If a fire breaks out unexpectedly, fire extinguishers serve as the initial line of defense, helping to extinguish the flames before fire crews can reach the scene. In today’s post, we’ll look at some of the more typical applications of fire extinguishers, which may be found in a wide range of potentially dangerous settings. Remember that this list is not meant to be exhaustive; if you have any queries concerning the positioning of fire extinguishers in your place of business, please feel free to contact Brazas Fire Management as soon as possible.
Processing of combustible materials and storage of gasoline is done at gas stations.
Public gas stations were the scene of more than 5,000 fires and explosions every year. This indicates that during this period, on average, one out of every 13 stations had a fire within them. So, it should go without saying that you have to follow the rules. In New Mexico, the New Mexico Fire Prevention Code (NMFPC) and the National Fire Prevention Association serve as our principal regulatory standards and authorities, respectively (NFPA). According to Section 30A of the NFPA, a gas station is an excellent danger requiring a fire extinguisher with a minimum rating of 40 BC.
Auto shops that store flammable liquids in their waiting areas
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 10 specifies that the most significant distance an individual must go to get a fire extinguisher should not exceed fifty feet. This is because many vehicle repair businesses keep dangerous substances.
General dangers in the workplace
Gas stations and other places of business with plainly flammable goods aren’t the only places that need to be concerned about fire safety, though. Every day, office environments present threats that require sure fire extinguishers to be placed in optimal locations. For examples:
- The delicate technology that may be found in IT server rooms necessitates the usage of clean agent extinguishers to ensure that the servers are not damaged in the event of a fire. Because these units are “electrically nonconductive,” they do not leave any residue after evaporation.
- The correct equipment for use in break rooms is 2A10BC ABC dry chemical extinguishers, which may be used on fires classified as either Class A, Class B, or Class C. This is necessary since there is a fire risk in break rooms with toaster ovens or microwaves.
Processing of flammable liquid fuels and their storage at airports
The fuel processing and storage of flammable liquids at airports may be exceedingly hazardous, similar to the dangers present at service stations. For this reason, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a range of regulations that conform with those specified in NFPA 10 to assist in enhancing safety for airline passengers and employees:
- On board any aircraft fuel-servicing cart or vehicle, there must be a fire extinguisher in case of emergency.
- Every aviation fuel-servicing tank vehicle needs to have a minimum of two fire extinguishers on board.
- One of them requires a physical mount on the vehicle’s side.
- Both fire extinguishers need to have at least a 20-B: C rating.
- The minimum number of fire extinguishers required for hydrant fuel-servicing carts or vehicles is one with a rating of 20 B: C.
Manufacturing facilities that work with molten metals
By NPFA 10, fires in machine shops that deal with burning metals are classified as Class D. This is because fires may break out due to explosive elements such as titanium, zirconium, magnesium, lithium, sodium, and potassium. Extinguishers of Class D must be within no more than 75 feet from the danger when these conditions are present.
Uncertain about the location of fire extinguishers at your place of business?
It is crucial to remember that the 2A10BC fire extinguisher is the minimum required for all communities in New Mexico. Therefore, if you are unsure about the sort of fire extinguisher your New Mexico business may need, keep this in mind. Bear in mind, however, that the nature of the company you run may cause it to be classified as one of the scenarios described above, in which the presence of a particularly hazardous environment necessitates the use of a different form of fire protection. The experts at Brazas Fire would be more than delighted to answer any questions regarding the New Mexico Fire Prevention Code or the NPFA 10 if you contact them. In addition, to guarantee that your business is by local, state, and federal security standards, we offer a free consultation on commercial security. Call our office at (505) 889-8999 right now to speak with a member of our team of fire safety professionals or fill out the online contact form on our website.