Should staff use fire extinguishers on a fire?
By Joe Cooper · · 3 min read
No one should be expected to fight a fire. The priority is to raise the alarm and get everyone out. Using an extinguisher can be reasonable only in limited cases.
Only if all of these are true
- The alarm has been raised.
- The fire is small and not spreading.
- You have a clear escape route behind you.
- You are trained and the extinguisher is the right type.
Leave straight away if
- The fire is bigger than a waste bin.
- There is smoke building or you feel unsafe.
- You are unsure what is burning.
Training
Short, practical training helps staff know the types, how to use them and, just as importantly, when not to. Record who has been trained.
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General information based on GOV.UK guidance and common practice. It is not legal advice or a fire risk assessment. Your own fire risk assessment sets what applies to your premises. Sources: GOV.UK, Fire safety in the workplace.