1. Workplace Safety Training Portable Fire Extinguishers Click on the arrows to move forward or backward through the tutorial

2. Used properly, a Portable Fire Extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a SMALL fire or suppressing it until the Fire Department arrives. Portable Fire Extinguishers, however, have limitations. They are not designed to fight large fires, or fires that are spreading quickly!

3. A Portable Fire Extinguisher must be in proper working order and fully charged. This can be checked by performing a quarterly inspection of 3 basic check points on the extinguisher: 1. Check to see if the seal securing the pin is not broken or missing, as shown in the picture above.

4. 2. Check the arrow on the gauge; it should be in the green or light colored/fully-charged area, not in the red, discharge/recharge, or overcharge areas.

5. 3. Portable Fire Extinguishers are inspected once a year by an authorized inspector. Check the Inspection Tag for the previous inspection date. Make sure that it has not been longer than one year from that date.

6. If you find any problems with these 3 basic check points on the Portable Fire Extinguisher… Inform your custodian. Make a note on your Quarterly Inspection Checklist.

7. Portable Fire Extinguishers are labeled with ABC letters/pictographs to indicate the kind of fire on which the extinguisher is effective. A = Ordinary combustibles; paper, wood, trash. B = Flammable liquids; grease, oil. C = Electrical; electrical equipment, appliances, circuit breakers.

8. To operate the extinguisher follow the 4-step PASS procedure: P ull the pin. A im low at the fire. S queeze the lever above the handle. S weep from side to side.

9. Portable Fire Extinguisher Highlights Know how to operate the extinguish BEFORE an emergency. Know the location of the extinguisher. Perform the quarterly checks on the extinguisher. Match the extinguisher to the type of fire. Know when to fight a fire and when to evacuate.

10. If you have any questions on Portable Fire Extinguishers contact your Safety Committee Representative.