Prevent Fire Damage With These Helpful Fire Extinguisher Tips

2/7/2022 (Permalink)

According to OSHA, fire is the most common emergency occurrence that home and business owners should plan for. By having a fire extinguisher readily available, making sure it’s properly maintained and audited, and by being educated on its proper use, you can ensure that your North Nashville property will be protected. Having a properly maintained fire extinguisher will already be a fire safety requirement for any business, and it’s a good idea for the homeowner, as well. 

OSHA requires employers to train their staff thoroughly on how to use a fire extinguisher correctly and to accurately assess the situation if fire breaks out so you know if/when people need to be evacuated. OSHA has also established annual training for employees as a minimal requirement for all places of business, and this same training will be helpful for homeowners as well.  

What Do I Need To Know About Safe Fire Extinguisher Use? 

There is a simple method used to train people how to use a fire extinguisher safely; the PASS training technique is recommended: 

• P. Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
• A. Aim the nozzle of the hose at the base of the fire. 
• S. Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent. 
• S. Sweep the nozzle from side to side, directed at the base of the flames, until the fire is extinguished. 

What Are Some Fire Safety Protocols I Should Follow?

Once someone knows how to properly operate a fire extinguisher, they should then also be trained to follow fire safety protocols. This training will equip you to:

• Locate and activate the fire alarm.
• Call the fire department and emergency responders immediately. 
• Determine a safe evacuation route that will direct people away from flames, excessive heat, and smoke. 
• Keep the route from becoming blocked.
• Use the PASS technique for discharging a fire extinguisher (outlined above), and know the importance of backing away from the area if the fire flares up again. 
• Evacuate the area immediately if the fire is still going and the extinguisher is empty, or if the fire grows beyond what can be safely handled without fire department personnel. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Fire extinguishers are made to handle small fires only. If the environment becomes too dangerous, everyone should know when and how to evacuate. Excessive smoke and heat, impaired evacuation routes, and poor visibility are all conditions that can evolve very quickly, and people need to understand that safety comes first and foremost. 

Remember that SERVPRO is here to help when the worst happens. 

SERVPRO of North Nashville is here to help with cleanup projects both large and small. In addition to fire damage, we handle water damage, odor removal, commercial fire damage, and much more. 

This franchise is independently owned and operated.