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Fire Safety
RACE & PASS

Two life-saving mnemonics every nurse must master: what to do when a fire breaks out, and how to use a fire extinguisher safely.

NCLEX-RN

Why Fire Safety Matters

Healthcare facilities house oxygen, flammable supplies, electrical equipment, and patients who often cannot evacuate themselves. A fire is one of the most dangerous emergencies a nurse can face.

The Fire Triangle

HEAT FUEL OXYGEN FIRE Remove one side to stop combustion

The RACE Mnemonic

RACE tells you the order of actions when a fire is discovered. The steps are performed in this exact sequence to protect patients first.

R
Rescue anyone in immediate danger from the fire area.
A
Alarm — activate the fire alarm and call for help.
C
Confine the fire by closing doors and windows.
E
Extinguish the fire (if small) or Evacuate if it is unsafe.

RACE: Order Is Everything

The PASS Mnemonic

PASS tells you how to operate a fire extinguisher once you have decided it is safe to extinguish a small fire.

P
Pull the pin on the extinguisher.
A
Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire.
S
Squeeze the handle to release the agent.
S
Sweep from side to side across the base of the fire.

Aim at the Base of the Fire

Extinguisher Pull pin Aim & Sweep Base of fire

RACE vs PASS: Don't Confuse Them

RACE
What to do when a fire is discovered. The overall response plan — Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate.
PASS
How to use the extinguisher. A subset of the "Extinguish" step — Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep.

How to Respond Step by Step

1
Rescue any patient in immediate danger from the fire.
2
Pull the alarm and call the emergency line.
3
Close doors and windows; shut off oxygen if directed.
4
Use PASS on small fires, or evacuate if the fire is large.

Example 1: Small Trash Fire

Scenario: A nurse smells smoke and finds a small fire in a trash can in an empty hallway. No patients are nearby.

Example 2: Fire Near a Patient

Scenario: A fire ignites near the bed of a non-ambulatory patient who is on oxygen.

R
Rescue first — move the patient away from the flames immediately.
A
Activate the alarm and call for help.
C
Confine — close the door and shut off the oxygen.
E
Evaluate — extinguish only if small; otherwise evacuate.

Example 3: Large, Spreading Fire

Scenario: Flames have spread across a storage room and are growing rapidly. Thick smoke is filling the hallway.

Common Mistakes

✕ Alarm before Rescue
Patient safety comes first. Rescue people in immediate danger, then sound the alarm.
✕ Aiming at the flames
Always aim the extinguisher at the base of the fire, not the visible flames.
✕ Fighting a large fire
Only attempt to extinguish small, contained fires. Otherwise, evacuate.
✕ Forgetting oxygen
Failing to shut off oxygen sources feeds the fire. Confining includes removing oxygen.

Quick Reference Table

RACE PASS
PurposeFire response planExtinguisher use
Letter 1RescuePull
Letter 2AlarmAim
Letter 3ConfineSqueeze
Letter 4Extinguish/EvacuateSweep

Question 1 of 5

A nurse discovers a fire in a patient's room. According to RACE, what is the first action?

Question 2 of 5

When using a fire extinguisher, where should the nurse aim the nozzle?

Question 3 of 5

What does PASS stand for in fire safety?

Question 4 of 5

A fire is rapidly spreading across a storage room filled with smoke. What should the "E" in RACE be in this case?

Question 5 of 5

During a fire in a patient's room, which action helps confine the fire?

You've Got RACE & PASS

RACE
Rescue, Alarm, Confine, Extinguish/Evacuate. Your fire response order — patients first.
PASS
Pull, Aim, Squeeze, Sweep. Your extinguisher technique — aim at the base.