When most people think of a fire extinguisher in their workplace, their mind goes to the classic red extinguisher that’s attached to the wall, perhaps behind glass, ready to spring into action when there is danger.
fire extinguisher types
However, according to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), there are five classes of fires, and, because of the varied nature of these fires, there are six different fire extinguisher types that need to be present in a building to ensure fire safety when each of these fires hits.
Each is designed to attack different kinds of fire situations and provide different levels of fire protection, so having each fire extinguisher type on hand is critical.
Classes of fire extinguishers
When looking at the classes of fires, they’re determined by the fire risk that started the fire and the materials that feed it. These are the parameters as presented by the NFPA.
- Class A fires are fueled by combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, plastic, and rubber.
- Class B fires involve more intense flammable and combustible liquids. This could include oil, oil-based paints, lacquer, alcohol, petroleum greases, and gasses.
- Class C fires are sparked by electrical equipment.
- Class D fires are caused by combustible metals. These could include lithium, potassium, sodium, zirconium, titanium, and magnesium.
- Class K fires are kitchen fires that occur in cooking appliances because of combustible materials like oil or fat.
Six types of Fire Extinguishers
Depending on the type of fire present, the minute the user hears a fire alarm goes off, it’s time to spring into action.
Here are the six types of fire extinguishers and when users should use each for different types of fires.
- ABC Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher
It’s a versatile fire extinguisher that uses a powder extinguishing agent to suffocate the fire
This is the type of fire extinguisher that most people think of, with a red canister that can expel a powder extinguisher over a fire.
It’s a versatile fire extinguisher that uses a powder extinguishing agent to suffocate the fire. These are typically used to extinguish class A, B, and C fires.
- Water Fire Extinguisher
Everyone knows water fights fires, so it’s no surprise that a water mist fire extinguisher works against a variety of fires, including class A, and B, fires. Unlike older water extinguishers, newer models use a water mist that disperses over a large area. This fine mist suffocates and cools the fire by reducing the oxygen and heat within the space.
The cooling effect of the water acts as a double whammy against the fire. Older water extinguishers are still used, though they can cause damage to a home.
- Foam Fire Extinguishers
A foam extinguisher is effective against flammable liquid fires, like class B fires, and class A fires
A foam fire extinguisher works similarly to other extinguishers, where it suffocates the fire of its fuel.
A foam extinguisher is effective against flammable liquid fires, like class B fires, as well as class A fires, where there is paper, wood, or other combustible materials involved.
- Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Wet chemical extinguishers are effective against class A and K fires because of both their wet and cooling properties.
The extinguishing agents are distributed in a fine spray texture, which limits fires without giving them fuel to spread.
- Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Dry chemical fire extinguishers with the “BC” label are designed to put out Class B fires
A dry chemical extinguisher uses dry chemicals like a sodium bicarbonate base or potassium bicarbonate base to cool and diffuse fires. Users may discover that some dry chemical fire extinguishers are labeled “BC,” whereas others are labeled “ABC.” What do these labels mean exactly? The “BC” and “ABC” labels refer to the types of fires that a fire extinguisher can put out.
Dry chemical fire extinguishers with the “BC” label are designed to put out Class B fires and Class C fires. Dry chemical fire extinguishers with the “ABC” label, conversely, are designed to put out Class A fires, Class B fires, and Class C fires.
- CO2 Fire Extinguisher
Fires are fed by oxygen, and carbon dioxide (CO2) extinguishes oxygen.
That means a CO2 extinguisher will suck the oxygen from the fire and, consequently, extinguish the fire’s force. These work well on class B fires, as well as class C electrical fires.
What Matters Most in Choosing a Fire Extinguisher
Train people and make sure they know where every fire extinguisher is located
While the type of fire determines the best fire extinguisher to use, the most important factors in choosing the right fire extinguisher are whether or not the people present know how to operate it and whether it’s located in a place that is easily accessible.
Without these two critical elements, a fire extinguisher isn’t going to work. Train people and make sure they know where every fire extinguisher is located. Want help making business fire-safe, limiting fire hazards, and reducing fire risk?
Inspection
When it comes to inspections, users need to know that a licensed fire protection sprinkler technician can legally inspect backflow preventers, but a backflow technician cannot, by code, inspect the sprinkler system.
Therefore, users can save time and money by hiring AIE’s sprinkler inspector to also inspect backflow preventers while performing annual certification.
