INTRODUCTION
Anyone who might be expected to use this
fire extinguisher should study and under-
stand the information in this manual
. Please
read it completely and keep it accessible so
that it may be reviewed on a periodic basis.
OSHA requires training of personnel who might
be expected to use an extinguisher in the case
of an emergency. Familiarity with this manual
and the instruction nameplate on the
extinguisher will contribute to successful use of
the extinguisher. You should know just what it
CAN and CANNOT do, where it is located, how
to use it and how to maintain it. Proper and
effective use of any fire extinguisher begins
with an understanding of the classes of fire.
Extinguishers are tested and rated for certain
classes and sizes of fires. Some are rated for
single classifications, some for multiple
classifications and others constitute a hazard if
used on certain types of fires.
TYPES AND CLASSES OF FIRES
IMPORTANT THINGS TO
REMEMBER!
NEVER DISCHARGE A FIRE
EXTINGUISHER INTO ANYONE’S
FACE
NEVER THROW AN EXTINGUISHER
INTO THE FIRE OR LEAVE IT
UNATTENDED IF THE FIRE
IS NOT OUT
(
Pressure build-up could cause an
explosion from even a partially full
extinguisher)
KEEP FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AWAY
FROM CHILDREN
Water, Water Mist and
AFFF and FFFP Foam Extinguishers
The above referred to models are shipped
EMPTY – they must be filled and pressurized
before being placed into service.
Model 240, 250, 252, 254
– Never use involving live
electrical equipment. The nameplate on the
extinguishers have the international red slash across
the Class C symbol designating the hazard of using
them where electricity is involved.
Model B260, B262
– Wet Chemical (Class K)
extinguishers are approved for use for fires involving
cooking media.
Model B270, B272
– Water Mist Extinguishers must
be charged using deionized water to avoid
contaminates. These extinguishers are UL Listed for
Class A and Class C fires.
Never use Water Mist, Water, AFFF or FFFP Foam
extinguishers for fires in cooking media
. The water
in all could flash to steam due to the extremely high
temperatures and cause serious burns.
Model’s 250, 252, and 254 AR AFFF Foam may be
used for fires involving water based flammable
liquids such as alcohols or ketones.
DO NOT SUBJECT ANY OF THE
EXTINGUISHERS IN THIS GROUP TO
CONDITIONS WHERE THEY MIGHT
FREEZE.
NOTE
: Only the Model 240 2½ gallon water
extinguisher may be chemically freeze p r o t e c t e d to
-40º F with the addition of an Amerex Model B506
charge. The B506 is not designed to protect Water
Mist, Wet Chemical, AFFF or FFFP Foam
extinguishers.
DRY CHEMICAL, DRY POWDER
(CLASS D), HALOTRON I, HALON 1211,
WET CHEMICAL (CLASS K) AND
CARBON DIOXIDE EXTINGUISHERS
These extinguishers are shipped factory charged.
Do not test your extinguisher
since even a
small amount of discharge could cause it to lose
pressure making it less effective or useless in
case of a fire.
Dry chemicals are non-poisonous but either
the acidic based (ABC) or alkaline based
(Regular or Purple K) chemicals could be an
irritant if inhaled. If any physical discomfort is
experienced, contact a physician immediately
.
Dry chemical is not recommended for fires in
delicate electrical equipment or aircraft. Use
of this agent may extinguish the fire but may
damage the equipment beyond repair.
Neither Halotron I nor Halon 1211 should be
used in confined areas smaller than indicated
on the extinguisher nameplate, food
preparation areas or in the presence of people
with cardiac problems. If problems occur,
quickly remove the person from the area
where the gas is present, apply artificial
respiration and transport to a physician.
Never use ABC dry chemical, Halon 1211 or
Halotron I fire extinguishers on fires involving
chlorine containing oxidizers (example: pool
chemicals). A violent explosive reaction could
occur with the mixture of chemicals.
Wet Chemical (Class K) Extinguishers are
approved for use for fires involving cooking
media. Do not subject these extinguishers to
conditions where they might freeze
Carbon Dioxide is discharged as a gas (with
small particles of snow) at extremely low
temperatures and will displace oxygen. Care
should be exercised in confined areas. If
problems occur, quickly remove the person
from the area where the gas is present, apply
artificial respiration and transport to a
physician. Avoid skin contact which could
cause cold burns.
NOTE: As required by OSHA, Safety Data Sheets
(SDS) are available for all chemicals contained in
these fire extinguishers. Contact your Amerex
distributor or Amerex Corporation. In addition, the
SDS information is contained in a special section of
all extinguisher labels. All SDS are available on the
Amerex website at www.amerex-fire.com.
MONTHLY
INSPECTION RECORD
FASTEN TO EXTINGUISHER
BEFORE INSTALLATION
DO NOT REMOVE
FOLLOW THE INSPECTION
INSTRUCTIONS IN OWNER’S MANUAL
AND ON THE EXTINGUISHER
HAVE YOUR EXTINGUISHER
PROFESSIONALLY MAINTAINED
AND RECHARGED
RECHARGE AFTER ANY USE
Date
Inspected By
Condition
IMPORTANT NOTICE TO BOAT OWNERS
If the extinguisher is to be mounted in your boat, make
sure that the proper mounting bracket is used. The
nameplate (in the area of the UL manifest) says if it is
Coast Guard approved and the mounting bracket
which MUST be used to complete the approval. You
will be cited by the Coast Guard if the correct type of
extinguisher and bracket has not been installed.
CLASSES
OF FIRES
TYPES OF
FIRES
PICTURE
SYMBOL
A
Wood, paper,
cloth, trash and
other ordinary
materials
B
Gasoline, oil,
paint and other
flammable
liquids
C
May be used on
fires involving
live electrical
equipment
without danger
to the operator
D
Combustible
metals and
combustible
metal alloys.
K
Cooking media
(Vegetable or
animal oils and
fats)
CLASSES
OF FIRES
TYPES OF
FIRES
PICTURE
SYMBOL
A
Wood, paper,
cloth, trash and
other ordinary
materials
B
Gasoline, oil,
paint and other
flammable
liquids
C
May be used on
fires involving
live electrical
equipment
without danger
to the operator
D
Combustible
metals and
combustible
metal alloys.
K
Cooking media
(Vegetable or
animal oils and
fats)
