Small-Fire Response: Extinguish or Evacuate?

Seeing a fire can make anyone panic. Some people rush for a fire extinguisher, some freeze, and others wonder whether they should leave immediately. Not every small, early-stage fire is safe to tackle yourself. A correct response may control a fire in seconds; a wrong decision may trap you. Prepared by Fire Station, Hong Kong fire extinguisher specialists, using information from the Hong Kong Fire Services Department and Labour Department, this guide does not encourage risk-taking. It explains when a portable extinguisher may be used safely and when to evacuate immediately and call the emergency services.

Contents

1. Great principle: life goes before fire.
2. "Able to save" and "right away" judgment forms.
3. The most practical method of judgement: ask yourself three questions first.
4. Scenario one: electrical plugs or towboards on fire
5. Scenario two: Cooking cooking oil boilers on fire
6. Scenario III: Smoke in garbage dumps or cans
7. Scenario IV: Fire in a corridor of miscellaneous goods or in a box
8. Scenario five: smoke from chargers, mobile phones or electric bicycle batteries
9. Scenario 6: Office computers or servers smoke
10. Scenario seven: clothes on fire.
11. Decision to use fire extinguishers: pull, aim, press, sweep
12. Deciding to evacuate: Fire Services Department escape.
13. What do you do when the fire goes out?
14. Preparation: choice of fire extinguisher, placement
15. Common problems FAQ

First, remember the big principle: life goes before fire.

Your own safety always comes first. The Hong Kong Fire Services Department explains that controlling a fire at an early stage can greatly reduce injuries and property damage. Extinguishers and fire blankets may therefore be used immediately on a small, early-stage fire when it is safe to do so. The Labour Department also advises using nearby firefighting equipment only in safe conditions. Do not take risks in an unsafe environment.

To put it simply, the following conditions are in place at the same time.

• The fire was still low and did not spread to smallpox, curtains, large areas of miscellaneous goods or into a room.
• The source is clear, you know what to burn.
• There's a proper fire extinguisher nearby, and you probably know it.
• There's a clear exit behind you. You won't be caught by fire.
• The smoke was not so thick as to make it impossible to open up or breathe.

As long as one of them does not work, the answer is usually not "show" but "leave " now.

2. Decision Guide: Attempt to Extinguish or Leave Immediately?

Observation projects	We could use a fire extinguisher.	We should evacuate immediately and call the police.
Fire Size	Small, concentrated in one place, like a trash can or a plug-in.	The fire is higher than the adult knee or even the waist, or it's burned to curtains, privates, smallpox.
Smoke volume	A small amount, clear view.	Smallpox smoked, eyes were blocked, breathing difficulties were encountered.
Nature of the source of fire	I know it's paper, electrical or cooking oil.	I don't know what to burn, or I suspect chemicals, gas, lithium batteries.
Equipment	There's a fire extinguisher or a fire blanket on hand.	It's only unserviceable equipment (e.g. clean water) or first to the fire.
Back off.	The exits are behind us. We can retreat any time we want.	The fire is between you and the exit, or deep into the room.
It smells the same.	It's not unusual.	Battery, sparks, glass bursting, chemical smell of stinging noses, hissing.
Humans.	There's someone else calling the police and evacuating.	No one's gonna call the police or open the road.
After the spray.	The fire is clear, it's out.	It's been a few seconds and it's not improving. Stop and evacuate now.

Never venture into a fire on your own. Even a brief entry can expose you to dense smoke, a lack of oxygen and high temperatures, which can quickly impair your judgement.

III. The most practical method of judgement: ask yourself three questions first.

Do you know what burns?

It can be handled differently. Not only can the fire not be extinguished by the wrong way, but it can also increase the fire: for example, a water-fired cooking boiler can cause a hot oil spill, and water-fired electrical equipment is at risk of electrocution. Not even the nature of the source of the fire is certain.

Do you have any fire suppression equipment?

Different types of fire extinguishers apply differently:

Equipment	Fit for initial fire alarm.	It's not suitable.
Dry powder extinguishers	Most fire alarms, including electric fires and burning flammable liquids	Battery fires with large amounts of cooking oil (better lids or blankets for small cooking oil)
Carbon dioxide extinguishers	Electricity fires, flammable liquids, electronics, no residues spent	Paper, wood, cloth, deep-seated solid fire (undercooled, prone to rekindling)
Water extinguishers	Solid fires such as paper, cloth, wood, etc.	Electrical fires, oil fires
Popper fire extinguisher	Paper, cloth, wood, solvent, fuel	Electrical equipment
Fire blankets.	Tiny cooking oil boilers, clothes on fire, small initial fires.	The fire that has expanded.

If you want to know the rationale for the various types of fire extinguishers is the same thing, you can see A Complete Guide to Fire Extinguishers in Hong Kong.

Do you have a safe exit route?

When using fire extinguishers, the ideal system is to go back to the exit, the source of fire is in front, the door is in the back. If you can't get control of the fire, you can go back. If you have to go through the fire extinguisher to the exit, or you have to go deep into the house to get the fire extinguisher, don't save it, just leave.

Scenario I: electrical plug-in or towboard fire

Common situations

It is common in Hong Kong for families and offices to have tort boards filled with plugs, tow boards, old wires, overheated chargers, and to follow the smell of burning, sparks in the place, and even burning to nearby paper. Many people's first reaction is to get a glass of water, which is very dangerous.

What does Fire Department suggest?

According to the Home Safety Code of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department, electrical fires should close the power mains or remove electrical plugs, and do not use water or water-based fire extinguish ers to save them.

When can we think of fire extinguishers?

• Fires are concentrated only in the vicinity of intersusu, towboards or electrical appliances and do not spread to a wide range of private homes or smallpox.
• You can turn off the power safely, or you can't get into the deep of the fire.
• There are suitable carbon dioxide or dry powder extinguishers on hand.

When do you have to leave?

• The fire has reached curtains, wooden cabinets, boxes or other large quantities of flammable material.
• The entire wall or distribution tank continues to explode.
• Smoke spreads fast, or you can't get to the main point.

Prevention stickers

• Don't drag the towboard, don't overload the towboard.
• When the outer skin of the wire is broken, its hair is heatened or coloured, it is disabled and replaced.
• A 2kg CO2 or 2kg dry powder extinguisher can be prepared in an electrically compact location (e.g., home computer space, Fire Extinguishers & Fire Safety Products).

Scenario two: Cooking and cooking oil boilers on fire

First of all, no water for the oil fires.

When it comes to hot, hot, hot oil, it immediately melts, and the burning oil is sprayed around, so the fire is rapidly expanding. So don't pour water, and don't bring up or move a hot cooker.

Correct step.

1. Under safe conditions, turn off the fire ( and the gas trigger).
2. With a pan cap, a metal plate or a fire blanket, completely flattened the pan, isolated the air.
3. Keep the cover, don't immediately open up, and wait for the boiler to cool down completely so that it doesn't rekindle.
4. If there's a smoke or if the fire is gone, leave the kitchen and call 999.

When do we have to evacuate?

• The fire has been burned with a smoker or pipe.
• There are many fires in the kitchen, and it is no longer a single cooking pan.
• You've been so scared you can't get near the stove, or your clothes have been spilled.

Appropriate equipment

Home cooking boilers, the most practical of which is a boiler cap or a fire-fighting blanket. It is recommended that a fire-fighting blanket should be mounted near the kitchen entrance, not on the top of the stove, otherwise the fire should reach through the fire first. Detailed methods can be used Fire Blankets & Kitchen Fire SafetyHome combinations can be used to Home Fire Safety Essentials.

VI. Scenario III: Smoke in garbage dumps or cans

It's the kind of thing that's the most vulnerable.

The building dumpsters, the back alley trash cans or the office water cans are smoked, and many people feel that “it should be a small matter”. However, garbage dumps are usually paper-rich, groceries are abundant and ventilation is poor, and once the door is opened, there may already be a large amount of smoke or fire. One of the common reasons is that the butts fall into the trash before they go out. The fire department warns that the cigarette butts need to be completely put out before they are discarded.

When can we handle it?

• The source of the fire is clear, with only a small amount of fire occurring on the face of the trash can.
• You may have dealt with it outside the door or at the door, but you will not let it in.
• There are dry powder extinguishers on hand, and the amount of smoke is acceptable.

When do we have to evacuate and call the police?

• Once the door was opened, there was already smoke coming out.
• The source of the fire could not be seen, or it was suspected that it had been burned to the depths of the wall wires and miscellaneous items.
• To walk into the garbage, spray it first.

The point is not "dry," but the garbage house itself is a high-risk, low-visibility space. A person walks in, loses direction or breathes too much smoke. If you are in charge of managing the building, you can refer to Fire Extinguishers for Car Parks & Industrial Buildings.

VII. Scenario IV: Fire in a corridor of miscellaneous goods or boxes

It is not unusual in Hong Kong for the back stairs of the old building, the work corridor, and the back door of the store to pile up a box on fire.

Conditions suitable for self-treatment

• The fire began on a small scale and was concentrated in a few miscellaneous items.
• You're near the exit in the corridor. There's enough back way.
• Others knew that there were simultaneous alarms or alerts for evacuations.

Situations not suitable for self-treatment

• The fire has sealed half the corridor.
• The smoke piled up and began to affect the escape from the stairs.
• It is not known whether there are wire cells, chemicals or other dangerous substances nearby.

Appropriate equipment

Solid combustible materials such as boxes, wooden boards, fabrics, etc., are set on fire, usually using dry powder fire extinguishers for initial treatment; pure paper and fabrics can also be used as water fire extinguishers, but electrical appliances are not used in the vicinity. Commercial co-offices can read Fire Extinguisher Planning for Shops & Officesand building management can refer Customer Fire Safety Case Studies.

VIII. Scenario V: Smoke of chargeable beverages, mobile phones or electric bicycle batteries

Why is lithium batteries so dangerous?

Lithium batteries overheated, hit or used poor-quality chargers are given the opportunity to "hot out of control": the battery is hot, the chain reaction produces a large amount of smoke and flammable gas, and the fire is intense and it can go out again.

Something you can do.

• Just heat, swell, or a small amount of smoke, and you can safely pull the power: immediately pull the plug, away from flammables.
• Do not hold hot or smoke batteries directly by hand.
• The co-owners or colleagues are informed that they are ready to evacuate.

It's time to leave immediately.

• Batteries have been sprayed, smoked in large quantities or hissed.
• Large batteries, such as electric bicycles and electric skateboards, are on fire.
• The fire has been burned to the mattresses, combed or nearby miscellaneous items.

These cases should be immediately evacuated, closed to prevent smoke and call 999, so that you do not risk being rescued at close range. Do not charge on the bed or on the combo, do not charge all night, and use the charger at the plant or in compliance.

Scenario VI: smoking on office computers, photocopy machines or servers

Most of the fire alarms in the offices are related to electrical equipment, such as overheating of photocopy machines, burning of computer power supply units and poor heat distribution in server rooms.

Principle of treatment

• Turn off the power or pull the plug if it is safe to do so.
• The initial fire could be used as a CO2 extinguisher, with no powder residue and less influence on other computers; dry powder could also be used, but the powder would then be cleaned.
• The CO2 extinguishers are spent in small, closed server rooms, leaving and ventilating as soon as possible to avoid oxygen shortages.
• Start a fire alarm in the vicinity and inform colleagues to evacuate along the fire route.

The daily inspection of the office can be used Office Fire Safety Checklist, and staff training can be used for Fire Extinguisher & Staff Fire Safety Training.

X. Scenario VII: Flaming clothing

Cooking, worshiping, burning, wearing a shirt on fire, praying not to run, running will make the air flow, and the fire will burn even harder. Remember, "Stop, lie down, roll."

1. Stop: Stop right now and don't run.
2. Lie down: lie down, cover your face with your hands.
3. Roll ing: Rolling back and forth on the ground, crushing the flames.

The person next to you can use the fire blanket to wrap up the fire and isolate the air. When the fire goes out, wash the burn site with fresh water and get medical attention as soon as possible, so that the fire extinguisher does not spray directly into the Ministry of Human Dignity.

Decision to use fire extinguishers: pull, aim, press, sweep

The use of hand-held fire extinguishers is promoted by the Hong Kong Fire Services Department in four steps: drawing needles, targeting, pressing buttons and sweeping ( English: PASS:Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep).

1. Brushing needle s: Straight and steady fire extinguishers, security locks removed; seals broken or pulled.
2. Aim: Keep a safe distance, aim the nozzle at the bottom of the source of fire, which is the position of the burner, not the tip of the flame.
3. Press: press the operating pole hard and spray the fire extinguisher.
4. Sc anning: To the bottom of the source of the fire, to the left and to the left, to the bottom of the fire, to the ground, for example, from near to far, until the fire is out.

After four steps, remember these details.

• First at a safe distance, then slowly, and not too close at the beginning.
• Turn back to the exit, and don't take the fire between you and the exit.
• Outside or where there's wind, you're going to have to take the top seat.
• Do not turn around immediately after the spray, but turn back to the source of the fire and see if it rekindles.
• When using the CO2 extinguish er, the syringe and the throat tube become very cold and can only shake the handle position and not hold it in order to avoid freezing.
• Hand-held fire extinguishers are used for short periods of approximately 8 to 10 seconds for a type of 2 kg or less, so each second is aimed at the bottom of the source of the fire.
• It's been out of control for a few seconds now, stop pulling out and stop holding on to the idea of trying again.

More detailed textual teaching is the same as common errors and can be seen How to Use a Fire Extinguisher: PASS & Common Mistakes.

XII. DECIDED TO LEAVE: THE FIRES OF THE FIGHTS SERVICE

If the fire alarm comes in your unit,

• Call everyone in the unit to leave.
• When you leave, close the door and keep the fire and the smoke from spreading.
• Use the nearest stairwell to escape, never use a elevator.
• Break the corridor alarm glass and start the fire alarm.
• When you get to a safe place, call 999 to report the fire.

Why Must You Avoid Lifts During a Fire?

The Fire Services Department explained that the elevator power supply could be cut off in emergency situations, causing people to be trapped; if the elevator malfunctions stopped on fire alarm floors, the door could be filled with smoke and very dangerous. So it would be safer to escape with stairs.

Run away from Sanbao.

When you get out of here, you have a mobile phone, a key and a wet towel. If there's smoke on the stairs, you switch to the other stairs, and if there's smoke on all the stairs, you go back to the house and wait for help.

If you're trapped in the house,

• Close the gate, seal the gap on the side of the door with glue and wet towel s.
• The smoke was still leaking, so I called 999 and informed the fire department where you were trapped.
• Go to the unsmoking room, wave towels by the window or on the balcony, and wait for firefighters to see you.
• The smoke should be low-pressed and moved close to the ground, where the air is cleaner.

Call 999 and explain.

• Address: Name of building, number of seats, floor, unit
• Burn what, like cooking pans, appliances, boxes, batteries.
• Has anyone been trapped or injured?
• You're on the side, safe or not.

Lighting in the fire lanes and instructions are important to escape at night or in case of power outages, and it is possible to understand Emergency Lighting & Exit Signs Explainedare Emergency Lighting & Exit Signs.

What do you do when the fire goes out?

Even if the initial fire alarm goes out, there is still a risk of rekindling, electricity danger, smoke residue, or even dark fire inside the wall.

• Notify the management department, the security services or the relevant officials.
• Call the police, as appropriate, and don't judge by yourself that nothing should be done.
• Stay away from the scene and wait for inspection by professionals and do not immediately reopen the power or boiler.
• The window is ventilated, especially in small spaces where dry powder or carbon dioxide extinguishers have been used.
• Dry powder residues may stimulate the eye and the respiratory tract, be cleaned with masks and treated with vacuum cleaners or wet cloths.
• Used fire extinguishers may not be returned to their original position, even if only a small amount is sprayed, internal pressure and fire extinguishers may not be sufficient and should be submitted for inspection, refilling or replacement by a registered fire-fighting operator.

Used or expired fire extinguishers need to be processed, using Fire Station Fire Extinguisher Recycling Serviceto recycle old cartridges when they are delivered. Details can be found Fire Extinguisher Recycling & Disposalas Fire Extinguisher Servicing or Replacement.

XIV. Routine preparedness: choice of fire extinguisher, placement

Beyond the judgment, do you normally have the right fire-fighting equipment to decide if you really have the tools to use when you're in a fire alarm?

1. Selection of qualified fire extinguishers

• Select the fire extinguishers and blankets approved by the fire department. The fire department will publish the list of approved fire extinguishers and blankets.
• It is more appropriate to use dry powder fire extinguish ers at home.
• Take care of the date of production and select products whose dates are near.

2. Placement

• Fire extinguishers are placed in front of the gate or corridor, i.e. on the escape route, and are readily available.
• The fire blankets are located near the kitchen entrance and not on the top of the stove.
• To avoid high temperatures, dampness or direct sunlight.
• Make sure the owner or co-worker knows how to use the fire extinguisher on the side.

3. Periodic inspections

• The pressure gauge is in the green range.
• The insurance plugs are complete.
• There is no rust, dent or leak powder in the barrel.
• Commercial premises are legally inspected by registered contractors every 12 months, and FS251 certificates are obtained.

Detailed methods can be found Fire Extinguisher Inspection & Replacement. Common Causes of Home Fires & Preventions.

4. Where can I get a fire extinguisher?

Fire Station is a fire extinguisher special store located in Tsuen Wan and a Fire Services Department special store for dry powder, carbon dioxide, water agents, bubble extinguishers and blankets approved by the Fire Services Department. All products are offered on a special offer, and basic deliveries have been made to Hong Kong's New Territories; Businesses may arrange for the installation of the same teaching practices at home and FS251 certificates will be issued by a third-level fire operator.

Fire extinguishers are required for short-term activities or renovation works, which are possibleFire Extinguisher Rental in Hong KongEven FS251 certificates. If you want professional advice by scene, you canWhatsApp 96309976Call.3464 3987Or go.Contact Fire StationKeep information low.

Frequent issues FAQ

Should we get rid of the fire first?

Self-security always takes precedence. Only when the fire is small, knows what to burn, has a proper fire extinguisher on hand, has a safe exit road behind it, smoke is not thick, and these conditions are in place.

Can You Put Water on an Electrical Appliance or Socket Fire?

The Fire Department of Hong Kong warns that electrical fires should be closed or plugged out and that water or water-agent fire extinguishers should not be used to save them.

What should we do when the cooking boilers start a fire?

Do not pour water. The stove should be shut down in safety, then the pan covers, metal plates or fire blankets should be fully covered, the air should be isolated and covered until it cools, and the cooking boilers should not be removed or moved immediately. If the fire has burned the smoker or cupboard, the fire should be immediately evacuated and the police should be alerted.

How are fire extinguishers used?

Remember to pull, aim, press, and sweep four steps: pull out the safety lock, aim at the bottom of the source, press the operating pole, and scan the bottom of the source of the fire horizontally and horizontally until it is extinguished.

Can Lifts Be Used to Escape a Fire?

The Fire Services Department states that the elevator power is likely to be cut off in an emergency or that there is an influx of smoke when parked on the fire alarm floor, and that the nearest stairs should be used to escape.

What if you're trapped inside?

The fire department recommended closing the gate and sealing it with paper and wet towels; if the smoke is still leaking, call 999 to inform the fire department of where you are trapped and go to the unsmoking room, wave the towels by the window and wait for rescue.

Can an Extinguisher Be Used on a Smoking Power Bank or E-Bike Battery?

If it's just an initial smoke, and you can safely pull the power, you can pull the power and stay away. If the lithium battery gets out of heat, it's hot and it's hot and it's hot and it's hot and it's hot, it's hot and it's hot.

Can an Extinguisher Be Reused After Discharge?

It should not be simply put back in place. Even if only a small amount of spray is sprayed, internal pressure and fire extinguishers may not be sufficient. They should be sent to registered fire-fighting contractors for inspection, reloading or replacement, and old cartridges can be arranged for professional recycling.

The hardest part of the initial fire was never to "know or not to use fire extinguishers" but to "know when not to use them". You don't need to be a hero, and you don't need to be completely surprised. The ideal is to have a good fire extinguisher, place it in place, get a basic judgment, and decide calmly when it comes to it: help, help, help. Make sure to go. If you want to equip a house, business or office with appropriate fire protection equipment, welcome to Fire Extinguishers & Fire Safety Productscontact Contact Fire Station.