Fire Extinguishers at Work

To use your extinguishers, remember “P.A.S.S.”

Know what to do:

*When the fire alarm sounds, everyone should get out of the building and stay out.

*If fire extinguishers are available to fight small fires. Know where the closest extinguisher is located.

Before fighting a fire, be sure that:

*You know how to use the fire extinguisher and it is the correct type.

*Everyone else has left the building and someone has sounded the alarm or called the fire department.

*You have a clear escape route in case you can’t put out the fire.

Things you should know:

*It is dangerous to use water or a Class A extinguisher on a fire involving flammable liquids or energized electrical equipment.

*Class D extinguishers require specialized training.

*Class K extinguishers are used for fighting fires in commercial kitchens where combustible cooking oil is used.

*The dry chemical discharged from multi-purpose extinguishers is corrosive. It can damage electronic components if it is not cleaned up immediately.

P.A.S.S.

P. Pull the pin that unlocks the lever (Some models have a different types of lever release mechanism)

A. Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle or hose at the base of the fire.

S. Squeeze the lever above the handle to discharge the extinguisher agent. To stop the discharge, release the lever. (Some models have a button instead of a lever.)

S. Sweep the nozzle or hose from side to side. While moving carefully toward the flames, keep the nozzle aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth.

The five classes of fires:

A portable extinguisher must match the fire you’re fighting. There are five classes of fires. Extinguishers are labeled with letters and symbols for the classes of fires they can put out.

Check & match:

Class A fires involve ordinary combustibles such as wood, cloth and paper.

Class B fires involve flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil and some paints and solvents.

Class C fires involve energized electrical equipment, such as power tools, wiring, fuse boxes, computers, TVs and electric motors.

Class D fires involve combustible metals, such as magnesium and sodium. Fighting Class D fires requires specialized training.

*NFPA Tip: Important! Look at the fire extinguisher label-a red slash through any of the fire-class symbols means you must NOT use the extinguisher on that class of fire.

To use your extinguisher, remember “P.A.S.S./Pull Aim Squeeze Sweep

Fore videos, fact sheets and more go to nfpa.org/safetytips

Disclaimer: This information was taken directly from the National Fire Safety Protection Association pamphlet and I give them full credit for it. Please call the above number or check their website for more information.