Within 20 to 30 seconds, a fire could be out of control in front of you. Fire can spread, doubling up its size in seconds and not give you much time to escape. The quick fire-filled area contains heat and thick toxic smoke. In an instantaneous situation, you have to confront a fire with the right fire extinguisher for the specific type of fire. Learn how to use fire extinguishers and identify the fire class for appropriate fire extinguishers. Choosing the right fire extinguisher may help you to stop the fire successfully. To defend the fire, the only option you have is that fire extinguisher to restrict fire spreading. A fire extinguisher is a device used for fire safety to extinguish small fires or flame in an emergency situation. A fire extinguisher is not intended for use in a large scale fire. Normally, a fire extinguisher is a hand-held pressurised cylinder having an agent such as nitrogen.

1. How to Use a Fire Extinguisher in an
Emergency Situation?
By
Training Express

2. Within 20 to 30 seconds, a fire could be out of control in front of you. Fire can spread, doubling up its size
in seconds and not give you much time to escape. The quick fire-filled area contains heat and thick toxic
smoke. In an instantaneous situation, you have to confront a fire with the right fire extinguisher for the
specific type of fire. Learn how to use fire extinguishers and identify the fire class for appropriate fire
extinguishers.
Choosing the right fire extinguisher may help you to stop the fire successfully. To defend the fire, the only
option you have is that fire extinguisher to restrict fire spreading. A fire extinguisher is a device used for
fire safety to extinguish small fires or flame in an emergency situation. A fire extinguisher is not intended
for use in a large scale fire. Normally, a fire extinguisher is a hand-held pressurised cylinder having an
agent such as nitrogen.
Learn more about fire safety training
Why is fire dangerous?
There is a presence of oxygen that supports them during a fire. Fuel burns reacting with oxygen from the
nearby air and discharging heat, gas, smoke etc.
Maybe you would like to think that it is easy to keep our sense in a fire to do the right thing. You can feel
that heat can be 12 times increased from floor level to ceiling. And your skin could be permanently
injured with just 160 degrees, whereas the heat of the fire may reach up to 1200 degrees at the ceiling.
Low positioning will give you some space to see and breath better. High heated air inhaling may
scorch your lungs, even can cause anyone’s death. The rage of fire and thick black smoke may cause
blindness in the fire environment. Fire will be lessening by the closing door.

3. What is fire safety?
Fire safety is the assembly of methods aimed at reducing fire damage. Fire safety initiatives
intended to restrict fire from sparking and after-fire effects.
You have to know the workplace fire safety laws and legislation. Using safety signs can lessen the risk of
your company or organisation. As an employer, you need to take proper steps to lessen the risk made
under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999. Timing and placement of using
safety signs will help to further reduce this residual risk.
The Fire Classification System in the UK
Why do you need to know about the Fire Classification System around you? If you are a citizen of the UK,
knowing this fire classification system will help you to choose the proper fire extinguisher. Based on fuel
burning, you will catch up with 6 different fire classification systems.
There are 6 fire classes you will consider in the workplace.
Class A: Ordinary combustible fires
Most of the time, you will find a cause of burning Ordinary combustible fires are the most common type of
fire. Ordinary combustible fire happens when the materials are heated and will continue until the heat,
oxygen and fuel are available. Materials that are used in the form of fires include paper, wood, textiles,
rubber, plastics, and other organic carbon-based components.
Class A fires are simplest to extinguish because water spraying would cool the fire. Water-based or foam
fire extinguishers are ideal extinguishing ordinary combustible flames.

4. Class B: Flammable liquids
Flammable substances such as petrol, kerosene, alcohol, solvents and paints have an ignition
temperature when the temperature does not exceed 100°C. These flammable liquids often have a small
flashpoint. However, these liquids are able to fire at any temperature when the ignition source is present.
The perfect approach is to use a silicone fire extinguisher to extinguish a Class B fire.
Class C: Flammable gases
Flammable gases like butane, propane, and petroleum products have the ability to cause a fire. Lower
Explosive Limit specifies the lowest flammable gas content that can fire in the air. That is why flammable
gases must be contained in enclosed containers safely. Class C fires can be extinguished by dry powder
extinguishers.
Class D: Metal fires
Most metals and powdered metals can burn if ignited, as they are good conductors and quickly pass heat
away to their environment. You can see interaction with air and water, alkali metals including potassium,
magnesium, aluminium and sodium may fire. Thus, throwing water or foam on metal fires will raise the
strength of the flames and result in possibly destructive reactions which can push flaming metal
fragments in all places.
Class E: Electrical Fires
Malfunctions and overflowing switchboards, damaged appliances may trigger electrical fires. Electrical
flames are not specifically a fire category with their own, because electricity is a means of combustion
rather than a fuel. Nevertheless, they are also relevant to remember, because they have their own unique
criteria for fire protection.
Carbon dioxide and dry powder fire extinguishers are the suggested extinguishers for attacking electrical
fires.

5. Class F: Cooking oil fires
Cooking oil and fats are widespread materials available in households, companies and professional
kitchens. Extreme temperatures are involved in the kitchen environment. As a result, it is a really
challenging task for you to extinguish. To cool the fire, using only water will not work.
Distinct fire extinguishers (wet chemical extinguishers) typically used to address Class F fires.
Fire Extinguishers
In that panic situation, you need fire extinguishers to put out small fires. Smoke and burning extracts may
limit air pollution by the fire extinguishers. You will need three things to use your fire extinguisher:
COURAGE, CALM and the EXTINGUISHER.
There are a few fire extinguishers are listed below that you should know:
● Water-Fire Extinguishers
● Water Spray Extinguisher (Water with additive)
● Water Mist Extinguisher (Deionized Water)
● Powder Extinguisher (Multi-Purpose)
● Dry Powder Extinguisher (Special Powders)
● Foam Extinguisher (AFFF)
● Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher
● Wet Chemical Extinguisher
● Fire Blanket
● Hose Reel
● Fire Buckets
Learn more about the different types of fire extinguishers and the usage of the extinguishers.

6. Water
For wood,
paper, textile
and solid
material
fires
Don’t use it
on liquid,
electrical or
metal fires.

7. Used for class A
fire.
Dangerous
for liquid
and electric
fires.
Powder
For liquid and electrical
fires

8. Don’t use it on metal fires.
Used for class A, B, C, electrical
fires.
Safe up to 1000V.

9. Foam
For use on liquid
fires
Don’t use it on
electrical or metal
fires.

10. Used for class A and B
fires.
Not suitable for
domestic use.
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
For liquid and electrical
fires

11. Do not use it on metal
fires.
Used on class B and electrical
fires.
Safe on high and low
voltages.

12. Wet chemical
For fires that
involve cooking
oils and fats
Don’t use it on
liquid, electrical
or metal fires.
Used for class A and F
fires

13. Used at
extremely high
temperatures.
Water mist
Suitable for almost all
types of fires

14. Don't use on metal or
electrical fires*.
Used for class A, B, C, F,
and electrical fires.
*Applicable to live
electrical equipment
up to 1000V.
Safety sign
Safety signs are symbols that include details or guidance on protection at work by means of a label, a
colour or an acoustic signal, a verbal or hand gesture. Signboard provides information or directions using
different figures, colour and symbol or icon that are visible by lighting.
The Regulations in the UK require employers to guarantee that fire safety signs are placed in a
proper position. Fire safety training is a must for all organisations and employees such as leaders,
managers and supervisors.

15. Safety Signs can be of the following types:
Prohibition sign
Sign that restricts activity which can be an increase or trigger danger such as no access for unauthorised
persons.
Warning sign
A sign that gives warning of danger for example danger: electricity.

16. Mandatory sign
A sign that recommends specific behaviour such as eye protection must be worn.

17. Emergency escape or first-aid sign
Sign that provides information on emergency exits, first aid, or rescue facilities such as emergency
exit/escape route.
Learn more about fire safety signs with our Fire Safety Training Course or Fire Warden Training
Course.

18. Safety colours
A regulation on signs incorporating certain colours have specific meanings.
According to UK The Health and Safety (Safety Signs and Signals) Regulations 1996, there are some
colours, meaning and instruction on safety colours. Learn more from the HSE website.
Colour Meaning
or
purpose
Instruction
Red Prohibition
sign
Danger
alarm
Goes off when there is significant heat
in the premises.
Yellow
Amber
Warning
sign
Be careful; take precautions; examine .
Blue Mandatory
sign
Specific behaviour or action, eg wear
protective equipment.
Green Emergency
escape
First-aid
sign
No danger
Doors; exits; escape routes; equipment
and facilities
Return to normal.
Table: Identifies the colours for safety signs

19. Steps for using a fire extinguisher
Research data shows that portable fire extinguishers were 95% effective in alleviating fire.
There are mainly four steps to use a fire extinguisher. Remember the Acronym P.A.S.S. as follows —

20. Pull: Know how fire extinguisher is classified. Class A extinguisher for ordinary things such as paper or
wood. Class B for flammable liquids and Class C for electrical fires. The red cross recommends to pull
out the safety pin or label. After that, the fire extinguisher is ready to confront the fire flame.
Aim: Now, you should aim at the bottom or base or source of the fire. This aiming mainly works on the
fire triangle. Burning causes from a different source such as fuel, oxygen etc. If you are aiming at fires
instead of a source of the fire, the extinguisher will not break down the continuity of fire flames.
Squeeze: Slowly squeeze the trigger till the extinguisher starts to work. Check the pressure gauge. The
pressure gauge measures the charge of a fire extinguisher.
Sweep: Backward and forward sweep of fire extinguisher over the firebase until the extinguisher went
empty.
Basic understanding of using a fire extinguisher will stimulate you to make the right decision in an
emergency situation. Now on, you can say that you have a glimpse of How to Use a Fire Extinguisher.

21. For better understanding, you need to check Fire Safety Training Course or Fire Warden Training Course,
both premium courses designed to teach you what procedures need to be in place and how to react
professionally in the case of a fire emergency.