Fire extinguishers come in different sizes, but they are critical to fire safety. Notably, the last thing you want is to tackle a fire without the right tools. Even if you have a fire extinguisher, you still need to know how to use it to manage and control flames. Generally, misusing a fire extinguisher renders it ineffective. This article highlights critical tips for using a fire extinguisher correctly.

Identify Safe Evacuation Route — When a fire erupts in a workplace, the first thing that comes to mind is blasting fire extinguishers before anything else. In most cases, extinguishing a fire as soon as it erupts is the right choice. However, you need to identify a safe evacuation route before using a fire extinguisher. It baffles many people because few understand the essence of delaying using a fire extinguisher until an escape route is established. Notably, you never know how fast a fire can spread. Thus, you would not want to waste a fire extinguisher only to find the exit point engulfed in flames. Therefore, you should only engage a fire extinguisher once you have identified an evacuation route that occupants can safely use.

Avoid CO2 Fire Extinguishers in Confined Spaces — You will be forgiven for grabbing the first or nearest fire extinguisher when a furnace breaks out in your workplace. However, fire extinguishers are different, and the wrong selection can put you and your assets at greater risk. For instance, if you experience a fire in a confined space, a carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguisher could be risky to use. Notably, the sudden increase in CO2 levels in a confined space could make it difficult for you to breathe, leading to asphyxiation. Besides, the white discharge from CO2 fire extinguishers can cause visibility issues in confined spaces, making evacuation difficult. Therefore, only use foam-based fire extinguishers in confined spaces.

Match Nozzle Direction to Extinguisher Type — For many people, the direction a fire extinguisher's nozzle points does not matter much. However, nothing could be further from the truth because the direction of attacking flames determines a fire extinguisher's effectiveness. Typically, you should point the nozzle of foam-based fire extinguishers above Class A and B flames. As the foam rains down on flames, it acts as a blanket and deprives the fire of oxygen. For water-based extinguishers, you should point the nozzle at the base of a fire and move the jet across until the fire goes out.

For more information on how to correctly use fire extinguishers, contact a professional near you.