Mistakes people make during fires.
If you are unlucky enough to suddenly find yourself in the middle of a fire, one of the first challenges you will face is figuring out how to fight it. For example, many people know how to use a fire extinguisher to fight a fire, but how many people actually know how to use one when the situation arises? Training on how to use a fire extinguisher is rare and making rational decisions in such high pressure situations can be difficult. In this article, we will briefly discuss all the common mistakes in fire that will help you to use them correctly in emergency situations.
You don’t read the instructions
Each fire extinguisher provides you with detailed instructions outlining the exact steps and precautions necessary to fight a fire effectively and safely, and yet many people pass by these fire extinguishers every day without reading them. they pass Reading the instructions in case of fire is not the best idea. The reason for this is that not only does it take up valuable time and cause the fire to grow and spread, but it can also be difficult to fully understand the instructions in a state of panic. We suggest you take the time today – or sometime soon – to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher so you know exactly how to use it if necessary.
Not knowing the correct types of extinguishers
There are different types of fire extinguishers available, each designed to deal with different types of fire. These are the six main types of extinguishers:
Type A: Used for solid materials such as paper, wood and plastic.
Type B: Used for flammable liquids such as oil, gasoline, and paraffin.
Type C: Used for flammable gases such as oil, butane and methane.
Type D: Used for metals including aluminum, titanium, and magnesium.
Type E: Used for any type of fire involving electrical equipment.
Type F: Used for cooking oil and fat.
It is important that you understand which extinguishers are used for which type of fire and where each one is located – this will help you fight fires much more effectively and safely.
Judging the size of the fire
One of the most important things to remember in a fire emergency is that not all fires go out with all extinguishers. In fact, if there is a fire where you live, make sure what type of fire it is (this will determine what type of extinguisher is needed). If at any time you doubt your ability to control or extinguish the fire, leave the area immediately and call the fire department.
Incorrect shutdown methods
When using water to fight a fire, you should always use at least two liters at a time. It is absolutely essential not to use water to fight electrical or oil fires, as this can only make the situation worse. Water should only be used on solid fires such as wood, plastic or paper.
Poor evacuation planning
One of the most common fire mistakes that many people make is not knowing how to evacuate effectively in the event of a fire. If you are a business owner or building manager, it is important to have a clear evacuation route that all building users are aware of. This path should be unobstructed, easy to navigate.
Forgetting to cut off the power source
In the event of a fire, it is important to turn off all power to the source. If you do this early enough, this action alone can often stop the fire, but if not, it will at least prevent the fire from growing. Make sure where the power supply is located in your building so you can turn it off if needed. Of course, if your route there is blocked or affected by fire, evacuate instead.
Standing too close to the fire
One of the most common mistakes people make when fighting a fire is standing at the wrong distance from the fire. Getting the right distance is important. If you’re too far away, the fire probably won’t be put out effectively, but if you’re too close, the flames can spread to you – putting your physical safety at risk. The recommended standing distance is approximately 8 feet from the flame. This will give you the best chance of successfully extinguishing the fire.
Where to sprinkle fire extinguisher powder
Another common firefighting mistake people make is placing the extinguisher nozzle on top of the fire and pointing downwards. In fact, the effective way to deal with fire is the opposite: extinguishing the fire and creating a path for the powder to be thrown from below. This is because the fuel that feeds the fire will be at its base. In fact, tackling it from the bottom of the fire extinguishes the source of the fire, effectively preventing the fire from growing, and is used as a highly effective coolant to extinguish the fire.
pull the pin
In a moment of emergency, it is very common to forget or fail to remove the safety pin. But it is vital to remember, failure to pull the pin will neutralize the fire extinguisher. The pin is on the fire extinguisher as a precaution – to prevent people from accidentally pushing it. Without a pin, you cannot use the fire extinguisher at a moment when time is precious.
