Theatre Catalog (1946-47)

Sih a t pe _ PUMP TANK EXTINGUISHERS should be placed wherever fires in wood, textiles, rubbish, or papers are likely to occur. Holding extinguisher firm with foot pedal, direct the nozzle wiih one hand and operate the pump with the other. Drench the entire area. This kind of extinguisher uses water as its extinguishing agent and so should be protected from freezing. Anti-freeze chemicals in proper strength can be added. (General Detroit photograph.) Most extinguishers are made in several sizes, according to the size of the hazard they may be selected to protect. Here only the most common sizes of the six main types of fire extinguishers of value in theatre will be discussed. Soda-Acid Extinguishers The soda-acid extinguisher contains water in which sodium bicarbonate has been dissolved. The bottle in the top of the extinguisher contains sulphuric acid. When you turn the extinguisher upside down, the chemicals mix, forming carbondioxide gas, which forces the water out of the extinguisher. The capacity of most extinguishers of this type is 2% gallons, and they provide a 30to 40-foot stream which lasts for about a minute. This extinguisher can be carried to the fire by the ring at the top. To operate it, first take the nozzle between the thumb and forefinger of the right hand. Then, still holding the nozzle, and with the other fingers of the right hand still hooked around the top handle, lift the extinguisher and grab the handle at the bottom with your left hand. Now, turn the extinguisher over, releasing the top handle, but not the nozzle. The extinguisher then hangs upside down in your left hand, and your right hand is free to direct the stream on the fire. For some people, it may be easier to set the extinguisher on the floor, keeping the every 2,500 square feet of floor area, and they should be so placed that it will be unnecessary to travel more than 50 feet from any point in the building to an extinguisher. In addition to having enough extinguishers available, it is important to provide suitable types near each fire hazard. Selection of the right kind of extinguisher may save lives and prevent damage to property. The inspection label on every Underwriters’-approved extinguisher indicates for which classes of fire the unit is approved and, in this way, serves as a guide to the proper selection of equipment for specific hazards. Vital, too, is the training of personnel in the handling of fire-extinguishing equipment so that, because of mistakes, time will not be lost in an emergency. Fire, while it may be disastrous wherever it occurs, is apt to be especially so in dimly lighted and crowded buildings. You can protect your theatre by taking every possible means to prevent fire, then arming against its outbreak with plenty of reliable, approved fire-fighting equipment. Your safety program—as well as your entertainment program—should receive first consideration in the management of your theatre. RIGHT KIND OF EXTINGUISHER The most common ways to extinguish fires are, as has been noted, cooling, smothering, and separating the flame from the material. Probably the two most often applied are the methods of cooling and smothering, and it is these principles which are basic to the construction of fire extinguishers. The fact that there are different kinds of fire and different types of extinguishers seems complicated at first. But, actually, it is all quite simple, once you get 1946-47 THEATRE CATALOG nozzle in the right hand. Because the solution emitted consists mainly of water, the use of this type of extinguisher, like the pump tank, is limited to Class A fires. Soda-acid extinguishers may be placed in the lobby, auditorium, entrance hall, and other places where fires in ordinary combustible materials are likely to break out. a picture of the various extinguishers in your mind and know what they contain. To make things even simpler, every extinguisher in a public place, in a theatre, on a bus, and so on, is usually of a type that is right for the kind of materials being protected. VAPORIZING LIQUID EXTINGUISHERS may be used on all Class B and Class C fires. They are small and easy to use. To operate, remove extinguisher from bracket, turn handle either way to release safety lock. Aim extingvisher and use pumping action. Direct stream around the outer edge or side of the burning materials to smother the flame. This type of hand fire extinguisher does not need protection from freezing. (General Detroit photo.) 485