Certain trained and designated employees will evaluate the fire scene and, if the fire is small and conditions are reasonably safe, use a fire extinguisher to fight the fire. If the fire is large or conditions are unsafe, all employees will evacuate. Even against small fires, they are useful only under certain conditions. The extinguisher must match the type of fire being fought. The extinguisher must be large enough to put out the fire.
Many portable extinguishers discharge completely in as few as eight to ten seconds.
And remember, always be sure the fire department inspects the fire site, even if you think you've extinguished the fire. Use the labels below as a guide to purchase the kind of extinguisher that suits your needs. There are four classes of fires. All fire extinguishers are labeled, using standard symbols, for the classes of fires on which they can be used. A red slash through any of the symbols tells you the extinguisher cannot be used on that class of fire.