Fire Extinguishers

How to Use A Portable Extinguisher

To properly use a fire extinguisher, we recommend using the acronym, P. A. S. S.

P...Pull the pin.
A...Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the base of the flames.
S...Squeeze the trigger while holding the extinguisher upright.
S...Sweep the extinguisher from side to side, covering the area of the fire with the extiguishing agent.

  • If your path of escape is threatened
  • If the extinguisher runs out of agent
  • If the extinguisher proves to be ineffective
  • If you are no longer able to safely fight the fire
LEAVE THE AREA IMMEDIATELY AND SEEK HELP!

Fire Extinguisher Ratings

Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish.

Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that a non-expert person can expect to extinguish.

Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires. This class of fire extinguishers does not have a numerical rating. The presence of the letter "C" indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive.

Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. There is no picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.