Selection and Distribution of Fire Extinguishers

Selecting Extinguishers
The size and type of portable fire extinguisher is based on the total amount of Class A combustible materials, the total amount of Class B flammables, or, for some occupancies, a combination of both. For many areas, the extinguishing agent also must be compatible with energized electrical equipment.

Classification of Hazards
Light (Low) Hazard: Are locations in which the total amount of Class A combustible materials, including furnishings, decorations, and contents, is minor. These occupancies may include buildings or rooms occupied as offices, classrooms, assembly halls. Small amount of Class B flammables used in duplicating machines, art departments, and the like are included.

Ordinary (Moderate) Hazard

Are locations in which the total amount of Class A and Class B are present in greater amounts than may be expected in light hazard occupancies. Dining areas, mercantile shops and their allied storage, light manufacturing facilities, auto show rooms, parking garages, and warehouses containing Class I or Class II commodities.

Extra (High) Hazards

Are locations in which the total amount of Class A and Class B present in storage, in production, or as finished products is over that expected in ordinary hazard occupancies. Woodworking shops, vehicle repair areas, aircraft and boat servicing facilities, cooking areas, painting, dipping and coating areas, also included is warehousing or in-process storage of commodities other than Class I and II commodities.

Distributing Extinguishers
Extinguishers should be placed in locations provide easy access and are readily free from temporary blockage. Near normal paths of travel, near exits and entrances. Mounted on walls, the operating instructions must face outwards, and can be removed easily.

Continue
Ext. with gross weight of no more than 40 pounds (18 kgs) should be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 5 feet above the floor. Ext. more than 40 pounds (except wheeled types) should be installed so that the top of the extinguisher is not more than 3.5 feet from the floor. In no case should the clearance between the bottom of the extinguisher and the floor be less than 4 inches.

Minimum number and rating for Class A fires

Light (low) hazard occupancy Min. Rated Single Ext. Maximum floor area per unit of A Max. floor area for ext. Max. travel dist. to Ext Ordinary (Mod.) Hazard Extra (High) Hazard

2-A

2-A

4-A

3000 sq. ft. 11250 sq. ft. 75 ft.

1500 sq. ft. 11250 sq. ft. 75 ft.

1000 sq. ft. 11250 sq. ft. 75 ft.

Maximum Area Ext. Can Protect

Distribution of Class A Fire Extinguishers

Max. Area to be Protected Per Ext. sq. ft.

Extra Hazard ------------4000

Ord. Hazard ----3000 4500 6000

Light Hazard ----6000 9000 11250

Max. Travel Distance 57 57 57 57

Class A Rating 1A 2A 3A 4A

6000
10000

9000
11250

11250
11250

57
57

6A
10 A

11250
11250

11250
11250

11250
11250

57
57

20 A
30 A

11250

11250

11250

57

40 A

Maximum Area Ext. Can Protect

Example

Area = 450X150 = 67500 Ft

From the table: 67500 / 11250 = 6 fire ext. 6 x 4A light hazard 6 x 10A ordinary hazard 6 x 20A extra hazard The travel distance rule (75ft) has been violated.

Example

Area 67500 Ft
67500 / 6000 = 12 fire extinguishers 12 x 2A light hazard 12 x 4A ordinary hazard 12 x 6A extra hazard In this case both distribution and travel distance rules are fulfilled.

Example

CEN System

Application of the Rated Extinguisher

To determine the number of extinguishers required multiply the floor area of a building in square meters by a factor of 0.065. The resulting number is the Class A cover requirement and should be divided by achieved Class A fire extinguishing rating of the extinguisher

Example
A room has an area of 1000 square meters, so 1000 x 0.065 = 65 If you assume that 9 litre water extinguishers with a fire rating of 13A will be used. By dividing 65 by 13 you will get the number of extinguishers required. 65/13 = 5 ext.

Distribution of Class B Fire Extinguishers

03 05 03 05 03 05

5B 10 B 10 B 20 B

40B
80B

CEN System

Application of the Rated Ext.

1. The type of risk should be determined and the following rules should be followed: Each room or enclosure should be considered separately. Risks more than 20 m apart should be considered separately. Where containers are stacked less than 2 m apart they should be considered undivided group. A divided group comprises 2 or more containers more than 2 m but less than 20 m apart.

2.
3. 4.

1. For single open topped containers see table 1, serial 1, the rating must be reached by each extinguisher provided. 2. For undivided groups see table 1, serial 2 3. For divided groups see table 1, serial 3 4. Spillage, see table 1, serial 4

Example 1
Take a single dip-tank with an area of 2 square meters. The recommended rating of extinguisher is given by: Column2: 50x2.0 = 100 i.e. 113B (foam only) Column3: 80x2.0 = 160 i.e. 183 (any other type) The minimum aggregate rating is recommended as: Column4: 150 x 2.0 = 300B (The minimum aggregate rating of 300B is not met by a single ext., therefore: 300 / 183 = 2 183B

Example 2
Take a bund measuring 2.47 square meters (1.3 x 1.9 m). What is the minimum rating extinguisher recommended?

Distribution for CLASS C

Installed where there is live electrical equipment. Carbon Dioxide, Dry Chemical, and Halons Power has cut off the fire becomes Class A or Class B.

Distribution for Class D

The amount of agent needed normally is figured according to the surface area of the metal plus the shape and form of the metal which can contribute to the severity of the fire. Travel distance 75 ft.

Classification and Ratings

Description 2.5 gallon water 20 lb Carbon Dioxide 5 lb dry chemical (ammonium ph.) 10 lb dry chemical (Sod. Bicarb.) 10 lb dry chemical (pot. Bicarb.) 125 lb dry chemical (amm. Phosph) 33 gal. AFFF 5 LB HALON 1211 9 LB HALON 1211 1.5 LB HALON 1211/1301 Rating 2A 10B:C 2A:10B:C 60B:C 80B:C 40A:240B:C 20A:160B 10B:C 1A:10B:C 1B:C