As a Brevard commercial fire extinguisher service, it’s important to us that our clients are both knowledgeable about the fire extinguisher on their property and capable of using it in an emergency situation. 

A portable fire extinguisher can successfully put out a small fire, or contain a larger one until the fire department arrives. In fact, the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association) has found that fire extinguishers can effectively put out 80% of all fires, and when a fire extinguisher is used successfully, 75% of the time the fire department is not required to attend the incident. 

But part of using a fire extinguisher is knowing how to use it correctly. And as a Brevard commercial fire extinguisher service, we’re here to fill you in.

How To Use A Fire Extinguisher

Make Sure You Have The Right One

There are multiple types of fire extinguishers, and each extinguisher is intended for specific kinds of fire:

• Class A extinguishers are commonly found in homes and businesses and are designed for use with ordinary materials, such as paper, wood, or cloth.

• Class B extinguishers are also found in homes and businesses and can extinguish fires caused by combustible or flammable liquids like gasoline, oil, or grease.

• Class C extinguishers are usually found in most homes or businesses and are for use on electrical fires caused by appliances or other equipment.

• Class D extinguishers are commonly found in industrial environments and are designed for use on flammable metals.
• Class K extinguishers are found in commercial kitchens and can extinguish fires started by oils and fats that are often used when cooking.

Make Sure It’s Safe To Use Your Extinguisher

A fire extinguisher isn’t appropriate for every situation. Go through this mental checklist to make sure that it’s safe to use your extinguisher, or if it’s best to simply evacuate the building:

• Is the fire confined to a small area, like a wastebasket or stove?
• Is the fire not growing larger?
• Has everyone evacuated the building?
• Has the fire department been called?
• Is the room clear of smoke?

If you answered yes to all of these questions, then it’s time to use your fire extinguisher. Oh, and you’ll want to make sure your extinguisher is always available and operational. If yours needs some attention, we’re the Brevard commercial fire extinguisher service provider for the job.

PASS

The easiest way to remember how to operate a fire extinguisher is by thinking of the word PASS.

• Pull the pin. You want to point the extinguisher away from your body, and then release the locking mechanism.

• Aim. You need to aim the fire extinguisher low, towards the base of the fire.

• Squeeze the lever on the extinguisher slowly and steadily.
• Sweep the nozzle back and forth over the base of the fire.

Keep this up until the fire is extinguished or the fire department arrives. If the situation changes at all and your environment is unsafe, evacuate the building immediately.

If You Need Brevard Commercial Fire Extinguisher Service, We’re Ready And Waiting

DynaFire can handle all of your fire extinguisher maintenance, inspection, and repair service needs per manufacturer standards and NFPA 10. Contact us today to schedule your next service!