What does PASS stand for in fire extinction?

• A. Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
• B. Push, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep
• C. Pull, Assess, Squeeze, Sweep
• D. Pull, Aim, Stop, Sweep

Answer: (A)

PASS is the mnemonic for how to use a portable fire extinguisher. The steps are to Pull the pin to break the tamper seal and ready the device, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire to hit the fuel source, Squeeze the handles to release the extinguishing agent, and Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire until it’s out or the extinguisher is empty. This sequence ensures you quickly unlock the extinguisher, target the fire properly, control the discharge, and cover the area to suppress the flames. The other options mix up the actions (for example, Push instead of Pull, Assess instead of Aim, Stop instead of Squeeze), which would prevent proper operation and effective extinguishing.