Home Fire Extinguishers

Fighting Small Fires
Before you fight a fire be sure that…
* You Have Confidence To Fight The Fire
* Everyone Else Has Left the Building and Someone is Calling the Fire Department
* The Fire Is Small, Confined, and Not Spreading
* You Have An Unobstructed Escape Route
* Your Extinguisher Matches The Fire

To Operate Your Extinguisher, Remember The Acronym PASS

P- Pull the pin that unlocks the operating lever. (Some models may have other
lever-release mechanisms.)
A- Aim low. Point the extinguisher nozzle or hose at the base of the fire.
S- Squeeze the lever above the handle to discharge the extinguishing agent. To stop
the discharge, release the lever. (Some models may have a button instead of a lever.)
S- Sweep the nozzle or the hose from side to side. Moving carefully toward the
flames, keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth.

Once the fire goes out ,
watch the fire area and
be prepared to repeat
the process if the fire
re-ignites. Have the fire
department inspect the
fire site - even if you're
sure you've extinguished
the fire.

Extinguisher Size
Read the instructions that come with the fire extinguisher and become
familiar with its parts and operation before a fire breaks out. Local fire
departments or fire equipment distributors often offer hands-on fire
extinguisher training. Know when to go. Fire extinguishers are one element
of a fire response plan, but the primary element is fire escape. Every
household should have a home fire escape plan and working smoke alarms.

Match Your Extinguisher To The Fire
There are three common classes of fire in the home. Your extinguisher must
match the type of fire you're fighting. Extinguishers are labeled with standard
symbols or letters for the classes of fire they can put out.

Class A Fires involve paper, wood, and other ordinary combustibles.

Class B Fires involve flammable liquids such as oil and gasoline.

Class C Fires involve energized electrical equipment, such as power tools,
wiring, fuse boxes, appliances, TVs, computers, and electric motors.