Dry chemical extinguisher effective range is approximately which of the following?

• A. 5-7 feet
• B. 10-12 feet
• C. 15-20 feet
• D. 25-30 feet

Answer: (B)

Understanding how far you should stand to use a dry chemical extinguisher effectively is essential. The powder needs to reach and blanket the base of the fire to interrupt the flames at their source. For a typical handheld dry chemical extinguisher, that practical range is about 10 to 12 feet. From this distance you can project enough powder onto the fuel while keeping your body out of the hottest zone and using a sweeping motion to cover the base. Shorter distances reduce how much powder lands on the fire, while much longer distances risk the powder drifting away and failing to suppress the flames. The exact range can vary with extinguisher size and nozzle, but 10–12 feet is the standard working range. If the fire is larger than what you can reach from this distance, retreat and call for assistance.