When it comes to handling fires, it is absolutely crucial to be aware that are you using the right fire extinguisher and which works best for your household or building. There are various types of fire extinguishers as below :
1. Class A Fire Extinguishers
Class A fire extinguishers are the usual types of fire extinguishers in the market and households. They are primarily known for putting out fires on cloth, wood and rubber.
These fire extinguishers can normally be seen in housing areas using wood foundations and hardwood floors. This fire extinguisher also works best with rubber, paper, various plastics and regular combustibles.
What makes this great for putting out these kinds of fires is that the extinguisher agent is water or foam so you should know are you using the right fire extinguisher?
2. Class B Fire Extinguishers
Class B fire extinguishers are perfect for putting out fires that occur with gasoline, grease and oil-based fires. Consumers can find these types of fire extinguishers at gas stations, factories and small oil plantations.
The main extinguishing agent for this class fire extinguisher is carbon dioxide. The label for a carbon dioxide-based fire extinguisher would be a black label. These types of fire extinguishers should not be used for kitchen fires, paper, wood or textiles or other combustible materials.
3. Class C Fire Extinguishers
Class C fire extinguishers are suitable for energized electrical fires. The extinguishing agent is a dry chemical or carbon dioxide. Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle.
Ordinary dry chemical is for Class B as well as C fires only. Are you using the right fire extinguisher? It is important to use the correct fire extinguisher for the type of fuel. Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after apparently being extinguished successfully.
4. Class D Fire Extinguishers
Class D fire extinguishers are suitable for combustible metals such as coal. The extinguishing agent is a dry powdered chemical. Dry powdered chemicals can also be used in standard ABC class fire extinguishers.
These types of fire extinguishers are labelled in blue and should not be under any circumstances used in an enclosed or small space as the dried powder can be inhaled and cause an allergic reaction or short-term breath loss. In addition to that, the dry powder residue can also be tough to clean up afterwards and may stain.
However, dry powdered extinguishers should absolutely not be used for fires that involve cooking oil or electrical equipment. Dry powder fire extinguishers work by smothering fires by forming a barrier between the fire and oxygen, thus, cutting off the oxygen supply which is a need for fires.
5. Class K/Class F Fire Extinguishers
Class K or class F fire extinguishers are suitable for kitchen fires, including oil, grease, and fat fires. The extinguishing agent is a wet or dry chemical. You should know whether are you using the right fire extinguisher or not.
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, involving cooking oils and fats. They can also be used on Class A fires although it is more usual to have a foam or water extinguisher for this type of fire risk.
Wet chemical extinguishers work by creating a layer of foam on the surface of the burning oil or fat, preventing oxygen from fueling the fire any more than it already is and at the same time having a cooling effect.
These class K fire extinguishers can be seen wearing a yellow label. They should not at any cost be used to extinguish flammable liquid or gas fires, electrical fires and flammable materials.
6. Class ABC Fire Extinguishers
This type of fire extinguisher is an all-purpose fire extinguisher that works on class A, B and C fires. The extinguishing agent is a dry chemical. Like the stored pressure dry chemical extinguishers, the multipurpose dry chemical is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A fires.
Are you using the right fire extinguisher???
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