How to safely use a fire extinguisher


Posted January 23, 2013 by johnybfre

Most people are not aware of how important fire extinguishers are in case of a fire and what a huge difference they can make when it comes to saving their lives and protecting their properties.

 
Most people are not aware of how important fire extinguishers are in case of a fire and what a huge difference they can make when it comes to saving their lives and protecting their properties. These devices are designed to put out small fires and to suppress the flames so that you can escape from the building safely. If you have decided to invest in a fire extinguisher, the first thing you should do is figure out what type you need. This shouldn’t be so difficult, as there is much information available online about the available types of fire extinguishers!

When shopping for a fire extinguisher, be it for a residential or commercial property, you should learn to read the fine print on the label. The numbers are important, for they specify the effectiveness of the device you have chosen against each type of fire, regardless of its size and uses. If the number of the label is high, so is the effectiveness of the device you would like to purchase. Once you have got this covered, the next aspect you should pay attention to is the size of the extinguisher!

It is useful to know that you can choose from 10-pound fire extinguishers. If you decide to opt for them, find a rechargeable model that is easy to use. Next, there is the 5-pound extinguisher which is recommended for individuals who cannot carry too much weight and the 2-pound model, which is suitable for car use. These devices are highly useful when it comes to fighting small fires and to protecting evacuation routes in the event of larger fires. Nonetheless, if you have bought such a device, it is essential to know how to use it.

We should all know how to assess a situation and determine when we should evacuate a building. Furthermore, all employees should receive adequate fire extinguisher training at least every once a year. Most of these devices work the same way: you have to pull the pin on the extinguisher, aim the hose nozzle towards the base of the fire, squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent and sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the flames. Once you know how to operate such a device, the next thing you should is to follow the fire emergency protocol: sound the fire alarm, determine a safe evacuation route, use the extinguisher and if the fire is too big evacuate immediately!

Don’t forget that the use of fire extinguishers is recommended only for small fires. Therefore, if the fire is too dangerous, you should evacuate the area and under the following circumstances you should not try to use the extinguisher: the fire is too large, it cannot be reached from a standing position, the air is unsafe to breathe and you need respiratory protection, the environment is too hot or smoky and evacuation paths are impaired. To sum up, proper fire use and assessment are necessary for your safety in case of a fire!

Would you like to learn how to use a fire extinguisher http://www.fireextinguishersstore.co.uk in a safe and effective manner? For more information of fire extinguishers http://www.fireextinguishersstore.co.uk and their uses we invite you to our website, where you will find relevant information about all types of extinguishers.
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Issued By Johny Dean
Country United Kingdom
Categories Business
Tags fire extinguisher , fire extinguishers
Last Updated January 23, 2013