Using A Fire Extinguisher

5/14/2020 (Permalink)

If you have a fire and need cleanup from the flames or from extinguisher mess, you can contact SERVPRO® of Vancouver/ Clark County at 360-254-0049

An emergency is no time to be learning safety techniques; especially when that emergency is a fire. They spread quickly and before you know it they’re out of control. If you and your loved ones learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher prior to a fire, you could increase the chances of a speedy response and reduce the amount of damage or injury. OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) has a couple of informational pages on their website dedicated to this topic, but we would like to share some of the information with people who follow us.

In case of a fire, sound the fire alarm. If needed, call the fire department. Safety plans should be in place so that you can quickly identify a safe evacuation path; somewhere that won’t allow the fire, heat, or smoke to block the exit. Before a fire happens, the appropriate type of fire extinguisher should have been bought and placed somewhere where it can be quickly grabbed and used. It is always possible for a fire to flame up again after it has been extinguished, so once the initial flames have been put out back away to avoid being caught by a second blaze. Along these lines, if the extinguisher is empty and the fire is not out, evacuate the premises immediately of any people or animals. Once evacuated, contact fire officials if you haven’t already and wait for them to arrive at the scene.

When it comes to using a fire extinguisher, there is an easy way to remember exactly what to do. OSHA says you should just remember to P.A.S.S.

• Pull - Pull the pin. This will also break the tamper seal.
• Aim - Aim low, pointing the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze - Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
• Sweep - Sweep from side to side at the base of the fire until it appears to be out. Watch the area. If the fire re-ignites, repeat steps 2 - 4.

These steps will make it easy for adults and children to remember what to do in case of a fire.

Just remember that while it is possible for you to contain and extinguish a fire, it is important to know when to get out of a situation to keep yourself safe. Items are replaceable. People are not.

Information retrieved from

https://www.osha.gov/SLTC/etools/evacuation/portable_use.html