Fire Extinguisher Basics

Last Revised 03/15/2005

A fire extinguisher is a container for an extinguishing agent such as water or chemicals.  It is designed to put out a small fire, NOT A BIG ONE!

An extinguisher is labeled according to whether the fire occurs in wood, cloth, flammable liquids, and electrical or metal sources.  Using one type of extinguisher on another type of fire can make the fire much worse.  Learn how extinguishers are labeled and used.  Most fires that may occur within a home can be extinguished with a multi-purpose dry chemical labeled ABC or ABCD. The ABC extinguisher will put out most wood, paper, cloth, flammable liquids, and electrical fires.   The ABCD will also extinguish a metal source fire.

Buying and Maintaining an Extinguisher

• Extinguishers come in dry chemical, foam, carbon dioxide, water, or Halon types.  Whichever you buy, it should be labeled by a testing laboratory.
• The higher the number rating on the extinguisher, the more fire it puts out.  Usually, the higher the number rating, the larger and heavier the extinguisher.  Make sure you can lift and manage the size you buy, but should be large enough for the potential fire hazard.  A typical rating  would look like this:    2-A: 10-B: C      and there should be at least one on each floor level.
• Ask the dealer where the extinguisher can be refilled and serviced.  Recharge it after ANY use.  Some extinguishers are disposable after use.  Dispose of it properly.
• Extinguishers should be installed away from potential fire hazards and near an escape route.
• It is very dangerous to use water or an extinguisher labeled as an A type on an electrical fire.  It must have the C type rating on it.
• Install the extinguisher above the reach of small children.

If there is a fire, FIRST get everyone outside.  Call the fire department, and then fight only small fires with your extinguisher.  Stay between the fire and the exit.  Do not let the fire block your escape path.
If you do not put the fire out within 30 seconds, you have a fire out of control!  Close all doors to contain the fire and to reduce the spread of the fire, and leave the building.  Go to the planed outside meeting area and stay there.  If you inhaled any smoke, ask one of the Emergency Medics to check you out.

Although there are many extinguishers that work with the directions below, please read the instructions for your extinguisher  for any variations.

If You Do Fight The Fire, Remember The Word  PASS

PULL  the pin:  Some extinguishers require releasing a lock latch, pressing a puncture lever, or taking another first step.

AIM   low:  point the extinguisher nozzle (or its horn or hose) at the base of the fire.

SQUEEZE  the handle, this releases the extinguishing agent.
 
SWEEP   from side to side:  Keep the extinguisher aimed at the base of the fire and sweep back and forth until the fire is out.

Watch the fire area.  If fire breaks out again, repeat the process.
 
The 4th type of extinguisher is labeled as a  D type extinguisher and has no symbol other than the letter  D  within a 5-pointed star. This  D type extinguisher is for combustible metals such as magnesium and sodium.  Many car tire rims are now made with magnesium.

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This page created May 6, 1998 by Dennis Gifford
was last updated
03/15/2005