What are the different types of fire extinguishers? There are two main types of fire extinguishers. Each type is designed for a specific type of fire. There are four basic classifications for fires and several...
There are four basic classifications for fires and several types of fire extinguishers on the market for consumer use. Different classes of fires require different methods to extinguish them best. Many fire extinguishers are multipurpose extinguishers that are designed for various kinds of fires that may start in or near your home. ABC or BC fire extinguishers are the most widely recommended and used most often used in homes.
Class A fires involve materials that are combustible like paper, wood, clothing, plastic, and rubber. Water is the most efficient way of containing these fires as it will cool the heat and douse the flames.
Class B fires ignite in the vapors of flammable liquids like paint, gasoline, thinners, or other chemical solvents. Decreasing the amount of oxygen to the area is the most effective way to deal with this type of fire. Never use water on a Class B fire as this may actually cause the fire to spread.
Class C fires involve electrical equipment like fuse boxes, wiring or other active electrical current sources. Non-conducting agents should be used to extinguish these fires. Never use water on an electrical fire.
Class D Fires involve metals that are combustible like titanium, magnesium, zirconium, and sodium. These fires should only be handled by professionally trained firefighters who will use specially designed materials to put these fires out safely. They will never use water for this type of fire.
Heather Caldwell is the communications manager for Kidde, one of the largest manufacturing companies of fire safety products. Caldwell says, "There is an ABC fire extinguisher, which serves a multipurpose function. This type of fire extinguisher will fight most fires that start in the home, such as those started by paper, wood, cloth, or plastics. The ABC fire extinguisher uses a dry chemical called monomonium phosphate, which is a nontoxic agent."
Caldwell adds, "There is also what is called a BC fire extinguisher. The BC fire extinguisher is mainly used to fight fires in the kitchen and garage that begin with flammable liquids such as oil, paint, or electrical fires. BC rated fire extinguishers use a dry chemical, which is actually sodium bicarbonate or baking soda."
Carbon dioxide (CO2) may be better choice than other dry chemical extinguishers on Class B or C fires because CO2 extinguishers don't leave a harmful or messy residue behind. CO2 extinguishers are not designed for Class A fires which involve combustible materials. Air pressurized water extinguishers can only be used for common house fires involving paper, wood, or cloth.
Some companies, including Kidde, have started to label their extinguishers for the rooms in which they are recommended for use. Caldwell says, "This way you can tell which fire extinguisher to buy for which room in the home. So if you need a kitchen fire extinguisher, look for the one that says 'kitchen'. If you need a home fire extinguisher or living area fire extinguisher, look for the one that says 'living area'." The new user-friendly packaging is designed to take the speculation out of buying fire extinguishers and enable shoppers to find what they are looking for more easily.
