Most offices and shops have extinguishers on the wall. Far fewer have staff who’ve ever held one. That’s what practical training fixes. Employees learn how to pick the right extinguisher and use it on a small fire, usually after a short classroom talk and then real hands-on practice.
Below is what the training covers, who needs it in a BC workplace, what happens on the day, and how to choose a provider.
It has two parts. First, a short talk on how fires behave and which extinguisher suits which fire. Second, supervised practice where each person uses a real or simulated extinguisher.
|
Format |
What employees get |
Limitation |
|
Video or online module |
Basic rules, fire classes, the PASS steps |
No handling of equipment, no muscle memory |
|
Classroom talk or demo |
Questions answered, instructor demonstration |
Most people only watch |
|
Practical, hands-on training |
Every person pulls the pin, aims and sweeps |
Needs scheduling and a suitable space |
In most BC workplaces, anyone who’s expected to use an extinguisher should be shown how. WorkSafeBC and the BC Fire Code expect employers to make sure workers can respond to fire. Your fire safety plan spells out who’s covered and how often training happens, and the exact rules depend on your industry and building.
In practice, these people get the most out of it:
Fire wardens, supervisors and team leads
New hires, during onboarding rather than months later
Staff in higher-risk areas like kitchens, workshops, server rooms and warehouses
People who work alone or on late shifts, since they may be the first to notice a fire
Nobody’s being turned into a firefighter here. The goal is simple: anyone can deal with a very small fire safely, and everyone knows when to walk away instead.
Before anyone touches an extinguisher, a good session spends a little time on three things.
The wrong extinguisher can make a fire worse. Water on a grease fire is the classic example. Employees should be able to match the fire to the extinguisher.
|
Class |
Fire involves |
Workplace example |
Common extinguisher type |
|
A |
Wood, paper, cloth, plastics |
Offices, storage rooms |
Water, ABC dry chemical |
|
B |
Flammable liquids and gases |
Workshops, fuel storage |
ABC dry chemical, CO2, foam |
|
C |
Energized electrical equipment |
Server rooms, panels |
ABC dry chemical, CO2 |
|
D |
Combustible metals |
Machine shops |
Special dry powder |
|
K |
Cooking oils and fats |
Commercial kitchens |
Wet chemical |
One more note on gas. If a gas fire can’t be shut off at the supply, don’t put the flame out. Gas that keeps leaking after the flame is gone can cause an explosion. Leave and call 911.
Every extinguisher has a label that shows which fire classes it’s rated for, its size and how to use it. A good exercise is to have each person walk to the extinguisher nearest their desk and explain what it’s for.
This is the part most people have never thought through. Portable extinguishers are only meant for the very start of a fire. You should only try to fight it if all of these are true:
The fire is small and hasn’t spread to the ceiling or other materials
The alarm has been raised and 911 has been called
You have a clear exit behind you
The extinguisher is the right type and within reach
You feel confident using it
If even one of those isn’t true, or there’s heavy smoke, get out and close doors behind you.
The practical part follows the PASS technique:
Pull the pin.
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, not at the flames.
Squeeze the handle.
Sweep from side to side until the fire is out.
A good instructor also has you practise what happens around those four steps. That means checking the pressure gauge and pin before you approach, standing at a safe distance with an exit behind you, and sweeping until the flame is fully out. After that you back away and keep watching in case it flares up again. If the extinguisher runs dry or the fire grows, you stop and leave.
Many portable extinguishers only discharge for around 8 to 15 seconds. Feeling how fast that goes is one of the most useful things about practising. It shows you, better than any slide could, why extinguishers are for small fires only.
Practical training can be delivered in a few different ways. The right choice depends on your site, your space and how risky your work is, and plenty of workplaces mix more than one.
Here, staff use a real extinguisher on a controlled flame, usually outdoors. It’s the most realistic option and suits higher-risk sites and fire wardens. It does need a suitable outdoor space and proper safety controls.
A training prop is a purpose-built unit that copies a flame or a spill fire, so people can practise aiming and sweeping without a real fire. Props work well for mixed groups and for sites that don’t have much space. The prop just needs to suit the type of extinguisher being used.
With a simulated trainer, staff practise the full PASS sequence with no real flame at all. It suits offices, indoor sites and bigger groups. It’s less realistic than live fire, but there’s no mess and no powder to clean up afterwards.
Some sites would rather not discharge dry chemical because of cleanup or environmental concerns. Water-based or simulated practice can still teach the whole sequence. A common setup is a short classroom session, then prop practice for everyone.
Most on-site sessions run from about 45 minutes to a couple of hours, depending on group size and how much hands-on time is included. Bigger teams are usually split into smaller groups so the rest of the business can keep running.
A typical session goes like this:
1. A short overview of how fires start and spread, and the fire classes
2. A walk through your building to find extinguishers, exits and the assembly point
3. A talk through the fight-or-leave decision
4. A demonstration of PASS by the instructor
5. Hands-on practice, with everyone taking a turn
6. Questions about your own workplace
To get ready, tell your trainer about the hazards in your building, the types of extinguisher you have and your shift pattern. Staff should wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes, and dress for the weather if part of the session is outdoors.
On-site training works best because people practise on the same extinguishers they’ll find on their own walls. You can arrange on-site fire extinguisher training around your building and shift schedule.
A few questions will tell you a lot:
Will the session use your building, your extinguishers and your evacuation routes?
Does every participant get hands-on practice?
Are the instructors qualified, and do they cover fire classes and the fight-or-leave decision?
Can sessions be scheduled around your shifts and split into smaller groups?
Will you get a record of who attended?
Cost mostly depends on group size, the number of sessions, the practice method and whether the session happens at your premises. The easiest way to get a real number is to ask for a quote based on your headcount and site.
Training only helps if the equipment works. Extinguishers should be checked regularly for pressure, pins, hoses and mounting. Our fire extinguisher inspection service covers that, and staff should report anything that’s missing, blocked or damaged.
Usually, yes. Employers are expected to make sure workers can respond to fire, and that includes anyone who may use an extinguisher. The details depend on your industry, so check them against your fire safety plan.
Ask your provider before you book. A good one will give you a record of who attended and when, which is handy for your fire safety plan and any inspections.
Yes. Sessions are supervised and start with a briefing, and each person practises with an instructor beside them. If someone’s nervous, they can tell the instructor and go at their own pace.
Online training is good for theory. It can’t give people the feel of handling an extinguisher, so it works best alongside a practical session.
Once a year is a widely recommended routine. Add extra sessions when new people start, when your layout changes or when extinguishers are swapped for a different type. Your fire safety plan and insurer might have their own rules, so check both.
An extinguisher on the wall doesn’t help if nobody’s ever used one. Practical training built around your own building, and repeated regularly, is what makes the right response automatic. It doesn’t take long, and it’s far easier to arrange now than to wish you had after an incident.
Otis Fire Protection runs on-site practical training for workplaces across Vancouver and the Lower Mainland. Contact us to book a session or ask for a quote based on your team size and site.
Copyright © 2026 | Otis Fire. All Rights Reserved.
