Fire Extinguishers: Are Your Tulsa and OKC Employees Trained?

Your company may have a comprehensive Tulsa or OKC fire suppression system with the proper number of fire extinguishers for every area and have regular fire extinguisher inspections, but would your staff know how to use them in an emergency?

Recently, the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) printed an article about a significant gap in fire extinguisher training, in fact even a gender gap in correct 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 overall revealed 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 serious requirement for everyone to be completely trained and equipped 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.