When Using an Extinguisher...

By Elizabeth A. Ginns — April 2003

More of this Feature • Part 1: Fire Safety • Part 2: Fire Safety • Part 3: Fire Safety • Classes and Labeling • “PASS”
Related Resources • Maintenance Index
Elsewhere on the Web • Fireboy-Xintex

Keep “PASS” in mind—Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. Pull off the safety pin at the top of the extinguisher. Aim the nozzle at the base of the flame. Squeeze the trigger or discharge lever, and sweep the nozzle back and forth, spreading the extinguishing agent over the entirety of the fire’s base. Stand approximately eight feet away from the fire’s base when extinguishing; if you can’t get that close, the fire is probably too big for you to extinguish. 

Onboard Requirements
The U.S. Coast Guard requires that boats less than 40 feet in length carry either two B-1 or one B-2 extinguishers onboard; for boats 40 feet to less than 65 feet in length, three B-1 or one B-1 and one B-2 extinguishers are requried by law. Fireboy-Xintex, a company that specializes in extinguishing sytems, offers a complete range of U.S.C.G.-approved extinguishers.

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