In fire safety, what does the PASS acronym stand for when using a fire extinguisher?

In fire safety, what does the PASS acronym stand for when using a fire extinguisher?

• A. Push, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
• B. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
• C. Pull, Align, Squeeze, Sweep
• D. Pull, Aim, Spray, Sweep

Answer: (B)

When using a fire extinguisher, PASS helps you perform the steps quickly and safely. Pull the pin to break the tamper seal and enable discharge; aim the nozzle at the base of the fire to reach the fuel source; squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent; sweep side to side at the base of the fire until it’s out or you must retreat. The order matters because you can only discharge after the pin is removed, you want to target the fuel so the fire can be stopped at its source, you release the agent with the squeeze, and sweeping ensures the agent blankets the area to prevent reignition. Some other phrases describe different actions, but they don’t match how extinguishers are designed to be used—for example, pushing instead of pulling would defeat the safety mechanism, aligning or spraying are not the established verbs in this acronym, and sweeping is the correct motion to cover the fire rather than spraying in one spot.

When using a fire extinguisher, PASS helps you perform the steps quickly and safely. Pull the pin to break the tamper seal and enable discharge; aim the nozzle at the base of the fire to reach the fuel source; squeeze the handle to release the extinguishing agent; sweep side to side at the base of the fire until it’s out or you must retreat. The order matters because you can only discharge after the pin is removed, you want to target the fuel so the fire can be stopped at its source, you release the agent with the squeeze, and sweeping ensures the agent blankets the area to prevent reignition. Some other phrases describe different actions, but they don’t match how extinguishers are designed to be used—for example, pushing instead of pulling would defeat the safety mechanism, aligning or spraying are not the established verbs in this acronym, and sweeping is the correct motion to cover the fire rather than spraying in one spot.