Handling a Class A Fire – Since time immemorial fire has both been a blessing and a menace in households and places of work. The fire has several applications within the household setting ranging from cooking, heating to destroying trash. When left unchecked, this faithful servant can bring on disasters leading to loss of life and destruction of property.
For a fire to thrive, there are a few conditions that need to be met to keep the flames going you need oxygen fuel, heat and a chemical reaction. Different levels of fires require extra attention. In the case of a small kitchen fire, you should focus on finding the source of the fire. Locating the source will help you determine its fuel to enable you to extinguish it effectively. Click here for the Best-Selling Fire Safety Products.
Different countries all over the world use other systems to classify types of fire. In Canada and the United States, they use the NFPA classification system similar to the European standards used in Europe. Class A fires are considered the most common type known for burning ordinary combustibles. To best understand Class A fires, we first have to focus on what ordinary combustibles are.
Ordinary combustibles
Combustibles are materials that when heated up ignite. Underclass A classifications, ordinary combustibles are organic materials such as paper, wood, cloth, rubber and plastic. Class A fires are referred to as ordinary combustibles because they use these organic materials as their source of fuel. These fires are relatively easy to put out. You could use the designated class A extinguishers designed to put out Class A fires, or you can use water, which is the most common means of putting out this type of fire. If you have your hands on monoammonium phosphate, it could help in extinguishing the flames.
Characteristics of Class A fires
These fires are commonly lit within a controlled zone like a stove or fire pit. They are burned to serve a specific purpose, for example, to heat the house or bake in a wooden oven or even to warm a campsite.
They are usually harmless because their controlled nature with barriers set up to contain the fire should seriously take these safety measures. After all, even a small spark can become disastrous.
Class A fires are usually lit for recreational purposes.
Handling Class A fires
Class A fires are usually lit intentionally to serve a purpose but can also be started unintentionally by a stray lit match. Thus when handling heat sources near an abundant fuel supply, you may need to take extra caution.
Every fire has its weakness; this can be said for class A fires that depend on fire’s four elements to keep burning. This fire can effectively be dealt with by removing one variable from the equation. That is, you can remove the heat supply using form extinguish to put out the flames. You can also spray the fuel with water making it incombustible.
Class A fire extinguishers are filled with foam that can cut the supply off oxygen to the flame, suffocating it till it dies. Under extreme situations involving forest fires, for example, in your backyard, you could use chemical extinguishers filled with ammonium phosphate that inhibits the chemical reaction required for combustion to continue. You may as well cut down some vegetation on the fire’s path to prevent it from spreading to other areas.
Fire Equipment
Depending on your location, every building is required by law to install firefighting equipment in case of an emergency fire outbreak. Installing the necessary equipment is a step in the right direction in securing your safety. Nevertheless, you should not entirely depend on the installed systems, but you can also have your firefighting equipment. You never know when they may come in handy. Some of the equipment used in fighting class a fire includes;
Class A fire extinguishers when shopping for a fire extinguisher it is wise to consult on the best extinguisher to install in your residence. Choosing the wrong extinguisher could lead to further consequences like the spread of the fire, electric shocks, injury, and property? For convenience, small portable fire extinguishers are effective for small fires, for example, putting out a table cloth that has caught fire.
Type A and ABC are the most efficient fire extinguishers used to put out Class A fires. Type A contains pressurized water that is suitable for class A as its use on other fires could lead to the spread of fire. Type ABC on the hand is useful in handling all types of flames. It is filled with a dry chemical suitable for combating flames.
Fire detection and alarm system
These systems are mandatory installations in specific zip codes. They are designed to alert homeowners and building occupants in case of a fire. These systems detect elevated levels of smoke, fire and carbon monoxide in the building, sending visual or audio alerts to the building occupants.
Hoses and Sprinkler system
In the spirit of preparedness, you could buy a hose and its accessories like high-pressure devices. Hoses can be connected to a huge water supply system or other extinguishing compounds to fight a fire.
The sprinkler system is also an efficient way of dealing with class A fires. This system works together with the smoke and fire detectors. They are activated when there is an increase in fire and smoke levels in the building.
Emergency kit
This kit includes a first aid kit and an emergency ready-to-go bag. The first aid kit is essential when addressing a small burn before seeking further medical attention.
Smoke Hoods & Fire Masks
Fires produce smoke that is dangerous when inhaled. It would be wise to have an emergency supply of masks in case there is a fire outbreak and smoke is filling up fast. The mask is designed to filter dense poisonous gas helping you to walk out to safety.
Starting a fire is always a risky venture. Always be on the lookout for potential dangers related to fires taking all the precautionary measures to stay safe. It does not hurt to enroll in fire safety and management class to learn more about fires and how to handle them. Click here for the Best-Selling Fire Safety Products.