A fire extinguisher is there to support a safe escape, not to turn an employee into a firefighter. In the first moments of a workplace fire, knowing how to use a fire extinguisher safely can protect people, limit damage and help emergency services do their job. Just as importantly, it helps your team recognise when fighting the fire is no longer the safe choice.
For employers, facility managers and emergency control organisation members, this is about more than putting equipment on a wall. It is about making sure people can make sound decisions under pressure, follow the workplace emergency plan and put life safety first.
Your first priority is people, not the fire
Before anyone reaches for an extinguisher, raise the alarm. Alert people nearby, activate the fire alarm if appropriate and call Triple Zero (000) as soon as it is safe to do so. Follow your site’s emergency procedures and the directions of wardens or the chief warden.
An extinguisher should only be used on a very small, contained fire where there is a clear and safe escape route behind you. If smoke is building, the fire is spreading quickly, the room is filling with heat, or you are unsure what is burning, leave immediately. Close doors behind you where safe to do so, but do not lock them. Move to the assembly area and do not re-enter until emergency services or the person in charge says it is safe.
This judgement matters. A fire can double in size in a short time, and smoke can make a familiar workplace unrecognisable. The safest response is often a fast, orderly evacuation.
Check whether it is safe to use an extinguisher
A trained person should make a quick assessment before attempting to extinguish a fire. Ask: is the fire small enough to control? Is the extinguisher suited to the fuel involved? Is there a safe path out if the attempt fails?
Do not use an extinguisher if you are alone and have not raised the alarm, if the fire is taller than you, if it is blocking your exit, or if you cannot see clearly because of smoke. Never take unnecessary risks to protect stock, equipment or a building. These can be replaced. People cannot.
It also depends on the workplace. A small waste-paper-bin fire in an open office may be suitable for an extinguisher response. A fire involving gas cylinders, lithium-ion batteries, chemicals, cooking oil or electrical equipment may require a different approach, specialist equipment or immediate evacuation. Your emergency plan should identify likely hazards and the response arrangements for your site.
Choose the correct extinguisher for the fire
Using the wrong extinguisher can make a fire worse or create a serious injury risk. Extinguishers are labelled for particular fire classes, so staff should be familiar with the units installed in their workplace before an emergency occurs.
Common fire risks and suitable extinguisher types include:
- Paper, timber, textiles and rubbish – water, foam or dry chemical powder extinguishers may be suitable.
- Flammable liquids, such as petrol, solvents and paints – foam, carbon dioxide or dry chemical powder may be suitable.
- Energised electrical equipment – carbon dioxide or dry chemical powder may be suitable. Never use water on electrical equipment that may still be live.
- Cooking oils and fats – use a wet chemical extinguisher or fire blanket where appropriate. Never use water, as it can cause burning oil to explode outward.
- Flammable gases – dry chemical powder is commonly used, but only where it is safe to do so and the gas supply can be isolated.
The label on the extinguisher is the immediate guide. In a workplace, extinguisher placement and signage should align with the hazards present, rather than relying on one type of unit for every possible fire. Regular inspections and maintenance are equally important. Equipment that is inaccessible, discharged, damaged or out of service cannot protect anyone.
How to use a fire extinguisher safely: the PASS method
Once the alarm has been raised, an appropriate extinguisher has been selected and you have a safe exit behind you, use the PASS method. It gives people a simple sequence to recall when stress affects concentration.
Pull the pin
Pull the safety pin to break the tamper seal and release the operating handle. Keep the extinguisher upright. Read the operating instructions if there is time, as the method can vary slightly between extinguisher types.
Aim at the base of the fire
Point the hose or nozzle at the base of the flames, where the fuel is burning. Spraying only at the top of the flames is unlikely to remove the fuel source. Stand at a safe distance, then move closer only if the fire is reducing and conditions remain safe.
With a carbon dioxide extinguisher, avoid holding the discharge horn during use. It becomes extremely cold and can cause an injury. In windy outdoor conditions, approach from upwind where possible so the extinguishing agent is directed towards the fire rather than back at you.
Squeeze the handle
Squeeze the handles together to discharge the extinguishing agent. Use controlled bursts if appropriate and watch how the fire responds. Extinguishers have limited operating time, often measured in seconds, so aim carefully rather than emptying the unit without effect.
Sweep from side to side
Sweep across the base of the fire until the flames are out. Keep watching the area. Some fires can reignite, particularly where heat remains in materials or fuel is still present. If the fire does not reduce quickly, stop, leave and close the door behind you if safe.
Do not turn your back on the fire while leaving. Maintain awareness of the area, move to safety and report what has happened to the warden or attending firefighters.
After the fire appears to be out
An extinguished fire still needs to be treated as an incident. Keep people away from the area, as smoke, hot surfaces, damaged electrical equipment and reignition can remain hazards. Do not reset alarms, clean up residue or restart equipment until the area has been assessed and authorised.
Any extinguisher that has been used, even briefly, must be removed from service and replaced or recharged by a competent provider. The incident should also be reported and reviewed. A short debrief can identify whether the alarm was heard, evacuation routes were clear, wardens had the information they needed and equipment was easy to access.
This is where organisations build stronger emergency readiness. The goal is not to find fault with people acting under pressure. It is to improve the systems, training and communication that support a safer response next time.
Training turns instructions into confident action
Reading PASS is useful, but practical fire extinguisher training creates a different level of capability. People learn how heavy an extinguisher feels, how to approach a controlled fire safely, what discharge looks and sounds like, and when to stop. They also practise communication, evacuation and decision-making in a setting where mistakes become learning rather than harm.
For workplaces, training should sit alongside clear emergency procedures, appropriate equipment, maintained exit paths and appointed, trained wardens. Different teams may need different levels of preparation. A hospitality venue may focus on cooking oils and crowded evacuations, while a warehouse may need to consider plant, storage layouts and flammable substances. An education and care setting must account for children, visitors and assisted evacuation.
EDS Training Group helps organisations bring these elements together through practical fire safety training and emergency planning support. The purpose is straightforward: give people the confidence to act early, communicate clearly and make safe decisions when every second counts.
A fire extinguisher can be a valuable first-response tool, but only when it is matched with training, sound judgement and a clear way out. Be ready, stay safe, and make sure your people know that leaving safely is always a successful outcome.
