How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: Training Your Team
How to use a fire extinguisher is one of the most important safety skills your team should have in the event of a fire emergency. While it’s essential to have fire extinguishers in place throughout your facility, it’s equally vital that employees know how to operate them properly and confidently. A few moments of hesitation or misuse can make all the difference in containing a fire before it spreads.
Fire extinguishers are only effective when used correctly, and unfortunately, many people don’t receive formal training. That’s why hands-on training or a simple refresher course is a smart investment. Employees should be introduced to the PASS method:
- Pull the pin
- Aim low at the base of the fire
- Squeeze the handle
- Sweep from side to side
This method offers a clear, easy-to-remember process for quickly reacting during a stressful situation.
Another important part of learning how to use a fire extinguisher is understanding the different types of fires and matching them to the correct extinguisher. A water-based extinguisher won’t help on electrical fires, and using the wrong type can actually worsen the situation. Training should include information about the classes of fires (A, B, C, D, and K) and the corresponding fire extinguisher needed for each.
Ongoing training should be part of your fire safety program, especially when onboarding new employees or if equipment changes. Even a brief annual refresher can help ensure team members retain critical information. Practical drills combined with classroom instruction make the information more likely to stick when it matters most.
Giving your team the knowledge and confidence to act in a fire emergency helps protect not just your property, but more importantly, lives.
Make fire safety a team effort—contact us with any questions and be sure to give us a call to schedule fire extinguisher inspections or maintenance!