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School District of Philadelphia

Policy and Procedures

Subject	Fire Safety
Classification	Extinguishing Fires
Date Issued	April 1997
Policy Number	112.7
Issued by	The Office for School Safety
Supersedes	Policy & Procedure 112.7 December 1978
Review Before

A. Use of Fire Extinguishers

1.) Training in the proper use of fire extinguishers to all maintenance and custodial personnel is essential in controlling small fires in school facilities.
2.) Fire extinguishers that require recharging as a result of vandalism or their use to control fires, must be referred promptly to the building engineer. Water type extinguishers are recharged by the building engineer under the School Districts licensed fire protection system contractors which are our Fire Safety Specialists. The dry powder type is recharged and certified by a contracted vendor.
3.) Fire extinguishers that are missing or have been vandalized are to be referred immediately to the district engineer and a serious incident report filed (see section #111.1). Building engineer will then notify the School District Fire Safety Unit at 456-3155 - 57.
4.) School District Fire Safety Specialist will coordinate recharge and/or replacement of expelled or damaged units.
5.) Fire extinguishers are to be visibly checked by the building engineer, or his designee, on a continuing basis to ensure that extinguishers have not been vandalized or discharged.
6.) The inspection tag is to be initialed and dated annually by the building engineer when performing the annual inspection.

B. Classes of Fires and Methods of Extinguishing

1.) Cooling and smothering are the chief means of extinguishing fires.
2.) The best method of extinguishing a fire depends mainly upon the material that is burning.
3.) Fires are classified as follows:

a.) Class A Fires

• involves ordinary combustibles, such as wood, paper, textiles, and rubbish.
  
• quickest method of extinguishment is cooling through the use of water.
  
b.) Class B Fires

• involve oils, grease, and flammable liquids.
  
• carbon dioxide and dry chemical powder extinguishers are best for these fires.
  
• the use of carbon dioxide extinguishers in small, unventilated areas may be
  dangerous to the operators.
  
c.) Class C Fires

• involve electrical equipment, and power must be disconnected as quickly as
  possible.
  
• carbon dioxide and dry chemical powder extinguishers are most effective.
  
• water, or water-based extinguishers must never be used on Class C fires.
  
  

D. Extinguishing A Fire In Person's Clothing

1.) The most effective means is to smother the fire.


a.) Wrap a blanket, rug, sweater, or coat around the body, beginning at the neck.
b.) Drop the victim to the floor and roll the person over slowly.
c.) Obtain medical help as quickly as possible.


2.) Remember the universal slogan..."Stop, Drop, and Roll!"

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