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Fires can be very dangerous and you should always be certain that you will not endanger yourself or others when attempting to put out a fire. For this reason, when a fire is discovered: |
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Assist any person in immediate danger to safety, if it can be accomplished without risk to yourself.
- Activate the building fire alarm system or notify the fire department by dialing 911 (or designating someone else to notify them for you). When you activate the building fire alarm system, it will automatically notify the fire department and get help on the way. However, in the event this automatic notification fails, you or someone you designate should also call for help as shown above. The building alarm should also sound an alarm throughout the building.
- Only after having done these two things, if the fire is small, you may attempt to use an extinguisher to put it out.
However, before deciding to fight the fire, keep these rules in mind:
NEVER FIGHT A FIRE IF:
-
You don't know what is burning. If you don't know what is burning, you don't know what type of extinguisher to use. Even if you have an ABC extinguisher, there may be something in the fire which is going to explode or produce highly toxic smoke. Chances are, you will know what's burning, or at least have a pretty good idea, but if you don't, let the fire department handle it.
- The fire is
spreading rapidly beyond the spot where it started. The time to use an extinguisher
is in the incipient, or beginning, stages of a fire. If the fire is already spreading
quickly, it is best to simple evacuate the building, closing doors and windows
behind you as you leave.
Do Not Fight the Fire If:
You
don't have adequate or appropriate equipment. If you don't have the correct
type or large enough extinguisher, it is best not to try to fight the fire.
You
might inhale toxic smoke. If the fire is producing large amounts of smoke
that you would have to breathe in order to fight it, it is best not to try. Any
sort of combustion will produce some amount of carbon monoxide, but when synthetic
materials such as the nylon in carpeting or foam padding in a sofa burn, they
can produce highly toxic gases such as hydrogen cyanide, acrolein, and ammonia
in addition to carbon monoxide. These gases can be fatal in very small amounts.
Your
instincts tell you not to. If you are uncomfortable with the situation for
any reason, just let the fire department do their job.
The
final rule is to always position yourself with an exit or means of escape at your
back before you attempt to use an extinguisher to put out a fire. In case
the extinguisher malfunctions, or something unexpected happens, you need to be
able to get out quickly, and you don't want to become trapped. Just remember,
always keep an exit at your back.