Common Mistakes with Fire Extinguishers

The fire extinguisher is a vital and potentially life-saving piece of equipment. However, there’s often confusion about appropriate extinguisher placement, maintenance, and use. Thankfully, you can count on Label Source. Here, we’ll take you through the common mistakes and share instructions on how to use a fire extinguisher.

Choosing the Wrong Type of Extinguisher

It’s quite common for people to pick up the wrong type of extinguisher in the panic of attempting to put out a fire. It’s important to avoid this mistake wherever possible, because using the wrong extinguisher could fail to dampen the flames, perhaps even causing them to build.

You should first and foremost be aware of the differences between the classes of fire:

• Class A – combustible carbon-based solids such as paper, wood, or textiles
• Class B – flammable liquids such as paraffin, petrol, diesel, or oil (but not cooking oil)
• Class C – flammable gases such as butane, propane, or methane
• Class D - burning metals, such as aluminium, lithium, or magnesium
• Class E - fires caused by electrical equipment (indicated by an electric spark symbol and not the letter E)
• Class F - fats and cooking oils

UK law specifies that two class A extinguishers should be supplied for each floor of a non-domestic property. However, this doesn’t apply to small premises, where having two class A extinguishers might be a hindrance.

Extinguishers might have to be supplied for fires in the other classes, depending on the types of equipment on the premises. As an example, Co2 extinguishers should be used to fight electrical fires. There are also potentially serious consequences to the incorrect use of foam fire extinguishers; fire extinguishers have a strong chemical composition, making them unsuitable for use in some environments.

Failing to Conduct Maintenance & Inspections

A fire equipment inspection should be carried out regularly, as well as checking and maintaining extinguishers to ensure their effectiveness in emergencies. Obvious signs of damage such as dents, rust and leaks may be identified during standard inspections. It’s also important to check the pressure gauge, ensuring that the extinguisher is properly charged.

As highlighted in our blog on fire safety basics, a visual inspection should include:

• Ensuring that the extinguisher is located in the correct area, and is visible to those who may need to use it.
• Checking that the instructions on the extinguisher are clear to see and unobstructed.
• Assessing the parts to ensure that it has not been damaged or operated.
• Reading the pressure gauge/indicator to check that it’s within safe operational limits.

Extinguishers must also be serviced annually by a competent person under UK law. This thorough fire equipment inspection should ensure the identification of any damaged or expired parts, with the extinguisher being recharged and repaired as needed. A certificate may then be issued as evidence that the extinguisher is in good working order. Fire extinguisher maintenance labels should also be filled in and applied.

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

You can avoid fire extinguisher misuse and mistakes by learning how to use a fire extinguisher properly, and applying the PASS method:

• Pull the pin so that you can discharge the extinguisher
• Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire
• Squeeze the lever to discharge the extinguishing agent
• Sweep the discharge in a left to right or back and forth motion from the base of the fire (until it has been put out).

You should continue to watch the base of the fire for a little time after putting out the flames to ensure that it doesn’t re-ignite (in which case, you should repeat the PASS method).

How to Use a Fire Blanket

You should also be aware of how to use a fire blanket to put out fires in classes B and F (involving fats and flammable liquids).

Such blankets should only be used on small fires, as follows:

• Pull on the black tabs to release the blanket
• Grip the black tabs so that they are facing you, with the backs of your hands touching the back of the blanket
• Fold your hands in, so your palms are in contact with the back of the blanket
• Walk slowly towards the fire with your arms outstretched and cover the flame quickly with the blanket
• Leave the blanket over the top of the fire for at least 30 minutes.

Incorrectly Using the Extinguisher

There are a few fire extinguisher common mistakes that people make, including the potentially dangerous assumption that they know how to use a fire extinguisher. This might result in them using the wrong technique and failing to put out the flames.

Now that we’ve outlined how to correctly use a fire extinguisher, here are some other common mistakes that are made when trying to put out fires.

Taking Too Much Time

As with other emergency situations, it’s essential that you act as quickly as possible to control and put out a fire. If you’re slow to act then the fire might grow too big to handle, leaving you no other option but to completely evacuate the building.

You should be completely confident that the fire can be safely extinguished, while it is small and contained. Otherwise, you should leave the building and wait for the fire services.

Not Keeping a Safe Distance from the Fire

You must prioritise your personal safety when attempting to put out a fire. This will mean standing close enough that you’re able to put out the flames, but not so close that you are directly exposed to heat, smoke, and toxic fumes. It’s advised that you keep an approximate distance of 8 feet from the blaze. This should also prevent the overheating and malfunctioning of the extinguisher.

Not Completely Discharging the Extinguisher

It is important that you continue directing the extinguishing agent towards the base of the fire, even after the flames have been put out. This will ensure that the fire doesn’t re-ignite, preventing any further risk to people’s lives and property. However, you might need to follow the emergency evacuation procedures and call the fire rescue services if you can’t put out the flames with an extinguisher. 

The pressure gauge should also be checked after using the extinguisher. This might indicate the need to recharge or replace the extinguisher in case of another fire.

Stay Safe with Label Source

If you want to stand the best chance of protecting people and their property, you should remind yourself of the fire safety procedures and extinguisher mistakes highlighted in this blog.

You can also give vital fire safety instructions with the range of fire extinguisher labels available from Label Source.

For more information on Common Mistakes with Fire Extinguishers talk to Label Source