Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher could save your life in an emergency. The correct way to put out the flames is to use a four-step technique: pull out the safety pin, direct the hose, pull the trigger and move the sprayer horizontally. However, before proceeding, it is essential to evaluate whether or not it is appropriate to try to deal with the flames alone and if you are able to put them out; if you fear you will not be able to or have doubts, immediately escape from the building and call the fire brigade.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Reacting to the Fire
Step 1. Instruct a person to call the fire brigade
Have everyone leave the building and, once safe, have one individual call the fire department (115) or the emergency number (112). Even if you are able to handle the situation on your own, it is best that law enforcement have been advised to intervene in case of complications.
Once there, the firefighters can ascertain whether the fire has been completely extinguished
Step 2. Stand with your back to the way out
Before using a fire extinguisher to put out the fire, it is imperative that you find the nearest escape route and that you have your back to it, so that you can escape more quickly in an emergency.
Always turn your back to the door to know where the way out is and avoid getting confused
Step 3. Approach to the appropriate distance
Many fire extinguishers have a maximum range of action between 2, 5 and 4 m; before discharging the extinguishing agent, you must approach or move away from the flames to be about 2-2.5m.
You can gradually get closer to the source of the fire as the fire goes out and the flames are smothered
Part 2 of 3: Put out the Fire
Step 1. Pull out the safety pin
Each fire extinguisher is equipped with a small metal stick inserted in the handle that prevents accidental activation; grab the ring the pin is attached to and pull it out from one side of the handle. At this point the device is ready to be used.
Fire extinguishers placed in public areas or in those with medium / high population density often have a thin strap connected to the pin ring. The intact strap ensures that the fire extinguisher is charged and has not yet been used. The strap is made of a material that breaks easily
Step 2. Hold the fire extinguisher with one hand and point the nozzle away from you at the base of the flames with the other
Point the nozzle directly at the base of the fire because your goal is to defuse the fuel that is burning; do not direct the flow on the flames.
If you are using a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher (you can distinguish it because it does not have a pressure gauge and has a plastic horn as a dispenser), keep your hands away from the fire extinguisher jet or the plastic horn, as this gas comes out at a very low temperature and you could freeze them
Step 3. To fire the extinguisher you have to press the trigger, ie with the hand holding the extinguisher you have to squeeze the two levers of the handle
While doing this, slowly apply constant pressure.
To stop the chemical from escaping, release the pressure on the trigger
Step 4. To extinguish the fuel, move the fan nozzle at the base of the fire while releasing the extinguishing agent; get closer as the flames go out
Continue this way until the fire is out or the fire extinguisher runs out
Step 5. If the flames do not subside or regain strength, move away and check if you still have extinguisher available
A normal fire extinguisher contains enough substance for a delivery of only 10 seconds. If the fire extinguisher still has a charge, maybe you can try repeating the procedure. But if the fire extinguisher is out of stock and you don't have another one right away, run away.
Step 6. If the fire seems to have gone out, do not leave immediately but monitor it to make sure it does not reactivate; if this happens, check if you still have extinguisher available
If the fire extinguisher still has a charge, maybe you can try repeating the procedure. But if the fire extinguisher is out of stock and you don't have another one right away, run away.
Never turn your back on the flames; you must always be aware of where the fire is and how it is developing
Step 7. Run away immediately if you are in doubt that you cannot handle the situation
Call the fire department (115) or emergency services (112) if you haven't already
Step 8. Replace or refill the fire extinguisher as soon as possible
Some models are disposable and must be discarded after use; others are refillable and must be refilled with the extinguishing agent under pressure.
Do not keep an empty fire extinguisher, as someone may try to use it in an emergency
Part 3 of 3: Using the Fire Extinguisher Safely
Step 1. Before even worrying about the fire extinguisher and how to use it, raise the alarm and get everyone out of the room and possibly the entire building
When everyone is safe and you've found a path to escape, you can attempt to go back to the fire and try to counter it
Step 2. You shouldn't try to tackle a fire by yourself using a fire extinguisher, unless it's just a small fire start
The fire extinguisher is not designed to deal with large fires or growing flames. Only tackle fires that are lower than you and limited to a small space; Also, you should only proceed if you can do it safely and if you have an escape route.
An example of a contained fire is the burning garbage can
Step 3. Exit a smoke filled room
Never try to put out a fire in a smoke-saturated environment - breathing it can cause you to lose consciousness and make you unable to escape from the fire.
If there is a lot of smoke even while you are running out, cover your mouth and lower yourself to the ground; stay close to the ground to avoid breathing smoke (which tends to rise high) and crawl out of the room to safety
Step 4. Use the right type of fire extinguisher
These devices are loaded with different extinguishing substances to fight specific fire classes; some may be ineffective on certain flames, while others may even aggravate the situation. Before putting out a fire, make sure you know what fuel is and only proceed if you have the right fire extinguisher.
- Class A: suitable for fires of textiles, wood, rubber, paper, various types of plastics and other solid fuels; it usually contains water or foam.
- Class B: it is used for flames fueled by liquid fuels, such as petrol, grease and oil; in this case, the extinguishing agent is a dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Generally, fire extinguishers smaller than 3 kg are not recommended.
- Class C: to be used against fires generated by gaseous fuels, such as hydrogen, methane, butane, acetylene, propylene.
- ABC class: it is a multipurpose fire extinguisher that can be used for class A, B and C fires; usually, the extinguishing agent is a chemical powder.
- Class D: for fires generated by combustible metals; the substance contained is a dry chemical powder.
- Class F: for fires originating from oils and fats in cooking appliances; in this case, the active ingredient is a wet or dry chemical.
