{"id":29953,"date":"2013-01-23T21:13:24","date_gmt":"2013-01-24T03:13:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/artofmanliness.com\/?p=29953"},"modified":"2026-01-07T15:02:38","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T21:02:38","slug":"how-to-use-a-fire-extinguisher","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/beta.artofmanliness.com\/skills\/survival\/how-to-use-a-fire-extinguisher\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Use a Fire Extinguisher"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"How<\/a><\/p>\n

Fire extinguishers. You pass them all the time as you walk the hallways at work or school, and hopefully at home too.<\/p>\n

But no matter how many times you\u2019ve seen them in your day-to-day life, you\u2019ve probably given little thought as to how you actually use one. Maybe it never crossed your mind, or maybe you assume it\u2019s so simple it\u2019s not something you need to learn.<\/p>\n

Well, it\u2019s true that using a fire extinguisher isn\u2019t rocket science by any stretch, but there are a few basics you need to be aware of \u2013 and probably aren\u2019t. According to FEMA, the majority of Americans don\u2019t know how to use an extinguisher, even if they have one in their home. This is a dangerous knowledge gap. Fires double in size every 60 seconds, so you don\u2019t want to be fumbling around in an emergency situation, reading over the instruction manual as a small flame on the stove grows into an inferno.<\/p>\n

Today we\u2019ll talk about some guidelines for choosing an extinguisher and storing it in your house, and then discuss how to use it.<\/p>\n

The Right Fire Extinguisher for the Right Fire<\/b><\/h3>\n

Fire extinguishers come in a wide variety of types — each one designed to put out a different kind of fire. Classification systems have been developed to help users know what sort of extinguisher they’re working with. Because the majority of our readers are based stateside, I’ll be focusing on the system used to classify extinguishers in the US.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\"60px-fire_type_A\"<\/a><\/td>\nClass A – <\/b>Ordinary solid combustibles like wood, cloth, and paper products.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"60px-fire_type_B\"<\/a><\/td>\nClass B – <\/b>Flammable liquids and gases.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"60px-Class_C_fire_icon\"<\/a><\/td>\nClass C – <\/b>Electrical fires. (Do not use water to put out this kind of fire \u2013 you could get electrocuted!)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"60px-Class_D_fire_icon\"<\/a><\/td>\nClass D – <\/b>Flammable metals.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\"60px-Class_K_fire_icon\"<\/a><\/td>\nClass K – <\/b>Oils and grease fires. (Never use water on a grease fire \u2013 it will cause the flames to explode and spread.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Most fire extinguishers for homes and public spaces are classified as Class ABC extinguishers, meaning they’re suitable for putting out wood and paper fires, flammable liquid fires, and<\/i> electrical fires. ABC extinguishers use the dry chemical monoammonium phosphate as the extinguishing agent. You can buy an ABC extinguisher for about $30 -$60 on Amazon or at your nearest hardware store. Get the biggest one you can comfortably handle to maximize its discharge pressure, time, and range.<\/p>\n

If you’ve worked in a commercial kitchen, you’ve probably seen Class K extinguishers<\/a>. The extinguishing agent in the Class K variety is a wet potassium acetate. (Interesting fact: Before the introduction of potassium acetate, sodium bicarbonate powder was the extinguishing agent of choice for grease and oil fires \u2013 that\u2019s why baking soda can work in a pinch).<\/p>\n

Class K extinguishers are used in commercial kitchens because they’re more powerful for dealing with grease fires and the chemicals are less likely to damage the cooking appliance when used. But for small grease fires in a home kitchen, an ABC extinguisher will likely get the job done. An ABC is still going to damage your stove though, so if it’s a very small fire, try to smother it with a pot lid or wool blanket first, before you resort to the extinguisher.<\/p>\n

Where to Put a Fire Extinguisher in Your House<\/b><\/h3>\n

Your office or school very likely already has fire extinguishers in place. But it\u2019s up to you to get ones for your own home. Some states require that you do so by law, but even if yours doesn\u2019t, they\u2019re an essential safety item \u2013 your second line of fire defense after smoke detectors. A fire extinguisher can keep a small incident from turning into a dangerous emergency.<\/p>\n

You should, at minimum, have one ABC extinguisher per level of your house. It\u2019s best to have one near each of the rooms where fires are most likely to break out \u2013 the garage and especially the kitchen.<\/p>\n

Store extinguishers where your kids can\u2019t get to them, but they\u2019re still easy to access \u2013 you don\u2019t want to be looking around and digging through a closet when every second is crucial. Don\u2019t place them near stoves and heating appliances, or behind curtains and drapes \u2013 places where fires may start and quickly spread; if you can\u2019t reach the extinguisher because the thing that\u2019s on fire is right by it, you\u2019re in trouble. The best location for your fire extinguisher is mounted near a door \u2013 your escape routes.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve gotten an extinguisher or two to protect your castle, try to check it periodically to see if its pressure is still in the green zone, the seals haven\u2019t been broken, the hoses are intact, and it hasn\u2019t been damaged by things like dents, leaks, or rust.<\/p>\n

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher<\/b><\/h3>\n

Alight. So you’re familiar with the different kinds of fire extinguishers and where to put them in your house. It’s time to get down to how to actually use these suckers. If you chance to encounter a fire, mentally go through this checklist of questions before attempting to put it out with an extinguisher:<\/p>\n

Are you taller than the fire?<\/em> <\/b>Fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires in the incipient stage. That’s fireman talk for when the fire is just getting started. When it gets past the beginning stage, a fire becomes too large to fight with a portable extinguisher.<\/p>\n

How do you know if the fire is still in the incipient stage?<\/p>\n

Just give the flame the once over to see if it’s taller than you.<\/p>\n

It is? Hightail it out of there and call 911. Your fire extinguisher will likely be no match for the flames.<\/p>\n

You’re still taller than the fire? Proceed to the next question.<\/p>\n

Do you have the right fire extinguisher for the type of fire? <\/b><\/em>Remember, extinguishers are designed for certain fire types. If you’re facing a grease fire, a simple A extinguisher (which contains only pressurized water) won’t put it out.<\/p>\n

Is the fire extinguisher pressurized? <\/b><\/em>Check the gauge on the extinguisher to see if it’s fully charged and pressurized. If the needle is in the green, you’re good. If not, you won’t have enough pressure to put the fire out. Forget it and get out of there.<\/p>\n

Get in Position<\/strong><\/p>\n

If you can answer “yes” to all three of those questions, you’re ready to put out the fire with the extinguisher.<\/p>\n

If possible, position yourself with your back to an unobstructed exit so that you can get out quickly if you need to. The discharge range for extinguishers can run from 6-20 feet (know your extinguisher’s range beforehand), and you want to be far enough away to not be in danger of being burned, and close enough that the discharge will be effective.<\/p>\n

PASS!
\n<\/b><\/p>\n

\"<\/a><\/p>\n

To employ the extinguisher with proper technique, just remember the acronym “PASS.”<\/p>\n