How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Fire extinguishers are designed to save lives and property by controlling and preventing the spread of fire. They contain a pressurized agent that can be used to put out a small fire, but they must be used correctly in order to work. They must be kept up to date in order to stay effective. Most jurisdictions require that fire extinguishers be inspected every 30 days, and they must be recharged once a year in most cases. This is usually done by a professional service technician who uses a special test to ensure the unit is in good working order.

There are several types of fire extinguishers available, depending on the type of fire you are fighting. Some common fire extinguishers are dry powder, foam, and carbon dioxide. Dry powder and foam extinguishers can be used on class A fires, while carbon dioxide can be used on classes B and C fires, as well as some electrical fires (if not live wired).

Always keep an exit door open when fighting a fire. If possible, get everyone out of the building, and make sure the fire department is called from outside. Always mount fire extinguishers out of the reach of children, and keep the instructions so you can review them if needed. In the event of a fire, you should be familiar with the PASS method for using an extinguisher:

PULL – Pull the pin to unlock the operating lever. AIM LOW – Point the nozzle low at the base of the fire. SQUEEZE – Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent. SWEEP – Sweep the nozzle from side to side across the fire. Repeat as necessary until the fire appears to be out, then watch the area.

For larger fires, there are also hand-held portable fire suppression systems that use the same PASS method to operate. They use an external cartridge that is charged with a dry chemical, such as AFFF (Aqueous Film Forming Foam) in the United States or fire retardant powder in the rest of the world. They are typically charged with either nitrogen or halon gas, although halon is being phased out in new production because of its effects on the ozone layer.

There are also stored pressure types that are similar to the ABC dry chemical extinguishers, but they store the agent as a liquid instead of as a powder. These are often the most commonly used, as they can be discharged multiple times and are very easy to use. There are also cartridge-operated extinguishers that are used primarily in offices, and these are very useful for class B fires. They are very easy to use, and the specialized nozzles allow you to get close to the electronics that can be affected by the foam. The only drawback is that they must be recharged immediately after use, and they are more expensive than ABC type models.