| Every RVer should know what safety devices are | | | | of fire they are used for was with the letter A, B, C |
| available on their RV and understand how to use | | | | or D |
| them. Most RVs regardless of what type or what | | | | Newer style labeling for fire extinguishers includes a |
| size it is will come equipped with several safety | | | | picture designating the type of fire it is used for. |
| devices. There are four different types, or classes of | | | | If it can be used for multiple types of fires it will |
| fire extinguishers, A, B, C, and D, and each type is | | | | show the pictures for the types of fires it can be |
| for a specific type of fire. Some fire extinguishers | | | | used for and it will have a red diagonal line through |
| have multi class ratings like, AB, BC or ABC which | | | | the picture of what it cannot be used for. |
| means one fire extinguisher can be used to put out | | | | Once everybody understands the different types of |
| different types of fires. The National Fire Protection | | | | fire extinguishers the next step is to teach |
| Agency rules that RV's must have a "BC" rated fire | | | | everybody how to properly use a fire extinguisher. |
| extinguisher near the exit. "BC" rated fire | | | | There are different types and sizes of fire |
| extinguishers are used for flammable liquids and | | | | extinguishers, but for the most part they all work the |
| gasses like grease, gasoline and oil, and for electrical | | | | same way. Teach everybody to remember the word |
| fires. Many RV fires that happen inside an RV are | | | | PASS. This is an easy way to remember how to use |
| type A fires caused by common combustibles like | | | | a fire extinguisher, especially during an emergency. |
| paper, and they require a type A fire extinguisher to | | | | PASS stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. |
| put them out. This is why, in my opinion you need | | | | - Pull the pin located at the top of the fire |
| more than one fire extinguisher for your RV. It's a | | | | extinguisher. |
| good idea to keep a BC type fire extinguisher in an | | | | - Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. |
| outside storage compartment where it is easily | | | | - Squeeze the handle, standing approximately 8 feet |
| accessible. You should also keep a BC type fire | | | | away from the fire. Release the handle if you want it |
| extinguisher inside the RV and keep an A type fire | | | | to stop. |
| extinguisher inside the RV. If you tow a trailer keep a | | | | - Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of |
| BC type fire extinguisher in the tow vehicle too. | | | | the fire until it is out. Observe the fire to make sure |
| Having these fire extinguishers available is a great | | | | it does not re-ignite. Most important, do not risk your |
| idea but they are worthless if you and the other | | | | personal safety, or the safety of others, attempting |
| people traveling in the RV don't know what type of | | | | to put a fire out. The first step is to get everybody |
| fire they are used for and how to properly use them. | | | | out of the RV and away from the fire safely. Have |
| Get everybody who will be in the RV together, and | | | | somebody call 911 for help, and if you can't extinguish |
| make sure they understand the different types of | | | | the fire within the first minute or so let the |
| fire extinguishers you have and where they are | | | | professionals put it out. |
| located in the event of an emergency. The old style | | | | Happy Camping! Mark |
| labeling for fire extinguishers, to designate what type | | | | Copyright 2006 by Mark J. |