G.P. Fire Extinguisher & Safety Ltd. specializes in fire extinguisher sales and service, as our name implies. We’re also equipped for hydrostatic testing, as well as recharging fire extinguishers and air packs.

There are many different kinds of fire extinguishers available for purchase and selecting the proper one for your specific safety needs can sometimes be a difficult task. G.P. Fire Extinguisher & Safety Ltd. offers a variety of extinguishers for a variety of safety needs, including the following:

• Class A – good for fires involving common combustible materials such as wood, paper, cardboard and most plastics. Its geometric symbol is a green triangle.

• Class B – good for fires involving flammable and combustible liquids including gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. Its geometric symbol is a red square.

• Class C – good for fires involving electrical equipment such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets.     The C means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive – you cannot use water to fight a Class C fire because you risk being shocked. Its geometric symbol is a blue circle.

• Class D – good for chemical laboratories and fires involving combustible materials including magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. Its geometric symbol is a yellow decagon.

• Class K – good for fires involving cooking oils, trans-fats or fats in cooking appliances, typically found in kitchens, cafeterias or restaurants. Its geometric symbol is a black hexagon.

PASS the Fire Extinguisher (How to Use a Fire Extinguisher)

Once you’ve selected and purchased a fire extinguisher for your specific safety needs, it’s imperative that you read your extinguisher’s instructions and familiarize yourself with its operating parts. Be sure you take the proper amount of time to read and understand its operational instructions before ever being presented with an emergency situation in which it may be too late for you to do so.

Although it’s true that there are many types of extinguishers on the market, many of them can be operated using a similar method. If you’re still unsure about your extinguisher’s operation after looking over its instructions, many local fire departments offer hands-on training for properly operating a fire extinguisher.

To help you remember how to operate a fire extinguisher, always remember the commonly-used acronym PASS, which was conceived by fire safety officials many years ago:

P ull the pin at the extinguisher’s top, which should release the extinguisher’s locking mechanism. This allows you to discharge the fire extinguisher.

A im the extinguisher at the fire’s base, not its flames. In order to stop a fire, you must first extinguish its fuel.

S queeze the extinguisher’s level slowly to release the extinguishing agent. When you release the handle, it stops the extinguisher’s discharge.

S weep the extinguisher in a side-to-side motion until the fire is completely out. Please remember to operate the extinguisher at a safe distance away from the fire – usually several feet but it depends upon the specific type of extinguisher you are operating, be sure to check the instructions carefully – and don’t move closer to the fire until it starts to diminish. You may have to recharge your extinguisher after use. Important: Don’t walk away once the fire is out – watch it closely for at least a few minutes to make sure the fire doesn’t reignite.