How to Use and Maintain Fire Extinguishers for a Safer Workplace

Fire extinguishers might not be the flashiest tool in the workplace, but when chaos sparks up, they’re the MVP. OSHA’s got strict rules about them for a reason. Whether you’re on a construction site or in a cozy cubicle, keeping extinguishers inspection-ready and knowing how to use them could mean the difference between a close call and a catastrophe.

If you’re the boss, you’re also the extinguisher enforcer, get it right or risk the blaze.

Employers are required to:

• Service extinguishers annually with a certified pro
• Check them in-house monthly to confirm:
  • They’ve been serviced
  • They’re in the right spot, easy to grab
  • They’re fully charged and ready to roll

Wonder how a fire extinguisher shuts things down? It’s basically a heat, fuel, and oxygen breakup story.

Fire needs four things to rage on: oxygen, heat, fuel, and a chemical reaction. A fire extinguisher works by ruining that little party. Knock out just one of the elements and boom, fire ghosted.

Fire Extinguisher 101: Know what you’re holding.

• Discharge lever
• Safety pin
• Handle
• Pressure gauge
• Pickup tube
• Internal gas canister
• Fire-slaying agent
• Nozzle or hose

Choose wisely, because one extinguisher doesn’t fight all fires.

If you’ve ever wondered why they come in flavors A, B, C, D, and K, it’s not alphabet soup. It’s survival.

Fire Types and What You Need

• Class A: Paper, wood, fabric. Dry chemical or water extinguishers
• Class B: Flammable liquids like gas or oil. CO2 or foam does the trick
• Class C: Electrical fires. Go for dry chemical or CO2 only
• Class D: Combustible metals. Specialized units only
• Class K: Greasy kitchen chaos. Wet chemical extinguishers for the win

One extinguisher to rule them all? Look for ABC-rated ones. They cover most workplace flare-ups like a pro.

If a fire pops off, don’t freak out, just PASS the test.

The PASS method makes you look like a firefighting genius. Here’s how it works:

• P – Pull the Pin: Unlock it and breathe.
• A – Aim Low: Hit the base of the fire, not the flames.
• S – Squeeze the Handle: Let it rip, but keep the pressure steady.
• S – Sweep Side to Side: Cover every ember like your job depends on it. Because it does.

Fire prevention is just smart business, don’t let your workplace be a bonfire waiting to happen.

Don’t wait for smoke to get serious about safety. Here’s how to stay ahead:

• No smoking signs? Actually follow them.
• Keep flammables far from heat sources
• Maintain gear to avoid sparks and overheating
• Store chemicals properly, in approved containers only
• Don’t plug five coffee makers into one outlet, be real
• Take out trash often, especially combustible stuff
• Never block sprinklers, keep an 18-inch clearance

Level up your fire safety game and be the calm in the chaos.

If you want to go beyond basics and train like a pro, this one’s for you. Learn how to assess fire risks, respond like a legend, and stay compliant with our Fire Safety Training: Prevention and Response in Offices Training Course.

Let’s fireproof your workplace, one extinguisher at a time.

Whether you’re the office hero or the safety coordinator on a mission, knowing how to use and maintain fire extinguishers is non-negotiable. Take action now. Equip your crew with life-saving knowledge and stay on OSHA’s good side with our Fire Extinguisher Training Course.

References

• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Portable Fire Extinguishers (29 CFR 1910.157).
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) – Fire Protection in Construction (29 CFR 1926.150).
• U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) – Fire Extinguisher Safety.