
Driver travel safe, be safe and always look out for the public safety!
Roy
