FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
There are different classes of fire. The fire risk from the different classes of fire in your business premises will determine which fire extinguisher type you need.
There are five main types of fire extinguishers. These are Water, Foam, Dry Powder (Standard/ Specialist), Carbon Dioxide and Wet Chemical. It is important to note here that there is no extinguisher type which works on all classes of fire.
CLASSES OF FIRE:
Class A Fire – Combustible Materials:
Caused by flammable solids such as wood, paper and fabric.
Class B Fire – Flammable Liquids:
Caused by flammable liquids such as petrol, turpentine or paint.
Class C Fire – Electrical Fires:
Caused by electrical equipment. Once the electrical item is removed, the fire changes class.
Class D Fire – Combustible Metals:
Caused by chemicals such as magnesium, aluminum or potassium.
Class K Fire – Cooking Oils:
Typically a chip-pan fire.
Fire extinguisher types and uses for different classifications of fire (UK).
TYPE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
1. WATER EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
Water fire extinguishers are the most common extinguisher type for class A fire risk. Most premises will require either water or foam extinguishers.
Label Colour:
– Bright Red
Extinguishing Method:
– Cooling method
Use for:
Organic materials such as:
– Paper and cardboard
– Fabrics and textiles
– Wood and coal.
Do not use for:
– Fires involving electrical equipment
– Kitchen fires
– Flammable gas and liquids
How water extinguishers work:
The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it to burn much more slowly until the flames are eventually extinguished.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need water extinguishers:
– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:
o Offices
o Schools
o Hospitals
o Residential properties
o Warehouses
In fact, most buildings need either water or foam extinguishers.
2. FOAM EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
Foam Fire Extinguishers are most common type of extinguisher for Class B fires, but also work on Class A fires as they are water-based.
Label Colour:
– Cream
Extinguishing Method:
– Foam blanketing/ smothering
Use for:
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Plus:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Do not use for:
– Kitchen fires
– Fires involving electrical equipment
– Flammable metals
How foam extinguishers work:
As with water extinguishers, foam extinguishers have a cooling effect on the fuel. On burning liquids, the foaming agent creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel, extinguishing the fire.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need Foam extinguishers:
– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:
o Offices
o Schools
o Hospitals
o Residential properties
o Warehouses
– Buildings where flammable liquids are stored
In fact most buildings need either water or foam extinguishers.
3. DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
Standard dry powder fire extinguishers are also called ‘ABC’ extinguishers because they tackle class A, B and C fires, however, they are not recommended for use in enclosed spaces. This is because the powder can be easily inhaled, and also the residue is very difficult to clean up after. ABC powder extinguishers can also be used on some electrical fires. Specialist dry powder extinguishers are used for flammable metals.
Label Colour:
– Blue
Extinguishing Method:
– Blanketing/ smothering
Use for:
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
– Flammable gases, like liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylene
– Fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v
Specialist dry powder extinguishers are only used on flammable metals, such as titanium and magnesium.
Do not use for:
– Fires involving cooking oil
– Fires involving electrical equipment over 1000v
– or in enclosed spaces, such as offices or residential properties
How dry powder extinguishers work:
Dry powder extinguishers smother fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and the source of oxygen.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need Dry Powder extinguishers:
– Businesses using flammable gases for chemical processes
– Premises where welding and flame cutting takes place
– Garage forecourts
– Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) dispensing plants
– Premises with large, commercial boiler rooms
4. CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
CO2 fire extinguishers are predominantly used for electrical fire risks and are usually the main extinguisher type provided in computer server rooms. They also put out Class B fires (flammable liquids, such as paint and petroleum).
Label Colour:
– Black
Extinguishing Method:
– Cooling & blanketing/ smothering
Use for:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
– Electrical fires
Do not use for:
– Kitchen fires – especially chip-pan fires
– Combustible materials like paper, wood or textiles
– Flammable metals
How CO2 extinguishers work:
CO2 extinguishers suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need CO2 extinguishers:
– Premises with electrical equipment, such as:
o Offices
o Kitchens
o Construction sites
o Server rooms
All work vehicles should also carry a smaller 2kg CO2 extinguisher.
5. WET CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, involving cooking oils and fats. They can also be used on Class A fires although it is more common to have a foam or water extinguisher for this type of fire risk.
Label Colour:
– Yellow
Extinguishing Method:
– Cooling & blanketing/ smothering
Use for:
– Cooking oil/fat fires
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Do not use for:
– Flammable liquid or gas fires
– Electrical fires
– Flammable metals
How wet chemical extinguishers work:
Wet chemical extinguishers create a layer of foam on the surface of the burning oil or fat, preventing oxygen from fuelling the fire any further. The spray also has a cooling effect.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need wet chemical extinguishers:
– Commercial kitchens
– Canteens
TYPE OF FIRE EXTINGUISHERS:
1. WATER EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
Water fire extinguishers are the most common extinguisher type for class A fire risk. Most premises will require either water or foam extinguishers.
Label Colour:
– Bright Red
Extinguishing Method:
Cooling method
Use for:
Organic materials such as:
– Paper and cardboard
– Fabrics and textiles
– Wood and coal.
Do not use for:
– Fires involving electrical equipment
– Kitchen fires
– Flammable gas and liquids
How water extinguishers work:
The water has a cooling effect on the fuel, causing it to burn much more slowly until the flames are eventually extinguished.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need water extinguishers:
– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:
o Offices
o Schools
o Hospitals
o Residential properties
o Warehouses
In fact, most buildings need either water or foam extinguishers.
2. FOAM EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
Foam Fire Extinguishers are most common type of extinguisher for Class B fires, but also work on Class A fires as they are water-based.
Label Colour:
– Cream
Extinguishing Method:
– Foam blanketing/ smothering
Use for:
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Plus:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Do not use for:
– Kitchen fires
– Fires involving electrical equipment
– Flammable metals
How foam extinguishers work:
As with water extinguishers, foam extinguishers have a cooling effect on the fuel. On burning liquids, the foaming agent creates a barrier between the flame and the fuel, extinguishing the fire.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need Foam extinguishers:
– Buildings constructed of wood or other organic materials
– Premises where there are organic materials to be found such as:
o Offices
o Schools
o Hospitals
o Residential properties
o Warehouses
– Buildings where flammable liquids are stored
In fact most buildings need either water or foam extinguishers.
3. DRY POWDER EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
Standard dry powder fire extinguishers are also called ‘ABC’ extinguishers because they tackle class A, B and C fires, however, they are not recommended for use in enclosed spaces. This is because the powder can be easily inhaled, and also the residue is very difficult to clean up after. ABC powder extinguishers can also be used on some electrical fires. Specialist dry powder extinguishers are used for flammable metals.
Label Colour:
– Blue
Extinguishing Method:
– Blanketing/ smothering
Use for:
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Plus:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
Plus:
– Flammable gases, like liquid petroleum gas (LPG) and acetylene
Plus:
– Fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v
Specialist dry powder extinguishers are only used on flammable metals, such as titanium and magnesium.
Do not use for:
– Fires involving cooking oil
– Fires involving electrical equipment over 1000v
– or in enclosed spaces, such as offices or residential properties
How dry powder extinguishers work:
Dry powder extinguishers smother fires by forming a barrier between the fuel and the source of oxygen.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need Dry Powder extinguishers:
– Businesses using flammable gases for chemical processes
– Premises where welding and flame cutting takes place
– Garage forecourts
– Liquid petroleum gas (LPG) dispensing plants
– Premises with large, commercial boiler rooms
4. CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2) EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
CO2 fire extinguishers are predominantly used for electrical fire risks and are usually the main extinguisher type provided in computer server rooms. They also put out Class B fires (flammable liquids, such as paint and petroleum).
Label Colour:
– Black
Extinguishing Method:
– Cooling & blanketing/ smothering
Use for:
– Flammable liquids, like paint and petrol
– Electrical fires
Do not use for:
– Kitchen fires – especially chip-pan fires
– Combustible materials like paper, wood or textiles
– Flammable metals
How CO2 extinguishers work:
CO2 extinguishers suffocate fires by displacing the oxygen the fire needs to burn.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need CO2 extinguishers:
– Premises with electrical equipment, such as:
o Offices
o Kitchens
o Construction sites
o Server rooms
All work vehicles should also carry a smaller 2kg CO2 extinguisher.
5. WET CHEMICAL EXTINGUISHERS:
Overview:
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed for use on Class F fires, involving cooking oils and fats. They can also be used on Class A fires although it is more common to have a foam or water extinguisher for this type of fire risk.
Label Colour:
– Yellow
Extinguishing Method:
– Cooling & blanketing/ smothering
Use for:
– Cooking oil/fat fires
– Organic materials such as:
o Paper and cardboard
o Fabrics and textiles
o Wood and coal
Do not use for:
– Flammable liquid or gas fires
– Electrical fires
– Flammable metals
How wet chemical extinguishers work:
Wet chemical extinguishers create a layer of foam on the surface of the burning oil or fat, preventing oxygen from fuelling the fire any further. The spray also has a cooling effect.
Types of premises/ businesses who may need wet chemical extinguishers:
– Commercial kitchens
– Canteens