What is one of the primary uses of portable fire extinguishers?

The primary use of portable fire extinguishers is to extinguish incipient fires. Incipient fires refer to those that have just begun and are still small enough to be managed effectively before they grow larger and become more difficult and dangerous to control. The quick response with a portable fire extinguisher can often prevent the fire from escalating, allowing for a safer and more effective firefighting process.

Portable fire extinguishers are designed for immediate use, enabling individuals to react swiftly in the early stages of a fire. The types of extinguishing agents in these devices—such as water, foam, dry chemical, or CO2—are chosen based on the fire class, thereby increasing their effectiveness for these small, developing fires.