Types of Fire Extinguishers: A Guide to Using the Right Class

Every extinguisher is designed to tackle a different type of fire, which is why they are divided into different classes. However, you can choose one according to your need and lifestyle. Make sure to use a suitable fire extinguisher type as the wrong one could be a threat to life and death. Around 93% of deaths occur due to progressed fire in the early stages, potentially due to inappropriate fire extinguishers.

Let's talk about the different classes of fires and the substances being burned. They are:

• Class A: This type of fire is caused by combustible or carbon-based solids, for instance, wood, paper, textiles, and other materials.
• Class B: Fire caused by flammable liquids falls into this Class. It could be petrol, paraffin, oil, etc.
• Class C: Flammable gases like butane, propane, or methane cause this fire.
• Class D: This fie is caused by burning material, like aluminum, magnesium, etc.
• Class E: All the electric equipment that can cause fire falls into this category.
• Class F: Fire caused by fats and cooking oil especially is included in this Class.

Keep reading this article to find out different types of fire extinguishers and which class is appropriate for your needs.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

There are different types of fire extinguishers. Some of them are:

Water Fire Extinguisher

These types of fire extinguishers are only used for Class A fires. A water fire extinguisher is used to tackle fires caused by paper, wood, rubber, or solid plastics. It works by spraying water from the spray nozzle, usually covering a large surface area. They are usually less expensive than any other type of extinguisher.

Water Mist Extinguisher

These extinguishers are powerful yet small type. They are safe for Classes A, B, C, and F. They cool down the fire and reduce the oxygen supply. Water mist extinguishers are more expensive than water extinguishers and require fire extinguisher maintenance and inspection after every few weeks.

Foam Extinguisher

The foam smothers the fire in solids and liquids and best works in Class A and B fire. It is used on burning liquids, for instance, petrol, turpentine, or even paint. It can be used to control the electric fire if fired 1 meter away from the incident.

CO2 Extinguishers

These extinguishers contain pressurized carbon dioxide gas and leave no residue at all. They can tackle Class B fires as well as electrical fires. They are most common in offices as these types of incidents happen in the office mostly.

Conclusion

Fire extinguishers are the first equipment that should be used in case of a fire emergency. However, there are different classes of fire, and each requires a different kind of fire extinguisher. We hope this article will provide you with enough information about the Class of fire and various kinds of fire extinguishers to control them. If you need further information, then contact Connected Fire for professional guidance.