Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2008 - (Page 54)

Equipment Lifecycles Picking the right fire extinguisher Review of the entire process of stored pressure fire extinguishers by identifying the types that best fit your building, the best locations to place them, and maintenance and disposal. BY JOE BERANEK, Tyco Fire Suppression & Building Products, Marinette, Wis. hen supplying a building with fire extinguishers and suppressants, ensuring the security of the entire structure is extremely important. As mentioned in NFPA 10 Chapter 1, portable fire extinguishers are intended to be the first line of defense for fires of a limited size and can be used in several areas including vehicle repair, aircraft and marine servicing, cooking areas, and storage and manufacturing processes (painting, dipping, coating, and the handling of flammable liquids). The following steps will help you determine the right fire extinguishers and agents for your own building. 1. Perform a site survey In order to properly classify the right extinguisher necessary and where it should be located in a room, a thorough site survey must be completed. This should be conducted with a facility representative that is well-versed in the layout, O&M, and processes of the building. In addition, it is helpful to have detailed sketches of the building layout including specifications on doorways, aisles, stairways, interior structures, machinery, and equipment locations—all places that may not be initially considered. Having floor plans handy also is helpful and recommended because it helps visualize the entire floor layout, and can be helpful later on when determining the distribution of fire extinguishers. W When analyzing, identify potentially hazardous conditions such as liquids, chemicals, and atmospheric gases. Evaluate the potential severity of a resulting fire and make sure that you have both the personnel and equipment to handle it. Keep staff members trained on how to handle equipment as well as potential operational hazards. 2. Selecting the proper type of extinguisher When selecting a fire extinguisher, special thought should be given to the potential occupancy hazards within the facility that might require additional protection. Keep in mind the manufacturing processes that are taking place in the building, as well as flammable liquid handling and storage areas. This can help determine the potential severity of a fire, which is key when deciding the type of extinguisher required. Mixing volatile chemicals in an area can either start or add to the intensity of a fire. Other potential hazards in the building that would require special attention are equipment repair areas, which are potential areas for 3-D class B fires; gases in the atmosphere; and areas that have pressurized flammable liquids and gases. There are five classifications of extinguishers (see Table 1) that are used to put out different types of fires. When considering the best fit for your building, determine which 54 Consulting-Specifying Engineer • NOVEMBER 2008

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Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2008 Contents Viewpoint News M/E Roundtable Comissioning Lighting Controls Prevent Plugholing: Smoke Control Done Right Commercial Geothermal Heating and Cooling System Design Codes &�Standards Case Study New Products Equipment Lifecycles Advertiser Index Green Space

Consulting-Specifying Engineer - November 2008

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