PASS, the fire-extinguisher acronym, stands for:
Explanation
PASS is the universal fire-extinguisher operation acronym: Pull the pin to break the seal, Aim at the base of the flames (not the flames themselves), Squeeze the handle to release the agent, and Sweep side to side until the fire is out. Stand 6-8 feet back. Only attempt extinguishment on a small contained fire after the Rescue, Alarm, and Contain steps of RACE, and only if you have a clear escape path behind you. Evacuate immediately if uncertain or if smoke is heavy. NFPA 10 governs extinguisher use.
Law Reference: NFPA fire extinguisher; PASSThis topic, taught in full in the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) guide. CNA — Complete Study Guide (2026) — PDF + EPUB, $19.99 · 14-day refund →
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