Portable Fire Extingusher are elementary fire fighting equipment intended for first-aid fire fighting during the initial outbreak of fire incident to prevent escalation into a full scale fire. Proper usage of portable fire extinguisher often effectively control and extinguish a fire even before fire authorities is summoned. However they are not suppose to be used against a large scale fire.

Portable fire extinguishers should be suitably selected for the type of fire in accordance to the classification and the fire size and sited in suitable locations in close proximity to the potential fire hazards
Portable fire extinguishers should have minimum gross weight but with higher fire rating in order to be user friendly and shall be able to be carried and operated by one person.

Portable fire extingushers should be maintained and serviced annually for their effectiveness.