The following guidelines apply to any Class A, B or C fire within an enclosed space and are intended for trained first responders only.

Deploy a FIT-5 when:

• The fire is still contained within a structure and you want to attack the fire prior to water being available for any reason. Use the FIT-5 to knockdown the fire and buy you time until water becomes available. Note: try to close off the fire area to contain the powder.
• The fire is in an incipient stage within an enclosed structure, and you want to knock the fire down from a safe distance prior to your initial attack and overhaul with water. This will help preserve the cause of the fire for subsequent investigation.
• The fire is at any stage and an interior attack is required. One or more FIT-5s should be used to knock down flames and heat prior to entering the enclosed space, helping to prevent flashover and making the attack much safer. Note: try to close off the fire area to contain the powder.
• The fire is progressed and nearby buildings are threatened. Using the FIT-5 will knockdown the flames and help prevent flashover, allowing the fire to be extinguished more safely. Note: try to close off the fire area to contain the powder.
• The fire is at any stage and you suspect victims are trapped inside the structure. Deploy the FIT-5 as far away from victims as possible, and be aware that the aerosol flow may disrupt the thermal layers, causing hotter air to move towards the floor momentarily. Separate victims from the aerosol as quickly as possible and follow the powder exposure instructions in the FIT-5 manual.
• The fire is at any stage and a firefighter is in trouble. Deploy the FIT-5 between the fallen firefighter and the hottest part of the room. The FIT-5 will knock down the flames and reduce heat, making recovery safer.
• The fire is a vehicle fire, there are victims trapped inside and water and foam are not available. Deploy a FIT-5 in an unoccupied part of the car interior or underneath the chassis. The aerosol will fill the interior and interrupt combustion. Remove the victims from the aerosol as quickly as possible and provide necessary medical care. Also use the FIT-5 to knock down a vehicle fire if other property is threatened. If deploying the FIT-5 inside the vehicle and victim extraction is not immediately possible, attempt to cover mouth and nose of victim with a breathing apparatus until the powder has cleared.

General Guidelines:

• Use the FIT-5 prior to putting water on the fire. The aerosol powder will reduce heat and lower flames, making a steam burn less likely.
• Deploy the FIT-5 as close as possible to the source of the flame. This will deliver the powder to the seat of the fire as quickly as possible.
• Deploy at the lowest point possible. Rising hot air will carry the powder upwards and away from the fire. Try to position the FIT-5 so that air flows draw the powder into the flames if possible.