Everybody has seen fire extinguishers. Many people have them in their car, at home or at work. But not everyone understands them or knows how to work them. The Roswell Fire Department would like for you to have a working knowledge of fire extinguishers. It could save a life or property.

Fire extinguishers are not designed to fight a large or spreading fire. Even against small fires, they are useful only under the right conditions.

An extinguisher must be large enough for the fire at hand. It must be available and in working order, fully charged. The operator should be familiar with the extinguisher so it won’t be necessary to read directions during an emergency.

A fire extinguisher should be "listed" and "labeled" by an independent testing laboratory such as FM (Factory Mutual) or UL (Underwriters Laboratories).

Warning, extinguishers with plastic control heads may be dangerous! The pressure inside an extinguisher can be as high as 200 psi. When a plastic control head fractures, the pressure can make the bottle rocket hard enough to do real damage. The powder would also be discharged all at once. For this reason, the fire extinguisher service companies in Roswell will not sell, service, or refill the plastic head type.

The higher the rating number on a Class A or B fire extinguisher, the more fire it can put out, but high-rated units are often the heaver models. Make sure you can hold and operate the extinguisher you are buying.

Remember that extinguishers need care and must be recharged after every use. Ask the dealer about the extinguisher and how it should be serviced and inspected. A partially used unit might as well be empty.

You may need more than one extinguisher in your home. For example, you may want an extinguisher in the kitchen as well as one in the garage or work shop. Each extinguisher should be installed in plain view near an escape route and away from potential fire hazards such as heating appliances.

Fire extinguishers are labeled according to the type of fire on which they may be used. Fire involving wood or cloth, flammable liquids, electrical, or metal sources react differently to extinguishers. Using one type of extinguisher on the wrong type of fire could be dangerous and make matters even worse.

Labels A, B, C or D are generally used to indicate the type of fire on which an extinguisher is to be used.

• Class A - Ordinary combustible such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.
• Class B - Flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, grease, tar, oil-based paint, lacquer, and flammable gas.
• Class C - Energized electrical equipment including wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery and appliances.
• Class D - Combustible metal such as magnesium.

Most extinguishers can be used on more than one Class of fire. For example, a 2-A: 10-B:C extinguisher can be used on a Class A, B and C type of fire.

Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for routine inspection and service.

There is a simple acronym to remember to operate most fire extinguishers - P.A.S.S.

P.A.S.S. stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

To use your fire extinguisher:

Pull the pin at the top of the cylinder.

Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.

Squeeze the lever, or press the handle.

Sweep the contents from side to side at the base of the fire until the fire is out.

Shut off the extinguisher and then watch carefully for a rekindling of the fire. Always be sure the Fire Department inspects the fire site, even if you think you’ve extinguished the fire.

You should fight a fire with a fire extinguisher only when all the following are true:

Everyone has left or is leaving the building.

The Fire Department has been called.

The fire is small and confined to the immediate areas where it started such as in a wastebasket, cushion, small appliance, stove, etc.

You can fight the fire with your back to a safe escape route.

Your extinguisher is rated for the type of fire you are fighting and is in good working order.

You have had training in the use of the extinguisher and are confident that you can operate it effectively.

The Roswell Fire Department conducts hands-on training in the proper use of fire extinguishers. If you live in the Roswell area, you are welcome to contact us about a date for your employees or civic group. Training for groups of private residents can also be conducted.

Remember, if you have the slightest doubt about whether or not to fight the fire, DON’T. Instead, get out, closing the door behind you to slow the spread of the fire. You have one of the best Fire Departments standing read to protect you. Let the professionals do their job.