Your employees will do their best to contain the fire until emergency responders, such as firefighters can arrive. Here is some advice on how to safely use a fire extinguisher.
Whenever a fire breaks out, everyone’s first reaction should be to stay as far away as possible. However, sometimes, your employees will do their best to contain the fire until emergency responders, such as firefighters can arrive. Here is some advice on how to safely use a fire extinguisher.
Basic Safety Tips
Before you or anyone else can start using the fire extinguisher, you must alert the other occupants in the building that there is a fire. It is important to have functional fire alarm systems and a fire evacuation plan in place. Before you can attempt to use the fire extinguisher, judge how large the fire is. Even small fires can be dangerous, so it’s important that you only use portable fire extinguishers on small fires, exercising as much caution as you can. Once the extinguisher has been used, you must report that it has been used. Although you might assume that there is a still a charge, most fire extinguishers need to be recharged after every use.
Operating Fire Extinguishers
Look at the label on the fire extinguisher. You need to know how to use one properly before any situation in which you are facing a fire. The directions on the label will help guide you on how to use the fire extinguisher safely and avoid spreading The PASS technique makes it easy to remember how you should operate the fire extinguisher.
First, Pull out the pin found in the handle. Then, Aim the extinguisher nozzle at the fire. You must remember to point the nozzle at the fire’s base, and nowhere else. Next, Squeeze the lever carefully, so you don’t release too much charge all at once. Once you’ve done that, Sweep the fire extinguisher back and forth at the base of the fire.
The Importance of Inspection
The National Fire Protection Association has set specific standards to ensure that your fire extinguishers are kept in good condition. Scheduling regular inspections for your fire extinguishers is essential because you want to be sure that they work when you need them. Make sure that the visual inspections are done every month to ensure the charge is in the green. Have your fire extinguisher company perform the NFPA 10 annual inspection every year.
Fire Prevention and Protection Services from Fireline
Whether you need smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, or an automatic sprinkler system installed at your rental property, Fireline has you covered. We have been protecting people and properties from fire damage since 1947—and our experience shows in our excellent work! We are known for our wonderful 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 located in Baltimore, MD, with a second office in Leesburg, VA. For more fire safety tips, be sure to follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Google+.