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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

4 Steps for Using a Fire Extinguisher

10/31/2020 (Permalink)

Use the P.A.S.S technique

Follow These Steps To Extinguish A Small Fire

In the event of a fire in Leawood, KS, it is important that all staff and workers have been briefed on how to operate a fire extinguisher. There are several different types of extinguishers, but the basics are quite consistent across brands and models. Most can be readied in four simple steps.

1. Pull
For safety, all fire extinguishers have a pin built in to prevent accidental activation. There is a ring on the end of the pin that can be grabbed and pulled. Additionally, in commercial buildings, there may be a zip tie attached to the pin. This is in place to let the fire department know that the device has been used and needs to be replaced. In the event of a fire, it should be no issue; it is made to be easily broken. After this, the extinguisher will fire, so be careful not to accidentally use it prematurely.

2. Aim
Arguably the most important step is to aim in the direction of the fire. Hold the lower lever with your right hand, and hold the hose close to the end with your other hand. When holding the end, don't put your hand on the cone-shaped nozzle. It will get extremely cold due to the release of pressure. Be sure to aim at the fuel source of the fire, not the flames themselves. The fire extinguisher will be largely ineffective if aimed only at the flames.

3. Squeeze
Next, using the hand that is holding the lever, firmly grasp the upper lever with the palm of your hand while keeping your fingers on the lower lever. Squeeze and close your hand while continuing to aim at the fuel source of the fire.

4. Sweep
Move the hose back and forth across the source of the fire while continuing to squeeze. With caution, move closer as the flames die down. Be sure to extinguish any glowing embers that can be leftover from the flames because they may reignite. Greases or oils, especially those involved in a kitchen fire, are prone to reignition.
Following these steps should allow you to safely extinguish a small fire. However, if the flames do not go out, or, if they flare, be sure to exit the building immediately. After emergency crews extinguish these flames, it is best to contact a professional cleanup service to deal with any fire damage.

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