Fire Fight Ready: Fire Extinguisher Awareness

Yes. Under the Canada Labour Code, Part II and every provincial and territorial OHS Act, employers must train workers on fire safety procedures and the proper use of fire suppression equipment. The Canada Occupational Health and Safety Regulations (COHSR), Division 10 adds specific requirements for federally regulated workplaces, including extinguisher placement, inspection schedules, and emergency procedures. Failure to train workers or maintain extinguishers in a ready state can result in prosecution and fines reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars for corporate employers.

P.A.S.S. stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep - the four steps used every time. Pull the pin to unlock the handle, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire (not the flames), squeeze the handle firmly to discharge the agent, and sweep side to side at the fuel source until the fire is out. Most portable extinguishers discharge in only 8 to 30 seconds, so knowing the technique before an emergency - not figuring it out during one - determines whether a small fire is stopped or spreads.

Before reaching for an extinguisher, all four conditions in the F.I.R.E. checklist must be met: the fire is no larger than a wastebasket, your exit is clear and directly behind you, you have the right extinguisher type for the fire class, and you are trained and confident to use it. If any one condition is not met - the fire is spreading, air is smoky, you are working alone, or flammable materials are nearby - evacuate without hesitation. Fire can double in size every 60 seconds, and smoke kills more people in workplace fires than flames do.

For energized electrical equipment (Class C fires), use a CO₂ or ABC Dry Chemical extinguisher - never water. A water extinguisher on an electrical fire creates an immediate electrocution hazard. In most Canadian workplaces the standard unit is an ABC Dry Chemical, which covers Class A, B, and C fires; server rooms and labs often use CO₂ because it leaves no residue that would damage sensitive equipment. Under COHSR Division 10 and provincial fire codes, employers must ensure extinguishers of the correct type and rating are installed and accessible for the specific hazards present in each work area.

The National Fire Code of Canada and its provincial equivalents require a monthly visual inspection by a designated worker and annual maintenance by a certified technician. During a monthly check, workers verify that the pressure gauge needle is in the green zone, the extinguisher is visible and unobstructed at the correct mounting height, the tamper seal and safety pin are intact, and there is no visible damage to the cylinder, hose, or nozzle. Inspection records must be kept on file, and hydrostatic testing of the cylinder is required every 5 to 12 years depending on the type. Any extinguisher that has been used - even partially - must be recharged by a certified technician before being returned to service.