6.2 Fire Safety: RACE and PASS

Fire Response Is Tested Every Survey and Every Exam

Fire safety is a mandatory part of every Illinois facility's safety program and a reliable INACE topic. IDPH surveyors routinely stop staff in the hallway and ask them to recite the fire response steps, so the acronyms RACE and PASS must be automatic. Your job in a fire is to protect residents first, raise the alarm, and contain the fire — not to be a firefighter.

RACE — The Response Sequence

RACE is performed in order the moment you discover smoke or fire. "Rescue" comes first because lives outrank property.

A closed door is one of the most effective barriers against fire and smoke spread, which is exactly why fire doors must never be propped open.

PASS — Using a Fire Extinguisher

The most common exam trap is aiming at the flames. You aim at the base because that is where the fuel is; spraying the flames wastes the extinguisher.

Only Fight a Fire If All of These Are True

• The fire is small (about wastebasket-size or smaller).
• You have a clear escape route behind you — never let the fire get between you and the exit.
• You have the correct extinguisher for the fuel.
• You feel safe and confident. If in doubt, evacuate.

Most healthcare extinguishers are Class ABC (multipurpose), safe on ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and energized electrical equipment. If the fire is large or growing, skip extinguishing and evacuate.

Oxygen and the Fire Triangle

Fire needs three things — fuel, heat, and oxygen. Supplemental oxygen does not burn by itself, but it dramatically accelerates any fire. Around oxygen:

Evacuation Priorities

When evacuation is ordered, you generally move people in this order, always doing horizontal evacuation first:

1. Residents in immediate danger nearest the fire.
2. Ambulatory residents who can walk with assistance.
3. Wheelchair residents, using the chair or an evacuation chair.
4. Bed-bound residents, using a draw sheet, blanket drag, or carry.
5. Horizontal first — move to another fire/smoke zone on the same floor through fire doors before ever using stairs. Elevators are not used during a fire.

Illinois IDPH Fire Requirements

• Fire drills must be held on each shift at least quarterly (every three months) so staff on days, evenings, and nights all practice.
• Staff complete annual fire safety training.
• Portable extinguishers are inspected monthly and professionally serviced annually.
• Evacuation route maps are posted on every unit.
• Facilities must comply with the Life Safety Code (NFPA 101), which IDPH surveys during inspections.

Knowing Your Extinguisher Classes

Extinguishers are rated by the type of fire they fight. Using the wrong class can be useless or dangerous — water on a grease or electrical fire makes things worse.

Most units stock a multipurpose ABC extinguisher, which is why staff can use one device in a resident room without choosing between types.

Worked Example: Smoke in a Resident Room

You open Mr. Bauer's door and see flames in his wastebasket and light smoke. Apply RACE: Rescue Mr. Bauer to the hallway, Alarm by pulling the wall station and having a coworker call 911, Contain by closing his door, then Extinguish because the fire is small and you have a clear path behind you to the corridor. You grab the ABC extinguisher, then PASS: Pull the pin, Aim at the base, Squeeze, and Sweep. If the flames had reached the curtains or the bed, you would skip extinguishing and evacuate instead — the rule is when in doubt, get out.

Common Exam Traps

Distractors often reverse RACE (telling you to extinguish before rescuing) or have you aim PASS at the flames — both wrong. Another trap is choosing the elevator or going straight down the stairs first; the correct first move is horizontal evacuation to the next smoke compartment, and elevators are never used during a fire. A further trap is fighting a large or spreading fire "to save the room" — protect lives and evacuate. Finally, remember the alarm and a 911 call are part of the response even if you believe the fire is small, and a propped-open fire door defeats the entire containment step.