PASS stands for which sequence in fire extinguisher use?

• A. PASS stands for P- Pull the pin, A- Aim at the base of the fire, S- Squeeze the handle, S- Sweep from side to side
• B. PASS stands for P- Push the pin, A- Aim at the base of the fire, S- Squeeze the handle, S- Sweep from side to side
• C. PASS stands for P- Pull the pin, A- Aim at the top of the fire, S- Squeeze the nozzle, S- Sweep from side to side
• D. PASS stands for P- Pull the pin, A- Aim at the base of the fire, S- Squeeze the nozzle, S- Sweep from side to side

Answer: (A)

The sequence used for operating a fire extinguisher is designed to maximize effectiveness by tackling the fuel source first and then spreading the suppressant so the fire can’t reignite. You start by pulling the pin to unlock the extinguisher’s mechanism. Next, you aim at the base of the fire, where the fuel is feeding the flames, because hitting the fuel source makes extinguishing much more likely to succeed than aiming at the flames themselves. Then you squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent. Finally, you sweep the nozzle from side to side across the base of the fire to blanket the fuel and prevent re-ignition.

The other descriptions don’t fit this method: pushing the pin would not disengage the safety mechanism; aiming at the top of the fire misses the fuel source; and squeezing the nozzle is not the correct action to deploy the agent.