If you don’t know how to use a fire extinguisher, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a handy little guide so that you know what to do in an emergency. After all, there’s no point having fire protection equipment if you (and your employees) don’t know how to use it.
After you’ve read our guide, get one of our technicians to carry out a fire extinguisher test on each of your portable or wheeled devices. This way, everyone in your building will have access to a fire extinguisher that works and they’ll know what to do with it during an emergency.
The PASS system is a simple way to remember how to operate a fire extinguisher.
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
- Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher to unlock the nozzle.
- Aim it at the base of the flame whilst standing at a safe distance.
- Squeeze the handle to discharge extinguishing agent.
- Sweep the extinguisher from side to side until the flames are smothered.
Remember to assess the risk before approaching any fire. If it seems like the fire is out of control, contact the emergency services immediately. Fire extinguishers are intended as the first line of defence for small domestic or workplace fires. If you feel unsafe in any way, you must leave the firefighting to the professionals.
Depending on the nature of the fire (and the kind of materials you work with in your business), there should be a few different types of extinguishers available for use. If you’re unsure which fire extinguisher is best to use in an emergency, get to know the different classes of fire.
Classes of Fire
There are six different classes of fire. The classes are defined by the nature of their fuel.
CLASS A – wood, paper, textiles, plastic, rubber
CLASS B – flammable or combustible liquids
CLASS C – flammable gasses
CLASS D – metals
CLASS E – electrical fires
CLASS F – cooking oils and fats
When you are considering how to use a fire extinguisher, it’s a great idea to research the different types of fire and their corresponding fire extinguishers. You can narrow your research by focusing on the types of fires that are likely to occur in your workplace. For example, if you work in a kitchen, you should focus on class F fires. If you work in an office, damaged equipment may likely cause an electrical fire – so you might focus on class E.
Have a look around your workplace and see what fire protection equipment you do have available to you. If you think that you’re missing some equipment, contact us and have a chat about the Australian workplace fire safety standards.
Extinguisher Maintenance
When you’re confronted with a fire at work, you need to have access to working fire protection equipment. According to the national standards for workplace safety, you are required to provide a safe working environment for your employees. This means the correct installation and maintenance of all portable and wheeled fire extinguishers.
At Jim’s Fire Safety, we’ve been checking fire extinguishers for years. Our experienced team members all have a Certificate II in Fire Protection Inspection and Testing from the Fire Protection Association (FPA) Australia and complete their fire safety testing services in line with the national and state-based requirements.
Our technicians perform their extinguisher inspections according to the AS 1851 standard for the maintenance of fire protection systems and equipment. The standard dictates that testing is carried out at least once every 6 months (plus pressure testing and refills every 5 years).
After we’ve completed our tests, you’ll get a detailed report for your proof of compliance.
Ask a Jim’s Fire Safety fire extinguisher inspector to maintain your equipment today. We take the stress out of safety testing. You can rest easy knowing that your staff are protected and that you meet the current workplace safety standards. If you have any questions about your requirements, simply contact us and we’ll put you in touch with your local fire safety technician.
Now that you know how to use a fire extinguisher, contact us to make sure your workplace is safe today! Call us on 131 546 or fill in the online form for a FREE QUOTE.
