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What are the different types of fire extinguishers?

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Fire extinguishers are classified by the kind of fire that they are designed to combat.

• Class A—Fires fueled by wood, paper, cloth, rubber, plastics, and other solids

• Class B—Fires fueled by flammable liquids such as oil, gasoline, and kerosene

• Class C—Fires fueled by live electrical equipment

• Class D—Fires fueled by flammable metals, such as sodium and magnesium

A label on the fire extinguisher should state on which type(s) of fire you should use that extinguisher. In addition, the label will also tell you what size fire that extinguisher can control. Class A fires range in size from 1-40 and Class B fires range from 1-640, and a standard extinguisher has 2A:10B capability.

Fire extinguishers fight certain types of fires based on the material they use to smother the flames. These are the most common materials used in fire extinguishers:

• Water: Water works well on some fires, but it does not work on electrical fires and can actually serve to spread electrical fires.

• Carbon Dioxide: Carbon dioxide displaces the oxygen around the fire, thus removing one of the three elements required for a fire to continue burning. Many restaurants use CO2 extinguishers because the gas does not contaminate food and cooking utensils.

• Dry chemical: Dry chemical is the most common type of fire extinguisher. A dry chemical extinguisher releases a chemical powder (such as a baking powder compound) or foam onto the fire. The foam then insulates and smothers the fire in cooperation with the carbon dioxide that the chemical releases.

• Halon: Halon extinguishers employ a gas that interrupts chemical reactions necessary for fires. These extinguishers leave no residue, so they are especially good for fighting electrical fires.

Choose your fire extinguisher based on the most likely kind of fire you will face. Some fire extinguishers advertise that they work well on garage fires or kitchen fires. Many extinguishers, however, are effective on more than one type of fire, which can save you the expense of buying multiple extinguishers.

The other differences between fire extinguishers are primarily cosmetic. You can purchase a mounting bracket to put your extinguisher on the wall, or you can buy an extinguisher with a fancy trigger. The important thing is that you are able to easily access and use the fire extinguisher.

Next Page: How should I store and maintain my fire extinguisher?

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