How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

While it is important to have fire extinguishers in your office and home, if you do not know how to use one properly, it will be of little use to you when a fire breaks out.

Fema Life Safety explains how to safely and effectively use a fire extinguisher in their helpful demonstration.

Here are some highlights from their demonstration:

Understand that fire extinguishers are for controlling small fires before they are able to spread.

Before using a fire extinguisher, check the fire class information on the label to ensure you are using the proper extinguisher for the fire:

The common types of fire include:

Class A:  Common combustibles
Class B:  Flammable liquids
Class C:  Equipment that is plugged in
Class D:  Cooking oils and grease

After you have determined that you have the correct extinguisher for the class of fire you are faced with, Fema then recommends using the PASS technique to activate the extinguisher and put out the fire.

1. P = Pull the Pin:  Hold the extinguisher upright and pull the pin:
   
2. A = Aim the Nozzle. Stand 8 – 10 feet from the fire and aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.  Do not get too close or aim the nozzle too high.
   
3. S = Squeeze the levers:  Once the nozzle is aimed at the base of the fire, squeeze the levers together to begin discharging the fire extinguishing agent.
   
4. S = Sweep from side-to-side:  Maintain your distance from the fire and sweep the nozzle from side to side, sweeping three to six inches beyond the right and left edges of the fire.  Discharge the extinguisher until contents are exhausted to prevent re-ignition.  Move around the fire to confirm it is completely extinguished.
   

Watch the entire video here.

At Best Security Products, we can help you with all commercial and home fire security and safety needs. Give us a call at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com