🔴 Truth Drop
In over 70% of fire incidents in India, extinguishers were either missing, expired, or misused.
(Source: NDMA Fire Safety Audit 2024)
The irony?
A ₹2,000 extinguisher could have stopped a ₹2 crore fire — if someone knew how to use it.
“Fire doesn’t wait for the fire brigade.
The first two minutes are yours — make them count.”
📖 Why Everyone Must Know This
Fires can start anywhere — kitchen, vehicle, office, lab, factory, hospital, or temple.
The first 60 seconds decide whether it remains a spark or becomes a disaster.
A single trained person with a working extinguisher can save dozens of lives.
🔥 Understanding Fire: The Triangle of Danger
Fire needs three elements to live:
1️⃣ Heat
2️⃣ Fuel
3️⃣ Oxygen
Eliminate any one, and the fire dies.
That’s what an extinguisher does — it cuts oxygen supply or cooling temperature.
🧩 Fire Classification (Know Before You Act)
| Class | Type of Fire | Common Source | Best Extinguisher Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Solid materials | Paper, cloth, wood | Water / Foam |
| B | Flammable liquids | Petrol, diesel, paint | CO₂ / Foam / Dry Chemical Powder (DCP) |
| C | Gaseous fires | LPG, methane | DCP / CO₂ |
| D | Metals | Magnesium, aluminium | Dry Powder (special type) |
| E | Electrical | Panels, wires, motors | CO₂ / DCP (never water) |
| F | Cooking oils & fats | Kitchen fires | Wet Chemical / Foam |
⚠️ Never use water on electrical or oil fires.
🧯 The PASS Technique – Universal 4-Step Method
P – Pull the Pin
→ Break the safety seal to unlock the lever.
A – Aim at the Base
→ Direct nozzle toward the base of the fire (not flames).
S – Squeeze the Handle
→ Firmly press the lever to release agent.
S – Sweep Side to Side
→ Move nozzle side to side, covering entire area until fire is out.
🔁 Remember: Keep 2–3 meters distance and never turn your back on the fire.
⚙️ Step-by-Step Use (Visual Flow)
1️⃣ Spot the fire → Shout “FIRE FIRE FIRE!” to alert others.
2️⃣ Cut power/gas if safe to do so.
3️⃣ Pick right extinguisher (match fire class).
4️⃣ Follow PASS – Pull → Aim → Squeeze → Sweep.
5️⃣ Check area for re-ignition.
6️⃣ Evacuate immediately if:
- Fire spreads beyond control,
- Room fills with smoke,
- Extinguisher empties.
7️⃣ Call 101 or 112 and wait at assembly point.
🧠 Quick Check Before Use
✅ Is the pressure gauge needle in the green zone?
✅ Is the pin sealed (not rusted or broken)?
✅ Is the nozzle clear and unblocked?
✅ Is it within expiry date (generally 1 year)?
✅ Is it mounted at 3–5 ft height, visible & accessible?
💡 After Use
- Lay extinguisher flat (don’t hang or lock it again).
- Inform fire warden / facility head.
- Recharge or replace immediately.
- Record incident in fire logbook.
🏠 Where Every Extinguisher Should Be Installed
| Location | Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
| Home / Flat | 1 ABC or DCP near kitchen & main door |
| Office / School | 1 per 200 sq. m, + near exits |
| Factory / Warehouse | Every 15–20 m, at visible height |
| Car / Bus / Ambulance | 1 small CO₂ or DCP |
| Hospital / Mall / Hotel | Multi-type extinguishers + alarm system |
(Ensure signage and arrow marking for easy visibility.)
🧩 Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Using wrong type of extinguisher (e.g., water on oil fire)
❌ Standing too close → inhalation / heat injury
❌ Aiming at flames instead of base
❌ Forgetting to alert others before attempting control
❌ Not recharging used units
🧭 Practice Makes Protection
Every family, office, and school must conduct fire extinguisher drills every 3 months.
Encourage children, staff, and residents to handle real extinguishers (under supervision).
Confidence comes only from action, not instruction.
📢 Systemic Lessons
India must:
- Mandate fire equipment training during Fire NOC renewal.
- Include PASS technique in school curriculum.
- Digitally map extinguishers & hydrants on Bharat101 platform for audit transparency.
- Promote Life Safety Blanket (LSB) as complementary home protection tool.
📣 Call to Action
🚨 Fire doubles in size every 30 seconds — don’t wait for help.
👉 Learn the PASS rule today. Teach two others.
One small action can stop an inferno before it starts.
📎 References
- NDMA “Fire Safety and Evacuation Manual,” 2024
- Directorate of Fire Services India – Annual Audit 2025
- VFF India “Community Fire Readiness Training Report,” 2024
- NFPA 10 (National Fire Protection Association Standard for Portable Extinguishers)
🔚 Closing Line
Courage isn’t running into fire — it’s knowing how to stop it.
This is why we built HowToSurvive.in — to make every hand ready, every second count, and every fire preventable.