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Stands forPull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

mnemonic acronymPASS, said as the word

PASS Acronym: How to Use a Fire Extinguisher

Memory aidsFire safetyWorkplaceUpdated Oct 30

The PASS acronym stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep, the four steps for using a portable fire extinguisher. It is taught in workplace safety training, school drills and home safety classes because a short word is easy to recall when your heart is racing.

Each letter is one action, done in order. Pull the pin, aim the nozzle low at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep from side to side. Just as important as the steps is knowing when a fire is too big to fight at all.

Quick facts

  • Stands for

    Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep

  • Type

    Mnemonic acronym, said as a word

  • Used for

    Operating a portable fire extinguisher

  • Taught in

    Workplace training, schools, dorms, home safety

  • Partner acronym

    RACE: what to do when you find a fire

  • Key rule

    Fight only small, contained fires with a clear exit behind you

What does PASS stand for in fire safety?

The four steps of PASS
LetterStepWhat you do
PPullPull the pin at the top. This breaks the tamper seal and unlocks the handle.
AAimPoint the nozzle or hose low, at the base of the flames, not at the smoke or the top of the fire.
SSqueezeSqueeze the handle slowly and evenly to release the agent.
SSweepMove the nozzle from side to side across the base until the fire looks out.

Aiming low matters because the fuel is at the bottom. Spraying the tall flames wastes the extinguisher, which may only last a few seconds.

Using the PASS acronym step by step

Training sessions often add a few habits around the four letters:

  1. Before you start: make sure someone has called 911 and the alarm is sounding.
  2. Position yourself: stand several feet back, with the exit behind you, so you can leave if the fire grows.
  3. Run through PASS: pull, aim, squeeze, sweep.
  4. Back away and watch: a fire can flare up again. If it does, repeat the steps or leave.
  5. Report it: even a fire you put out should be checked by the fire department, and the extinguisher must be recharged or replaced.

In a break room: A toaster catches fire. A coworker pulls the alarm while you take the extinguisher off the wall, yank out the pin, direct the spray low, toward the toaster's base, squeeze, and sweep. You keep the doorway at your back the whole time.

When not to use an extinguisher

A fire extinguisher is for a small fire, about the size of a trash can, that is not spreading. Leave right away and close doors behind you if any of these are true:

  • The fire is spreading beyond where it started.
  • Smoke is filling the room or making it hard to breathe.
  • You do not have a clear way out behind you.
  • You are not sure what is burning, or the extinguisher is the wrong type.
  • You have not been trained and do not feel confident.
This page is general safety information. Follow your workplace plan, your building's rules and the guidance of your local fire department.

Fire classes and the right extinguisher

PASS works the same on almost every portable unit, but the agent inside has to match the fuel. Labels use letter classes:

  • Class A: ordinary items like paper, wood and cloth.
  • Class B: flammable liquids such as gasoline and oil-based paint.
  • Class C: energized electrical equipment.
  • Class D: burning metals, found mostly in labs and factories.
  • Class K: cooking oils and fats in commercial kitchens.

Many homes and offices use an ABC unit that covers the first three. Never use water on a grease or electrical fire.

PASS and RACE work together

Hospitals, schools and offices often teach PASS alongside RACE, which covers what to do the moment you find a fire: R is Rescue for people at risk, A is Alarm, C is Contain, meaning shut doors to slow the spread, and E is Extinguish or Evacuate. PASS is the detail behind that last E. Learning both gives you a plan for the first minute and a method for the extinguisher. Both are on our list of memory acronyms.

Why the word pass makes a good memory aid

A good safety mnemonic is short, uses a real word and matches the order of the task. PASS does all three. Saying "pass" out loud also reminds you of the idea of moving the spray past the fire's base. Trainers sometimes say "pull, aim, squeeze, sweep" while acting it out, so the motions stick along with the letters. Our guide what is an acronym explains why letter sets like this one count as true acronyms.

Questions people ask

What does the acronym PASS stand for?

PASS stands for Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. It is the order of steps for using a handheld fire extinguisher.

Is there another fire extinguisher acronym?

PASS is the main acronym for fire extinguishers. RACE is the companion acronym for responding to a fire, and its last step, extinguish, is where PASS comes in.

Where should you aim a fire extinguisher?

Aim at the base of the fire, where the fuel is burning. Spraying the flames higher up does little to put the fire out.

How far away should you stand?

Stand a few feet back, often taught as about six to eight feet, and step closer only as the fire shrinks. Keep your exit behind you.

Does PASS work for every type of fire?

The four steps work on most portable extinguishers, but the extinguisher must be rated for the fuel. Check the class letters on the label before you need it.