Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher properly is essential
when attempting to control and put out a fire. If you are the first to encounter
a fire, it’s important to remain calm and determine immediately whether you
will attempt to control it yourself or evacuate the building and call 911. If
you have any doubts about how to use a fire extinguisher, the best course of
action is to evacuate and call 911.
If you feel prepared to put out the fire yourself, the first and second steps will be identifying the fire’s classification and determining if the fire extinguisher you have is capable of extinguishing it. It is crucial to not use an unlabeled or unqualified fire extinguisher. If you cannot identify the class of fire or type of fire extinguisher, evacuate the building and call 911.
If you feel prepared to put out the fire yourself, the first and second steps will be identifying the fire’s classification and determining if the fire extinguisher you have is capable of extinguishing it. It is crucial to not use an unlabeled or unqualified fire extinguisher. If you cannot identify the class of fire or type of fire extinguisher, evacuate the building and call 911.
Distinguished by the fuel source, fires have four classifications:
- Class A – fires are fueled by
wood, paper, trash, and most plastics. Fire extinguishers capable of
extinguishing this class of fire are labeled with a green triangle and the
letter A.
- Class B – fires are fueled by
combustible liquids such as kerosene, gasoline, or cooking oils. Fire
extinguishers capable of extinguishing this type of fire are labeled with
a red square and the letter B.
- Class C – fires are fueled by
electricity or electrical equipment. Fire extinguishers capable of
extinguishing this type of fire are labeled with a blue circle and the
letter C.
- Class D – fires are fueled by combustible metals such as magnesium or sodium. Fire extinguishers capable of extinguishing this type of fire are labeled with a yellow star and the letter D.
Once you have correctly identified the fire’s classification
and determined that you have the appropriate fire extinguisher, you can approach
the task of putting out the fire. Outlined below, the simplest and most
effective manner of using a fire extinguisher is the P.A.S.S. procedure:
1. Pull the safety pin from the handle of
the fire extinguisher.
2. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
Stand about six feet away from the fire when aiming the nozzle.
3. Squeeze the trigger mechanism firmly to
dispense the fire suppression material from the extinguisher.
4. Sweep the hose in a side-to-side
fashion at the base of the fire until the extinguisher is empty.
Once the fire
extinguisher is empty, evacuate the building and call 911.
It is essential to note that all fires are dangerous and if
you have any doubts about the size or classification of the fire, the labeling
of the fire extinguisher, or your confidence in using the extinguisher
correctly, it’s not worth risking anyone’s life; always call 911 instead.
At Hunkins & Eaton, the safety of you and your loved
ones is important to us. For additional safety tips and other valuable
resources, please read our other blog posts and connect with us on Facebook,
Twitter, and Google+.
Photo Credit: MarkBuckawicki (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commons
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