A fire can break out at any time in a company: a short-circuit, an overloaded piece of equipment, human error… In these situations, every second counts. By reacting quickly, you can limit the damage, protect your colleagues and sometimes even save lives.<\/p>\n\n
But when faced with flames, many people hesitate: which extinguisher should I use? How to handle it? Where to aim it? This guide gives you the keys to understanding, choosing and using an extinguisher in complete safety.<\/p>\n\n
Whether you’re an employee, HSE manager or company director, this knowledge is an essential complement to any fire safety training<\/a><\/strong>. Because when faced with fire, improvisation has no place<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n In the event of a fire, the first few minutes are decisive. An incipient fire can still be contained with a portable extinguisher, but without rapid intervention, it can turn into a major disaster.<\/p>\n\n Mastering the use of a fire extinguisher<\/strong> isn’t just a technical reflex: it’s an act of prevention and responsibility. In the workplace, it makes it possible to:<\/p>\n\n Simple gestures can make all the difference. It’s just a question of knowing what they are and applying them without panicking.<\/p>\n\n Not all extinguishers are created equal. Each model is designed to extinguish a specific type of fire. Knowing these differences is essential if you are to intervene effectively and safely.<\/p>\n\n Dealing with a fire requires calm and method. Here are the steps to follow to use an extinguisher correctly:<\/p>\n\n Before any work is carried out, make sure that :<\/p>\n\n Pull the safety pin to release the release handle. Hold the extinguisher firmly by the handle.<\/p>\n\n Point the nozzle away from the fire and press lightly to test the jet. This checks that the extinguisher is working properly.<\/p>\n\n Stand at a safe distance (2 to 3 metres) and aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, never at the flames themselves.<\/p>\n\n Squeeze the trigger and sweep from left to right at the base of the fire. Continue until the fire is completely extinguished or the appliance is exhausted.<\/p>\n\n Using the wrong extinguisher can make the fire worse. For example, a water extinguisher on an electrical fire is dangerous. Flames alone will not extinguish a fire. You have to cut off the source of combustion at the base to be effective.<\/p>\n\n A fire can intensify suddenly. Keeping a safe distance allows you to act while remaining protected.<\/p>\n\n Using an extinguisher does not replace calling for help. In Switzerland, you should always dial 118 as soon as the fire breaks out.<\/p>\n\n Even if the fire appears to be under control, it can start up again. Always withdraw carefully, keeping an eye on the fire.<\/p>\n\n Fire training teaches the right reflexes: how to spot the type of fire quickly, choose the right extinguisher and use it without hesitation. This mastery can make the difference between a controlled incident and a major disaster.<\/p>\n\n With training, you can intervene safely, without putting yourself in danger or making the situation worse. You’ll also protect your colleagues, customers and family by limiting smoke, burns and chaotic evacuations.<\/p>\n\n In Switzerland, companies must train a certain number of employees in firefighting, in particular in accordance with the AEAI and CFST standards. Training with SafetyFirst will ensure regulatory compliance and reinforce your organisation’s safety culture.<\/p>\n\n Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher is much more than learning the theory: it’s acquiring a decisive skill for intervening quickly and avoiding a disaster. This seemingly simple act needs to be repeated, understood and integrated through certified fire training.<\/p>\n\n At SafetyFirst, our in-company training courses in French-speaking Switzerland prepare you to deal with emergency situations methodically, calmly and effectively.<\/p>\n\n Each extinguisher is designed for one type of fire: Theoretically, yes, but incorrect handling can be dangerous. Training teaches you how to react effectively without endangering people or property.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n They must be visible, easily accessible and located near exits in high-risk areas (kitchen, workshop, etc.). Their location is regulated.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A fire extinguisher must be checked every year by an approved professional, and serviced every 5 years (or more often, depending on the model).<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n A fire extinguisher generally has a lifespan of 10 to 20 years, depending on its type and regular maintenance.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" A fire can break out at any time in a company: a short-circuit, an overloaded piece of equipment, human error… In these situations, every second counts. By reacting quickly, you can limit the damage, protect your colleagues and sometimes even save lives. But when faced with flames, many people hesitate: [\u2026]<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16,"featured_media":5948,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[310],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-5975","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fire-prevention-and-response"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5975","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/16"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5975"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5975\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5976,"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5975\/revisions\/5976"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/5948"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5975"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5975"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5975"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/safetyfirst.ch\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=5975"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}Why knowing how to use a fire extinguisher can save lives<\/h2>\n\n
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The different types of extinguisher and their use<\/h2>\n\n
Water extinguisher (type A)<\/h3>\n\n
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Foam extinguisher (type AB)<\/h3>\n\n
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CO\u2082 extinguisher (type B)<\/h3>\n\n
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Powder extinguisher (ABC type)<\/h3>\n\n
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Steps for using an extinguisher in a real-life situation<\/h2>\n\n
1. Assess the situation<\/h3>\n\n
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2. Remove the pin from the extinguisher<\/h3>\n\n
3. Briefly test the device<\/h3>\n\n
4. Aim for the base of the flames<\/h3>\n\n
5. Sweep sideways<\/h3>\n\n
Mistakes to avoid when using an extinguisher<\/h2>\n\n
Not identifying the type of fire<\/h3>\n\n
Aim for the flames instead of the base<\/h3>\n\n
Getting too close to the fireplace<\/h3>\n\n
Forget the alert<\/h3>\n\n
Turning your back on fire<\/h3>\n\n
Why training in the use of fire extinguishers is essential<\/h2>\n\n
Improving responsiveness to emergencies<\/h3>\n\n
Reducing risks to yourself and others<\/h3>\n\n
Complying with legal obligations<\/h3>\n\n
Conclusion: using a fire extinguisher is vital and accessible<\/h2>\n\n
\n\nFor further reading, see also<\/h3>\n\n
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FAQ: everything you need to know about using an extinguisher<\/h2>\n
How do you know which extinguisher to use depending on the type of fire?<\/h3>\n
Solid material fires (class A) \u2192 water or foam extinguisher.
Liquid fires (class B) \u2192 foam or powder extinguisher.
Electrical fires \u2192 CO\u2082 or powder extinguisher.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nCan an extinguisher be used without training?<\/h3>\n
Where are fire extinguishers located in a company?<\/h3>\n
When should an extinguisher be serviced?<\/h3>\n
How long does an extinguisher last?<\/h3>\n