Fire is one the most dangerous natural hazards that we face today. Thousands of people die each year as a result of fires in their homes, businesses, or automobiles. Many of these deaths could have been prevented through cautionary measures such as the proper use of fire extinguishers. When properly used, a fire extinguisher is a tool that can not only protect property from being destroyed, but lives from being lost as well. When a person is confronted with a fire and they choose to attempt to fight it, a number of steps must be taken. They must assess the danger present in the fire, both at present and in the immediate future, find an appropriate fire extinguisher with which to fight the flames, and then properly use the fire extinguisher to put out the fire. Failing to perform any one of these tasks properly could mean the difference between life and death.
The first step in using a fire extinguisher is to make sure that it can be effectively used to fight the fire. Many people lose their lives by using fire fighting equipment that simply isn’t up to the job. Someone attempting to put out a fire must make sure that the fire is small enough to be fought with the equipment at hand – usually a lone person and a single fire extinguisher. The person should make sure that the fire is not near any explosive or highly flammable materials, such as fuel spills or pressurized containers. These items can become extremely hazardous will little or no warning. The person should also have a clear path of escape from the area in case the fire suddenly becomes too big to handle. For example, a trash can in a picnic area outside that catches on fire should be small enough and easy enough to escape that a typical person could attempt to put it out. If the entire wall of an office is on fire, though, the fire is probably too big to handle, and everyone’s focus should be on escape.
The next step is to determine if the available fire extinguisher is suitable for the fire. Fires are rated in four classes based on the fuel they burn. Class A fires are ordinary combustible materials, such as trash, wood, or plastic. Class B fires are chemical fires, such as those fires fed by gasoline or kerosene. Class C fires are electrical fires, such as overheating circuit breakers or computer equipment. Finally, Class D fires are fires fed by dangerous metals, such as magnesium. All fire extinguishers are labelled to indicate which type of fires they are rated for, based on the composition of the materials inside used to extinguish the flame. A pressurized water fire extinguisher, for example, is only rated for Class A fires, since water is not suitable for putting out chemical fires, and can actually make electrical fires worse. It is important to note that very few commercially available fire extinguishers are rated for Class D fires. These fires are best left to professional firefighters.
Once an appropriate fire extinguisher has been selected, the person fighting the fire is now ready to use the extinguisher. The steps to remember when activating a fire extinguisher are best remembered using the acronym PASS. The P stands for “Pull the pin,” the safety mechanism that keeps the fire extinguisher from going off accidentally when not in use. The A stands for “Aim the fire extinguisher” at the base of the fire, not at the top of the flames. The first S stands for “Squeeze the handle,” firmly and completely, to start the flow of the fire retardant. The second S stands for “Sweep the nozzle” side to side, from corner to corner, until the fire is put out. It is important to check to see that the fire is completely out before stopping the fire extinguishing effort.
By following these steps, you can safely put out most small, manageable fires in your home or office. The most important tool you can have to put out fires is a fire extinguisher, but the most important thing you need is the proper education and mindset on fire extinguisher usage.