Fire Safety Masterclass

Welcome

This interactive lesson covers the fire triangle, fire classes, extinguisher colour bands, safe intervention, evacuation, emergency calls, PASS technique, prevention and smoke safety.

Golden rule: life safety comes first. Do not risk injury to save property.

Extinguisher gallery

Five realistic fire extinguishers with red, cream, black, blue and yellow identifying bands

Band key: red = water; cream = foam; black = CO₂; blue = dry powder; yellow = wet chemical. Always read the extinguisher label and rating before use.

1. The fire triangle

Heat

Energy that raises fuel to ignition temperature: flame, hot surface, electrical fault or friction.

Fuel

Anything that can burn: solids, liquids, gases, cooking oils and some metals.

Oxygen

Usually supplied by air. Smothering reduces the oxygen available.

Break one side to stop combustion.

2. Fire classes and extinguishers

Hazard	Examples	Suitable choices	Critical warning
A – solids	Wood, paper, textiles	Water, foam, powder	No water near live electricity
B – liquids	Petrol, paint, solvents	Foam, CO₂, powder	Never use a water jet
C – gases	Propane, butane, natural gas	Dry powder; isolate gas only if safe	Do not approach uncontrolled gas
D – metals	Magnesium, sodium	Specialist Class D powder	Never use water or CO₂
F – oils/fats	Deep-fat fryer, cooking oil	Wet chemical	Water can cause a fireball
Live electrical	Switchboards, appliances	CO₂; powder where appropriate	Isolate supply if safe

UK note: electrical involvement is not normally a separate Class E.

3. Safe intervention

Only a trained or instructed person should consider it.
The fire must be small, contained and at an early stage.
The alarm must be raised and evacuation underway.
The correct extinguisher must be immediately available.
A clear escape route must remain behind you.
Abandon the attempt if the fire grows, smoke increases or escape is threatened.

Evacuate instead if untrained, unsure, alone, trapped, affected by smoke, or facing gas, chemicals, high voltage, cooking oil or rapid spread.

4. Fire procedure

Raise the alarm and shout “Fire!”.
Call 999: give the exact address, location, material burning and anyone missing.
Evacuate by the nearest safe exit; do not use lifts unless directed.
Close doors behind you if safe, without locking them.
Go to the assembly point and report to the responsible person.
Never re-enter until authorised as safe.

If trapped: close the door, block smoke gaps if possible, call 999, give your location and signal at a window.

5. PASS technique

P – Pull

Pull the pin or remove the seal.

A – Aim

Aim at the base of the flames.

S – Squeeze

Squeeze the operating handle.

S – Sweep

Sweep from side to side while keeping your escape route.

6. Expanded flashcards

Click each card to reveal the answer.

7. 40-question instant-check assessment

Each question has four options. Select an answer to receive instant feedback and an explanation before continuing.