Follow fire safety guidelines to protect equipment and lives.

Fire can spread rapidly and be very costly. When working with
computer components, always consider the possibility of an
accidental fire and know how to react. Proper use of a fire
extinguisher can prevent a small fire from getting out of control.
If there is a fire, you should follow these safety procedures:
• Always have a planned fire escape route before beginning
any work.

• Never fight a fire that is out of control or not contained.

• Get out of the building quickly.

• Contact emergency services for help.

 In the United States, there are four classifications for
fire extinguishers. A different letter, color, and shape
identify each fire extinguisher classification.

Each fire extinguisher has specific chemicals to fight

each specific type of fire as follows:
• Class A: Effective for fires burning paper, wood, plastics, and
cardboard materials.

• Class B: Effective for fires burning gasoline, kerosene, or

organic solvents.

• Class C: Effective for fires burning electrical equipment.

• Class D: Effective for fires burning combustible metals, such

as magnesium and titanium.
Fire extinguisher classifications might vary
by country. It is important to know how to
use a fire extinguisher.
Use the memory aid P-A-S-S to help you remember
the basic rules of fire extinguisher operation:

✓ P: Pull the pin.

✓ A: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames.
✓ S: Squeeze the lever.
✓ S: Sweep the nozzle from side to side.
 Electrostatic discharge (ESD) is commonly known as
“static electricity.” These discharges occur when an electric
charge is built up then transferred to another object, often
accompanied by a visible spark. This can cause product
defects or lead to unsafe circumstances.
 To keep workers safe, clothing and personal wear must also be
regulated in manufacturing environments. Workers should be
outfitted in ESD safe shoes, outerwear, and ESD safe gloves. This
means wearing shoes with static-dissipating soles and ESD safe, anti-
static gloves to minimize any risk of electrical charge.
 Individuals can use other ESD safe tools like Anti Static
Wrist Bands as a means for dissipating any static electricity
that the user may experience into the ground. These straps
also help protect the user from hazardous discharge from
objects. For example, when opening a computer case, an ESD
wrist strap connected to a non-painted metal part of the
computer case can protect the wearer from any electrical
charge.
 The general workspace, including flooring, should
follow safety regulations. Common flooring materials
such as wood, epoxy, and resin dissipate electrical
charge slowly. These materials act as insulators that hold
a charge instead of allowing it to flow through. To
mitigate this, flooring mats can be used in conjunction
with table mats in labs to redirect the effects of an ESD.
 Rubberized Mats are used on the ground and surfaces to
disperse any electrical charge into a shared ground point.
When used in conjunction, ESD safe flooring materials and
static-dissipating shoes provide proper grounding paths for
dissolving electrostatic charges that can be generated when
walking.
ESD, harsh climates, and poor-quality sources of electricity can
cause damage to computer equipment.
• Follow the proper handling guidelines.
• Be aware of environmental issues.
• Use apparatus that stabilizes power to prevent equipment
damage and data loss.