You have seen them. They are everywhere. And they are a fundamental characteristic of a favorite place. zombies? No. Fire extinguishers. Every place needs them. And not just one you pulled out of the back of your garage. They must be fitted correctly, in good working order and most importantly the staff/crew must know how to use them.
What are the top five things every hunter should know about fire extinguishers? It’s funny that you should ask. Are here:
5. Fire extinguishers must be placed at each exit. It is always better to have too many than not enough.
4. There should be a flashlight placed next to each fire extinguisher. However, a flashlight that glows in the dark, so it’s easy to find during a power outage. Strategically placed glow-in-the-dark tape can also help in this regard. Each actor and crew member should also carry a small flashlight with them in case of a power outage.
3. Shelters must have 2A10 BC fire extinguishers. They can be purchased at a hardware store like Lowes and/or Home Depot. They also need to be checked annually. The fire marshal will probably (hopefully) check the date on the fire extinguisher to make sure it’s up to code. If you buy them at Home Depot or Lowes, be sure to tape a copy of the receipt to the fire extinguishers, which makes them good for one year. Once repaired, the fire extinguisher company will tag them with an upgrade.
2. Fire extinguishers must be easily accessible. They should be placed just above doorknob height so everyone can reach them, and in a place where people won’t put things in front of, on, or around them. Shelter staff/crew need to know how to use them. They are also familiar with the following PASS system of firefighting operations.
- PPull the pin to discharge the extinguisher.
- HASI am at the BASE of the flames.
- SSqueeze the top handle or lever to release the extinguishing foam.
- Scries from side to side over the fire until it’s out.
1. The most important thing about fire extinguishers is to make sure everyone on site knows that the first rule of fire safety is that getting off the premises is far more important than fighting a fire. Getting out of the building is the first priority and they should only attempt to put out the fire if it is small and manageable.
