Fire Extinguisher ABC's

5/11/2020 (Permalink)

Most home fires start out small. A variety of factors contribute to a fire spreading from small to large, but with a fire extinguisher handy on each floor of your home – most importantly, one in the kitchen – you can quickly put out a small fire without calling 911.

Before You Buy

It is important to know that different kinds of fires often require different kinds of fire extinguishers. For the home, the best is an “ABC” dry chemical fire extinguisher. This multipurpose extinguisher is perfect for the home because it can put out the three most common types of home fire. Those are:

Class A: wood and paper fires

Class B: Grease and oil fires

Class C: electrical fires

It is important to remember that an extinguisher for a class A fire, which is water based, should never be used on a class B grease fire. This will not put out the flame. Rather, it will actually spread the flames.

PASS

Once you have chosen your fire extinguisher you should read all of the instructions. A typical fire extinguisher contains only about 10 seconds of extinguishing power, so knowing how to operate it ahead of time means nothing goes to waste. All extinguishers work in a similar manner. An easy way to remember how to use one is by memorizing the acronym  “PASS”

PULL the pin at the top

                Before you pull the pin make sure everyone is safely out of the house and that you have the exit behind you to escape safely.

AIM the nozzle at the base of the fire, not at the flames

SQUEEZE the handle to release the extinguishing agent

SWEEP the spray back and forth across the fire until it’s out

Having a fire extinguisher in your home is not enough. Like any other tool it needs to be maintained. Every month, dry chemical extinguishers (like the recommended ABC) needs to be shaken to prevent the powder from settling. If your extinguisher has a pressure gauge, consistently check that it is not too high or too low. Keep the extinguisher clean and wipe off any oil or grease residue that may accumulate from cooking. Never use an old extinguisher with signs of damage such as dents or rust.