How to safely use a fire extinguisher

9/25/2019 (Permalink)

P.A.S.S. method

P.A.S.S. Method

Your commercial building in Louisville, KY must be equipped with enough fire extinguishers that anyone who needs to do so can reach one quickly in an emergency. It doesn't do a lot of good to have a fire extinguisher nearby, however, if your employees don't know how to use it properly. Every person in your building needs to understand the four basic steps of the P.A.S.S. method.

1. Pull

Every canister is equipped with a safety feature that keeps it from releasing its contents spontaneously. There is a seal and a pin that holds it in place. Before you can use the extinguisher, you have to pull the pin out and break the seal.

2. Aim

You may notice that your extinguisher comes equipped with a hose. If you aim the hose at the top of the flames, however, you won't get the coverage you need. To prevent extensive fire damage that requires professional restoration services, you have to aim the hose at the base of the fire.

3. Squeeze

The fire extinguisher has a handle that allows you to release the contents of the canister. To do so, you must squeeze the handle so that the extinguishing agent comes out the end of the hose, allowing you to direct it at the base of the fire where it's aimed.

4. Sweep

If you have a small kitchen fire in your break room, you can probably put it out with the contents of the extinguisher. To do so, you need to make sure the entire base of the fire is covered in the agent that is released. Make a sweeping motion back and forth until the fire goes out or you run out of agent.
If the contents of a fire extinguisher do not put the fire out, don't grab another extinguisher. Call the fire department so that the professionals can take over. In many cases, however, using an extinguisher correctly will put out the fire and prevent a larger problem.