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Fire extinguishers are located throughout the Charles River Campus and are an effective tool when fighting incipient stage fires. As described below, no one extinguisher is appropriate for all fire classes. Evacuation is the primary response to fires at Boston University, especially when attempting to extinguish a fire puts the extinguisher operator at risk. Personnel trained in the operation of fire extinguishers should be the only individuals utilizing these pieces of fire fighting equipment. Anyone having questions about fire extinguisher use should contact the Office of Environmental Health and Safety at 617-353-4094.
Class A Fire: Wood, paper, textiles, and other ordinary combustibles |
Use Class A or ABC extinguisher
Uses water, water-based chemical, foam, or multi-purpose dry chemical. A strictly Class A extinguisher contains only water. |
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Class B Fire: Flammable liquids, oils, solvents, paint, grease, etc. |
Use Class ABC or BC extinguisher
Uses foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide, to put out the fire by smothering it or cutting off the oxygen. |
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Class C Fire: Electrical: Live or energized electric wires or equipment. |
Use Class ABC or BC extinguisher
Uses foam, dry chemical, or carbon dioxide, to put out the fire by smothering it or cutting off the oxygen. |
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Combustible metals (magnesium, titanium, potassium, etc.) |
Use Class D extinguisher
Uses dry powder or other special sodium extinguishing agents.
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How to use a fire extinguisher:
The PASS Method
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Pull: Pull the safety pin on the extinguisher. |
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Aim: Aim the hose of the extinguisher at the base of the fire. |
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Squeeze: Squeeze the handle to discharge the material. |
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Sweep: Sweep the hose across the base of the fire from side to side. |
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