FIRE FIGHTING EMERGENCY PROCEDURES: HAL AND PBE

Question 1

Use of Halon Fire Extinguisher (HAL) and Protective Breathing Equipment (PBE)

Scenario: “A fire has been discovered and another F/A has started fighting it. You take the role of an Assisting Crew Member and must obtain a PBE and Halon Fire Extinguisher to assist in fighting the fire.”

Answer 1

Action:
1. Remove PBE from the packaging by tearing open the sealed package and removing the PBE.
2. Start oxygen flow by grasping oxygen cylinders and sharply pulling them apart.
3. Don PBE properly (hands facing each other, head bent forward, neck seal spread).
4. Ensure nothing interferes with the neck seal (no hair/clothing).
5. Hold Halon Fire Extinguisher properly by using the white carrying handle.

Note: One or two-handed method of holding the extinguisher is acceptable.

6. Break hasp on Halon Fire Extinguisher by pulling back on black safeguard lever.
7. Assume the correct firefighting stance.
8. Aim at the base of the fire, discharge HAL by squeezing the red and white levers together using sweeping motion (side-to-side) to fight fire (no more than 6 feet from the fire moving closer as necessary, i.e., fire diminishes).
9. When the fire is extinguished or HAL is empty, back away from the fire (do not turn your back to the fire).
10. Remove PBE properly (hands facing each other, head bent forward, neck seal spread).
11. Using hands/fingers, brush through the hair (including facial hair, if any) to remove trapped oxygen.