How to Use a Fire Extinguisher (PASS) and Which One to Buy
Bumpass Volunteer Fire Department · Updated October 8, 2026 · Reviewed by Bumpass Volunteer Fire Department, October 2026
The short answer
Remember PASS: Pull the pin, Aim low at the base of the fire, Squeeze the lever slowly, and Sweep side to side. Use an extinguisher only on a small fire that is not growing, after everyone is out and 911 has been called, with a clear exit at your back. For a home, buy a multipurpose (A-B-C) extinguisher. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab)
PASS: the four steps
- Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Aim low. Point the nozzle at the base of the fire, not at the flames. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Sweep the nozzle from side to side. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
Stand where you have a clear way out behind you, and keep your back to that exit while you use the extinguisher, so you can leave if the fire is not going out. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab) If the room fills with smoke, leave immediately. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab)
First: should you use one at all?
Fire grows and spreads fast, so the first priority is always to get out safely. An extinguisher is one part of a fire plan; the main part is escape. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab) The U.S. Fire Administration suggests six questions. Use an extinguisher only when every answer is yes. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
Should I use the extinguisher?
Answer all six. Every one has to be yes.
- Have I alerted others in the building that there is a fire? USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Has someone called the fire department? USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Am I physically able to use a fire extinguisher? USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Is the fire small and contained in a single object or surface, like a pan or a wastebasket? USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Am I safe from the fire's toxic smoke? USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Do I have a clear escape route? USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
If you are unsure, the answer is no: alert others, leave the building, and call 911 from a mobile phone or a neighbor's phone. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) NFPA's version of the rule is similar: the fire is confined to a small area such as a wastebasket and is not growing, everyone has left, the fire department has been called, and the room is not filled with smoke. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab)
Fire extinguisher classes: A, B, C, D and K
| Class | For fires in | Where you find it |
|---|---|---|
| A | Ordinary materials like cloth, wood and paper. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) | Homes and businesses. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) |
| B | Combustible and flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) | Homes and businesses. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) |
| C | Electrical equipment that is plugged in; the agent does not conduct electricity. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) | Homes and businesses. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) |
| D | Flammable metals. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) | Factories. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) |
| K | Vegetable oils, animal oils and fats in cooking appliances. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) | Commercial kitchens such as restaurants and cafeterias. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) |
Which fire extinguisher to buy for home
- Multipurpose. A multipurpose extinguisher labeled "A-B-C" (or "B-C") can be used on most home fires, and most home improvement stores carry them. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Listed. Look for the "UL Listed" or "ULC Listed" label, which means a nationally recognized testing laboratory has certified it. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- The right size for you. Pick the largest extinguisher you can safely and comfortably handle. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) NFPA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Near an exit. Mount it close to a way out, so that reaching it moves you toward safety, not deeper into the room. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab)
Reading the label. The numbers rate the extinguisher. The number before the A is a multiple of 1.25 gallons of water; the number before the B is the area of fire, in square feet, it can put out. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) A rating of 1A:10B:C means the equivalent of 1.25 gallons of water on a Class A fire, Class B fires up to 10 square feet, and safe on Class C fires. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
How to check your extinguisher
- Easy to reach. Nothing blocks it. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Pressure. If it has a gauge, the needle sits in the recommended range. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Parts. The can, hose and nozzle are not damaged, dented or rusted. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Clean. No dust, oil or grease on the outside. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
- Maintenance. Follow the label: some extinguishers need shaking monthly, others pressure testing every few years; some can be recharged and others must be replaced when the pressure is low. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
Free printable
Fire Extinguisher Check Card
Hang it next to your extinguisher: PASS, the six questions, the classes, and the monthly check.
Download the Extinguisher Check Card (PDF)Who should not use one
Young children and older adults should not use fire extinguishers. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) NFPA does not recommend training children to use them at all: their job in a fire is to get out and stay out. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab) Teach children the home escape plan instead.
Call 911 in an emergency
Call 911 before or while anyone uses an extinguisher, never after.
Bumpass Volunteer Fire Department
Hands-on extinguisher training at BVFD is for members. Louisa County residents can join BVFD as a member and receive free training. For other safety questions, call the station's non-emergency line at 540-872-2400.
Frequently asked questions
What does PASS stand for?
Pull the pin, Aim low at the base of the fire, Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly, Sweep from side to side. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
What type of fire extinguisher is best for a home?
A multipurpose extinguisher labeled A-B-C, listed by a recognized testing laboratory, and the largest you can safely handle. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
Can I use an extinguisher on a grease fire?
A Class B or multipurpose A-B-C extinguisher is rated for grease. USFA (source, opens in a new tab) On the stovetop, covering the pan with a lid and turning off the burner is the first step. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab)
When should I not use a fire extinguisher?
When the fire is growing or spreading, the room is filling with smoke, nobody has called 911, or you do not have a clear way out. Leave and call 911 instead. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab)
Where should I keep a fire extinguisher at home?
Close to an exit, where nothing blocks it, so reaching it moves you toward a way out. NFPA (source, opens in a new tab) USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
How do I know if my fire extinguisher still works?
Check that it is easy to reach, the gauge shows the recommended pressure, and the can, hose and nozzle are undamaged. Follow the maintenance instructions on the label. USFA (source, opens in a new tab)
When to call 911, and when to call us
Call 911 for fire, smoke, or anything you are unsure about. Get out first.
Call the station on 540-872-2400 for non-emergency safety questions.
Related safety guides
How to Put Out a Grease Fire (and When to Just Get Out)
Lid, off, leave it, and the one thing you must never do. Plus a five-question self-check.
Make a Home Fire Escape Plan (Free Printable Grid)
Print the grid, draw two ways out of every room, and run the drill. The flagship family activity.
Space Heater Safety: The Rules That Prevent Winter Fires
The 3-foot rule, why not overnight, and a heater check you can do in two minutes.
Sources
Written by Bumpass Volunteer Fire Department in our own words. Every figure on this page comes from the official source tagged beside it.
General safety guidance, not legal or medical advice. Follow your equipment's instructions and local codes.