When you have a fireplace in your home, being proactive about fire prevention is important. Things like routine chimney inspections and sweeping, burning the right type of fuel, maintaining proper clearances, and keeping your family well informed about good fireplace practices can make burning season safe and pleasantly uneventful each year.
Yet, we can’t always anticipate the unexpected. If an uncontained fire were to occur on your property, knowing how to respond and acting promptly could make the difference between a minor incident and major catastrophe.
Fire extinguishers are part of that responsive line of defense – they’re designed to suppress small fires before they escalate. Be sure that those who may need them in your household know where they’re located and how to use them by employing the PASS method. That knowledge and the precious minutes a confident response can save could make all the difference in an emergency situation.
Using Your Fire Extinguisher: The PASS Method
The PASS method is an easy-to-recall acronym that outlines the steps to operate a fire extinguisher effectively. Staying calm and following these steps when confronted by a house fire can protect your property and those who live there.
- P – Pull. Fire extinguishers have a pin or safety clip on the handle that protects against accidental discharge. Start by pulling this pin or safety clip. This will break the tamper seal and prepare the fire extinguisher for use.
- A – Aim. With your fire extinguisher ready, it’s time to take aim – but do it with intentionality. Don’t aim at the flames themselves. Instead, aim the nozzle or hose at the base of the fire. This is typically where the fuel of the fire is located, so aiming at the base of the flames will attack the fire at its source.
- S – Squeeze. Squeeze the handle or lever to discharge the extinguishing agent. (What this agent is may vary depending on the type of extinguisher.) Keep a firm grip on the extinguisher, and maintain your purposeful aim to direct the extinguishing agent where you want it to go.
- S – Sweep. Sweep the hose or nozzle from side to side across the base of the fire until it’s completely extinguished. Continue aiming at the base of the flames, and move gradually towards the edges to ensure that all areas are covered.
After you’ve discharged a fire extinguisher, follow local regulations and procedures for proper disposal. Contacting your local fire station can be a good place to start.
❗Keep in mind that if a fire has already spread substantially, is producing intense heat or visibility-inhibiting smoke, prioritize your own safety over property loss – evacuate right away if the fire has surpassed a fire extinguisher’s ability to suppress and call emergency services.
Types of Fire Extinguishers
While all fire extinguishers may be created with equal care, they are not all the same. Fire extinguishers are categorized by the types of fires they’re designed to suppress. Since not all fires are the same, neither are all extinguishers. Common types of extinguishers include:
- Class A – Ordinary Combustibles. These are designed for fires involving combustible materials you’d ordinarily see around a home or office, such as wood, paper, and cloth. They usually contain water to cool or a dry chemical meant to smother and interrupt the chemical reaction of the fire.
- Class B – Flammable Liquids. Class B extinguishers are suitable for fires fueled by flammable liquids like oil, gasoline, or paint. These usually contain dry chemicals that form a barrier between the fuel of the fire and the oxygen that feeds it, smothering the fire and interrupting combustion.
- Class C – Electrical Equipment. These are used for fires involving energized electrical equipment like appliances, wiring, and circuit breakers. Class C fire extinguishers usually contain dry chemical agents similar to Class B extinguishers. These extinguishing agents are non-conductive, allowing them to work without risking electrical shock.
- Class D – Combustible Metals. Class D extinguishers are specifically designed for fires involving metals such as magnesium, titanium, and sodium. They contain special dry powder agents meant to react with the metal fire and smother it by forming a crust over the fire. Class D extinguishers are normally found in industrial settings, not residential ones.
- Class K – Cooking Oils and Fats. Suitable for fires involving cooking oils, fats, and greases typically found in kitchens, these extinguishers contain a special wet chemical agent engineering to cool the fire and react with the oils to form a substance that suppresses the fire.
When you choose an extinguisher for your home, you should choose based on the potential hazards present in your environment. If you have a fireplace or stove in your home, having a Class A extinguisher nearby is prudent because of all the ordinary combustibles that are likely present nearby.
Do Fire Extinguishers Expire?
Fire extinguishers do have expiration dates. Over time, extinguishers can depressurize or the materials inside can degrade. This could reduce its effectiveness or cause it to malfunction.
Most fire extinguishers need to be replaced or recharged every 5 to 15 years – the timing will vary depending on the type of extinguisher and manufacturer’s recommendations. You should check the pressure gauge regularly to make sure it’s where it should be and inspect your extinguisher for any signs of damage or corrosion that could hinder its ability to function when needed.
Your Safety Is Our Priority
We’re passionate about fireplace safety. Being proactive about fireplace safety is vital to safeguard your home against fire hazards. We encourage you to be diligent about fireplace maintenance, using your fireplace safely, and knowing how to respond should an emergency occur.
Our team of chimney sweep technicians have comprehensive knowledge of chimney systems and decades of experience keeping those systems in optimal working condition. We maintain Chimney Safety Institute of America (CSIA) certification, demonstrating our commitment to ongoing education and knowledge of current safety standards.
And, of course, we prioritize you – the customer, your family, and your home. If you have questions about fireplace safety, don’t hesitate to reach out. We’re happy to help. As a matter of fact, it’s why we’re here!