Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers

Portable Extinguishers

Building codes don't require portable extinguishers in 1-family homes, but you will find them in the corridors and other public areas in apartment buildings. You can purchase them at hardware and builders supply stores, and should have at least on each level of the home.

Interestingly, some fire departments will advise against having portable extinguishers. The reasoning is that some people have delayed calling the fire department and the fire was too big for the extinguishers to stop it. There are two flaws in this logic. For one, when people discover a small fire, their immediate response is to try to put it out. If an extinguisher is not handy they will use whatever is, and improper materials (e. g., combustible fabric like a blanket) may actually worsen the situation. It is better to have extinguishers handy if people are going to try to fight a small fire. They should take the following steps: get everyone out, call the fire department, then extinguish the fire if it is small enough for the portable extinguisher to handle.

The other flaw in the argument is that people can be taught to recognize which fires can be fought and which cannot. A burning pot on the range can be handled with a portable extinguisher if it has not extended to surrounding material. A mattress is a different situation, and in this case the occupant should not attempt extinguishment. Since early extinguishment results in less damage to the home and less danger to the occupants (not to mention responding firefighters), is it not better for fire departments to train people in the proper use of portable extinguishers? This being said, we also should point out that we are referring to adults and older children. Younger children (under 14 years) should be taught to leave the dwelling and call the fire department.

When deciding on where to place portable extinguishers, always select a spot that will let you escape. In other words, you don't want the fire between you and an exit, so place the extinguisher where you will have a path out of the home.

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