Safe fire extinguisher guide PASS method - every UK workplace

How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: the PASS method, done properly.

Learn the exact sequence that keeps you safe: decide whether to tackle the fire, raise the alarm, pick the right extinguisher, keep your back to the exit, then Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep. Built around UK best practice and the Fire Safety Order 2005.

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Extinguisher edition

Use an extinguisher safely - PASS, 45 minutes, one certificate.

The full Fire Marshal Course walks you through extinguisher types, the PASS technique and the most common mistakes people make in UK workplaces.

Extinguisher types, explained clearly
Common mistakes corrected clearly
Certificate valid for 3 years UK-wide

Full course price

£19.97 · final price

PASS

Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

Main extinguisher types

Fire classes A to F

45 min

To learn the method online

Why technique matters

Knowing how to use an extinguisher is not a detail. It is what stops a small fire becoming a disaster.

How a fire is judged, which extinguisher is chosen and how it is used decides whether a small fire is put out or grows out of control. A fire can spread through a room in minutes, so the first few seconds matter, and they only help if you stay calm and use the right technique.

Pick the right extinguisher, keep your back to the exit and aim at the base of the flames, and a small fire can be controlled. Grab the wrong type, aim at the flame tips or let the fire block your way out, and a manageable situation becomes dangerous. The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 expects staff to receive suitable instruction for exactly this reason.

Using the wrong extinguisher, or aiming at the flames instead of the fuel, can make a fire worse. Good technique is not a polite suggestion, it is the difference between a near miss and a serious incident.

This guide walks through the PASS method, the extinguisher types and fire classes behind it, and the times when the safest thing to do is leave the extinguisher and get out.

At a glance

Alarm firstRaise the alarm before you tackle any fire
Match the classRight extinguisher for the type of fire
Back to the exitNever let the fire get between you and the way out
PASS techniquePull, Aim at the base, Squeeze, Sweep
Know when to stopIf in doubt, get out, stay out and call 999

Step by step

How to use a fire extinguisher, step by step.

Run through these steps before tackling any small fire. They take seconds, and they are the difference between a controlled response and a dangerous one.

Decide whether to tackle it

Only tackle a small fire that is not spreading, and only if you have a clear escape route behind you. If the fire is bigger than a small bin or you feel unsure, get out instead.

Raise the alarm

Activate the nearest call point so people start to evacuate and the fire and rescue service can be called on 999. Never tackle a fire before the alarm is raised.

Choose the right extinguisher

Match the colour-coded extinguisher to the class of fire. The wrong type, such as water on an electrical or cooking oil fire, can make things far worse.

Keep your back to the exit

Stand about 2 metres back with a clear path out behind you. Never let the fire come between you and your escape route as you approach.

Pull the pin

Pull out the safety pin to break the tamper seal. This frees the handle so the extinguisher is ready to discharge when you squeeze it.

Aim at the base

Point the nozzle or hose at the base of the flames, where the fuel is burning, not at the tips of the fire. Aiming high simply wastes the extinguisher.

Squeeze the handle

Squeeze the handle slowly and evenly to release the agent. Releasing it stops the flow, which helps you control how much you use.

Sweep side to side

Sweep across the base of the fire until it is out, watching for re-ignition. If the fire grows or the extinguisher empties, stop, leave and close the door behind you.

Core principles

The three principles behind safely tackling any small fire.

Master these and the PASS method becomes second nature, whatever the extinguisher and whatever the workplace.

The right extinguisher for the fire

Every fire has a class, and every extinguisher is designed for certain classes. Water and foam suit solids, CO2 suits electrical fires, dry powder is multi-purpose, and wet chemical is made for cooking oils. Matching the two is the single most important decision.

Your safety comes first

An extinguisher is for a small, contained fire when the alarm is raised and your escape is clear. People always come before property. If the fire is spreading, smoky or blocking the exit, leave it, get out and let the fire and rescue service deal with it.

Aim at the base, not the flames

Fire burns the fuel, not the air above it, so the agent has to reach the base of the flames. Aim low, sweep across the seat of the fire, and keep going until it is fully out and shows no sign of re-igniting.

Common mistakes

The five extinguisher errors we see most often in UK workplaces.

Most failed attempts to put out a fire do not come from faulty equipment. They come from small mistakes made under pressure: grabbing the nearest extinguisher, aiming at the flames or trying to fight a fire that is already too big. The good news is that each one has a simple fix, and the steps above quietly remove every one of them.

If you manage a team, use these mistakes as a short fire safety briefing. If you may have to use an extinguisher yourself, read them as a personal checklist for the moment it matters.

Tackling a fire before raising the alarm
Using the wrong extinguisher for the fire class
Aiming at the flames instead of the base
Letting the fire block the escape route
Trying to fight a fire that is already too big

AlarmRaised before tackling the fire

ClassExtinguisher matched to the fire

AimAt the base, not the flames

ExitAlways clear behind you

SpreadFire growing beyond a small bin

SmokeHeavy smoke filling the room

Wrong typeWater on electrics or cooking oil

TrappedFire between you and the door

What it costs

Getting it wrong costs far more than the extinguisher.

Trying to fight a fire that is too big, or using the wrong type, can spread the fire, fill a room with smoke or cut off your escape in seconds. The risk does not stop with the person holding the extinguisher, it reaches everyone still inside the building.

Knowing the PASS method and when not to tackle a fire protects the whole team, not just the person who reaches for the extinguisher. It also supports your employer's duties under the Fire Safety Order 2005, which is why extinguisher use is a core part of every accredited Fire Marshal Course.

Fewer incidents, less damage, lower disruption
Calmer, faster evacuation when it counts
Confident staff and cleaner compliance records

Using a fire extinguisher safely, the full picture

Safe extinguisher use is the combination of a quick, honest judgement about whether to tackle the fire at all, the right extinguisher for the class of fire, a clear escape route, and the disciplined PASS technique. Every step exists to keep you safe while giving a small fire the best chance of being put out.

The fire classes

Every fire is grouped by what is burning. Class A is solids such as wood, paper and textiles. Class B is flammable liquids such as petrol and solvents. Class C is flammable gases. Class D is metals. Class F is cooking oils and fats. Fires involving electrical equipment are not a formal class but need their own approach. Matching the extinguisher to the class is the first decision you make.

The PASS technique

Once the alarm is raised, the extinguisher is the right type and your exit is clear, the technique is simple: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the flames, Squeeze the handle and Sweep from side to side. Start about 2 metres back and move closer only as the fire dies down, keeping your back to the way out at all times.

Choosing the right extinguisher

Water and foam are for Class A solids, with foam also covering Class B liquids. CO2 is for electrical equipment and Class B. Dry powder is multi-purpose across A, B and C but is best avoided in small enclosed spaces. Wet chemical is made for Class F cooking oils and fats. Never use water on electrical or cooking oil fires. The colour-coded label on every extinguisher tells you what it is safe to use it on.

If you remember only one thing from this page, remember this: people before property. Raise the alarm, only tackle a small fire with a clear exit behind you, and if in any doubt, get out, stay out and call 999.

When not to tackle a fire

If it is bigger than a small bin or already spreading to walls, ceilings or other items.
If it blocks your escape or could cut off your only way out while you fight it.
If there is heavy smoke, which is toxic and can overcome you in seconds.
If you are not confident with the extinguisher or unsure it is the right type.
If the alarm is not raised or others are still inside and need to be evacuated.

After the fire is out

Even when a small fire appears to be out, watch for re-ignition and keep clear. Report that an extinguisher has been used so it can be replaced or recharged, and never put a discharged extinguisher back on its bracket. If you used the extinguisher during an evacuation, still leave the building and report to the assembly point so everyone can be accounted for.

Training the PASS method properly

Reading about extinguishers is not the same as acting calmly when a fire breaks out. Our full online Fire Marshal Course covers fire hazards, extinguisher types, the PASS technique and when not to tackle a fire. The course takes around 45 minutes and ends with an instant digital certificate valid across the UK for 3 years. It is theory and awareness training, so hands-on practice with live extinguishers may still be needed for some roles.

FAQ

Fire extinguisher questions, answered.

Short, clear answers to the extinguisher questions UK workers and employers ask us most often.

What does PASS stand for?

PASS is the simple memory aid for using most fire extinguishers: Pull the safety pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle to release the agent, and Sweep from side to side across the base until the fire is out. It works for water, foam, CO2 and powder extinguishers used on the right class of fire.

How do I know which extinguisher to use?

Match the extinguisher to the fire. Water and foam suit Class A solids like paper and wood, foam also covers Class B liquids, CO2 suits electrical and Class B fires, dry powder covers A, B and C, and wet chemical is made for Class F cooking oils and fats. Using the wrong type can make a fire worse, which is why the colour-coded label matters.

When should I not tackle a fire?

Do not tackle a fire if it is bigger than a small bin, if it is spreading, if it blocks your only escape route, if it gives off heavy smoke, or if you are not confident with the extinguisher. In those cases, raise the alarm, get everyone out, close doors behind you and call 999. Your life always comes before property.

Should I raise the alarm before using an extinguisher?

Yes. Always raise the alarm first so people can start evacuating and the fire and rescue service can be called. Only attempt to use an extinguisher on a small fire once the alarm is raised and you have a clear escape route behind you.

How far should I stand from the fire?

Start about 2 metres back and only move closer once the flames begin to die down. Always keep your back to a clear exit so you can leave quickly if the fire grows or the extinguisher empties. Never let the fire get between you and the way out.

Is fire extinguisher training a legal requirement?

The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 requires staff to receive suitable fire safety instruction and, where appropriate, training to use firefighting equipment. Our online Fire Marshal Course covers extinguisher types, the PASS technique and when not to tackle a fire. Hands-on practice with live extinguishers may need separate practical training.

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Lock in safe extinguisher habits, in under an hour.

Our full online course teaches fire hazards, extinguisher types, the PASS technique and when not to tackle a fire. Complete it in around 45 minutes and download your certificate the moment you pass.

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