I just put on a fire extinguisher training for are dept. It was a last minute class and I put alot of time in the class K part. Being a fairly new concept most older guys knew very little about it I even learned a few things myself. The chief is now even ordering a class K fire extinguisher for all engines.

Any how the captain calls me today while eating lunch at a local truckstop and tells me they are using a pizza box for a lid on there deep fryer to keep the oil from spattering. LOL

My training may pay off quickly.

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When you say "fairly new concept." Are you meaning fairly new for your Department? Class K or Purple K. Has been around for a fairly long time. Especialy in any areas with industry. At the shops they had a couple Purple K extingushers that were pushing 40yrs old. (not used anymore) These two were donated by the refinery. These were the big industerial ones that are set on 2 wheeled carts.
There is a company that makes a system to pump Purple K through a hose line, the nozzel has two bailes one for water and one for purple K or any other chemical firefighting agent. This system is used by Petrol Companies.
I would say that Purple K is a neat thing. However unless there being donated to your department. I wouldn't get them. Look at your run types etc. Then get somthing you realy need.
Good luck & God Bless.
Yes new to are Dept, Even 5 years ago when I took my FFI/II they did not have a class k fire in the state test or the fire essentials 4th edition book.
Class K fire extinguisher is a foam style extinguisher. This is used for kitchen grease fires Purple K is a dry powder extinguisher. Used for flammable liquids. Purple K and class K are not the same thing.
John, does your town require K Class extinguishers in any kitchen with combustible cooking media? Does it require them to also have hood suppression systems? If yes, then you will probably never have to use the K Class extinguishers from your rigs. By the time you respond to a cooking media fire, it will have extended and become a structure fire, especially once it gets up in the hood ducts and plenum.
I agree with Brian here, chances are code already addresses the need for a K class extinguisher with kitchen systems. Chances of the FD actually finding a need to utilize such an extinguisher are slim, because by the time such a fire extends, it will no longer be just a cooking fire.

Hauling around such an extinguisher on rigs, to me, is a waste of space and a waste of money. The only extinguishers really needed on a fire rig would be a water can, a CO2, and a cartridge operated ABC....any fire beyond capabilities of an extinguisher is going to require lines.
The chief is the boss if he wants class Ks then class ks he shall have.
I hear ya. It doesn't matter if he's right or wrong, he's the Chief! What he says, goes.

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