For example, a simple water extinguisher might have a label like this, which means it should only be used on class a fires. However, they must be of the correct type for the particular fire, and they must be used correctly. Fireextinguishing capacity is rated according to ansiul 711, rating and fire testing of fire extinguishers. All extinguishers are designed to fit most wall mounted storage cabinets. The label instructions vary slightly according to type and size. Dry chemical hand portable fire extinguishers ansul.
For example, a different extinguisher may be needed for a commercial kitchen as opposed to a clean room or library. The operator must adequately secure each fire extinguisher within or on the vehicle by the placement of the unit or using a cage, harness, or strap that protects the extinguisher and vehicle occupants. Fire is the rapid oxidation of any combustible material. Some extinguishers are classified for only one type of fire, others may be classified for multiple types of fires. It is designed to put out a small firenot a big one.
This is the new labeling style with a diagonal red line drawn through the picture to indicate what type of fire this extinguisher is not suitable for. A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires, often in emergency situations. Extinguishers are labeled to correspond to the classes of fires they are designed to fight. Typically, fire extinguishers are fairly easy to use in the case of a fire. Extinguishes by cooling burning material below the ignition point.
Pull the pin aim at base of fire squeeze the handle sweep from side to side types of fires. One of important types of fire extinguishers used for fine extinguishment is the carbon dioxide type which is suitable for fire fighting in oils, petroleum products and gaseous substances under pressure classes b and c. Read our indepth look at fire extinguisher types, fire classifications, and the use and servicing of fire extinguishers here. Choosing the wrong type of fire extinguisher for the job can be very dangerous, make the fire worse and risk injuring those attempting to fight the fire. Your fire extinguisher should be mounted in a clean dry area, accessible to possible fire hazards and preferably near an exit. The class, quantity, and placement of fire extinguishers. Found virtually anywhere a generalpurpose fire extinguisher is needed, sentry dry chemical extinguishers are ideal for auto repair shops. This leads to some fire extinguishers to be suitable for certain types of fires that may occur. A portable fire extinguisher by definition is an item of equipment for the purpose of extinguishing a fire. Our production of fire fighting equipment is housed within 2.
Other details about the extinguisher such as class category, are mentioned on fire extinguisher labelswithout which, determining the right fire extinguisher would be impossible. These extinguishers will be found in commercial cooking operations such as restaurants, cafeterias, and other locations where food would be served. The image above shows a fire extinguisher that can put out types a, b, and c fires. Automatic modular fire extinguishers auto safe automatic fire extinguisher safex presents modular type abc clean agent gas along with a range of gaseous fire automatic exting uishers. A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection system used for extinguishes or control small fires, often in emergency situation. Your local amerex fire equipment distributor is professionally equipped to help you evaluate and implement these recommendations. Cartridge operated type portable fire extinguisher records dateinterval of servicings performed on individual fire extinguisher service record tag protects fire exinguisher from exposure to extreme environment eg. This type of fire burns with an ember, leaves an ash, and is best extinguished by removing the heat side of the triangle. All potential operators should be totally familiar with the instructions on any extinguisher they might be required to use. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are designed for which types of fuels. Water fire extinguishers have a class a rating and are suitable for fighting fires involving solid combustibles such as wood, paper and textiles. An apw water extinguisher is safe to use on an electrical fire. Fires are classified by the types of materials that are burning. People also talk about fire extinguisher types in terms of the material that comes out of the extinguisher to put the fire out for example, water, carbon dioxide, powder, etc.
Amerex manufactures an extensive variety of hand portable and wheeled fire extinguishers, both compliance. The types of fire extinguisher and classes of fire explained in a simple guide. There are two basic types of signage associated with portable fire extinguishers, a red, rectangular sign with a white pictorial of a fire extinguisher known as a location sign and an optional circular identification disc, specifying contents and type of fire on which the extinguisher is to be used. Portable fire extinguisher fire equipment manufacturers association. All you ever wanted to know about fire extinguishers. The successful use of a fire extinguisher depends on the following conditions. Seven out of ten fire related deaths occur from breathing poisonous gases produced by the fire. In this fire extinguisher guide we will discuss common fire extinguisher types and uses. Only use a fire extinguisher when the fire is in its early stages you dont know what is burning. In the rest of this article, well present additional fire extinguisher steps to follow based on the assumption that youve already determined it is safe and appropriate for you to fight the fire and that a fire alarm has been triggered. Install a 2a water type extinguisher or 6l wet chemical fire extinguisher for solid fuel cooking appliances with fire boxes. Types of fire extinguishers and their uses cscs health. Fire extinguishers can be an effective tool, but only when you select the correct type for your needs.
You dont want to mistakenly use a bc extinguisher on a class a fire, thinking that it was an abc extinguisher. Learn the basics about fire extinguisher safety and know which extinguisher to use in case of a fire. Selection of fire extinguishers there are a number of types of portable fire. Types of fire extinguisher in australia all you need to.
Choosing the right fire extinguisher marsden fire safety. Dec 07, 2017 this type of assurance derives from the proper maintenance, inspection, selection, installation, recharging, and testing of portable fire extinguishers, a series of activities that have long been aided by the use of nfpa 10. Most fire extinguishers will have a pictograph label telling you which types of fire the extinguisher is designed to fight. Fire extinguishers safety training handout extinguishers are classed by the type fire they can put out. Fire extinguisher locations fire extinguishers are located throughout the workplace and readily accessible in the event of a fire. Feb 19, 2016 the type of fire extinguisher depends on the type of fire. Fire extinguisher types we explain the different types of fire. Which type of extinguisher has a hard horn on the end of a flexible hose or metal arm. Dry chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction in the fire. There are various different types of fire extinguishers ranging from water to wet chemicals. The reality is however that a portable fire extinguisher is effective only for the type and size of a fire that it is rated for.
Aug 15, 2012 a foam fire extinguisher is capable of controlling flammable solid fires those fuelled by ordinary inflammable substances such as wood, paper, cloth, hay etc. Below is an overview of each type of fire extinguisher including its rating and suitable uses. Sunlight, seawater and etc fire extinguisher cover fire extinguisher secures fire extinguisher firmly on vehicles with quick. Current fire extinguisher colour codes uk fire extinguishers meeting bs en3 are manufactured with a red body and have a band of a second colour covering between 510% of the surface relating to the extinguisher s contents. This type of assurance derives from the proper maintenance, inspection, selection, installation, recharging, and testing of portable fire extinguishers, a series of activities that have long been aided by the use of nfpa 10. If you use the wrong type of extinguisher on the wrong class of fire, you might make matters worse.
It is very important to understand the four different fire fuel classifications. How many fire extinguishers are required and where nfpa. Pull the pin on the fire extinguisher in order to break the tamper seal. It is not intended for use on an out of control fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user i. Dry powders extinguish the fire by forming a crust on metal surface excluding air and also absorbs heat from the metal surface. Fire extinguisher training edgerton fire protection district. Water and foam based extinguishers should not be used on fires involving an electrical. If you use the wrong type of fire extinguisher on the wrong class of fire, you can, in fact, make matters worse. Fire extinguishers are clearly marked with the classes of fires they will extinguish safely.
The agent works by interrupting the chemical chain reaction. You should have the right types of fire extinguisher for your house or business premises, or you may not. Criteria for fighting the fire fire is smalland contained you have safe egress exit route can be reached without exposure to fire available extinguishers are rated for size and type of fire when fighting the fire remember to keep an exit to your back when the fire extinguisher is empty get out. The fire must be discovered in its incipient stage for the extinguisher to be effective. For example the number in front of the a classification is the rating and indicates how much water the extinguisher is equivalent to, and. Download fire extinguisher training pdf yale emergency. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher for the fire could actually counteract as an accelerant and cause more damage. Each different type of extinguisher agent has a corresponding colour making identification easier for the user. Abc fire extinguishers extinguish fire by cooling it down.
Also, on a class a fire it creates a barrier between the fuel and the oxygen. Select the correct fire extinguisher for your needs by robb slawski choose the right extinguisher for your situation. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on class a. To get more information on different fire extinguisher types and uses.
As a general rule, you should not attempt to fight a fire if it is spreading rapidly. Does your building require fire extinguishers throughout. Types of fire extinguisher in australia all you need to know february 02, 2018 there are 5 main fire extinguisher types in australia water, foam, dry powder, co2 and wet chemical. Never discharge a fire extinguisher into anyones face never throw an extinguisher into the fire or leave it unattended if the fire is not out pressure buildup could cause an explosion from even a partially full extinguisher keep fire extinguishers away. If you use the wrong type of fire extinguisher on a fire, you can, in fact, make matters worse. This extinguisher removes the chemical reaction of a fire, and is the most used of all fire extinguishers because of its versatility across multiple classes. Class a extinguishers should be located in areas where paper, wood, and other ordinary combusti bles are used. The fire extinguisher for a class c fire should be based on the amount of the class a or class b component. The following table illustrates the types of extinguishers, fire classes for which each is used and the limitations of each extinguisher. It is designed to put out a small fire not a big one. Todays most widely used type of fire extinguisher is. Put fire extinguishers close to where they might be needed.
Types of fires the fire classification system categorises fires into groups based on the type of fuel involved. Todays most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on class a, b and c fires. The extinguisher must be easily accessible and in good working order. Its important to help the public understand that with proper training and education, fire extinguishers can save lives and property. Every state has a state fire code with a section on fire extinguisher requirements. Wood, paper, cloth, trash, plasticssolids that are not metals.
Fire extinguishing capacity is rated according to ansiul 711, rating and fire testing of fire extinguishers. Jun 01, 2018 for others in a more specialized environment, a different type of fire extinguisher will be needed for effective firefighting. Free downloads and resources fire extinguishers save. A common type is the abc extinguisher, which is for use in fighting class a, b, and c fires. To activate, must first open nitrogen cylinder on back to pressurize body combustible metal d combustible metals. Abcs of portable fire extinguishers a fire extinguisher is a storage container for an extinguishing agent such as water or chemicals.
Below is an overview of each type of fire extinguisher including its. Securekart best shopping site for fire safety products online provides a wide range of various types of types of fire extinguishers in india small fire extinguisher, dry chemical fire extinguisher, water fire. Represent the types of fire or class, for which the extinguisher has been approved for. You can usually find them in hallways, laundry rooms, meeting rooms, kitchens, mechanicalelectrical rooms, and near exit doors. Fires involving flammable liquids such as gasoline, paint. An abc extinguisher will have a label like this, indicating that it may be used on class a, b and c fires. Each type of fire extinguisher is suitable for different types of burning media and will have a fire rating based on the volume of fire that they are capable of extinguishing. There is too much smoke or you are at risk of inhaling smoke.
The extinguisher must be the right type for the fire. There various classes to fires from a to f each which their own properties. A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on class a fires. It is therefore very important to understand the four different fire classifications. Inspect, test and maintain class k fire extinguishers yearly. It is not intended for use on an outofcontrol fire, such as one which has reached the ceiling, endangers the user i. For extinguisher use on a class d fire, the relative effectiveness is detailed on the extinguisher nameplate for the specific combustible metal fire for which it is recommended. Also the type of fires it is appropriate and safe to use on. Fire extinguisher ratings numeral fire class range direct index of the size fire the quantity of agent can handle 1a thru 40a a trash wood paper indication of the square foot area of flammable liquid the extinguisher will handle 1b thru 640b b liquids grease c electrical equipment no numeral is used because there are no degrees of. To get an overview of what state fire codes are based on and if states have made enhancements to fire codes visit the interactive fire safety map. Use the mounting bracket furnished with the extinguisher or an approved amerex vehicle bracket if required. Each type is easily identifiable by their names, colours.
Found virtually anywhere a generalpurpose fire extinguisher is needed, sentry dry chemical extinguishers are ideal for auto repair shops, electrical equipment rooms, machining operations, material handling vehicles, banks, offices, schools, hotels, warehouses, and many other applications. An extinguisher is labeled according to whether the fire on which it is to be used occurs in wood or cloth, flammable liquids, electrical, or metal sources. Sentry dry chemical extinguishers are designed for protection of light and ordinary hazards. Understanding classes, ratings and uses is the first step in selecting the best fire extinguisher for your. The type of fire extinguisher depends on the type of fire. Information for the fire service to share with the public on what type of fire extinguisher to buy, when to use an extinguisher and how to maintain it. Fire extinguishers are uniquely designed to meet the needs of a variety of applications, so its important to choose the one thats right for you. In this example, the fire extinguisher could be used on ordinary. Fire class of extinguisher extinguisher fire it limitations type extinguishes comments dry chemical a, b, c generally good for use in roofing. These classifications are used to categorize a building or parts of a building as light hazard, ordinary hazard, or extra hazard. The most current issue of nfpa10 should be consulted for minimum recommended fire extinguisher types, placement and travel distances. Dry chemicalfire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction in the fire.
The current edition of this standard is nfpa 102018 standard for portable fire extinguishers, 2018 edition. Not all fires are the same, and they are classified according to the type of fuel that is burning. The wrong type of extinguisher can be dangerous or life threatening. If you use the wrong type of fire extinguisher on the wrong class of. Some extinguishers are combination types that can be used on several different types of fires. These compact and portable extinguishers are designed for commercialcompliance fire protection needs. Fires are classified according to the type of fuel that is burning. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the number one priority for residents is to get out safely. Select the correct fire extinguisher for your needs. The successful use of any type of fire equipment fire extinguishers, fire suppression. Todays most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on class a, b, and c fires. Additional fire extinguisher uses are detailed below.