Fire Extinguishers: A How-To Guide

8/15/2018 (Permalink)

If you've ever had a fire in your Stillwater, OK, business and had to call professionals for restoration, you understand how devastating it can be. That's why it's so important to both have a good fire extinguisher at the ready and know how to use it. Here are the steps to follow to make sure you're ready to stop a fire quickly and safely.

1. Know What You're Dealing With

Timely use of an extinguisher can prevent fire damage before it happens. But first, assess the situation. If the fire is already too large, it's a better idea to call the fire department or trigger the fire alarm and make sure you and others around you get to a safe place. If it's a fire that's small enough to be put out safely and you have ready access to a fire extinguisher, you next need to know what kind of fire it is.

2. Fire Classification

Fire experts use the following classifications for different types of fires:
• Type A Fires: plastics, rubber, wood, paper and cloth
• Type B Fires: paints, solvents, propane, gasoline and other flammable gases and liquids
• Type C Fires: plugged-in electrical equipment, including computers, wiring, fuse boxes and appliances
• Type D Fires: metals, or flakes of metal or combustible powders
• Type E Fires: fats and cooking oils, common in a kitchen fire

By looking at the side of the fire extinguisher, you can check the letter classification to make sure it's the correct type to put out the fire. Many extinguishers are rated for putting out more than one type of fire.

3. The PASS Method

Most extinguishers can be used by following the PASS method, with each letter standing for the first word of a step. The first "P" stands for "pull the pin." At the top of the extinguisher is a pin that must be removed before operation. Next comes "A" for "aim the nozzle." Aim for the bottom of the flames, where the combustible material is, not at the top. The first "S" stands for "squeeze the handle," which starts the flow of the extinguishing material, and the second "S" is for "sweep from side to side." Continue extinguishing until the fire is completely out.

Using the steps above will ensure that you're using your extinguisher correctly and can stop fire damage before it gets started. For more information, visit http://www.SERVPROstillwaterguthrie.com/.