Fire extinguisher training is critical for appropriate fire safety in commercial spaces.
Fire safety is a critical aspect of workplace preparedness, and knowing how to use a fire extinguisher can mean the difference between a minor incident and a catastrophic event. While it’s essential to have fire extinguishers placed strategically around your workplace, ensuring your staff knows how to use them properly is equally important. Implementing effective fire extinguisher training for staff can save lives, reduce property damage, and maintain safety compliance in your organization.
Understand the Importance of Fire Extinguisher Training
Before diving into the training process, it’s essential to understand why this training is so critical. Fires can spread quickly, often leaving only a small window of time to act before they become unmanageable. With proper training, employees can use fire extinguishers to contain or extinguish small fires before they spread.
Effective training can also prevent panic during an emergency and ensures that staff knows when it is appropriate to use an extinguisher and when to evacuate instead. Additionally, fire safety training is often a requirement for compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations, so ensuring your team is well-trained can help your organization avoid fines or penalties.
Assess Your Workplace Fire Hazards
Before beginning training, it’s crucial to assess the specific fire risks present in your workplace. Different environments face different types of fire hazards, and understanding these will guide the type of extinguisher training needed.
For example, in an office setting, fires may start from electrical equipment or paper, while in a manufacturing environment, flammable liquids or chemicals may be the primary risk. Identifying these hazards will ensure that the training covers the correct types of fire extinguishers and their use.
Choose the Right Type of Fire Extinguisher
Not all fire extinguishers are created equal, and each one is designed to tackle specific types of fires. Common types of fire extinguishers include:
- Class A: For fires involving ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth.
- Class B: For fires involving flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, or oil.
- Class C: For electrical fires involving energized equipment.
- Class D: For fires involving metals.
- Class K: For kitchen fires involving cooking oils and fats.
Your staff needs to know which extinguisher is appropriate for each type of fire. As part of the training, make sure employees can identify the extinguishers in your workplace and know how to use them effectively.
Create a Comprehensive Training Program
Effective fire extinguisher training for staff should go beyond just teaching the basics of how to use an extinguisher. Here’s how you can create a training program that covers all necessary aspects:
The PASS Method
The most commonly taught method for using a fire extinguisher is the PASS technique:
- P: Pull the pin to break the seal.
- A: Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
- S: Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent.
- S: Sweep from side to side, continuing until the fire is extinguished.
This method should be demonstrated live, with staff given the opportunity to practice it themselves.
When to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Equally important to knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is knowing when to use it. Employees should be trained to:
- Evaluate the size of the fire. If it is too large or spreading quickly, it’s safer to evacuate.
- Ensure that they have a clear exit behind them before attempting to use an extinguisher.
- Understand that fire extinguishers are only for small fires and should not be used in environments where smoke is overwhelming or the fire is rapidly escalating.
Hands-On Training
The best way to ensure effective fire extinguisher training for staff is to partake in hands-on training methods. Fireline offers fire extinguisher training that provides the necessary instruction and practice to give your employees the knowledge and confidence they need to handle any kind of fire.
Fire Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your commercial property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and property from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our superb customer service, our expertise, and our reliability. For more information on how we can help your residential or commercial property, visit us online or give us a call at (800) 553-3405. We are in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.