P.A.S.S. It On!!

In July of 2004, over 100 customers and employees lost their lives in a South America-based supermarket.  The cause - a fire originating in the deep-fat fryer cooking area.  These deaths could have been prevented if proper automatic fire extinguishing systems were in place, exhaust hoods were cleaned professionally on a quarterly basis, and evacuation procedures had been established with documented quarterly drills.  Alarmingly, a simple two-minute consultation on the proper use of manual fire extinguishers may have been all that was needed to prevent this tragedy.

While horrifying, this loss is not surprising to the members of IPSLC.  Employees working in either large supermarket chains or privately-owned bar and grills from Phoenix to Fairbanks, typically are not trained in fire extinguisher use.    When asked, an estimated 95% of employees do not know how to properly use a fire extinguisher.  And those working near grease frying equipment do not know the difference between a Class K (chrome colored) manual fire extinguisher, used specifically for grease fires, and a standard red ABC extinguisher.

   P.A.S.S. is the acronym of choice when consulting in the proper extinguisher use:

P – Pull the pin,

A – Aim the hose at the base of the fire,

S – Squeeze the trigger, and

S – Sweep the chemical at the base of the fire. 

All new and existing employees should be taught this acronym, with training documentation maintained.  Businesses should invite local fire department personnel to offer hands-on extinguisher training (typically a free business service offered through your local fire department), especially those with high-hazard occupancies.  Additionally, all employees should be accountable for fire safety, i.e., report missing extinguishers and/or those that aren’t hung, as well as disabled extinguishers with pins missing.

Quick and simple fire extinguisher training will create an awareness that could someday save lives and thousands of dollars in property loss.  So P.A.S.S. the word on to your coworkers, managers, and clients!

Contact TAG Insurance Services for additional information or consultation at 801-298-9000. 

Class K                                ABC

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Copyright © 2006 Insurance Professionals of Salt Lake City (IPSLC)

Thanks to TAG Enterprises, LLC dba TAG Insurance Services and Mr. Brad Marston for creating this website.