What does PASS stand for?

What does PASS stand for?

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

Answer: (C)

PASS is a quick-fire safety sequence for using a portable fire extinguisher. It means four actions in order: Pull the pin to release the locking mechanism, Alarm to alert others and trigger the fire alarm, Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguishing agent, and Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire to blanket the fuel and push the flames away. The version that includes Alarm as the second step emphasizes alerting others and summoning help as part of immediate safety, which is why it’s considered the best answer in contexts that stress rapid notification alongside suppression. Some curricula use Aim instead of Alarm, focusing on directing the extinguishing agent at the base of the fire, but the provided option aligns with the approach that prioritizes quickly raising the alarm while you respond. The other options are less accurate because they swap or reorder actions (such as pushing instead of pulling, or placing Sweep before Squeeze) or replace Alarm with Aim, which changes the intended safety emphasis.

PASS is a quick-fire safety sequence for using a portable fire extinguisher. It means four actions in order: Pull the pin to release the locking mechanism, Alarm to alert others and trigger the fire alarm, Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguishing agent, and Sweep the nozzle from side to side at the base of the fire to blanket the fuel and push the flames away.

The version that includes Alarm as the second step emphasizes alerting others and summoning help as part of immediate safety, which is why it’s considered the best answer in contexts that stress rapid notification alongside suppression. Some curricula use Aim instead of Alarm, focusing on directing the extinguishing agent at the base of the fire, but the provided option aligns with the approach that prioritizes quickly raising the alarm while you respond. The other options are less accurate because they swap or reorder actions (such as pushing instead of pulling, or placing Sweep before Squeeze) or replace Alarm with Aim, which changes the intended safety emphasis.