Commonly, a fire extinguisher for home uses an ABC fire extinguisher which is classified as class A for ordinary combustibles like wood, paper and cloth, class B for flammable liquids and class C for electrical fires. Put your fire extinguishers where you can see and easily grab them. You need to know how to choose the right fire extinguisher for your home because it is significant to know the type of fire you are against to smother with the correct types of fire extinguisher.
What is a fire extinguisher?
A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. It is not intended for use on an out-of-control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user or otherwise requires the expertise of a firefighter.
There are various classes of fire extinguishers as below :
Class A – Ordinary solid combustibles like wood, cloth, and paper products.
Class B – Flammable liquids and gases. (Paint and petrol)
Class C – Flammable Gases (Butane and methane)
Class D – Flammable metals. (Lithium and potassium)
Class E – Electrical equipment (Computers and generators)
For further information, read on what are the five main types of fire extinguishers and their uses.
How to choose the right fire extinguisher for your home?
Common fire extinguishers for a home are classified as Class ABC fire extinguishers, meaning they are suitable for putting out wood, paper fires, flammable liquid fires, and electrical fires as well. The common remedy of fire extinguishers for homes as recommended for the household is ABC dry powder fire extinguishers because they tackle class A, class B, and class C fires. This is because the ABC dry powder fire extinguishers can be easily inhaled and also the residue is very difficult to clean up after.
ABC powder fire extinguishers can also be used on some electrical fires. ABC dry powder fire extinguisher label colour is blue. ABC dry powder fire extinguisher is used for organic materials such as paper, cardboard, fabrics, textiles, wood, coal and flammable liquids like paint, petrol, flammable gases. ABC dry powder fire extinguishers cannot be used for fires involving cooking oil, fires involving electrical equipment over 1000 volt or in enclosed spaces.
CO2 fire extinguishers are not suitable to use at homes. CO2 fire extinguishers are normally used for electrical fire risks and are usually the main fire extinguisher type provided in computer server rooms. They also put out Class B fires (flammable liquids, such as paint and petroleum). CO2 fire extinguisher label colour is black. Do not use a CO2 fire extinguisher for kitchen fires and combustible materials like paper, wood, textiles or flammable metals.
CO2 fire extinguisher suffocates fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn. Premises with electrical equipment, such as offices, kitchens, construction sites, and server rooms are suitable to place the CO2 fire extinguisher. All work vehicles should also carry a smaller 2kg CO2 fire extinguisher.
Whenever you have used the fire extinguisher, you must refill the fire extinguisher straight away as well as a fire extinguisher that pressure gauge slips out of the green zone into the red.
Your home is where you live with your loved ones and personal belongings. When it comes to fighting against fires, it is important to be aware of how to choose the right fire extinguisher for your home and which works best for your household. If happen a fire burning in your home, protect your home with these important home fire safety and protection tips at home and choose the right fire extinguisher for your home :
- Educate all family members about fire safety tips at home in the event of a fire.
- Draw a floor plan with at least two ways of exit. Make sure the plan shows: stairs, hallways and windows that can be used as fire escape routes.
- Install smoke detectors on every level of your home. Test them regularly to make sure they are functioning. Change the batteries every once a year.
- Put fire extinguishers on every level of your home.
- Avoid smoking in your bedroom. Beds and blankets are made of combustible materials.
- Keep an eye on your cooking. Unattended cooking equipment is a leading cause of home fires.
- Candles used when power is shut off or temporarily out of service can lead to a home fire burning
- Choose a safe meeting place outside the house.
- If there is a fire in your home, get out and stay out. Never go back inside for people, documents or belongings.
Watch 9 common causes of house fires that you need to know to prevent house fires.
Photo by firesafetysg.com
Read on 5 Fire Prevention Equipment That Must Have At Home
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