The most important choice is made before you pull any pin: do I fight this fire, or do I leave? If you are unsure, the answer is to leave.
First, always: raise the alarm
Before anything else:
- Sound the alarm by pulling the fire alarm, or shout a warning.
- Make sure someone calls 911 (or your local emergency number) if the building's alarm does not do it by itself.
- Tell people nearby so they can leave.
Do this even if you think you can handle the fire. The fire service would much rather come to a fire that is out than not be called to one that is not.
Only try to fight a fire if ALL of these are true
- You are allowed and prepared to fight fires under your workplace policy, and you know how.
- The alarm is raised and everyone else is leaving.
- The fire is small and in its early stage, no bigger than a waste bin, and not spreading.
- You have a clear way out behind you, and you will not have to pass the fire to leave.
- The room is not filling with smoke, and the air is breathable.
- You have the right extinguisher for the fuel and it is full.
- You feel calm and safe. If you are afraid, leave.
If even one of these is not true, get out.
Leave at once if
- the fire is bigger than you or spreading to other items;
- there is heavy smoke or a heat that you cannot bear to approach;
- you do not know what is burning, or it involves chemicals, gas cylinders or batteries;
- the extinguisher is empty or does not work;
- you are alone and feel unsafe at any point.
Smoke is the main danger
Most people who die in fires are harmed by smoke and toxic gases, not by flames. A few breaths can make you dizzy or unconscious. Smoke rises, so air near the floor is cleaner. In a smoke-filled room, stay low.
Evacuating
- Walk quickly, do not run, and do not use elevators.
- Close doors behind you if you can do so safely. A closed door slows fire and smoke.
- Feel a door with the back of your hand before opening. If it is hot, do not open it.
- Follow the exit route in your plan. Help people who need assistance, but do not go back inside for belongings.
- Go to the assembly point and stay there.
- Let your supervisor or warden account for you. Tell them if someone is missing. Do not re-enter.
Total evacuation workplaces
In a workplace where the policy is total evacuation, the alarm means that everyone leaves, including those who know how to use extinguishers. Trained responders deal with the fire. If your plan says so, you must follow it.
After the fire
- Do not go back in until the fire department says it is safe.
- Report every use of an extinguisher, even if the fire went out.
- Tell your supervisor about any injury, however small. Smoke inhalation may show up later.
Key points
- Raise the alarm and call 911 first, always.
- Fight only a small, early fire, with a clear exit behind you and the right extinguisher.
- If in doubt, get out.
- Smoke is the biggest danger.
- In a total evacuation workplace, everyone leaves.