A small fire can turn into a big one in the time it takes to find your phone. Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher, and when not to, can save you a lot of damage and maybe a life.
This guide covers the PASS method and how to pick the right extinguisher. It also covers the part people forget: when to drop everything and get out. We've written it with Vancouver, Surrey and Lower Mainland businesses in mind, so there are extra notes for commercial kitchens and industrial sites. One rule first. Only fight a fire if it's small, you have a clear exit, and you feel sure about what you're doing. Not sure? Leave and let the fire department handle it.
PASS is the standard method for any portable extinguisher. Four steps, and you'll get through them in seconds.
Pull the safety pin out of the handle. You may need a slight twist to break the tamper seal.
Point the nozzle at the base of the fire, not the flames. Stand about 6 to 8 feet (roughly 2 metres) back.
Press down firmly and hold steady pressure so the agent comes out evenly.
Move across the base of the fire until it's out. Then don't walk away. Watch the area for a minute, because fires love to come back.
Pull the fire alarm if your building has one, so everyone else can get out. Call 911 even if you think you've put the fire out. Firefighters still need to confirm the area is safe. If your alarm is due for its yearly service, see: Fire Alarm Inspection Services
The wrong extinguisher can make a fire worse or spread it. Fires fall into these classes:
Class A: ordinary combustibles like wood, paper and cloth
Class B: flammable liquids like gasoline, oil and solvents
Class C: energized electrical equipment
Class D: combustible metals, mostly in industrial settings
Class K: cooking oils and fats in commercial kitchens
For a full breakdown, see: Choosing the Correct Type of Fire Extinguisher
Even with perfect technique, some fires are too big for a portable unit. Get out if:
The extinguisher empties and the fire is still burning
Smoke increases or you can't see well
The heat gets intense and things feel unsafe
Your escape route is blocked or threatened
You're not sure about the extinguisher type or your technique
Most portable units run out in well under half a minute. There's rarely time for trial and error, and your safety comes first.
Operating an extinguisher correctly starts with having the right one on hand. Common types include:
1. ABC Dry Chemical: Multipurpose, suitable for Class A, B, and C fires; the most common choice for offices and general commercial spaces.
2. CO₂ Extinguishers: Good for electrical equipment and flammable liquids. You'll find them in server rooms and near industrial panels.
3. Pressurized Water: Class A fires only; not safe on grease or electrical fires.
4. Foam: Works on Class A and B fires, often used where re-ignition risk is higher.
5. Wet Chemical (Class K): Made for cooking oil and fat fires. Commercial kitchens need one.
Every extinguisher has a label showing which classes it's rated for. Read yours today, not during a fire.
The steps are the same, but the setup is different. Most homes keep a small ABC extinguisher in the kitchen or garage, and that handles typical household fires. Store it where you can reach it without walking past the fire, ideally near an exit.
For a pan fire, turn off the heat and slide a lid over the pan if you can do it safely. Never throw water on it. If the flames keep growing, leave and call 911.
Home fire safety advice doesn't always translate directly to commercial properties, and most of our clients are property managers, restaurant owners, and facility operators, not homeowners.
Commercial kitchens are required to have a Class K wet chemical extinguisher near cooking equipment, in addition to general-purpose extinguishers elsewhere in the building. Grease fires should never be fought with water, it can throw burning oil across the room.
Offices and retail spaces typically rely on ABC dry chemical extinguishers, placed near exits and electrical rooms, with clear signage and unobstructed access a common deficiency flagged during fire inspections.
Industrial sites often need a mix of extinguisher types across a facility, including CO₂ for electrical panels and, in some cases, Class D extinguishers for metal-related processes. A Fire Safety Plan helps map the right extinguisher type to each zone of the building.
An extinguisher that hasn't been checked is a liability, not a safeguard. At minimum, confirm:
The pressure gauge needle sits in the green zone
The pin and tamper seal are intact and undamaged
There's no visible corrosion, dents, or leakage
The inspection tag is current (commercial extinguishers in BC require documented monthly checks and annual professional inspection under NFPA 10)
If any of these checks fail, the unit should be serviced or replaced before it's relied on in an emergency.
Aiming at the flames instead of the base of the fire.
Standing too close, or too far to maintain effective coverage.
Fighting a fire that's already larger than a wastebasket.
Using a water extinguisher on a grease or electrical fire.
Not checking wind or airflow direction before discharging (relevant outdoors or near open doors).
Turning your back right after the fire seems to be out.
Never checking the extinguisher until the moment you need it.
Commercial properties across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, and the wider Lower Mainland are expected to follow extinguisher placement, spacing, and maintenance requirements set out in NFPA 10 and the BC Fire Code, enforced locally by fire departments such as Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services. General guidance includes mounting extinguishers near exits and at accessible heights, keeping travel distances to an extinguisher within code limits based on fire class, and ensuring signage is clearly visible.
Workplaces also fall under WorkSafeBC expectations for fire preparedness. Because requirements vary by occupancy type and building size, a site-specific Fire Safety Plan is the most reliable way to confirm compliance.
We've spent 12+ years in fire protection and safety training across the Lower Mainland.
Otis Fire Protection provides:
Installation and sizing/placement recommendations
Refill, recharge, and hydrostatic testing
Certification for NFPA 10 and local fire bylaw compliance
These services help ensure your extinguishers are fully functional when they're needed most, across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, and the rest of the Lower Mainland.
Owning the right extinguisher isn't enough if your staff doesn't know how to use it under pressure. Otis Fire Protection offers on-site Fire Extinguisher Training in Vancouver, so your team can respond confidently and safely during a real incident.
Use the PASS method. Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle and sweep side to side. Only do it if the fire is small and you have a clear exit behind you.
PASS stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep, the four steps for operating a portable fire extinguisher.
A commercial kitchen needs a wet chemical (Class K) extinguisher. It's built for cooking oil and fat fires. Standard ABC units aren't rated for deep-fryer or grease fires.
Check that the gauge is in the green zone, the pin and tamper seal are intact, and there's no damage or corrosion. Commercial units also need a professional inspection under NFPA 10.
It's unsafe if the fire is larger than a wastebasket, spreading quickly, producing heavy smoke, blocking your exit, or if you're unsure which extinguisher to use. Evacuate immediately and let firefighters take over.
Extinguishers are rated by fire class: ABC dry chemical for general use, CO₂ for electrical and flammable liquid fires, water for ordinary combustibles only, foam for liquids, and wet chemical (Class K) for commercial kitchens.
Staff should do a visual check every month, and a professional should inspect each unit once a year under NFPA 10. Hydrostatic testing happens at longer intervals depending on the type.
Most BC workplace fire safety plans and WorkSafeBC expectations call for staff to know how and when to use an extinguisher. We offer on-site training for Vancouver and Lower Mainland businesses.
Knowing how to use an extinguisher is half of it. Knowing when to put it down and leave is the other half. Learn PASS and keep the right type within reach. Stay aware of what's happening around you, and put safety first every time.
For installation, inspection, training, or certification of fire extinguishers, Otis Fire Protection provides professional, code-compliant service across Vancouver, Surrey, Burnaby, Richmond, Coquitlam, and the greater Lower Mainland.
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