No one thinks that their place of business will encounter a fire, but it’s much better to be safe than sorry.
Learning some of the basic safety practices for using a fire extinguisher can prevent a catastrophic event from happening in the first place.
If you’re a business owner in North Huntingdon, PA, take note of these safety measures and educate your employees to help create a safer worker environment. This way you can mitigate the potential need for fire damage restoration.
The following fire extinguisher safety measures are paraphrased from Occupational Safety and Health Association Guidelines:
- Make sure to have fire extinguishers in your place of business – This is a given. In addition to having a fire extinguisher, make sure that it meets NFPA standards. A conversation with your local fire marshal or building inspector will help you determine if your extinguisher is up to snuff.
- Place your fire extinguishers according to guidelines – OSHA fire extinguisher placement guidelines call for a standard extinguisher to be placed within fifty feet of every single employee.
- Train your employees on how to use extinguishers – A fire extinguisher isn’t effective if used improperly. The PASS method provides the proper technique needed to extinguish a fire.
The PASS technique for fire extinguisher use
Pull – The pin is set in place to keep the extinguisher locked. You must pull the pin while holding the nozzle away from you.
- Aim – When you’re trying to put out a fire, you need to aim at the base of the flame.
- Squeeze – Make sure that you’re standing at a proper distance from the fire (about eight feet) and squeeze the lever. Be sure not to squeeze too hard; a slow and even pace is recommended.
- Sweep – You’ll want to move the nozzle in a sweeping motion while advancing closer to the fire, continuing to aim at the base of the flame until it’s put out.
It’s also important to make sure that your extinguishers are inspected on a yearly basis. This process should be documented as well.
Although these safety tips can help prevent a full-blown fire in your North Huntingdon, PA business, sometimes it’s too late. In the event of an uncontrollable fire, use the proper escape routes and call 911 immediately. When the dust settles and you’re in need of a fire restoration expert, contact us at 724-834-8889.
