What does PASS stand for in fire extinguisher use?

What does PASS stand for in fire extinguisher use?

• A. Push the pin, Aim at base, Squeeze handle, Sweep side to side
• B. Pull the pin, Aim at top, Squeeze handle, Sweep from side to side
• C. Pull the pin, Aim at base of fire, Squeeze handle, Sweep side to side
• D. Pull the pin, Aim at base of fire, Squeeze handle, Sweep from left to right

Answer: (C)

PASS describes the proper sequence for using a portable extinguisher: Pull the pin to unlock the device, Aim at the base of the fire to reach the fuel source, Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent, and Sweep the nozzle from side to side to cover the area and suppress the fire. Pulling the pin is the first step because the extinguisher won’t discharge otherwise. Aiming at the base is essential; flames themselves aren’t the fuel, the fuel source is, so you intervene at the base to stop the reaction. Squeezing releases the agent, and sweeping side to side ensures you treat the area rather than just a single point, increasing the chance the fire is knocked down quickly. The option that mentions pushing the pin is incorrect, since the pin must be pulled; aiming at the top is incorrect because you want the base; and sweeping strictly left-to-right is too limited compared to the recommended side-to-side motion.

PASS describes the proper sequence for using a portable extinguisher: Pull the pin to unlock the device, Aim at the base of the fire to reach the fuel source, Squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent, and Sweep the nozzle from side to side to cover the area and suppress the fire. Pulling the pin is the first step because the extinguisher won’t discharge otherwise. Aiming at the base is essential; flames themselves aren’t the fuel, the fuel source is, so you intervene at the base to stop the reaction. Squeezing releases the agent, and sweeping side to side ensures you treat the area rather than just a single point, increasing the chance the fire is knocked down quickly. The option that mentions pushing the pin is incorrect, since the pin must be pulled; aiming at the top is incorrect because you want the base; and sweeping strictly left-to-right is too limited compared to the recommended side-to-side motion.