Fire Extinguisher Use & Procedures

A fire extinguisher is an important piece of safety equipment, allowing people to put out small fires before they get out of control. In larger fires, they can be used to clear a path to escape the building. Like many other pieces of safety gear, not knowing how to use one can make a fire extinguisher more of a danger than a help.

Kinds of Fire Extinguishers

• Fires start for different reasons. Depending on what's burning, some fire extinguishers are not just ineffectual, they can actually make things worse. For example, pouring water on a grease fire just floats burning grease on the top of the water. Fire extinguishers are divided into four types for four different kinds of fires A: for common combustibles, B for flammable liquids, C for electrical fires and D for burning metals. Most modern home fire extinguishers are good for types A through C. Type D fires are usually only found in industrial situations.

Using a Fire Extinguisher

• Use the PASS method to use a fire extinguisher, which stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Pull the pin, pointing the stream away from you. Aim low, at the base of the fire. Squeeze the lever. Sweep the spray side to side. At all times, remember that the extinguisher is designed to put out small fires. If you can't extinguish the fire right away, use the extinguisher to help you escape.

Maintenance

• You should have your fire extinguisher recharged annually by a certified recharger. When recharging, the contractor will do a quick check for any damage or other maintenance issues you need to address.

  Another important aspect of maintenance is practice. Like any other task you'll need to perform under pressure, you should practice firing your fire extinguisher at a target. This is best done the morning before your appointment with the recharging service and should never be done on an actual, live fire.