PASS Fire Extinguisher
What does the PASS fire extinguisher acronym stand for?
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Construction workers need to be aware of the dangers of fire, and know how to use a fire extinguisher properly in order to minimize the damage – this is when the PASS fire extinguisher acronym can be very helpful!
It’s important to remember that fires can start for any number of reasons-from an electrical malfunction, to carelessness with a cigarette. Regardless of how it starts, fires can quickly spread out of control if not dealt with swiftly. That’s why it’s important for all construction workers to be educated on how to use a fire extinguisher.
In this article, we’ll discuss the basics of using a fire extinguisher-from identifying the type of fire, to actually putting it out. We’re also going to review a handy little acronym that will help us remember how to properly use a fire extinguisher (PASS). We’ll also go over some safety tips that should always be followed when dealing with fires. Read on for more information!
Table of Contents
Identifying a fire
There are several ways to identify a fire, but the most common are by sight, smell, and sound.
1. Look for flames: The easiest way to identify a fire is by looking for flames. If you see even a small amount of flame, it’s important to take action quickly to put it out. Don’t hesitate — where there is flames, there is potential for it to get out of hand.
2. Look for smoke: If you can’t see any flames, but you see a lot of smoke, that’s also a sign of a fire. Smoke can be an early warning sign that a fire is growing and getting out of control. React immediately to any smoke you see in your work area.
3. Listen for the sound of sirens: If you hear the sound of sirens, that means there’s a fire somewhere close by. Get to safety as quickly as possible and call 911 to let them know where the fire is.
Using a fire extinguisher
Using a fire extinguisher is something a lot of us don’t use everyday (thankfully). So when a fire is upon us, you might panic a little and worry that you don’t know how to use it properly. So, today we’ll aim to educate you about when to use one. Here is a basic summary of the different types of fires you may encounter.
-A combustible material has been ignited and has begun to burn. For example, if you see fabric burning, this would be considered a Class A fire. To put out a Class A fire, use a solid stream of water.
-A flammable material is burning but has not caught other combustible materials on fire yet. This would be considered a Class B fire, so you should use a dry chemical extinguisher to put it out immediately.
-There’s an electrical malfunction or problem that has caused a short circuit. In this case, consider the fire Class C and use a carbon dioxide extinguisher to put it out.
In addition to putting out small fires quickly, there are some other important things to remember when using your fire extinguisher. Before you start fighting a fire, evacuate everyone else from the area and call 911. Also, you should never try to fight the fire yourself, unless you have been trained in how to use a fire extinguisher. Instead, get everyone out of the building and let the professionals handle it from there.
How to put out a small fire using the PASS fire extinguisher acronym
In the event you need to use a fire extinguisher, there is an acronym that can help you remember how to use it properly called PASS. It stands for PULL, AIM, SQUEEZE, and SWEEP. We’ve elaborated on each of the steps below.
1. PULL the pin: This will release the locking mechanism and allow you to begin spraying foam or gas.
2. AIM the nozzle: Point the nozzle at the base of the fire. Make sure you’re as close to the fire as possible, but don’t stand directly in front of it.
3. SQUEEZE the handle: This will release the foam or gas and start putting out the fire.
4. SWEEP the nozzle from side to side: Continue sweeping until the fire is completely out.
Make sure you always follow these steps listed in the PASS fire extinguisher acronym, and remember that it stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. This will help you use your fire extinguisher quicker and more effectively.
The best way to remember PASS fire extinguisher acronym when fighting a small fire
The best way to remember the PASS fire extinguisher acronym when fighting a small fire is to simply remember PULL on its own stands for Pull the pin. Make sure you’re pulling the correct pin (the one attached to the handle of your fire extinguisher) and that you keep one hand firmly on the nozzle while pulling. Then remember AIM means that you should aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, not directly in front of it, but close enough where it won’t spread when you spray. Finally, remember to SQUEEZE when you’re ready-if you hold down the handle of your fire extinguisher, you won’t be able to release any material. Then make sure you SWEEP by moving the nozzle back and forth until the fire is out.
Remembering PASS will make it easier for you to use a fire extinguisher quickly and properly!
It’s important to remember that fighting fires can be dangerous. When necessary, you should leave this job to professionals. If the fire is out of hand, always evacuate the building and call 911. Leave the job to trained fire professionals who will know how best to handle a fire once they arrive.
We hope you found this article helpful. Just remember, in order to successfully put out a small fire, it’s important to remember the PASS fire extinguisher acronym. This stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep, and will help you use your fire extinguisher quickly and effectively. Make sure you evacuate everyone from the area before beginning to fight the fire, and call 911 if the fire is getting out of control. Remember that using a fire extinguisher can be dangerous, so always follow the steps carefully and don’t try to fight a fire yourself unless you have been trained in how to do so.
Stay safe, everyone!
For more information on fire protection, please see our Toolbox Topics on fire safety.
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