This week, a LinkedIn post by Ed Davidson garnered some comments that disagreed with my comments about how the video should be used to show HOW NOT to respond to a fire that is (IMPO) beyond its incipient stage. As I had stated in my comments, some will celebrate the actions of those involved rather than understand the risks they took. Most of these comments were by people outside the safety profession, but a few safety people also reached out to voice their displeasure in my public comments. Here is the video… you tell me, is this an appropriate response to this process fire?
The fire involves some type of flammable/combustible liquid, most likely some type of hydraulic oil.
How many fire extinguishers are allowed to be used on a fire before we consider it to be past the “incipient stage”?
NOTE:
29 CFR 1910.155(c)(26) defines “incipient stage fire” as a fire which is in the initial or beginning stage and which can controlled or extinguished by portable fire extinguishers, class II standpipe or small hose systems without the need for protective clothing or breathing apparatus.