You may have a broad Tulsa or OKC fire suppression
system with the suitable number of fire extinguishers for every area and have
consistent fire extinguisher
inspections, but would your team know how to use them in an emergency?
The Wall Street
Journal (WSJ) released an article
about a noteworthy gap in fire
extinguisher training, in fact even a gender gap in accurate training.
“Fire extinguishers are often the first line of defense in
the event of a fire, and a recent study from Cintas Corporation shows that more
than half (55 percent) of adults have never used or received training on the
proper operation of a fire extinguisher,” the WSJ reported.
There was also a startling gender gap in fire extinguisher
training and use. They noted that “men were more likely to have operated a fire
extinguisher (39 percent) compared to women (15 percent).” Actual training
statistics were slightly better. Of those surveyed, 44 percent of men had
received fire extinguisher training compared to 29 percent of women.
The survey discovered that some adults (26 percent) had used
a fire extinguisher in the past, but practically two out of three (64 percent)
had not received any training, the article reported.
The requirement for everyone to be completely trained and prepared
to properly use a fire extinguisher is essential.
“Lack of training is
a cause for concern as improper use of a fire extinguisher or the wrong type of
extinguisher could potentially make a fire worse,” the WSJ noted.
So, as a quick orientation (but not a substitute for proper
fire extinguisher training), here are a few tips on how to use a fire
extinguisher.
Before you endeavor to use a fire extinguisher, check to ensure
the fire is still in its initial stage (when it’s just getting started and the
flames are not taller than you are), you have the right kind of fire
extinguisher (so that it will be able to put out the fire), and that it is well
pressurized (usually that the needle is in the green area).
If these three factors are not present, it’s best not to use
the fire extinguisher. Immediately get out of the building and call the fire
department.
If you can safely use the fire extinguisher, get to a place
where you can get out quickly if you needed to.
Make sure you are in the extinguisher’s noted safe discharge range. Usually,
a fire extinguisher will have about 10 seconds of extinguishing power.
Then, remember to P.A.S.S.
Pull the pin in
the handle.
Aim the nozzle at
the base of the fire.
Squeeze the lever
slowly.
Sweep from side
to side.
Don’t instantly leave even if the fire seems to be
extinguished. Watch the area for a few minutes to ensure the fire doesn’t
re-ignite.
In the event that you do discharge the fire extinguisher,
Mac Systems in OKC and Tulsa can conduct an inspection and recharge the fire
extinguisher, making sure it’s prepared to use again.
Mac Systems provides regular fire extinguisher inspections in OKC
and Tulsa as well as design, installation, maintenance, and inspection of
complete Oklahoma fire suppression systems. Make sure your company has the
needed fire detection and suppression systems, as well as proper training to
keep your employees, customers, and property safe from a fire.
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