Fire Extinguishers And Your RV
RV’s or Recreational Vehicles are fairly commonplace these days. What isn’t so commonplace is thinking about fire safety for your RV. Whatever size your RV may be, most of them come complete with state-of-the-art safety equipment, and it’s important you take the time to learn what these devices are, as well as how to use them. This includes fire extinguishers.
Types of fire extinguishers use letters of the alphabet to represent what kind of fire the extinguisher was designed to put out, such as A, B, C or D, which are for the 4 most common types of extinguishers. However, you will find letters such as ABC, BC or AB on some extinguishers. This indicates that particular fire extinguisher is designed to put out more than one kind of fire. The letters tell you which kinds of fires.
All RV’s are required to have a BC rated fire extinguisher near the main exit. These extinguishers are mostly used for fires caused by combustible liquids and gases such as gasoline, grease and oil, while the ABC extinguisher is used for electrical fires.
Most RV fires are caused by combustible items such as paper or upholstery, and would require a type A extinguisher. However, I would recommend you carry more than one type of fire extinguisher. And of course, you are required to carry a BC type extinguisher.
The truth of the matter is, it doesn’t matter how many different types of fire extinguishers you carry in your RV, if they are stored away where they aren’t easy to get to, in case of an emergency. All fire extinguishers should be hung on the walls where they can be easily reached in an emergency.
It is also true that you can have every kind of fire extinguisher imaginable, but they will do you no good, if you do not know how to operate and use them. You and everyone who will be in your RV should be shown where the fire extinguishers are located, and how to use them. They should also be shown which types of fire extinguishers are to be used for which types of fires. This should be done before your RV ever leaves the driveway.
Instead of labeling your fire extinguishers with A, B, C or D, it is a much better idea to use a picture showing what kind of fire that particular extinguisher should be used for, as well as a picture with a line through it showing which kinds of fires it should NOT be used for. During the emotion of dealing with a fire, it’s much easier to see a picture than it is to remember what the different letters of the alphabet stand for.
Once everyone has been shown where the fire extinguishers are kept, and how to tell what each one is to be used for, everyone needs to be shown the proper way to use a fire extinguisher. While there are many different types of fire extinguishers, most of them operate in pretty much the same way.
The easiest way to explain the proper use of your fire extinguisher is to have everyone remember, “PASS”. This will remind you to “PULL” the pin at the top of the extinguisher. Next, you “AIM” the nozzle at the base of the fire. Then you “SQUEEZE” the handle as you stand about 8 feet away from the fire. Finally, you “SWEEP” the extinguisher across the base of the fire until it has all been extinguished. You just release the handle when you want to stop. When you are done, be certain you wait to be certain the fire doesn’t re-ignite.
Probably the most important thing to remember is to never risk you safety or the safety of other to extinguish a fire. Always make certain everyone is out of the RV and away from danger, and call 911 as soon as possible.
