How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

A fire extinguisher can be a great asset in any workplace, especially if you’re trained to use it properly. Not only can it help to snuff out small flames, but it can also clear a path for escape and prevent a bigger disaster from occurring. Fire extinguishers should always be within arm’s reach and employees should be familiar with the usage instructions.

Local and state fire codes, along with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), establish requirements for fire extinguishers in most businesses. These requirements include ensuring that the device is fully charged and maintained, and that it is tested annually for proper operation. The NFPA, National Fire Protection Association, has developed an easy-to-follow step-by-step guide to using a fire extinguisher. It’s known as the PASS technique and it stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep.

First, pull the pin located at the top of the extinguisher’s handle – this breaks a tamper seal and allows you to discharge the agent. Aim low – point the hose or nozzle at the base of the fire rather than the flames – as this will help to break the chain reaction and smother the fire. Then, squeeze the lever – this depresses a pressure gauge and causes the extinguishing agent to be discharged. Finally, sweep the hose or nozzle from side to side until it covers all aspects of the fire.

Different types of fires are categorized based on the combustible material involved: Class A fires involve ordinary organic materials like paper or wood; Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as gasoline or cooking oils; and Class C fires are those that occur in electrical equipment. Different fire extinguishers are used for each of these categories.

A dry chemical fire extinguisher, such as a red or yellow one, uses sodium bicarbonate to fight a fuel fire by interrupting the chain reaction of the burning material. A specialty variation — the blue/red or K type — uses a potassium solution to fight fats and oils by cooling the fire and creating a soapy film that blocks the surface from ignition.

Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers use a gas to smother a fire, and they can be used on Class A, Class B, or Class C fires. It’s important to remember that a CO2 fire extinguisher is not safe for people or pets, and it has a limited range.

Foam fire extinguishers use a liquid or gel to smother a fire by coating the fuel with a frothy blanket, thereby cutting off its oxygen supply. It’s best to apply foam fire extinguishers in short bursts and not to attempt to dispense a whole lot at once. This helps to conserve the firefighting agent, and it also helps to avoid a potentially hazardous “flashback” that can be caused by spraying too much foam at once.

Tags:fire and fire extinguisher | fire extinguisher | fire extinguisher fire