How Does the Practical Extinguishing Exercise for Fire Safety Assistants Work?
The practical extinguishing exercise for fire safety assistants is not a showpiece at the end of a course. It is the part in which every person experiences the weight, activation, reaction force, range and limitations of a fire extinguisher. A good exercise is controlled, professionally supervised and connected to its later use at the workplace.
What the practical exercise should achieve
Success does not mean extinguishing the flame at any cost. Stopping correctly is also part of the exercise.
The DGUV describes fire safety assistant training as a combination of expert instruction and practical exercise. Its aim is the safe use of fire-fighting equipment against incipient-stage fires without personal risk. This also includes a realistic assessment of the situation and personal limits. This connection between theory and practice is central to fire safety assistant training from Bitzer Brandschutz.
Participants should not learn to tackle every fire. They should recognise when an extinguishing attempt may still be reasonable, how to keep their own escape route clear and when raising the alarm and withdrawing take priority.
1. Preparation and safety briefing
Before the first attempt, the instructor explains the secured area, fire simulator, weather and wind conditions, procedures for faults and personal protective equipment. Training appliances must be suitable, maintained and clearly marked as training extinguishers.
The extinguishing exercise is planned using a risk assessment. The combustible surroundings, traffic routes, neighbours, smoke or heat development and the group’s physical capabilities must be considered. Nobody may be sent against the wind or into an unsafe area.
2. Becoming familiar with and activating the fire extinguisher
Participants identify the safety device, activation mechanism, hose or discharge horn and the correct grip. Cartridge-operated and stored-pressure extinguishers have different operating sequences. The exercise should therefore reflect the design used in the participant’s organisation as realistically as possible.
Before the fire is lit, a brief functional check and dry run are completed. The participant directs the nozzle towards the designated area only after releasing the safety device and maintains a safe distance from others.
3. Approach and individual extinguishing attempt
The participant approaches the controlled incipient-stage fire while keeping the route of withdrawal clear. Wind direction, radiant heat and effective range determine the distance. The extinguishing agent is directed at the seat of the fire, not indiscriminately into the flames.
The instructor observes posture, distance, direction of the jet and the response to changes. Every person receives sufficient individual practice time. The DGUV states that experience indicates five to ten minutes per participant. Group size and scenario affect the time actually required.
Consider raising the alarm and the escape route before attempting to extinguish the fire.
Check the wind and the safe direction of approach.
Activate the appliance only at the point of use and apply it in a controlled manner.
Continuously assess how the fire is developing.
Withdraw immediately if there is smoke, heat or an unclear situation.
4. Review and learning outcome
Immediate feedback turns an action into a skill. The instructor explains why a particular distance was effective, when the extinguishing agent worked and where personal risk would have arisen. Participants should ask questions and describe the procedure in their own words.
The different extinguishing agents and fire classes are then put into context. Not every agent has to be discharged in practice. What matters is that the participant understands the labels, suitability and limitations of the appliances installed at the workplace.
5. Applying the learning at the workplace
The training concludes with instruction on the participant’s workplace responsibilities and site-specific conditions. This includes the locations of fire extinguishers, alarm procedures, assembly points, special hazards and, where relevant, fire hose reels or other fire-fighting equipment.
After an external course, the employer is responsible for this instruction unless it was integrated into in-house training on site. With in-house fire safety assistant training at the organisation, the existing alarm procedures and equipment can be included directly. The theory, practical element, participants, date, instructor and site-specific instruction should be documented.
Which fire extinguishers are available in the participant’s own work area?
How is the alarm raised internally and externally?
Where are the escape route and assembly point?
Which special hazards prevent or alter an extinguishing attempt?
Who takes on which task within the fire safety organisation?
Frequently asked questions
How long does the practical extinguishing exercise take?
The duration depends on group size and the hazards involved. The DGUV states that experience indicates five to ten minutes of practice time for each participant. Special workplace content requires additional time.
Can the exercise take place only digitally?
No. Initial training requires a realistic practical exercise using fire-fighting equipment. A virtual simulation cannot replace personally operating an appliance.
Must the exercise take place at the organisation?
No. It can take place at a suitable training venue or at the organisation. Instruction on the specific workplace conditions remains necessary in both cases.
Sources and technical basis
Practical training under controlled conditions
Every person practises individually
Bitzer Brandschutz combines safe extinguishing exercises with clear decisions on raising the alarm, withdrawing and avoiding personal risk.
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