Fire safety is very important in our homes and workplaces. It can control the fire outbreaks. Every individual should be in a position to manage fire extinguishers to prevent a small fire from growing. In this guide, you will see how to use a fire extinguisher as well as common precautions.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
Before we dive into usage, it’s important to know that different types of fires require different extinguishers:
Class A: In the case of ordinary combustibles such as wood, papers and cloth jacket
Class B: For highly flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil and the likes
Class C: In electrical fires
Class D: To the fire and especially to the flammable metals
Class K: In the event of kitchen fires that involve oils and fats that are used for cooking the following tips.
Most homes and offices have multipurpose Fire extinguisher services that are effective on most classes of fire.
The PASS Technique
P – The very top pull pin if there is
A – Turn the nozzle in the direction of the base of the fire
S – The handle should be squeezed in order to discharge the extinguishing agent.
S – Sweep the nozzle from side to side until the fire is out
Stages in Operating a Fire Extinguisher
- These lights outlined the approaches: Identify the fire and choose the right extinguisher:
- Ensure you know exactly what you are going to do if you want to get out of that place.
- Moving about 6-8 feet ahead of the fire.
- Follow the PASS technique.
- Slowly retreat keeping an eye on the fire area in case it sparks up again.
Workplace Fire Safety
- Be familiar with your workplace’s fire safety policy.
- Identify the position of all the fire extinguishers existing in and around your work station.
- Take fire safety trainings given by your employer.
- Make sure you report any Fire hazards you see to the management.
- This means that there must be no obstruction of the emergency exits at any one given time.
How to use a fire extinguisher?
- If the fire is getting out of hand and moving from one house to another, then the equipment has the ability of putting the fire out.
- If a fire is between you and your way out
- If the room is becoming bitterly smoky
- In case you have questions as to how the particular extinguisher should be used
- When the fire is beyond the point that could be controlled by a single extinguisher
In fact, when there is such a situation, flee the area or rather leave the vicinity and call the fire fighters.
Maintaining Your Fire Extinguisher
Regular fire equipment maintenance is key to ensuring your fire extinguisher will work when you need it:
- Monthly it is recommended that the pressure gauge be checked. Further, the amount of the needle should be in the green zone.
- Check also for signs of physical injury, corrosion or leakage.
- Check whether safety pin is intact and the tamper seal on the packet is not broken.
- Do not let anything block the nozzle and ensure that it is clean.
- Periodically, have your extinguisher checked over by a professional at least once a year.
How to Service a fire extinguisher?
Simple tests can be done at home but the extinguisher’s functional check should be done by Fire extinguisher services. These services typically include:
- The present examination and testing
- Recharging when necessary
- Carriage of harm towards repair or replacement of damaged parts
- Hydrostatic testing of older extinguishers
- It is important to dispose of these extinguishers when they expire.
Periodic Fire extinguisher services would guarantee that those extinguishers meet the requirements of safety and would function as intended when the need arises.
Conclusion
As always, fire extinguishers are only a small portion of the fire protection strategy. Smoke detectors, escape plans, and fire-resistant materials are all essential in protecting your house or workplace.
Stay safe, stay prepared, and remember: Fire fighting cannot be compared to fire prevention fire prevention is always better than firefighting. The fire extinguisher also needs to be maintained properly and should undergo some routine inspections to keep off fire disasters.