What method should you use to direct the fire extinguisher agent?

The recommended method for directing the fire extinguisher agent is to sweep the nozzle side to side. This approach is effective because it allows the user to cover a broader area of the fire, ensuring that the extinguishing agent is applied uniformly across the flames. By sweeping from side to side, it helps to prevent the fire from jumping back and encourages the agent to smother the fire thoroughly.

Using a sweeping motion also helps to manage the airflow around the flames, allowing the extinguishing agent to displace the oxygen that fuels the fire more effectively. Additionally, this technique reduces the likelihood of missing pockets of flames that can reignite.

In contrast, directing the nozzle directly at the flames might only affect the front of the fire, leaving the overall fire source inadequately suppressed. Spraying continuously without interruption may lead to wasting the extinguishing agent and not adequately addressing all areas of the fire. Circling the area can also be less effective since it doesn't ensure that the extinguishing agent is consistently focused on the flames, which are the primary target to extinguish the fire.