1. Fire requires fuel, oxygen and heat for ignition to occur. Taken any one away and the fire cannot occur.
2. Fire needs an atmosphere of 21 percent oxygen - the same as the air we breathe - to sustain ignition.
3. Class A fires are fueled by ordinary combustible or fibrous material, such as wood, paper, cloth and some plastics.
4. Class B fires include flammable or combustible liquids, greases and gases, such as gasoline, paint and propane.
5. Class C fires include electrical equipment, such as motors and heaters
that are not connected to a power source.
6. Combustible metals (Class D) are difficult to extinguish, because once ignited, they give off sufficient oxygen to support combustion.
7. Class D fires can be extinguished with water.
8. Keeping the work area free of litter is one way to help prevent Class A fires.
9. Gasoline-powered equipment can be refueled while hot if refueling is done in a well-ventilated area.
10. You may use a higher-amp fuse than is specified for an electrical circuit if you first tag the fuse box to mark the change.
11. Unusual odors from electrical equipment can be the first sign of a potential fire.
12. If the fire you are fighting begins to spread, leave the area and call for help.
13. Do not use carbon dioxide or ordinary dry chemical extinguishers on Class A fires.
14. Do not use water extinguishers on energized electrical equipment.
15. An Emergency Action Plan should designate one person to evacuate all disabled people in the building.
16. Fire drills are necessary to test the Emergency Action Plan.
17. The last person to evacuate a room should lock the door to prevent
vandalism or theft of equipment.
18. Elevators may be used to evacuate a building as long as they remain operable.
19. You should occasionally pull the pin and briefly squirt all fire extinguishers to ensure they are properly charged and in good working order.
20. As soon as you evacuate a burning building, go home. No need to hang around.