Using an extinguisher

Whatever fire extinguisher you are using you need to use the P.A.S.S. method to ensure it goes out. P.A.S.S. is the acronym for:

• Pull – remove the the safety pin or tag. Once this is out the extinguisher should be ready to go.
• Aim – always aim at the base of the fire. Extinguishers work by breaking what is known as the fire triangle. You probably remember it from school. For combustion to take place you need fuel, oxygen and heat. If you aim at the flames, rather than the source of the flames, the extinguisher will not break the chemical reaction. So, aim at the base of the flames where the fuel is feeding the fire.
• Squeeze – squeeze the trigger slowly and steadily until the extinguisher starts to work.
• Sweep – sweep the extinguisher back and forth over the base of the flames until the fire is out.