We encourage everyone to have at least two fire extinguishers in their home, one near the kitchen and one in the garage. During our free home fire safety inspection visit we can help select mounting locations and provide helpful hints on the selection, use and upkeep of your extinguishers.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Even though extinguishers come in a number of shapes and sizes, they all operate in a similar manner.  Here's an easy acronym for fire extinguisher use:
 

P  A  S   S  --  Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep
• Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher that keeps the handle from being accidentally pressed.

 

• Aim the nozzle toward the base of the fire.

 

• Stand approximately 8 to 10 feet away from the fire and squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguisher. If you release the handle, the discharge will stop.
 
• Sweep the nozzle back and forth at the base of the fire. After the fire appears to be out, watch it carefully since it may re-ignite!
 

Remember: A fire extinguisher is no substitute for the fire department.  Always call the fire department first - no matter how small you think the fire is.

Fire Extinguisher Ratings
 

 

 

Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles, such as wood and paper. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish. 
 
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Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical rating for this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that a non-expert person can expect to extinguish. 
 
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Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically energized fires. This class of fire extinguishers does not have a numerical rating. The presence of the letter "C" indicates that the extinguishing agent is non-conductive. 
 
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 Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for the type of metal in question. There is no picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating for use on other types of fires.


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Class K Extinguishers are designed for use on combustible cooking media: Vegetable or animal oils and fats.

 

 

 

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