Grill Safety

Grilling season is upon us! 🍔🍗 Whether you use a propane grill or you use a charcoal grill, it is important that you know how to keep you and your family safe while barbecuing. Always keep an extinguisher close by, read your owner's manual, and follow these tips!

• Keep your grill positioned outside a safe distance from your home, deck railing, garage, tree branches, etc.
• Check for gas leaks.
• Do not allow children and pets near your grill.
• Be careful of loose clothing or accessories.
• Keep the top of your grills and bottom trays clean.
• Never leave the grill unattended. 
• Check the connection. Examine the propane tank and the regulator and cylinder. If the connection feels loose, tighten it. 
• Before using, inspect for rust. 
• Use the proper starter fluid. 
• When you have finished using your charcoal grill, let the coals cool completely and then dispose of them in a metal container. 
• *If something doesn't look, feel, or smell right, it is always best to turn your grill off immediately and have it serviced by a professional. If you smell gas, get away from the grill and call the fire department. 

Which One Is Which? (Continued)

Water Mist Fire Extinguishers (AC) should be used when you are trying to put out a class A fire with a potential for a class C fire. The nozzle sprays mist in a way that should not be harmful if there is a presence of electrical.

Water Fire Extinguisher (A), not to be confused with Water Mist Fire Extinguishers, are best used on class A fires. They work by releasing a water stream of up to 55 feet to soak your fire.

Class D Fire Extinguishers (D) are created to extinguish fires which involve materials that may be flammable. This type of fire extinguisher, also known as a Dry Powder Extinguisher, is not effective on other types of fires.

Wet Chemical Extinguishers (K) are best used in a restaurant kitchen environment.

Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers (BC) work by smothering fire with a layer of carbon dioxide which removes the oxygen from the fire. Carbon dioxide is a clean chemical. It is also odorless.

Which One Is Which?

It is important to understand that different types of fires are produced from different types of fuels. This is why there are different types of fire extinguishers. Choosing the correct fire extinguisher is essential for successfully putting out a fire. I will give a breakdown of different fire extinguishers available but you should remember that the best way to learn about fire extinguishers, fires, and proper fire extinguisher use is to participate in a fire safety course like the ones offered by Firesafe Equipment.

Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers (ABC) are multi-purpose fire extinguishers. They are also the most commonly used fire extinguishers. They can be used to put out fires that consist of paper, wood, electronics, and trash. In order to put out a fire, a light yellow chemical called mono-ammonium phosphate is used.

A Purple K Dry Chemical Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers (BC) is used for class B and C fires involving flammable liquids that are high risk. This is a good fire extinguisher to have handy if you are working with gas, oil, or other like chemicals.

Regular dry chemical fire extinguishers (BC), like Purple K Dry Chemical Fire Extinguishers, can also be used on flammable liquids. They can also be used to extinguish electrical equipment.

A Halotron 1 Fire Extinguisher (ABC/Varying sizes) is a good one to use when trying to extinguish a fire involving electrical equipment. The reason is because it does not leave behind any type of residue. It discharges as a liquid before quickly evaporating. It is also considered to be environmentally friendly. It is not suggested to be used in situations where there is not electrical equipment.

How Does A Fire Extinguisher Work?

The purpose of a fire extinguisher is put out a fire, but how exactly does it do that? In order to have a fire there must be three components. These components are heat, fuel, and oxygen. A fire extinguisher removes the fuel from the surrounding oxygen by smothering it with powder or foam. In order to activate the fire extinguisher you should first remove the safety pin and then press down on the operating lever. By pressing down on the operating lever you release the gas which had been compressed up until this point. The gas travels upward and sprays out the powder from the nozzle. The most effective way to put out the fire is by focusing on spraying at the base of the fire. Spray it using a back and forth motion. For someone who has never operated a fire extinguisher, this may be a little overwhelming to figure out at first. This is why it is recommended to take a fire extinguisher safety course like the one provided by Firesafe Equipment.

Home Fire Extinguishers

We recommend keeping a minimum of one fire extinguisher on each floor of your home. Kitchens and garages are important areas to keep a fire extinguisher because they tend to be at a greater risk for a fire. The fire extinguishers should be placed where they are easily accessed, close to exits, and away from the potential fire hazed (such as an oven). Some other places to consider keeping a fire extinguisher are the bedrooms, laundry room, utility room, patio, in rooms with a fireplace, and also in your cars and campers.

Welcome To Our Blog!

Fire Safe Equipment now has a blog! Each month we will provide you with informative posts that relate to Fire Safe Equipment. We would be happy to hear from you so feel free to leave us comments or questions in the comment section below. Also, if there is a topic that peaks your interest please let us know so that we can blog about it! 😃