Commercial driver's guide to operation, safety and licensing

If you are carrying passengers on a
bus and discover a fire, or danger of fire,
stop immediately in a safe location. Get
your passengers off the bus and to a safe
spot at least 35 metres (115 feet) from
the vehicle. Portable fire extinguishers are
carried in the driver’s compartment in most
commercial vehicles.
Fire extinguisher operation
Do not try to put out a fire that is
beyond your capability or that of the fire
extinguisher.
Remember, depending on the type
and size of the extinguisher, you will have
only eight to ten seconds of chemical
discharge.
Although there are different kinds and
makes of fire extinguishers, they are all
used in the same basic way.
• Remove it from its bracket.
• Approach the fire from upwind
if possible.
• Hold the extinguisher in an
upright position.
Remember the word PASS.
The word PASS means:
Once the fire is out, do the following:
• Replace the safety pin and return
the fire extinguisher to its storage
compartment.
• Note on the post-trip inspection that the
extinguisher has been used and have
the extinguisher recharged immediately
or replaced.
P
A
S
S
Pull the pin and point
the nozzle away from
you.
Aim low and direct
the extinguisher at
the base of the fire.
Squeeze the handle
slowly and evenly.
Continue to squeeze
until the fire is out
and/or the fire extinguisher
is empty.
Sweep the extinguisher
from side-toside.
Start at one side
of the fire and slowly
work to the other
side. Do not start in
the middle of the fire.
CHAPTER TEN
Responsible Driving Tips for Commercial Drivers 87