Even in the safest work environments, fires can happen. They can start in an office trash container, on the factory floor, or inside a warehouse. Most fires start small, and if you put them out quickly enough, you can avoid many dangers including personal injuries. One of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to deal with fires on the job is to have fire extinguisher cabinets or extinguishers handy. However, unless your people know how to use them properly, they may be of little use. Here are some helpful tips for using an extinguisher the right way.
Before You Go To the Fire Extinguisher Cabinets
It’s important to take a few seconds to access the situation. If the fire is large, then it probably won’t do much good to use firefighting equipment. Concentrate on calling the local fire department and getting everyone to safety. If the fire is small, then get an extinguisher as soon as you can.
Using the Extinguisher
In some cases, you may need to break the glass on the fire extinguisher cabinets. Be careful when doing this and follow the instructions. Pick up the extinguisher and remove the safety-pin. Make sure you are about six feet away from the fire when you first discharge the stream toward the fire. Point the nozzle directly at the fire and not toward your face or anyone else.
Aiming
Liquid CO2 extinguishers can get very cold so don’t touch the spray horn while using them. You may be tempted to aim the spray at the flames, but it’s more effective to aim at the fire’s base. This is where it gets fuel, and you want to eliminate the fire’s fuel source to put it out. Walk backward from the fire while you are spraying. Also, make sure you have a fire plan in place, so everyone knows exactly what to do.
