![]() These can be in ABC or just BC varieties, so make sure you know which type you have. They’re used to fight Class B and C fires, and are commonly used in areas with lots of electrical equipment.ĭry chemical fire extinguishers are the most common type and include the typical ABC fire extinguisher. These are only effective at fighting Class A fires.ĬO2 fire extinguishers spray pressurized CO2 to put out fires by starving them of oxygen. Water fire extinguishers are uncommon, since they’re less versatile than other types. Water, carbon dioxide (CO2), and dry chemical extinguishers are the main three types: You can also differentiate Fire extinguishers by the type of firefighting material they have inside. An ABC fire extinguisher (combined with good kitchen fire safety practices) should be enough for your home kitchen. Class K extinguishers (or other equipment like fire blankets) are the best way to put out a Class K fire.Īlthough your kitchen is one of the places in your house most prone to fires, you may not actually need a Class K extinguisher they’re designed for commercial kitchens. You should never use water to extinguish a Class K fire, as water can spread out the fuel source and make it much more dangerous. These are similar to Class B fires, but their unique qualities get them a separate rating. Class Kįires involving cooking oils and fats. If you were to have a metal fire outside, you could also cover it with dirt.”Ĭlass D fires usually require specialist intervention, but fortunately you’re unlikely to experience one at home. “For these situations,” says Roydhouse, “there’s a special fire extinguisher called MET-L-X, which uses what looks like graphite or pencil shavings to form a shell over the fire. Needless to say, Class D fires aren’t as straightforward as Classes A-through-C. It will explode like a flashbulb going off in your face.” ![]() “If you put regular water on the fire, it burns so hot that it pulls the oxygen out of the water and burns the water to basically pure oxygen. “You’ll usually only find these in different sheet metal shops,” says Roydhouse. ![]() Class Dįires involving combustible metals like lithium, potassium, or magnesium.Īccording to Roydhouse, Class D fires aren’t particularly common in home settings. These fires are best fought with dry chemical or CO2 suppressants, as water can conduct electricity from the fire through the body of the person holding the fire extinguisher, causing serious injury. Any other class of fire that involves electronic equipment can also be a Class C fire. Class Cįires involving electronic equipment. Dry chemical suppressants or CO2 are effective ways to fight Class B fires. You should never use water to put out a Class B fire, as the water will spread the fuel source and thus, the fire. Class Bįuelled by flammable liquids or gases, such as gasoline, petroleum oil, or propane. Water and chemical suppressants (wet or powder) can extinguish Class A fires. Here are the different classifications of fire: Class Aįires fuelled by ordinary combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth, or plastic. “5-pound fire extinguishers are great for kitchens and laundry rooms, and 2-pound fire extinguishers are great for keeping in your car.” “10-pound fire extinguishers are great for home workshops or garages,” says Roydhouse. “ is a combination-type fire extinguisher, and that’s typically what you find in a home,” says retired professional firefighter and CSIA President Chuck Roydhouse.īC fire extinguishers (without the A) are also available for home use.Īside from the fire extinguisher classes, they also come in varied sizes, denoted by the weight. The most common fire extinguisher type is ABC-meant to fight fires of classes A, B, and C. The classes actually refer to different kinds of fires, rather than to the fire extinguisher itself. Types of fire extinguishersįire extinguisher classes are based on the types of fires they can fight. Depending on the class of extinguisher, they extinguish the fire with water, chemical powder, or even the propellant gas itself. They spray pressurized fire-retardant materials.Ĭommon handheld extinguishers use either carbon dioxide or nitrogen as the pressurizing gas. A fire extinguisher is a portable device used to put out small fires.įire extinguishers are usually red, and cylinder-shaped with a nozzle or hose at the top.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |