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How to use fire and oxygen cylinders?



Have you ever wondered how to use a fire extinguisher or how to properly use an oxygen cylinder in any case of need? Well, today is your lucky day, we have gathered all you need to know about fire and oxygen cylinders in just one place.


How do we correctly use an oxygen tank?


Once prescribed the need for oxygen, the first question we may ask is how to use a portable oxygen cylinder, and understanding the steps is a key factor in establishing a routine that is easy and simple to remember.

First, you need to turn on the oxygen tank.

  1. Use the wrench to turn the oxygen valve at least one half-turn counterclockwise.

  2. Then, proceed to check the pressure gauge to verify if there is enough oxygen in the tank (a full one must contain around 2.000 psi).

  3. Lastly, adjust the liter flow, by using the dial on the regulator in accordance with your prescription.

The next step is knowing how to operate the cylinder

  1. Attach the cannula to the oxygen regulator, checking if the tube is not bent or blocked

  2. Adjust the cannula to certify a comfortable fit

  3. Next, set the flow rate to the setting of your prescription

  4. Finally, put the cannula in your nose and breathe normally


When you finish using your oxygen cylinder, it is time to turn it off. For that you’ll need to use the cylinder wrench to turn the valve clockwise until completely off, and then turn the dial to the “2 LPM Continuous” position to allow the oxygen to bleed out of the regulator until the gauge reaches zero.

Remember: oxygen must be handled safely, or it may cause fires. Some tips to use it safely is to store the tank at least 10 feet away from open flames and other sources of heat, never allowing smoke around any oxygen source and its tubing.

You shouldn’t use flammable materials around oxygene, since a spark can quickly ignite those products, increasing the risk of fire. It’s always more safe to keep the oxygen cylinders and tubing in well ventilated areas, and make sure to follow the instructions provided and to always turn it off when you’re not using it.

If anything goes wrong and your oxygen cylinder ends up causing a fire, above you will find all the information needed to properly use a fire extinguisher.


How do we operate a fire extinguisher?


Did you know that incorrect usage and poor maintenance of fire extinguishers are the two major factors to the spread of house fires that can endanger lives and cause several damages to property? A small house fire can be controlled in the first few minutes of the start if the homeowner knows how to use an extinguisher correctly, which can have a great impact before the Fire Services arrive.

There are a variety of types of portable fire extinguishers, and you can identify them by their colors and labels. Checking what type of fire extinguisher you need to use before using them is the first step to a successful and safe process. For example, you should never use a water extinguisher on fires caused by oil or that involves any electrical equipment.

The second step is remembering the four basic steps: the acronym PASS (Pull, Aim, Squeeze and Sweep)


  1. Pull the pin at the top of the extinguisher to break the seal, immediately testing the extinguisher (always aiming away from yourself)

  2. Aim, approaching the fire from a safe distance

  3. Squeeze the handles together in order to discharge the extinguishing agent inside. To stop the discharge, simply release the handles.

  4. Sweep the nozzle from side to side as you approach the fire, directing the extinguishing agent at the base of the flames









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