Class D fires are a danger in laboratory environments. Once you are aware of what types of fires your business may encounter, you can buy the proper extinguisher for protecting against them. Furthermore: you must not hold the horn, base, or pipework on a C02 extinguisher while operating it. Types of Fires. Fire extinguishers are classified as types A, ABC, BC or K. It is important to use the right type of extinguisher on the specific class of fire to avoid personal injury or damage to property. This is why it’s advised you use a different type of extinguisher for workplaces with electronics, such as an office with computers. 97. The five types of extinguishers are: Class A -- flammable solids. TYPES OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS AND THEIR USES . Water extinguishers are only suitable for class A fires, which means they can fight fires that involve wood, cardboard, paper, plastics, fabric and textiles, and other solid materials. The information throughout this article has provided some key guidance on the different types of extinguishers and their uses, but keep in mind that you also need practical training to learn how to safely handle extinguishers. A fire extinguisher can certainly be a life-saving device in specific circumstances, yet did you understand there are various kinds of fire extinguishers for various kinds of fires? Electrical fires are common in industries that deal with energy or make use of heavy electrically-powered equipment. These types of extinguishers will say ‘powder’ in white text over a blue rectangle, and underneath the rectangle will be written ‘ABC powder’. Per NFPA 10, burning may be classified into one or more of the following fire classes and your fire protection specialist will select the right fire extinguisher size and agent for the hazard. Because they do not leave any substances behind and so minimise damage done to equipment, unlike other extinguishers, they are particularly useful for offices and workshops where electrical fires may occur. Fire extinguisher ratings are based on the five classes of fires. The extinguisher’s nozzle converts water into ‘dry’ microscopic particles, which are then drawn into the fire and simultaneously cool and suffocate it to extinguish the flames. Metals includes lithium, magnesium, sodium, or aluminium, for example. These types of fire extinguishers will be solid red and will have the words ‘water mist’ printed within a white rectangle. It’s important to be aware of the different kinds of extinguishers and which fires they are best suited for. Different Types of Fire Extinguisher. First of all, you need to know that fire comes in a variety of different forms. There are different chemicals used in these types of fire extinguishers. Flammable gases such as butane or propane are also common fuel sources in Class B fires. Do you have the right fire extinguishers for your unique risks? There are 5 main fire extinguisher types – Water, Foam, Dry Powder, CO2 and Wet Chemical. There 5 different type of fire extinguishers - not including fire blankets. They remove either the air, fuel or heat (or all) component in the fire. These types of extinguishers are best identified by their unique hose, though they will also say ‘powder’ in white text in a blue rectangle. Corporate Office The fire … There are five main types of fire extinguishers: Each type is easily identifiable by their names, colours, and sometimes their hoses. They are your classic model: they dispense water at a high pressure to extinguish flames. Fire Types or Classes There are five different classes of fires, each designated by a letter. Examples of such combustible metals include titanium, magnesium, aluminum, and potassium. ABC dry powder fire extinguishers can also be safely used on fires involving electrical equipment like flammable solids and liquids. Depending on their size, some may not come with a flexible hose, such as smaller foam or aqua water spray extinguishers. Dry Chemical fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle. Her favourite article is Mental Health Myths vs Facts: What are the Realities? Dry Powder extinguishers are also known as ABC extinguishers because they can be used on fire types A, B and C. Specialist ABC extinguishers can also be used on flammable metals such as magnesium and titanium. What are the classes of Fire. Trash fires are one such example. Water extinguishers are used for Class A fires only. Three things need to be present: air (oxygen gas), fuel, and heat. By understanding what each fire class means, you can understand which fire types are a safety hazard at your business. The downside to ABC powder extinguishers is that they pose a danger of inhalation when used in close spaces. Fire extinguishers meeting BS EN3 should have a red body (RAL 3000) and an agent specific colour band covering between 5-10% of the surface relating to the extinguisher's contents. Wet chemical fire extinguishers have become popular in putting out these types of fires. In this blog we’ll tell you all about each different type of fire extinguisher and what materials and fires they’re best suited to tackle. L2 is suitable for all types of metal fires, whereas M28 cannot be used on lithium (need a way to remember that? Fire extinguishers are one of the most commonly used fire safety devices out there, so they’ll be a familiar sight. However, be careful with the powder Mono Ammonium phosphate. A large part of safety is being prepared for accidents and emergencies such as a fire. 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