Guide To Use A Fire Extinguisher

Every other commercial and industrial premise is armed with fire extinguishers. For safety purposes, it is mandatory to have a fire extinguisher in public spaces and private property, including houses and cottages.   

But it's not enough to simply put them in places. Most people don't know how to use a fire extinguisher. What good it will do if you have a fire extinguisher lying around and do not know how to use it. Fire hazards are most common and dangerous in case the fire gets out of control.

So, it's important to know how to use a fire extinguisher because, in an emergency, you will not only save yourself but also the lives of others.

But first, let's focus on when to use the fire extinguisher

Mentioned down below is the list of things to consider before you try to put out a fire:

Is the fire small enough to contain that you can safely put it out?

Is the extinguisher available within range?

Is the extinguisher fully charged? Always remember that you recharge fire extinguisher as an empty one is of no use to you in an emergency. 

Is the extinguisher long enough to put out the fire recharge fire extinguisher?

Is the extinguisher of the proper type to put the class type fire?

Are you certain of your or others safety if you choose to use the extinguisher?

If the answers to all these questions can be yes, then you are safe to use a fire extinguisher.

Moreover, through this guide, you will learn all the important facts about fire extinguishers.

Understand the basics:

First, you need to know that different types of fire and different extinguishers are used to put out the fire.

Different types of fires are:

Class A: these fires are fueled with combustible materials like paper, wood, cloth, etc.

Class B: these fires are fueled by flammable liquid or gas like oil, gasoline, grease etc.

Class C: These fires are fueled with energized electrical equipment like appliances, faulty wirings & other tools.

Class D: These materials are fueled by combustible metals like titanium, magnesium etc.

Class K: these fires are fueled by cooking oils and grease and include vegetable oil & animal fat.

Class F: this usually includes fire from cooking oil and fats such as deep-fat fryers.

Most of the time, fire extinguishers are labelled with clear pictures and class letters to indicate what type of extinguishers to use for different class type fires.

Types of fire extinguishers are:

Water Extinguisher: these are most commonly used to cover Class A and C fires.

Note that water fire extinguishers have red labels.

CO2 Extinguisher: these are used for Class B fires and electric risk fires.

Note that Co2 extinguishers have a black label.

Foam Extinguisher: these are used for covering both Class A and B fires. These are not suitable for free-flowing liquid fires.

 Note that foam extinguishers have a cream label.

Powder Extinguisher: these are multi-purpose extinguishers and can be used for Class A, B and C fires. These are usually not recommended to use indoors as these create visibility loss and breathing problems.

Note that powder extinguishers have a blue label. 

Wet chemical extinguishers: these are used on Class A, B and F fires (cooking oil and fats).

Note that wet chemicals have a yellow label.

Fire Blankets: these smother the fire by stopping the access of the oxygen and extinguishing it.

How to use a fire extinguisher?

Remember P.A.S.S. while using a fire extinguisher:

PULL out the safety pin.

A.I.M. the nozzle low towards the base of fire from a safe distance.

SQUEEZE the lever to discharge the extinguisher agent.

SWEEP the nozzle from side to side until the fire is extinguished.

Fire extinguishers always need to be accessible to stop the fire from spreading. However, a little learning how to use an extinguisher will take you a step further towards safety.