5 Types of Fire Extinguishers: A Guide to Using the Right Class
Fire extinguishers play a very important role in combating fires, but selecting the right class is most important for safety and effectiveness. This article provides you an overview of the five main types of fire extinguishers, their applications, and how to choose the right one based on the class of fire.
Fire Classes Explained
Fires are classified based on the type of fuel burned. To know these classes are very important to selecting the right class of fire extinguisher:
Class A: Combustible solids like paper, wood, and textiles.
Class B: Flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel, and oil.
Class C: Flammable gases like propane and methane.
Class D: Combustible metals, including magnesium and aluminum.
Mechanism: Sprays water to cool and extinguish flames.
Pros: Affordable, eco-friendly, and easy to maintain.
Limitations: Unsafe for Class B, Class C, electrical fires, or cooking oils.
Common Uses: Offices, schools, and residential areas.
The water fire extinguisher is the best for Class A fires because it puts out the flames by spraying water under high pressure. Water fire extinguishers are also safe to use around food, children, and vulnerable adults because they do not contain any dangerous chemicals.
Electronic fires, cooking fires, fires using flammable liquids, and fires caused by flammable gasses should not be put out with water fire extinguishers.
2. Foam Extinguishers (Cream Label)
Best For: Class A and Class B fires (solids and flammable liquids).
Mechanism: Forms a foam layer to smother flames.
Pros: Can be used on some electrical fires if discharged from a safe distance.
Limitations: Leaves residue and is unsuitable for Class F fires.
Common Uses: Warehouses, retail spaces, and workshops.
Foam fire extinguishers are used on burning fluids like gasoline, paint, or turpentine because the foam suppresses the fire in solids and liquids (Class A and B), but not in burning fats or cooking oils (Class F). Certain electrical fires can also be put out with a foam extinguisher if they have been tested and released from a distance of one meter. They are more costly than water extinguishers, and they leave a residue that requires to be cleaned up.
3. Dry Powder Extinguishers (Blue Label)
Best For: Class A, B, and C fires; specialist powders for Class D (metals).
Mechanism: Smothers the fire with a crust of powder.
Pros: Versatile and effective on a range of fires.
Limitations: Hazardous if inhaled, has no cooling effect, and can cause cleanup challenges.
Common Uses: Industrial sites, vehicles, and construction areas.
Powder fire extinguishers are used to put out Class A, B, and C fires, which are fires that are burning solids, liquids, or gasses. Specialized powder extinguishers are produced to extinguish type D fires that contain flammable metals like aluminum, magnesium, or lithium.
They work by making a crust out of the powder that smothers the fire and stops it from spreading. The powder’s difficulty in sufficiently cooling the fire and its failure to sink into materials are drawbacks that might allow the fire to restart.
They should be utilized in well-ventilated places and are not suitable for use in offices or homes because the powder is harmful if inhaled. The powder requires a lot of cleanup after use and ruins delicate items like machinery and furniture. They are useless on chip pan fires (Class F).
They are available in 1, 2, 4, 6, and 9 kg and are typically powerful and affordable.
Pros: No residue and safe for electrical equipment.
Limitations: Risk of re-ignition; not suitable for confined spaces.
Common Uses: Offices, server rooms, and factories.
5. Wet Chemical Extinguishers (Yellow Label)
Best For: Class F fires (cooking oils and fats).
Mechanism: Cools flames and forms a barrier to prevent re-ignition.
Pros: Effective for kitchen fires and also usable on Class A fires.
Limitations: Limited use beyond Class F fires.
Common Uses: Commercial kitchens and catering establishments.
Special Considerations
Water Mist Extinguishers: These innovative devices work on most fire classes (A, B, C, and F) and are suitable for electrical fires up to 1,000 volts.
Lithium-Ion Battery Fires: Require specialized extinguishers with Aqueous Vermiculite Dispersion (AVD) for effective suppression and cooling.
Conclusion
Selecting the right fire extinguisher is crucial for effective fire management. Always assess the materials and risks in your environment before choosing a fire extinguisher. Ensure your extinguisher is regularly maintained and complies with safety standards to be prepared when it matters most.
Fire extinguisher types for the relevant class of fire play the most important role and could be the difference between life and death. So here’s an article to describe about what are the different types of Fire Extinguishers and their uses and how do you choose the right fire extinguisher for the appropriate scenario, like color codes, fire classes, and uses.
Only a single fire extinguisher cannot tackle every fire type of fire because each type of fire extinguisher has different classes of fire which is useful, choosing can be a minefield.
Analyzing everything in the location that has to be kept fire-safe is the first step. These are divided into six fire classifications, each of which includes a different substance:
Class A fire induced by flammable carbon-based solids like paper, wood or textiles
Class B fire induced by flammable liquids like paraffin, petrol, diesel or oil (but not cooking oil)
Class C fire is induced by flammable gases, like butane, propane or methane
Class D fire is induced by burning metals, as aluminium, lithium, or magnesium
Fires induced by electrical equipment (determined by an electric spark symbol and not the letter E)
Class F fire is induced by fats and cooking oils.
A small colored round denotes the type of fire extinguisher red for water, white and red for water mist, cream for foam, blue for dry powder, yellow-coded extinguishers are utilized for wet chemicals, green for clean agents, and black color for CO2 extinguishers.
Why Are Fire Extinguishers Important?
Fire extinguishers play an important role in any fire safety plan because they help prevent loss of life and property damage. They can be utilized to:
Put out little fires: An appropriately trained someone can control a small fire using a fire extinguisher quickly.
Suppress fires: Fire extinguishers can control a fire until the fire brigade reaches.
Control damage: Fire extinguishers can help control catastrophic property damage.
What Are the Different Fire Classes?
The different fire classes extinguishers are listed below for use on each class of fire:
Class A – Just for paper, wood & textiles.
Type of fire extinguisher – Water, Foam, Dry Powder, Wet Chemical
Class B – Just for flammable liquids.
Type of fire extinguisher – Dry Powder, Foam, Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
Class C – Just for flammable gasses.
Type of fire extinguisher – Dry Powder
Class F – Just for cooking oil and fat.
What Are the Types of Fire Extinguishers & Their Uses?
When putting out a fire, an appropriate fire extinguisher must be used to prevent the situation from becoming worse. It is easy to avoid this mistake because all fire extinguishers have the mentioned symbols displayed to show what type of fire they are appropriate for.
1. Water Extinguishers
Standard water extinguishers and water mist extinguishers are the two main types of water fire extinguishers. Standard water extinguishers are just designed to put out class-A fires; they can be identified by a red label on top.
Water mist extinguishers, on the other hand, have a white band and can be used on fires caused by electricity and also for class A and F fires provided the water used is non-conductive.
Use: For fighting Class A flames, including those including organic solid materials like wood, cloth, fabric, paper, and plastics, water fire extinguishers perform properly.
Dangers: Never use on fires including electrical appliances or on burning fat or oil.
How it works: The fire is completely extinguished when the extinguisher releases water that soaks the combustible materials and cools them down.
2. Foam Extinguishers
Mostly made of water, foam fire extinguishers use a foaming ingredient to put out the fire. They can be used for fighting class A and B fires and have a cream band on top.
Use: Foam extinguishers are effective against both Class A and Class B fires, and they can protect areas that are susceptible to material fires involving solids like wood and paper as well as fires containing flammable liquids.
Risks: Avoid using on home fires triggered by lard pans or chips.
How it operates: In addition to smothering the fire, the foam cools the burning material or things by sealing their surface. Additionally, it keeps wayward materials from spreading and igniting flames in other places.
3. Powder Extinguishers
One of three powders—ABC, M28, or L2—is found in powder fire extinguishers, also known as dry powder extinguishers, which have a dark blue band on top.
Class A, B, and C fires—those including the burning of materials, liquids, and gases—can benefit from the cooling impact of ABC powder.
The main difference between M28 and L2 powders, which are both made specifically for class D fires, is that M28 powder is unsuitable with lithium-based fires.
Many types of flames can be put out with powder fire extinguishers, which are quite successful. These extinguishers might not be suitable in some locations, though, because the powder can be harmful to breathe in and might harm carpets and electrical equipment when used.
Use: Powder extinguishers perform well to put out Class A, B, and C fires and are great for situations with many risks. This means that they can be applied to electrical equipment, solid materials, and combustible liquids and gasses.
Risks: Avoid utilizing powder fire extinguishers on flames that include fats or cooking oils.
How it works: A compressed gas releases the powder, which acts as an extinguishing agent to form an efficient blanket over the flames, burying their source and so cooling and keeping them from spreading.
4. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers
Fire extinguishers that use carbon dioxide (CO2) have a huge, distinctive conical hose with a black band on top. They put out the fire by displacing the oxygen in the air. They can be used for electrical and class B flames. They
Due to their lack of substance and minimal damage while in use, carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are perfect for industries with high risk of electrical fire.
Use: Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are most suitable for areas where electrical appliances (Class E) and flammable liquid fires (Class B) might happen.
Risks: CO2 extinguishers are not suitable for use on flammable gasses and should not be used on flames including solid objects like paper, wood, or cloth.
How it works: The carbon dioxide works by cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply. This then extinguishes it and, as it does so, extinguishes the flames.
5. Wet Chemical Extinguishers
Wet chemical fire extinguishers generally have a long hose and a yellow band on top. In order to avoid the burning fat or oil from reigniting, they cool it and form a seal over its surface.
Although they are designed to put out class F flames, wet chemical extinguishers can also be used to put out class A and class A fires.
Use: Wet chemical extinguishers are ideal for both commercial and domestic kitchens because they are made for use with Class F fires, which are fires containing cooking oils and fats.
Risks: They are not ideal for fighting fires involving metals, electrical equipment, or flammable liquids or gasses, and they should never be used to do so.
How it works: A thin spray of the wet chemical is released, which then Simultaneously, the chemical element responds with the fuel of the fire to make a film, sealing the surface and fully extinguishing it.
How Do You Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher?
You require a fire extinguisher that is suitable for what you’re facing. Remember the fire extinguisher’s ABCs.Wood, paper, and fabric fires are put out with a Class A extinguisher; flammable liquids and gases are put out with a Class B extinguisher; and electrical fires are put out with a Class C extinguisher.
How Should Fire Extinguishers Be Used and Maintained?
To use a fire extinguisher with the PASS method:
Pull: Pull the pin to release the locking instrument
Aim: Point the nozzle at the bottom of the fire from a safe space
Squeeze: Press the lever and release the extinguisher
Sweep: Clean the nozzle from side to side until the fire is out
If the fire doesn’t go out immediately, leave the area and contact the fire department.
To maintain a fire extinguisher, you can:
Visually check: Review for dents, leaks, rust, or other symptoms of wear. clean any dust, oil, or corrosive chemicals.
Shake: Once a month, shake the extinguisher or press it with a mallet made of rubber to keep the powder from settling.
Hydrostatic test: To be sure the extinguisher will hold pressure without leaking or bursting, have it checked every five to twelve years.
When Should You Avoid Using a Fire Extinguisher?
You should avoid using a fire extinguisher in the following situations:
If the fire is large or spreading should not use a fire extinguisher.
If you don’t know what’s burning won’t understand which type of fire extinguisher to use.
Should not enter an enclosed zone, blocked area, or corner to extinguish a fire.
Should not use a fire extinguisher if it’s injured, the lock pin is tampered with, or the pressure gauge is in the “RECHARGE” area.
Should not utilize a fire extinguisher if you’re not trained and confident about utilizing it.
Should not use a fire extinguisher if you inhale toxic smoke.
Should not utilize a fire extinguisher if you don’t have an open escape path.
Should not utilize a fire extinguisher if it’s not rated for the type of fire fighting.
Should not utilize a water spray extinguisher on an electrical fire cause water is a conductor of electricity and can cause the situation worse.
Conclusion
To make sure your property has the right fire extinguishers, it’s important to assess your needs and confirm you have the appropriate classes for various areas of your facility. However, having the correct equipment is just the first step. Regular maintenance and proper employee training are essential to ensure your extinguishers work effectively in an emergency. For expert assistance in selecting, inspecting, and training on the best fire extinguishers for your needs, contact Damia Global Services Pvt. ltd..
