The Different Fire Extinguisher Types & Fire Classes
Discover the variety of fire extinguishers tailored for every scenario. From electrical fires to flammable liquids, choosing the right type is crucial for your safety. Learn more with Racam—where security meets simplicity.
Fire Extinguisher Types:
Explore the essentials of fire extinguisher types, from foam and CO2 to water mist. Each is designed for specific fire risks, making sure you’re equipped for fire safety. Racam simplifies your choice for effective fire defense.
Water Extinguisher
Ideal for Class A fires, water extinguishers are the go-to for combating flames in materials like wood, paper, and textiles. Simple yet effective, they’re a staple in any fire safety plan.
Water Mist Extinguisher
Ideal for a range of fires, including those involving electrical equipment, the water mist extinguisher uses fine droplets to cool, dampen, and extinguish flames efficiently.
Dry Powder Extinguisher (ABC Extinguishers)
‘ABC’ extinguishers, known for handling class A, B, and C fires, work by smothering flames and interrupting the fire’s chemical reaction. While effective, their use in enclosed spaces is limited due to inhalation risks and cleanup challenges. Certain types also tackle electrical fires, with specialist variants for flammable metals.
Foam Extinguisher (AFFF)
Foam extinguishers, known as AFFF, stop fires on liquids and solids by forming a barrier against re-ignition. Perfect for class A and B fires, they’re versatile and effective in various environments.
Carbon Dioxide, CO2 Extinguisher
CO2 extinguishers are the go to choice for electrical fires and flammable liquids. They work by displacing oxygen to extinguish flames without residue, safeguarding equipment and environments.
Lithium Battery Extinguisher
Specially designed for lithium battery fires, these extinguishers cool and quell the intense heat, preventing re-ignition in tech-heavy spaces. This extinguisher type is a necessity for fire safety in environments with lithium batteries.
Wet Chemical Extinguisher
Wet chemical extinguishers are the solution for kitchen fires, especially those involving cooking oils. They cool the flames and create a soap like solution to seal the surface and prevent re-ignition, making them indispensable in culinary settings such as restaurants.
What is a Fire Extinguisher Colour Code?
The fire extinguisher colour code is a standardized system of colours used on the body or label of fire extinguishers to quickly identify their contents and the type of fire they are designed to combat. This coding helps ensure the right extinguisher is used for the correct type of fire, preventing accidents and increasing the efficiency of fire response.
The Different Types of Fire Extinguisher Colour Codes:
In the UK, fire extinguisher colour codes are crucial for quick identification and proper use during emergencies. Here’s a breakdown:
- Red (Water): Best for textiles, paper, and wood fires.
- Cream (Foam): Effective on liquid and solid fires.
- Blue (Dry Powder): Versatile, for most fire types including electrical.
- Black (CO2): Ideal for electrical fires and flammable liquids.
- Yellow (Wet Chemical): Specialized for cooking oil and fat fires.
These colour codes are vital for safety, guiding users to the right extinguisher in critical moments.
Classes of Fire:
Classes of fire categorise fires based on the type of fuel involved, guiding the selection of the correct fire extinguishing method. These classifications help in understanding the nature of the fire, ensuring the use of appropriate fire safety measures and extinguishers to effectively control and extinguish the blaze.
Class A Fires
Class A fires involve common combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, and some plastics. These fires are characterized by their ability to leave an ash residue and are typically extinguished with water or monoammonium phosphate-based extinguishers.
Class B Fires
Class B fires ignite from flammable liquids such as petrol, oil, solvents, and alcohol. These fires spread quickly and require extinguishers that can isolate the fuel from oxygen, like foam, CO2, or dry powder extinguishers, to prevent re-ignition.
Class C Fires
Class C fires involve flammable gases like propane, butane, and natural gas. Extinguishing these fires requires shutting off the gas supply if possible and using extinguishers that can safely smother the flames, typically dry powder extinguishers, without causing electrical hazards.
Class D Fires
Class D fires occur with combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, aluminum, and potassium. These fires require specialized extinguishing agents, like dry powder formulations specific to the type of metal involved, to safely smother and cool the flames.
Class E Fires
Class E fires, identified in certain systems, involve electrical equipment. The key to extinguishing these is using non-conductive agents like CO2 or dry powder to prevent electric shock and protect the equipment. Isolating the electrical source, when feasible, is also crucial for safety.
Class F Fires
Class F fires are specific to cooking oils and fats, such as in deep-fat fryers. These fires require a unique extinguishing approach, often involving wet chemical extinguishers, which cool the fire and react to form a foam layer, sealing the surface to prevent re-ignition.
Fire Extinguisher Servicing and why it’s Important?
Regular fire extinguisher servicing ensures these critical safety devices function correctly when needed. It involves inspecting for damage, refilling if necessary, and checking that all components operate effectively. This maintenance is crucial not just for compliance with safety regulations, but for ensuring the reliability and effectiveness of extinguishers in emergency situations, potentially saving lives and property.
How to use a Fire Extinguisher:
Using a fire extinguisher correctly is crucial in an emergency. Remember the acronym PASS:
- Pull the pin to unlock.
- Aim low at the fire’s base.
- Squeeze the lever steadily.
- Sweep the nozzle side to side.
Ensure you have an escape route behind you and use the extinguisher only if the fire is manageable and not blocking your exit.
Integrating fire extinguisher knowledge with comprehensive fire safety services enhances overall protection:
- Fire Alarm Zone Plans: Fire alarm zone plans help in quickly identifying the location of a fire, allowing for a swift response, including using an extinguisher effectively.
- Fire Alarm Systems and Installations: A robust fire alarm system can alert you to fires in their early stages, giving you time to use an extinguisher before the fire grows. Installing a fire alarm system is crucial for your premises fire safety!
- Fire Alarm Maintenance: Making an effort to regularly perform fire alarm maintenance ensures your fire detection systems are always operational, providing early warnings that can make extinguisher use more timely and effective.
- Fire Alarm Weekly Testing: Weekly fire alarm tests confirm the functionality of your fire alarm system, ensuring it works when you need it most, in tandem with available fire extinguishers.
- Fire Protection Services: Comprehensive fire services, including extinguisher inspection and maintenance, ensure that all elements of your fire safety plan work together seamlessly for maximum fire protection.
Each of these services plays a vital role in a holistic fire safety strategy, ensuring that when a fire extinguisher is needed, it’s part of a well-coordinated response to fire incidents.
How to use a Water Fire Extinguisher?
To use a water fire extinguisher effectively, first ensure it’s safe for the type of fire you’re facing (typically Class A fires). Start by pulling the safety pin to unlock the device, then aim the hose at the base of the flames, not the top. Squeeze the lever to release the water, and use a sweeping motion to cover the area of the fire. Remember to keep a safe distance and have a clear exit path in case you need to retreat.
What to use Water Fire Extinguishers for?
Water fire extinguishers are best suited for Class A fires, which involve common combustible materials such as wood, paper, fabric, and some plastics.
What not to use Water Fire Extinguishers for?
Avoid using water fire extinguishers on electrical fires, as water conducts electricity, posing a shock hazard. They’re also not suitable for class B, class C, class D, and class F fires.
How to use a Water Mist Fire Extinguisher?
To use a water mist fire extinguisher, first ensure it’s safe to approach the fire and you have a clear exit. Pull the safety pin to activate the extinguisher, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, and then squeeze the handle to release the mist. Use a sweeping motion to cover the area of the fire. The fine mist cools the flames and reduces the oxygen level, extinguishing the fire without leaving residue.
What to use Water Mist Fire Extinguishers for?
Water fire extinguishers are best suited for Class A fires involving common combustibles like wood, paper, and textiles.
What not to use Water Mist Fire Extinguishers for?
Avoid using water fire extinguishers on electrical fires, as water conducts electricity and poses a shock hazard. They’re also ineffective and potentially dangerous on flammable liquids (Class B) and cooking oil fires (Class F), where the water can spread the fire or cause a flare-up.
How to use a Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher?
Using a dry powder fire extinguisher involves a few key steps. First, ensure the area is safe to enter and you have a clear escape route. Pull the pin to break the tamper seal, aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, and then squeeze the handle to discharge the powder. Sweep the nozzle side to side, covering the area of the fire.
What to use Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers for?
Dry powder fire extinguishers are versatile and can be used on Class A, B, and C fires, covering combustibles, flammable liquids, and gases. They’re also suitable for electrical fires due to their non-conductive properties.
What not to use Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers for?
Avoid using dry powder fire extinguishers on fires involving cooking oils or fats (Class F fires) due to their ineffectiveness in these scenarios. Also, while they can be used on electrical fires, their residue can damage sensitive electronic equipment, so they should be used with caution in environments with such devices.
How to use a Foam Fire Extinguisher?
To use a foam fire extinguisher effectively, follow these steps: First, ensure it’s safe to approach the fire with a clear exit path. Pull the safety pin to activate the extinguisher. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, standing at a safe distance. Squeeze the handle to release the foam, starting from the edge of the fire and moving towards the center. The foam forms a blanket over the fire, cutting off the oxygen supply and cooling the fuel. Use a sweeping motion to cover the entire area of the fire until it’s extinguished.
What to use Foam Fire Extinguishers for?
Foam fire extinguishers are ideal for Class A fires involving solid combustibles like wood, paper, and textiles, as well as Class B fires caused by flammable liquids such as petrol and paint.
What not to use Foam Fire Extinguishers for?
Avoid using foam fire extinguishers on electrical fires due to the risk of conducting electricity and causing harm. They are also not suitable for Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats, as the foam may not effectively suppress such high-temperature fires. Additionally, foam extinguishers are not recommended for fires involving flammable gases (Class C) or metals (Class D).
How to use a CO2 Fire Extinguisher?
To safely use a CO2 fire extinguisher, follow these steps: Ensure you have a safe approach to the fire and a clear exit path. Remove the safety pin to activate the extinguisher. Aim the nozzle or horn at the base of the fire, keeping a safe distance to avoid ice burns from the CO2 discharge. Squeeze the handle to release the gas, and sweep the nozzle side to side, covering the area of the fire.
What to use CO2 Fire Extinguishers for?
CO2 fire extinguishers are most effective for electrical fires and Class B fires involving flammable liquids like solvents, petrol, and paint. Their non-conductive and residue-free properties make them ideal for environments with electrical equipment and sensitive machinery.
What not to use CO2 Fire Extinguishers for?
Avoid using CO2 fire extinguishers on Class A fires involving combustible materials like wood, paper, and textiles, as they may not effectively extinguish the flames. They are also not suitable for Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats, or Class D fires involving combustible metals, due to the risk of the fire reigniting or reacting violently.
How to use a Lithium Battery Fire Extinguisher?
When using a lithium battery fire extinguisher, first ensure safety by having a clear escape route. Activate the extinguisher by removing the safety pin. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, maintaining a safe distance. Squeeze the handle to discharge the extinguishing agent, which is typically a specialized formula designed to cool the fire and prevent re-ignition of lithium batteries. Sweep the nozzle side to side to cover the entire area of the fire.
What to use Lithium Battery Fire Extinguishers for?
Lithium battery fire extinguishers are specifically designed for fires involving lithium-ion batteries, which can occur in devices like smartphones, laptops, and electric vehicles. These extinguishers effectively address thermal runaway and potential re-ignition, making them essential for tech-heavy environments and industries relying on lithium battery technology.
What not to use Lithium Battery Fire Extinguishers for?
Lithium battery fire extinguishers are specialized and should not be used for general fire types like Class A (combustibles), Class B (flammable liquids), or Class C (flammable gases). They’re specifically formulated for lithium battery fires and may not be effective or safe for other fire classes, particularly those involving cooking oils (Class F) or combustible metals (Class D).
How to use a Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher?
To effectively use a wet chemical fire extinguisher, follow these steps: Ensure a safe distance and clear escape route. Activate the extinguisher by removing the safety pin. Aim the nozzle at the edge of the fire, if possible, to avoid splashing the burning oil. Gently squeeze the handle to release the wet chemical agent in a slow, steady stream. Apply the agent in a circular motion to cover the entire surface of the fire, creating a layer that cools and smothers the flames and prevents re-ignition.
What to use Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers for?
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, which involve cooking oils and fats typically found in kitchens. They are also effective on Class A fires involving combustible materials like wood, paper, and textiles.
What not to use Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers for?
Wet chemical fire extinguishers should not be used on electrical fires or Class B fires involving flammable liquids like petrol and solvents, as they may not effectively extinguish these types of fires. They’re also not suitable for Class C fires involving flammable gases or Class D fires with combustible metals, where specific extinguishing agents are required.
Fire Blanket
A fire blanket is a safety device designed to extinguish incipient (starting) fires. It consists of a sheet of fire-resistant material which is placed over a fire in order to smother it. Fire blankets are particularly effective for smothering fires involving cooking oils or fats in kitchens (Class F fires) and can also be used on clothing fires. They’re simple to use, requiring no maintenance, and can be a quick solution to stop a small fire from spreading.
How to use a Fire Blanket?
- Remove the blanket: Pull the tabs to release the blanket from its container.
- Hold it correctly: Grasp the blanket by the protected edges or with the shielded corners of the blanket wrapped around your hands.
- Cover the fire: Gently place the blanket over the entirety of the fire to smother the flames. Avoid throwing or fanning the blanket as this could introduce more oxygen to the fire.
- Turn off the heat source: If safe to do so, turn off the stove or electrical appliance that’s causing the fire.
- Leave the blanket in place: Once the fire is covered, do not disturb the blanket. Leave it in place until the area has cooled completely to prevent reignition.
- Call emergency services: If the fire persists or you’re unsure if it’s completely extinguished, evacuate the area and call for professional help.
Stay Safe with Racam
Navigating fire safety is simpler with Racam. Understanding the right fire extinguisher types and uses empowers you to protect what matters most. With Racam, peace of mind is just a step away. Let’s make safety our shared priority.
