Handling a fire on your farm is easier when proper safety equipment is in place, and fire extinguishers are one of the crucial elements.

Fire extinguishers should be located in the following areas: workshop, barns, farm vehicles, combines, balers, tractors, and in the house.

In the stores you see many types and sizes of extinguishers, so which ones should you buy? Well, that depends on the location and the class of fire that may start in that location. Remember, if you use the wrong type of extinguisher, you may cause a more severe problem! Here is the type of fire extinguisher needed for a particular location:

Workshop

10 pound dry chemical, multi-purpose ABC extinguisher5 pound dry chemical ABC extinguisher

Barns

10 pound dry chemical, multi-purpose ABC extinguisher2.5 gallon pressurized water extinguisher

Farm Vehicles

5 pound dry chemical, multi-purpose ABC extinguisher

Combines

10 pound dry chemical, multi-purpose ABC extinguisher2.5 gallon pressurized water extinguisher

Balers

2.5 gallon pressurized water extinguisher

Tractors

10 pound dry chemical, multi-purpose ABC extinguisher

Silos

20 pound dry chemical, multi-purpose ABC extinguisher2.5 gallon pressurized water extinguisher

The ABCs of Proper Fire Extinguisher Use

What does "ABC" mean when it comes to fire extinguishers? Just remember this rule of thumb:

A is for ASHES. Ash fires are: wood, cloth, hay, straw, or any material that will burn to an ash.

B is for BARRELS. Barrel fires are: paints, petroleum products, and other flammable liquids.

C is for CURRENT. Current fires are: motors, engines, electrical, etc.

Here are just a few more quick tips on proper fire extinguisher practices to implement around your farm or acreage:

• Fire extinguishers with DRY CHEMICAL will last approximately one second for every pound of dry chemical in the extinguisher. For example, a 10 pounder would last 10 seconds.
• WATER fire extinguishers will last 30 seconds for every gallon of water. For example, a 2.5 gallon water extinguisher will last 75 seconds.
• All vehicle and machinery fire extinguishers should be mounted on the outside near the door.
• Fire extinguishers for buildings should be mounted near the exit doors.
• Some balers are equipped with bracket mounting areas on both sides of the baler.
• Fire extinguishers should be inspected monthly, and have a tag with the date of the last inspection.
• Turn all dry chemical extinguishers upside down and tap them on the bottom to loosen the powder stored in them. The indicator on the extinguisher shows the charge of gas (nitrogen) that will force the powder out.
• Train everyone over the age of 12 in the use of fire extinguishers. They should also know how to get everyone out of danger; call the fire department; and fight small fires only.

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