Using a Fire Extinguisher

12/9/2020 (Permalink)

A fire extinguisher is a common tool seen in office buildings, restaurants, schools, stores and just about every type of building you visit in and around the Austin, TX area. You may even have one in your workplace. They’re handy for the common person to use before the fire gets too large and out of control. Knowing how to use an extinguisher allows you to act with confidence when needed and help avoid major fire damage. If you’ve never been trained to operate this important device, now is the time to learn.  

Remember PASS, and using a fire extinguisher is easy.

1. Pull the pin. The first thing you want to do when operating a fire extinguisher to put out a fire is stand at the appropriate distance. Most extinguishers have a range of 6 to 20 feet, so make sure you know how far the one you have will reach. Next, you pull the pin in the extinguisher. Once you do this, you can move to the next step.
2. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire. Some people think the best way to attack a kitchen fire or fire somewhere else in your home or building is to spray at the top of the flames. This won’t be effective, however. You must go for the base if you hope to smother it.
3. Squeeze the trigger. To avoid major fire damage in your house or whatever building you’re located in you need to act quickly. In step three, simply squeeze the trigger firmly. This will release the agent inside the extinguisher and help put out the fire.
4. Side to side. Use a sweeping motion, do not  move the device up and down. Instead, go from side to side until you have successfully put out the fire.

Whether it be fire damage or smoke damage from: a home fire, a fire to a business or commercial building, a grease fire, cigarette smoke odor, or any other fire or smoke damage event, SERVPRO of Lakeway / Westlake is here to help.