It is a standard in Occupational Safety and Health that personnel are taught of the uses of portable fire extinguishers. All OHS Management Systems must put focus on the basics. These basics are learned in training rooms. Hands-on training happens in the field where simulated fire (with actual fire) is ignited while a training participant attempts to douse the flame using a fire extinguisher.
The student learns the general acronym that describes the steps required to use fire extinguishers. It is called P-A-S-S which is short for pull out the safety pin, aim the nozzle, squeeze the lever, and sweep the discharged content at the base of the fire. It is as simple as it sounds. These instructions can be seen on most labels found on fire extinguishers.
However, in real fire situations remembering and applying the said instructions is sometimes hindered by extreme emotion. People tend to panic. People run for their lives and sometimes forget about the first line of defense. This is the reason why training for your staff should be a continuous process in order to successfully imprint the use of fire extinguishers in real situations without panicking.
The training should include the designation of fire extinguisher handlers should there be an actual fire. This is a top priority assignment along with the tasks assigned to evacuation marshals. Your staff members, whether they are appointed fire extinguisher handlers, or not, should know how to operate one.
The training for its use should include how to respond to an actual fire. This phase is important for building up the confidence of everyone who has completed the training course. Fire extinguisher operation is just a part of firefighting training. Bear in mind that fire extinguishers are the first line of defense and depending on its contents, a firefighter must see to it that the flame is extinguished using the portable unit that he has.
The ultimate goal of the training course is safety and the most important objective while fighting the actual fire is the preservation of life. Therefore, fire extinguisher handlers and operators should be given real firefighting training.
Some very important lessons should be included in basic training:
1) if the fire has reached an uncontrollable stage, never attempt to fight the fire on your own
2) if it seems to you that you do not have a clear way out before entering a room, leave and do not let the fire prevent you from getting to the nearest escape route.
3) Never attempt to enter a room filled with moving boxes and with heavy smoke while armed solely with a fire extinguisher. If the contents of your portable unit cannot put out the fire, leave it and evacuate.
Training for fire extinguisher use is a MUST. However, safety awareness and basic firefighting should be considered as well. These are skills that any reasonably fit person can learn. You don’t need to be “handy”. If you can’t install cabinet knobs you can still learn to work a fire extinguisher.
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