'ViTH BUTANE GAS FIRE, C. L. Thomas shows the in- BURNING OIL AND GASOLINE is quickly brought
5|7*veness of carbon dioxide extinguisher for this type of fire, under control by Duncan West in another demonstration
used pressurized dry powder extinguisher and put out showing greater knock-down power of modern pressurized
taickiy.
dry powder fire extinguisher.
Extinguisiher Training Is Presented
Hoflast decade, fires have killed
100,000 persons and have
Of tj''* and disfigured many hundreds
Itopv'^^ands more. In industry, catas-
have resulted in unemploy-
Hesj ^jobs wiped out because a busi-
destroyed and could not re-
tremendous property loss,
'^otie ^^®^dcrest Mills, considerable
if effort are expended to pro-
and property from fire. Edu-
*ftkl prevention, inspections.
systems, fire extinguishers,
*ionj Shting equipment and organiza-
all a part of the Company’s
to
t'ifg from fire.
"lel
safeguard buildings and per-
. extinguishers have an important
-cp program. These protective
are distributed throughout the
’•Hdgw offices in accordance with
It j„ requirements.
'•'sujg of the requirements of fire
® ‘companies that first aid fire
,^6 provided close at hand and
^ffiniediate use.
^^°t®‘^tion is necessary, even
^'^'Iding may be equipped with
sprinklers or standpipe hose
The various types of fire extinguishers
have been classified as a guide for their
use on the various classes of fires.
Prompt and proper use of the correct
fire extinguisher by a trained person
can, many times, extinguish a fire be
fore much damage is done.
The maintenance of fire extinguishers
is the responsibility of the plant service
departments. Members of these depart
ments at the various mills make week
ly inspections to insure that all first aid
fire appliances are in ready condition.
At a recent training session, the vari
ous types of fire extinguishers were
demonstrated with emphasis on use of
the proper type of extinguisher for the
various classes of fires. The demonstra
tions were arranged by the Fieldcrest
Mills Safety Department, and were at
tended by the master mechanics, rep
resentatives of the mill fire brigades,
local fire chiefs and firemen, members
of our Engineering Department, and
Burns guards.
Soda-acid, carbon dioxide, pressurized
water, and dry powder types of ex
tinguishers were demonstrated. It was
shown that Class A fires—waste paper,
textiles, etc.—can best be controlled by
a cooling liquid. Class B—oil, grease,
paint, etc.—are handled best by foam,
dry chemicals and carbon dioxide.
A pipeline ring of butane gas set
afire, and the effectiveness of a dry
powder extinguisher was demonstrated.
It was shown that the dry powder ex
tinguisher has a greater knock-down
power, due to its longer range.
In another demonstration, a pit filled
with a mixture of motor oil and gaso
line was, also, quickly extinguished by
use of a dry powder extinguisher. In
a third demonstration, a wood fire was
quickly brought under control by soda-
acid and pressurized liquid extiguishers.
The group discussed the hazards of
carbon tetrachloride extinguishers. It
was pointed out that phosgene, a deadly
gas, can be generated in the presence
of hot metal and carbon. It was recom
mended that carbon tetrachloride extin
guishers not be used and that more
modern carbon dioxide or dry powder
extinguishers be used instead.
The demonstrations were presented by
C. L. Thomas, Jr., of the fire extinguish
er division of Ansul Chemical Company,
and by Duncan West, of the Southern
Oxygen Company.
W '''Oon 4 ran best DISCUSSIONS by Messrs. Thomas and West followed dem-
''‘•“rolied K burning textiles or ^as e onstrations, emphasized use of right extinguisher for each fire,
'led by cooling liquid extinguisher as shown nere.
NOVEMBER 7 1960