Final answer:
Using a portable fire extinguisher effectively on an incipient fire involves utilizing the correct extinguishing agent at the right time and targeting the base of the flames. Notably, fluorinated foams are useful against organic liquid fires, and the state of CO₂ in extinguishers can vary with temperature. Always select the extinguisher type based on the fire you're addressing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accurate statement about using a portable fire extinguisher on an incipient stage fire is that it should be used at the correct stage of the fire, focusing on the base of the flames to effectively extinguish the fire. A fluorinated solution used in fire extinguishers can spread across the burning surface to extinguish a fire, which is particularly effective against fires involving organic liquids. Moreover, a carbon dioxide fire extinguisher works by displacing oxygen, and it is important to understand that the state of CO₂ depends on temperature, as evidenced by the liquid sloshing sound at cooler temperatures versus the absence of this sound at higher temperatures, due to the critical temperature of CO₂.
Using a fire extinguisher requires awareness of the type of fire and selecting the appropriate extinguishing agent. For example, you wouldn't use water on an electric fire because water is a conductor of electricity and could lead to electrocution or further spread of the fire. Similarly, different extinguishing agents are tailored for different types of fires, like dry chemicals for grease fires or foam for liquid fires.