Toolbox Talk: Fire Extinguisher Basics

Before you start

Bring an extinguisher (do not discharge it) so the crew can see the pin, the gauge and the label.

Read this to your crew

A portable fire extinguisher can stop a small fire in the first minute or two. After that, most fires are too big for one extinguisher, and the right move is to get out and call for help.

Today we will cover where our extinguishers are, which type to use, and the simple PASS method. Most important, we will talk about when not to fight a fire at all.

Key points

Know where they are. Point out the nearest extinguishers and keep them unblocked. If you have to look for one during a fire, you have lost valuable time.
Match the class. Class A is for ordinary materials like wood and paper, B for flammable liquids, C for energized electrical equipment, D for metals and K for kitchen oils. Most sites use ABC extinguishers.
Use PASS. Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, Sweep side to side.
Keep your exit behind you. Always fight a fire with a clear way out at your back.
Know when to leave. If the fire is spreading, the room is filling with smoke or you are unsure, get out, close the door and call for help.

Ask the crew

Where is the closest extinguisher to where you are working today?
What kind of fire are we most likely to see on this site?
When would you leave instead of fighting a fire?

Picture this

A small fire starts in a trash bin next to a work bench. One worker grabs for the extinguisher, but it is blocked behind a pallet and takes a minute to reach. By then the fire has spread to the bench. Keeping extinguishers clear would have made that a 10-second fix.

Print this page to use the sign-in sheet, or skip the paper and record attendance digitally in SafetyIQ.

Name

Company / crew

Signature

Talk leader: ______________ Date: ______________ Site: ______________