Scribd
Upload
69 views1 page

Fire Extinguishers

According to the National Fire Protection Association, most fires occur in residential structures. While a household fire extinguisher can help in an emergency, it is not a substitute for calling the fire department. Fire extinguishers are meant to aid escape from a fire, not fight large or spreading blazes. It is important to only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small and contained, know its limits, call the fire department, and have an escape plan in place. Proper use involves remembering the PASS acronym: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Uploaded by

ibnrafeeq
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
69 views1 page

Fire Extinguishers

According to the National Fire Protection Association, most fires occur in residential structures. While a household fire extinguisher can help in an emergency, it is not a substitute for calling the fire department. Fire extinguishers are meant to aid escape from a fire, not fight large or spreading blazes. It is important to only use a fire extinguisher if the fire is small and contained, know its limits, call the fire department, and have an escape plan in place. Proper use involves remembering the PASS acronym: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

Uploaded by

ibnrafeeq
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 1

Fire extinguishers 

Learn how and when to use your fire extinguisher


According to the National Fire Protection Association, 410,500 fires or 78 percent of all
reported structure fires occurred in residential structures. In the right hands, a household
fire extinguisher can save lives and protect property in case of a fire.

A fire extinguisher is no substitute for the fire


department  
According to Underwriters Laboratories (UL), the independent product safety testing and
certification organization, consumers also must remember that fire extinguishers are only
one element of necessary fire safety precaution. In case of fire, individuals always should
call the fire department, no matter how small the fire. It's also important to recognize
when to leave the building and that fire extinguishers are to be used in aid of escape - not
to fight the actual fire. Every household also needs working smoke alarms and a fire
escape plan.

"Fire extinguishers for home use are not designed to fight large or spreading fires," said
John Drengenberg, Consumer Affairs Manager at Underwriters Laboratories. "Rather
than fighting the fire, your No. 1 priority is to get out safely."

HERE ARE SOME BASIC RULES FROM UL FOR USING HOUSEHOLD FIRE
EXTINGUISHERS:
 If a fire breaks out, get everyone out of the house and then call the fire
department.
 If the fire is not spreading and is confined to a small area, use the appropriate type
of extinguisher for the fire.
 Know both your limits and the fire extinguisher's limits.
 Periodically inspect your extinguishers to determine if they need to be recharged
or replaced. Extinguishers need to be recharged or replaced after each use - even
if you haven't used the entire extinguishing agent. Check the gauge on the fire
extinguisher for this information.
 When using a portable extinguisher, always keep your back to an unobstructed
exit that is free from fire. This will allow a clear path to an exit.

"Every home should have at least one fire extinguisher, and you need the right type and
you must know how and when to use it," said Drengenberg. "Most importantly, fire
extinguishers should only be used to aid in leaving the residence in event of fire."

For proper fire extinguisher use, UL recommends practicing and remembering the word
PASS:
 Pull the pin, hold the extinguisher away from you and release the locking
mechanism
 Aim low, pointing the extinguisher at the base of the fire
 Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly
 Sweep the nozzle from side to side

You might also like