Which fire extinguisher

A more elaborate version can be wired to a house's security system; the alarm company gets a signal when the extinguisher is used and can, in turn, call Amerex www. First Alert FE3A40 www. Kidde model www. Firestop, from Williams-Pyro, Inc.

Rockland, MA www. Need help with home maintenance? Read our reviews on home warranty providers. Cookie banner We use cookies and other tracking technologies to improve your browsing experience on our site, show personalized content and targeted ads, analyze site traffic, and understand where our audiences come from.

By choosing I Accept , you consent to our use of cookies and other tracking technologies. By John Kelsey. Pinterest Email Pocket Flipboard. Size of Extinguisher Matters The main distinction among home extinguishers is size. Every household extinguisher is labeled A, B, or C. Fire extinguishers are a crucial element of comprehensive fire safety and, in commercial and industrial properties, are often required by legal health and safety regulations.

However, fire extinguishers come in a range of types and, according to the kind of environment you live or work within, a particular model of fire extinguisher, or combination of fire extinguishers, will be necessary.

If you need fire extinguishers for your business, give us a call on for a free quote. There are 6 types of fire, all classified and identified by the kind of materials found in the location in which the fire is present:. Class A — This type of fire is characterised by the presence of solids, including materials such as paper, wood and plastic.

Class B — Class B fires occur in environments where flammable liquids are found, such as paraffin, petrol and oil. Class C — Flammable gases are the main cause of Class C fires and include substances such as propane, butane and methane. Class D — This kind of fire is identified by the presence of metal products, such as aluminium, magnesium and titanium.

Class E — Class E fires are fires caused by electricity or ones that involve electrical equipment and apparatus. Class F — These fires most commonly occur in kitchens and food preparation facilities and involve cooking oil or fat. There are a variety of fire extinguisher types, all uniquely designed to combat various forms of fire:.

Use: Effective against both Class A and Class B fires, foam extinguishers can protect environments that are at risk from material fires, involving solids such as paper and wood, and also from fires involving flammable liquids. How water extinguishers work: The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it to burn much more slowly until the flames are eventually extinguished.

Where to locate water extinguishers: — By the exits on a floor where a Class A fire risk has been identified.

Overview: Foam fire extinguishers are most common type of extinguisher for Class B fires, but also work on Class A fires as they are water-based. Use for: — Organic materials such as: o Paper and cardboard o Fabrics and textiles o Wood and coal Plus: — Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol.

Do not use for: — Kitchen fires — Fires involving electrical equipment — Flammable metals. How foam extinguishers work: As with water extinguishers, foam extinguishers have a cooling effect on the fuel.

On burning liquids, the foaming agent creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel, extinguishing the fire. Where to locate foam extinguishers: — By the exits on a floor where a Class A or Class B fire risk has been identified. This is because the powder can be easily inhaled, and also the residue is very difficult to clean up after. ABC powder extinguishers can also be used on some electrical fires.

Specialist dry powder extinguishers are used for flammable metals. Use for: — Organic materials such as: o Paper and cardboard o Fabrics and textiles o Wood and coal Plus: — Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol Plus: — Flammable gases, like liquid petroleum gas LPG and acetylene Plus: — Fires involving electrical equipment up to v. They are most suited to extinguishing liquid fires such as petrol or diesel and are more versatile than water jet extinguishers because they can also be used on solids such as wood and paper.

The foam extinguishes liquid fires by sealing the surface of the liquid, preventing flammable vapour reaching the air and starving the fire of fuel. They are not suitable for use on free flowing liquid fires. Powder extinguishers are a good multi-purpose fire extinguisher because they can be used on Class A, B and C fires. They can also be used on fires involving electrical equipment however, they do not cool the fire so it can re-ignite. Powder extinguishers can also create a loss of visibility and may create breathing problems.

They are not generally recommended for use inside buildings unless there is absolutely no alternative. CO2 extinguishers are ideal for places with a lot of electrical equipment such as offices or server rooms because they are safe to use on fires involving electrical apparatus. Carbon dioxide extinguishers do not leave any residue, unlike a foam extinguisher. They can also be used on Class B fires, those involving flammable liquids such paraffin or petrol.

CO2 extinguishers work by smothering the fire and cutting off the supply of air. Wet chemical extinguishers are suitable for use on Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats, such as lard, olive oil, sunflower oil, maize oil and butter.