PASS (Fire Safety)
PASS is a mnemonic for the proper use of a fire extinguisher: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep side to side. It is used together with RACE (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish/Evacuate) as part of hospital fire safety protocols.
Exam Tip
PASS = Pull, Aim (at the base), Squeeze, Sweep. Always use RACE first (Rescue, Alarm, Contain, Extinguish). Rescue patients FIRST before activating the alarm. Aim at the BASE of the fire, not the flames. Stand 6-8 feet away.
What Is PASS?
PASS is a mnemonic that teaches the correct technique for operating a fire extinguisher. It is a critical component of fire safety training for all healthcare workers, including LPNs and CNAs.
PASS Steps
| Letter | Action | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| P | Pull the pin | Remove the safety pin from the extinguisher handle |
| A | Aim at the base | Point the nozzle at the BASE of the fire, not the flames |
| S | Squeeze the handle | Squeeze the operating lever to discharge the agent |
| S | Sweep side to side | Move the nozzle in a sweeping motion across the base of the fire |
PASS Used with RACE
Fire response in healthcare follows the RACE protocol first, then PASS when using an extinguisher:
| Step | RACE First | Then PASS |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rescue anyone in immediate danger | Pull the pin |
| 2 | Activate the fire alarm | Aim at the base |
| 3 | Contain the fire (close doors) | Squeeze the handle |
| 4 | Extinguish or Evacuate | Sweep side to side |
Fire Extinguisher Types
| Type | Color/Label | Use For |
|---|---|---|
| Class A | Green triangle | Ordinary combustibles (paper, wood, cloth) |
| Class B | Red square | Flammable liquids (grease, oil, gasoline) |
| Class C | Blue circle | Electrical fires |
| Class ABC | Multi-purpose | All of the above (most common in healthcare) |
| Class K | Black hexagon | Kitchen/cooking oil fires |
Key Safety Points
- Stand 6-8 feet from the fire when using an extinguisher
- Only attempt to extinguish SMALL fires; evacuate for large fires
- Always ensure you have an escape route behind you
- Know the location of fire extinguishers on your unit
- Participate in annual fire safety training and drills
Exam Alert
Fire safety questions appear in the Safety and Infection Control category on the NCLEX-PN. Know both RACE and PASS mnemonics. RACE comes first (rescue, then alarm, then contain, then extinguish). PASS is for operating the extinguisher. Always rescue patients first.
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Related Terms
RACE (Fire Safety)
RACE is a mnemonic for the immediate response to a fire in a healthcare facility: Rescue patients in danger, Activate the fire alarm, Contain the fire by closing doors, and Extinguish the fire or Evacuate. It is used with PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep) for fire extinguisher operation.
Standard Precautions (Nursing)
Standard precautions are a set of infection control practices used with ALL patients regardless of diagnosis or infection status. They include hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe injection practices, respiratory hygiene, and proper handling of contaminated equipment and surfaces.
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