Rules
for Fire Fighting
Fires
are dangerous. Only attempt to extinguish a after
you have raised an alarm, if the fire in its incipient
stage and if you have the competency to do so. Life
preservation before property preservation.
Know what is burning. If you don't know what is burning, you don't
know what type of extinguisher to use.
If the fire is spreading rapidly get out!!! Follow the emergency
evacuation plan
Do Not Fight the Fire If:
You don't have adequate or appropriate equipment.
You might inhale toxic smoke and you do not have the respiratory equipment
and competency.
Your instincts tell you not to.
Always position yourself with an exit or means of escape at your back
before you attempt to use an extinguisher to put out a fire.
Ensure
that your building has an emergency
evacuation plan in place and regular FIRE
DRILLS are carried out.
These drills are designed to identify any weaknesses in a procedure and must
be executed with some regularity. The onus is on the occupier of the buildings
to demand that these exercises be done. The emergency evacuation plan gives
guidelines on what should be put in place before a drill can be carried out.
Please contact the safety officer for more information.
HOW
TO USE AN EXTINGUISHER
ALWAYS STAND UPWIND OF THE FIRE
JUST REMEMBER THE ACRONYM PASS. Pull, Aim, Squeeze
and Sweep
Pull
the safety pin. This will allow you to discharge
the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire.This
hits the fuel rather than going through the flames
and eliminates the possibility of being engulfed
by the flames.
Squeeze the top handle or lever. This
releases the extinguishing agent inside the extinguisher.
Sweep from side to side. Start
using the extinguisher from a safe distance away, and
then move forward. Once the fire is out, keep an eye
on the area in case it re-ignites. NEVER TURN YOUR BACK
ON A FIRE.
There is no substitute for hands-on experience. Please contact
the safety officer to arrange for training.
