Ordinary flammable materials, such as fabric, wood, paper, rubber, and many polymers, are involved in Class A fires. A-rated fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires involving these common flammable materials.
Class B
Liquids that are flammable and combustible, such as gasoline, alcohol, oil-based paints, and lacquers, are used in Class B fires. As a result, B-rated extinguishers are designed to put out flames involving flammable and combustible substances.
Note: Do not attempt to put out a combustible gas fire unless you have reasonable certainty that the source of fuel can be turned off quickly. In fact, if the only fuel burning is the leaking gas, shutting off the fuel supply is the best way to put out the fire. Extinguishing a combustible gas fire without turning off the fuel can allow unburned gas to escape into the atmosphere, potentially resulting in a dangerous gas accumulation and an explosion if the gas is exposed to an ignition source.
Class D
Combustible metals such as magnesium, titanium, and sodium are used in Class D flames. D-rated extinguishers are meant to put out fires involving flammable metals.
Note: When used on a combustible metal fire, common extinguishing products may react, increasing the severity of the fire. The most frequent way to put out a combustible metal fire is to cover it with a dry powder, such as sand, that won’t react with it. Contact the Fire Prevention Services office if you store or use combustible metals for advice on the type and amount of extinguishing chemical you should keep on hand.
Class K
Cooking appliances using vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats cause Class K fires. Extinguishers with a K grade are meant to put out flames in industrial cooking appliances containing vegetable oils, animal oils, or fats.
Note: Where deep-fryers and/or griddles are used to make large quantities of food, extinguishers with a K rating are usually necessary. A commercial kitchen, such as those seen in restaurants and cafeterias, is an example.
Multipurpose Extinguishers
Most portable fire extinguishers are rated for use with multiple types of fire. Extinguishers with a BC rating, for example, are appropriate for fires involving flammable liquids and powered electrical equipment. Ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids, and energized electrical equipment can all be extinguished using an ABC-rated extinguisher. Each hazard type should be represented by a symbol on an extinguisher rated for usage with multiple hazards.
On live electrical equipment, which types of fire extinguishers should you use?
There are several varieties of fire extinguishers, each of which is designed to tackle a specific sort of fire:
Foam extinguishers, which are effective against both Class A and Class B fires, can protect surroundings from material fires involving solids such as paper and wood, as well as fires involving flammable liquids.
How it works: The foam is used to suffocate the fire, and as it smothers it, it seals the surface of the burning object or materials, cooling it down. It also keeps wayward materials from spreading and causing fires in other areas.
Water Fire Extinguisher
Class A fires, such as those involving organic solid materials including wood, cloth, fabric, paper, and plastics, are best tackled using water fire extinguishers.
Dangers: Do not use on flames involving electrical appliances or while burning fat or oil.
The water from the fire extinguisher soaks the burning components, cooling them down and extinguishing the fire altogether.
CO2 Fire Extinguisher
Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are appropriate for use in areas where electrical appliances (Class E) are present, as well as fires involving flammable liquids (Class B).
CO2 extinguishers should not be used on solid-fuel fires, such as those involving paper, wood, or fabric, and they are also not ideal for use on flammable gases.
The CO2 operates by cutting off the oxygen supply to the fire. This suffocates it, extinguishing the flames in the process.
Powder Fire Extinguisher
Powder extinguishers are effective against Class A, B, and C fires and are ideal for multi-risk situations. As a result, they can be used on solids, flammable liquids and gases, as well as electrical equipment.
Fires involving cooking oils or fats should not be extinguished with powder fire extinguishers.
How it works: The powder, which is released by a compressed gas, acts as an extinguishing agent, forming an efficient blanket over the flames, suffocating the source and, as a result, cooling and halting the spread of the fire.
Automatic Fire Extinguisher
Fires involving frying oil or fat are not suited for automatic fire extinguishers.
How it works: They are normally set off automatically and release an extinguishing substance to safeguard a specific area. This makes them excellent for applications such as machinery and plant equipment, boat engine bays, and flammable product storage locations, where manual operation is not always practicable and quick activation is sometimes required.
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher
Wet chemical extinguishers are appropriate for commercial and domestic kitchens since they are specifically intended for fires involving cooking oils and fats (Class F fires).
Dangers: They are not ideal for tackling flames involving flammable liquids or gases, metals, or electrical equipment, and should never be used to do so.
How it works: The current moist chemical is released in a fine spray, dampening the flames. Simultaneously, the chemical element reacts with the fire’s fuel to form a layer that seals the surface and extinguishes it completely.
For electrical fires, what type of fire extinguisher is used?
Fires are divided into four categories:
Ordinary solid combustibles, such as paper, wood, cloth, and some polymers, are classified as Class A.
Class B: Flammable liquids that are best extinguished by smothering, such as alcohol, ether, oil, gasoline, and grease.
Electrical equipment, appliances, and wiring in which a nonconductive extinguishing agent is used to prevent injury from electrical shock are classified as Class C. There is no need to use water.
Certain flammable metallic compounds, such as sodium and potassium, are classified as Class D. Normally, these materials are not found in the Medical Center.
Is it possible to use a foam fire extinguisher to put out electrical fires?
Foam fire extinguishers can be used on both class A and class B fires, however they must be utilized in various ways depending on the type of fire. Please note that only di-electrically tested foam extinguishers should be used on or near live electrical equipment.
Only use an extinguisher to put out tiny fires. If the fire has spread, do not attempt to extinguish it; instead, escape quickly and alert others, then call the fire department. If you do decide to fight the fire, keep a safe distance and follow the recommendations below.
- Pull the safety pin (Fig. 3) to break the tamper seal as well.
- To start discharging the extinguisher, squeeze the lever.
- Where should the fire extinguisher nozzle be pointed?
- Flammable liquids: Aim the hose at a vertical surface near the fire rather than directly at it, as this could cause the burning liquid to splash and the fire to spread. Foam extinguishers create a layer of foam on the burning liquid’s surface, cutting off the fire’s oxygen supply and cooling the hot liquid.
- Electrical fires: You can use your foam extinguisher on active electrical fires if it has been tested to 35000 Volts (35kV). Maintain a safe distance of 1 meter.
- Solid combustibles: Aim the nozzle towards the fire’s base and move it around the area.
- Make sure the fire is completely out; the foam acts as a covering over the flames, preventing it from re-igniting.
Electrical equipment is related with which type of fire?
Fires are classified into classes based on the type of material or substance present.
- Fires containing common combustibles such as paper, wood, cloth, rubber, or plastics are classified as Class A.
- Fires involving flammable liquids, gases, oil, paints, or lacquer are classified as Class B.
- Fires involving electrified (live) electrical equipment, such as motors, appliances, or power tools, are classified as Class C.
- Fires involving flammable metals such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, and potassium are classified as Class D.
- Cooking appliance fires involving flammable cooking oils or fats are classified as Class K.
What is the purpose of the ABC fire extinguisher?
For Class A, B, and C fires, a portable ABC or Multi-Purpose Dry Chemical fire extinguisher is useful. Wood, paper, textiles, rubbish, volatile substances, and powered electrical equipment can all be cleaned using these units. Monoammonium phosphate is the dry chemical in the units. To put out the various fires, the powder chemical operates in different ways. A Class A fire is chemically insulated, a Class B fire is smothered and the chain reaction is broken, and a Class C fire will not carry electricity back to the operator.
ABC dry chemical extinguishers are recommended for use in a range of situations, according to the manufacturer, including:
Vehicles for Material Handling
Customers in the industrial and commercial sectors may require a fire extinguisher built specifically for use in areas with flammable liquids and/or pressured gases. If there is no danger of a Class A fire, these extinguishers can be utilized. These units use a dry chemical that can smother a fire and is electrically non-conductive.
Extinguishers specifically built to suit the fire protection needs of an area with flammable liquids and/or pressured gases may be required for industrial and commercial customers. If a Class A fire is unlikely to occur, these extinguishers can be used. These units use a dry chemical that can smother a fire while also being electrically inert.
On an electrical fire, which two types of fire extinguishers should you never use?
All commercial and residential buildings are required to have fire extinguishers. They’re used to put out tiny fires or control them. Extinguishers must be properly placed and easily accessible in the event of an emergency.
However, in the stress of a fire, knowing which fire extinguisher to use on a fire might be challenging. Water, powder, foam, CO2, and wet chemical are the five primary types of extinguishers. Depending on the sort of fire that has erupted, each extinguisher has a different application. Here’s a rundown of the main types of extinguishers and how to use them.
A white label that says “water fire extinguisher” is frequently attached to a water fire extinguisher “WATER, WATER, WATER. Water fire extinguishers have a class A rating and can be used to put out fires made of wood, paper, or cloth. Water fire extinguishers are not ideal for electrical fires since water is a conductor, and if used on this type of fire, you risk electrocution. They are also not ideal for combustible liquid or metal fires because they will not put out the flames. A water extinguisher used to put out a flammable liquid fire may spread the liquid about, potentially causing more harm than good and exacerbating the fire. Water extinguishers are advised for warehouses, paper mills, and storage facilities that contain huge amounts of combustible materials.
A blue label that states “powder fire extinguisher” can be used to identify a powder fire extinguisher “POWDER, TO BE EXACT. Powder extinguishers can be used to put out fires in wood, paper, and cloth. They can also be used to extinguish combustible liquid, gaseous, and electrical fires. Powder extinguishers CANNOT be used to put out flames involving cooking oil (such as pan fires), electrical equipment with a voltage more than 1000 volts, fires in enclosed places, or fires with combustible metals ” (unless it is a “specialist dry powder extinguisher). Powder extinguishers are indicated for large-scale outdoor fires involving chemicals, fuels, or even cars. They’re ideal for huge commercial boiler rooms, large workshops, and hazardous liquid storage facilities.
A cream-colored label that reads “Foam Extinguisher” distinguishes foam extinguishers “FOAM is an acronym for foam. These can be used to put out fires made of wood, paper, or fabric. Foam extinguishers can be used to put out flammable liquid flames as well. They CANNOT be used on electrical or flammable metal fires since the extinguisher may worsen the situation. Foam extinguishers are appropriate for a variety of fire-prone environments, such as offices, factories, warehouses, and hotels.
A black label saying CO2 fire extinguisher can be spotted “CO2 is a greenhouse gas. CO2 fire extinguishers are safe to use on electrical and flammable liquid fires. They should not be used to put out fires made of wood, paper, or fabric. They’re also not recommended for cooking fires involving oil and grease (such as chip pan fires), as the extinguisher may end up spraying the flames into the surrounding area. It is also not suggested that the user hold the extinguisher by the horn since CO2 gets extremely chilly when it evaporates into a gaseous state and can cause cold burns. CO2 extinguishers, unlike foam and water extinguishers, do not cool the fire; instead, they replace the oxygen around the fire with Carbon Dioxide, rendering the fire unburnable. CO2 extinguishers should be required in places where there is a risk of electrical fire, such as offices, schools, and shops.
A yellow label that indicates “wet chemical fire extinguisher” can be used to identify a wet chemical fire extinguisher “Chemicals that are moist. Wood, paper, and fabric fires can all be put out with wet chemical extinguishers. They’re also safe to use in the kitchen and in deep fat fryer fires. They should not be used to put out electrical, flammable liquid, or gaseous flames since they may cause the fire to spread. Because they emit hazardous fumes that should not be breathed in, wet chemical extinguishers should only be used in well-ventilated places. For any establishment with a professional kitchen and deep fat fryer, such as restaurants, burger bars, and hotels, wet chemical extinguishers are required.
What are the four different kinds of fire extinguishers?
Fire extinguishers are divided into four categories: A, B, C, and D, each of which can put out a particular sort of fire.
- Extinguishers classified as Class A will put out fires in common combustibles including wood and paper.
- Extinguishers classified as Class B are intended for use with flammable liquids such as grease, gasoline, and oil.
- Only use Class C extinguishers on fires that are electrically powered.
- Extinguishers classified as Class D are intended for use on flammable metals.
Multipurpose extinguishers can put out a variety of flames and are labeled with many classes, such as A-B, B-C, or A-B-C.
