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.
Water extinguishers
Water extinguishers are one of the most cost-effective ways to put out Class A fires, which are ones that are started by solid materials like paper, wood, or textiles.
Water extinguishers come in four varieties: water jet, water spray, water with additives, and water mist or fog.
- Water jet extinguishers cool the burning materials and prevent re-ignition by shooting a jet of water at them. They are not to be utilized near live electrical equipment.
- Water spray extinguishers use an extremely fine mist of water droplets that are surrounded by non-conductive air. Most water spray fire extinguishers have passed a 35 kV dielectric test, which implies they were tested at one meter with a 35,000 volt electrical source.
- Water extinguishers with additives are those that have foaming chemicals added to them. The water loses its natural surface tension, making it easier for it to seep into the burning materials. Because the chemicals are mixed into the water, a smaller extinguisher can achieve the same fire rating as a larger extinguisher that uses simply water.
- Extinguishers that use water mist, or fog, apply water in the form of mist, or fog, with much smaller droplets than a water spray extinguisher. The smaller the droplet, the larger its surface area in relation to its size, the faster it evaporates, absorbing heat energy more quickly. The disadvantage is that the smaller the droplet, the less it weights, and hence the weaker the water cloud.
Foam extinguishers
On Class A and B fires, foam fire extinguishers can be used. They’re best for putting out liquid fires like gasoline or diesel, but they’re more versatile than water jet extinguishers because they can also put out solid fires like wood and paper. Liquid fires are extinguished by foam by sealing the liquid’s surface, preventing flammable vapour from reaching the air and starving the fire of fuel. They should not be used on free-flowing liquid fires.
Powder extinguishers
Powder extinguishers are a versatile fire extinguisher that may be used to put out Class A, B, and C flames. They can also be used to put out flames caused by electrical equipment, but they do not cool the fire down enough for it to re-ignite. Powder extinguishers can also reduce visibility and cause breathing difficulties. They are normally not suggested for usage inside buildings unless there is no other option.
Carbon dioxide extinguishers (CO2)
Because CO2 extinguishers are safe to use on fires involving electrical apparatus, they are suitable for settings with a lot of electrical equipment, such as offices or server rooms. Unlike foam extinguishers, carbon dioxide extinguishers do not leave any residue. They can also be used to put out Class B fires, which are ones that involve flammable substances like paraffin or gasoline. CO2 extinguishers put out fires by suffocating them and cutting off their oxygen supply.
Wet chemical extinguishers
Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats, such as lard, olive oil, sunflower oil, maize oil, and butter, can be put out with wet chemical extinguishers. When used correctly, they are incredibly effective. The wet chemical quickly extinguishes the flames, cools the burning oil, and reacts chemically to generate a soap-like solution that seals the surface and prevents re-ignition. Although they are primarily intended for use on Class F fires, cooking oils, and deep fat fryers, they can also be used on other types of fires. They can also be used on Class A and Class B flames (wood, paper, and fabrics) (flammable liquids).
Fire blankets
Fire blankets are designed to be used on hot oil fires, such as those found in frying pans or tiny deep fat fryers. They can also be used to put out a fire in someone’s clothing. They function by suffocating the fire, cutting off the oxygen supply that fuels it, and finally extinguishing it.
For fires involving live electrical, what type of fire extinguisher should be used?
If the substance in flames is cut off from the main power source, a Class C fire can become a Class A fire (i.e. a computer on fire is unplugged from the electrical outlet). However, this is not always safe or practicable, and it is sometimes unclear if an item has been totally disconnected from its power supply. When water is used to put out a Class C fire that is still being fuelled by an electric power source, it can have severe and even lethal consequences. If a water-based extinguisher is used to put out a Class C fire, the person fighting it risks being electrocuted.
This is why owning a Class C fire extinguisher and understanding how to use it properly is critical for complete fire protection. The only sort of fire extinguisher that can smother the flames of a fire that is still linked to an electrical source is a Class C fire extinguisher. When it’s evident that the burning object isn’t connected to any electrical sources, a Class C extinguisher can be replaced with one that’s designed to put out Class A fires. On Class A, B, and C fires, however, a dry chemical fire extinguisher can typically be utilized.
Foam Extinguishers
For class B fires, these are the most popular types of fire extinguishers. However, because they are water-based, they can also be used to fight class A fires. Cream is the color of the label.
These fire extinguishers can be used to put out fires caused by flammable liquids like gasoline and paint, as well as organic materials like wood, coal, textiles, fabrics, cardboard, and paper.
This fire extinguisher should not be used to put out fires caused by combustible metals, kitchen fires, or electrical equipment fires.
These fire extinguishers function by cooling the fuel that is causing the flames. The fire is quenched when it is poured on a burning liquid because the foaming agent creates a barrier between the fuel and the flame.
Foam extinguishers are required in businesses and premises that are constructed of various organic materials or are likely to include such organic materials, such as warehouses, residential properties, hospitals, schools, offices, and structures that store flammable liquids. To put it another way, most structures require the use of foam or water extinguishers.
On floors that have been recognized as a fire risk for class A or class B, this type of extinguisher should be placed near the exits.
Water Extinguishers
Water extinguishers are typically utilized in the event of a class A fire. Extinguishers, either foam or water, are required in most establishments. The label is brilliant red.
Fabrics, textiles, coal, wood, cardboard, and paper, among other organic materials, are extinguished with this type of extinguisher. Kitchen fires, fires created by combustible gas or liquids, and fires involving electrical equipment should not be utilized.
When it comes to the inner workings, a water extinguisher works by chilling the liquid, causing the burning fuel to burn at a slower rate until the flames are totally extinguished.
Buildings made of wood or organic materials, as well as company premises housing specific sorts of organic materials, such as hospitals, schools, offices, warehouses, and residential properties, are examples of places where these extinguishers are required. Foam or water extinguishers are required in the majority of the buildings.
On floors where a class A fire risk has been established, these extinguishers must be installed near the exit.
This type of extinguisher has a spray nozzle rather than a jet nozzle, which allows the water to cover a considerably larger surface area quickly, putting out the fire faster.
This sort of extinguisher has a different type of nozzle that is responsible for delivering extremely small, microscopic water particles, as the name implies. This extinguisher nozzle emits tiny particles that suffocate the fire while also keeping the person operating the extinguisher safe by forming a misty wall that reduces the sensation of heat.
Dry Powder Extinguishers
ABC extinguishers are conventional dry powder extinguishers that can be used to put out class A, class B, and class C fires. However, because the dry powder in the extinguisher is easily inhaled, they should not be utilized in confined settings. It’s also difficult to wipe up the residual residue after the fire has been extinguished. These can also be used to put out electrical equipment fires. There are also dry powder extinguishers designed to put out flames caused by combustible metals. The color of this type of extinguisher’s label is blue.
This fire extinguisher can be used to put out fires produced by a variety of organic materials, such as wood, coal, textiles, fabrics, cardboard, and paper. It can be used to put out flames caused by flammable liquids like gasoline and paint, as well as flammable gases like acetylene and liquefied petroleum gas. This fire extinguisher can also be used to put out fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000 V.
There are special dry powder extinguishers, as indicated above, however they are normally used solely on combustible metals like magnesium and titanium.
This type of fire extinguisher should not be used to put out fires involving electrical equipment with a voltage greater than 1000 volts or fires with frying oil.
This sort of fire extinguisher is necessary in places like garage forecourts, welding and flame cutting shops, and buildings with big boiler rooms that use flammable gases for chemical processes.
Wet Chemical Extinguishers
Class F fires involving frying oils and fats are extinguished with wet chemical extinguishers. They can also be used to put out Class A flames, though this is more commonly done with a foam or water extinguisher.
A wet chemical extinguisher can be used to put out fires involving frying oils and fats (a Class F fire). On a Class A fire, a wet chemical fire extinguisher can be used, but foam or water extinguishers are more popular. Extinguishers made of dry powder smother fires by creating a barrier between the fuel and the source of oxygen. Yellow is the color of this type of extinguisher’s label.
Fires generated by organic materials such as wood, coal, textiles, fabrics, cardboard, and paper can also be extinguished with wet chemical extinguishers.
In commercial kitchens and canteens, this type of fire extinguisher must be placed close to the source of the fire risk.
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers
CO2 extinguishers are primarily used to combat electrical fires and are the most common form of fire extinguisher found in computer server rooms. They can also extinguish Class B flames. CO2 extinguishers put out fires by removing the oxygen that they require to burn. The label on this type of extinguisher is black.
CO2 extinguishers should be placed near the source of a fire hazard or near fire exits, such as in offices, kitchens, server rooms, and other locations where electrical appliances and equipment are used.
Which of these should you use to put out an electric fire?
1. Never pour water on an electrical fire because water carries electricity and might cause electrocution.
2. If you don’t have a fire extinguisher, you can put out an electrical fire with baking soda.
3. If your appliances, cables, or electric motors emit smoke, flames, or a weird stench, turn off the appliances as well as the circuit breaker or fuse box’s main switch.
4. Immediately dial 911 and inform them that you are experiencing an electrical emergency.
Is it possible to use an ABC fire extinguisher to put out an electrical fire?
ABC fire extinguishers are frequently the best option because they can put out a variety of fires.
They employ a dry chemical called monoammonium phosphate to put out the fire immediately.
It’s a pale yellow powder that’s used to put out three different types of fires.
ABC fire extinguishers are “tri-class” or “multi-purpose” extinguishers, meaning they can put out Class A, B, or C fires.
Every fire extinguisher has an alphabet rating that indicates which fires it can put out.
The letters denote the type of fire that the extinguisher can put out:
Fires involving paper, wood, textiles, cloth, rubber, garbage, and plastics are classified as Class A.
Fires containing flammable liquids, solvents, oil, gasoline, paints, lacquers, and other oil-based goods are classified as Class B.
Fires involving electrified electrical equipment, such as wiring, controllers, motors, machinery, and appliances, are classified as Class C.
The propellant in dry chemical extinguishers is compressed nitrogen foam or dry powder. They function by suffocating the fire: by putting a layer of powder or foam on top of it, you block the fuel off from the oxygen around it, and the fire goes out.
It is critical to understand how to properly utilize a fire extinguisher.
Keep in mind the word PASS:
- Aim the nozzle at the fire’s origin. The fire will not be successfully put out by hitting the tops of the flame with the extinguisher.
To put out a fire in a microwave oven that has been turned on, what kind of firefighting equipment should you use?
Extinguisher with Water Spray (Water with additive) When compared to ordinary jet type water fire extinguishers, these have much better firefighting capability. There are three sizes to choose from: three litres, six litres, and twelve litres. Use caution when burning fat or oil, as well as when using electrical appliances.
Which type of fire extinguisher is ideal for chemical or pricey electrical fires?
Class A fire extinguishers are efficient against fires involving paper, wood, fabrics, and polymers. Because of its propensity to smother fires in these types of materials, monoammonium phosphate is the primary chemical utilized to battle these fires.
Fire extinguishers with a Class B rating will put out flammable liquid fires. Cooking liquids, oil, gasoline, kerosene, or paint may have started in these fires. These types of flames can be put out with the help of two regularly used chemicals. The fire is effectively smothered by monoammonium phosphate, while sodium bicarbonate causes a chemical reaction that extinguishes the flames.
Class C fire extinguishers are ideal for fires in buildings “electrical equipment that is “on” Because of their nonconductive qualities, monoammonium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate are typically employed to extinguish this sort of fire.
The classification of fire extinguishers is based on the type of fire. The A, B, and C rating system designates the kind of burning materials that each fire extinguisher can handle. The number in front of the A, B, or C denotes the magnitude of fire that the unit can put out.
Obtaining a Class “The extinguisher must be capable of putting out the wood crib, wood panel, and excelsior (shredded paper) tests in order to receive a “A” rating. The size of the material that can be extinguished repeatedly determines the rating.
Obtaining a class “The extinguisher must put out a burning liquid fire frequently to earn a “B” rating. The size of the fire determines the rating.
To obtain the Class “In order to receive a “C” grade, the extinguisher and its contents must pass UL711 and UL299 electrical conductivity tests.
What is the purpose of a CO2 fire extinguisher?
CO2 fire extinguishers contain pure carbon dioxide, which is a residue-free extinguishant. Recommended for use on live electrical equipment and suitable for class B flammable liquid fires (petrol, oil, solvents).
Our CO2 extinguishers are BAFE-approved, fully charged, and come with a wall bracket. Visit our fire extinguisher page for additional information on the many types of fire extinguishers.
Which of the following types of fire extinguishers should not be used on electrical equipment?
Unlike the water or foam found in class A fire extinguishers, electrical fires require a non-conductive material to put out. Because water is conductive, anyone attempting to put out an electrical fire with something like water runs the risk of electrocution. This is why class C fire extinguishers exist; monoammonium phosphate, potassium chloride, or potassium bicarbonate are the chemicals present in these extinguishers. Another approach is to use a carbon dioxide-based class C extinguisher. CO2 is effective at suppressing fires because it removes the fire’s oxygen source and reduces the heat produced by the fire because CO2 is cold when ejected from the extinguisher.
