Fire Protection Equipment: Extinguishers & Alarms

Fire protection equipment plays a vital role in mitigating the impact of fire, protecting lives, and minimizing property damage. 

It is prohibited to cover, obstruct, and tamper with any campus fire safety device or component, including smoke detectors, heat detectors, manual fire alarm pull stations, fire alarm control panels, sprinklers, and pipes. Extinguisher cabinets, emergency lights, and exit lights must not be covered at any time.

Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are effective tools for containing and eliminating a small waste-basket sized fire. For larger fires, evacuate the building and call 911 or UMPD at 413-545-3111.

• Only use a fire extinguisher if you have been trained to do so. Considering attending a training or watching an instructional video.
  • Environmental Health & Safety conducts hands-on fire extinguisher training; to schedule a program, complete the EHS Training Request Form.
• Be sure the extinguisher type matches the fire class. Using the wrong extinguisher can be dangerous and exacerbate the fire. 
  • Type A: ordinary combustibles, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.
  • Type B: flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, grease, tar, oil-based paint, lacquer, and flammable gas.  
  • Type C: energized electrical equipment, including wiring, fuse boxes, circuit breakers, machinery, and appliances.   

When using a fire extinguisher, you can remember the acronym, PASS:

• Pull the pin.
• Aim low, at the base of the fire.
• Squeeze the handle the release the extinguishing agent.
• Sweep from side to side until the fire appears out, watching for re-ignition.

Always keep your extinguisher unobstructed. Report discharged, damaged, or missing campus fire extinguishers to Environmental Health & Safety at 413-545-2682 and complete the Fire Extinguisher Service Request.

The EHS Fire Safety Team is available upon request to host Fire Extinguisher Training with your residence hall, student organization, or department/school. Please contact AskEHS@umass.edu for more information.

Smoke Alarms

Smoke alarms provide early detection of potential fires, allowing timely evacuation and intervention, serving as a fundamental component of comprehensive fire safety measures.

If you live off campus, consider these tips for ensuring your smoke alarms are working properly:

• Replace batteries twice a year, unless you are using 10-year lithium batteries.
• Install smoke alarms on every level of your home, including the basement.
  • Replace smoke alarms every 10 years, or according to the manufacturer's instructions. 
• Never disable a smoke alarm while cooking.