Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher for a Vehicular Fire

On the 16th of this month I told you about the heroic action by two of ESC’s finest technicians, Scott Camps and Wayne Clay (ESC Commends Workmen for Roadside Heroics).

Today I’d like to expand on their story just a bit in order to assist you in better understanding what type of fire extinguisher they used, how they used it, and why they chose it instead of several other types.

When Scott and Wayne arrived on the scene of a burning car at the corner of 3rd and Mound St in Columbus, Ohio, the first thing both techs did without a single word was to grab ABC-type extinguishers.

Scott says, “Essentially ABC fires extinguisher cover 3 different classes of fire those are your most common fires, such as plastics, electrical, paper and wood. ABC fire extinguisher is a universal extinguisher you can use it on multiple fires.”

There essentially are four types of fire extinguishers to choose from: Class A: Fires that involve wood, cloth, rubber, paper, and some types of plastics. Class B: Fires that involve gasoline, oil, paint, natural and propane gases, and flammable liquids, gases, and greases. Class C: Fires that involve all the materials found in Class A and B fires, but with the introduction of an electrical appliances, wiring, or other electrically energized objects in the vicinity of the fire. Class D: Fires that involve combustible metals, such as sodium, magnesium, and potassium.

Here’s why Scott and Wayne chose an ABC fire extinguisher instead of simply throwing water on it.

“You can’t use water on a vehicle fire because you can’t use water to put out a gas- or oil-based fire. To do so would more than likely spread the fire with the other fluids that a car has,” says Scott.

He also says that because he use to be a fire fighter, he knew to approach the burning vehicle at a 45-degree angle from the front. He began spraying the vehicle at the tires to keep them from exploding. Then he sprayed under the hood.

“A burning vehicle is difficult to put the fire out because it could explode. You have the gas tank and the tires to consider,” says Wayne. “This could cause severe injuries to those nearby.”

I invite you to read on and learn more about the various fire extinguishers you have in your vehicles and your facilities (Use The Right Portable Fire Extinguisher). In addition, please use our fire extinguisher code and service page to learn even more (Fire Extinguishers).

If you need assistance, please think of ESC and be sure to give us a call. I or one of my skilled, knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist you! Call us at 614-754-1393 or send us a comment or question using our quick response forms on the right or below.

Thank you, and have a safe and prosperous day!

John Larkins
ESC Senior Partner

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ESC Commends Workmen for Roadside Heroics

In a world where so many of us look to someone else for protection when bad things take place, it’s gratifying for me to bestow a vote of thanks for two of my own ESC technicians-- Scott Camps and Wayne Clay --for the heroics they performed at the corner of 3rd and Mound as they were coming off of Rt. 70.

“We saw the smoke as we were coming off of 70,” says Scott Camps, our lead fire suppression tech at ESC. “By the time we arrived on the scene, the fire had engulfed the car.”

Scott Camps	Wayne Clay

What they did after that was well above the call of duty. They grabbed several fire extinguishers from their service truck and they began to fight the fire in an attempt to put it out.

“The fire was nearly out when the fire department arrived,” Camps finished.

So may I say thank you for a job well done to Scott Camps and Wayne Clay! I’m proud of you and so glad to have you working with us here at ESC! Frankly, everyday it’s all about safety and what Scott and Wayne did exemplifies our company’s work philosophy exactly. Thank you!

John Larkin, Senior Partner
Electronic Systems Consultants LLC

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The Value of Video Surveillance in Public and Private Spaces

To review the updated version of this informative article, click here!

John Larkin Featured in Security Sales & Integration Magazine

John Larkin, Senior Partner with Electronic Systems Consultants (#ESC_LLC) was featured in the December, 2014 issue of one of the security industry’s premier publications, Security Sales & Integration (http://bit.ly/23GuibM). The topic of conversation, service contracts, led John to share his thoughts when asked to sign a new client’s own contract.

“We like to provide our own terms and conditions with all of our contracts, and sometimes there will be occasions where these terms must be changed,” says John Larkin, senior partner with Electronic Systems Consultants of Columbus, Ohio. “When this happens it’s always done in face-to-face meetings where everyone concerned can agree on changes. If the situation escalates because of disagreements, then legal advice must be considered to move the contract forward”( How Alarm Dealers Can Raise the RMR Bar With Maintenance & Service Contracts, http://bit.ly/1maaP1e).

John has learned by experience, working in state-operated prisons throughout Ohio, that when signing any kind of service agreement that it’s necessary to know all the facts that can affect his firm’s success. At the core of this concern is the time it takes to stage service in these kinds of facilities, as well as the time it takes for a service crew to move from place to place within them.

“Our biggest concerns when working in the correctional industry is the additional time that must be accounted for when it comes to checking into the prison and the additional time it takes to get through our service/inspection because of the need to have escorts,” says Larkin. “When it comes to government facilities, you must always be concerned about getting in and out of sensitive areas. This must be planned out in advance with the end user to ensure you can provide a complete inspection or you’ll have to document what areas were not finished and the reasons why.”

It’s not every day that someone is featured in a prominent magazine of his/her peers. As an expert in security and life safety, John has had this distinction not once, but several times as the industry seeks the benefit of his experience and knowledge.

If you’re looking to install access, fire, video, or security, John Larkin can help you make the right choices for your application, situation, and budget. If you already have one or more of these systems in your facility and you’re looking to expand or change the equation, John Larkin can assist you in a variety of ways. The first step is to call him today for an on-site, eye-to-eye consultation. Call 614-754-1393 or use ESC’s quick contact form below.

Media Contact:
Allan B. Colombo
Director of ESC Social Media and Web Assets
Email: CopyWriter@Tpromo.Com
Phone: 614-585-2091
Web: www.Tpromo.Com

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