It’s often funny how at times you become ignorant of a thing you should be master of. Just like me, I’m majoring in chemistry for 16 years now (including college) and had worked in industrial plants yet I never touched a single fire extinguisher until last week when LSU Science Department conducted their annual orientation on how to use the fire extinguisher for laboratory safety.
Spearheaded by science coordinator, Mrs. Maria Cristina M. Llauder, the activity started with a prayer (led by yours truly) and without further ado the demonstration followed.
There are only four magic words to be remembered by heart in using the fire extinguisher with the acronym PASS.
P for Pull
Pull the safety pin located at the top of the fire extinguisher.
A for Aim
Aim the nozzle of the fire extinguisher at the base of fire and not at the flames.
S for Squeeze
Squeeze the handle of the fire extinguisher to discharge the dry chemical inside which is the extinguishing agent.
S for Sweep
Sweep the hose of the equipment from side to side until the fire is extinguished.
That’s how easy it is to use a fire extinguisher so thanks to La Salle University for this another opportunity of learning. Hopefully, our students will not panic in case of emergency (God forbid) and use their common sense for our laboratory classes’ safety.
Then again, school activities like this make me smile for if I didn’t become a teacher, I could not’ve touched a fire extinguisher nor learn how to use it all my life! (despite of being a chemical engineer. hehe…..)
