Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Home or Business

8/3/2024 (Permalink)

Choosing the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Home or Business

Class A fire extinguishers

Class A fire extinguishers are used for ordinary combustibles, such as paper, wood, cloth, and some types of plastic. These extinguishers typically use water or certain types of dry chemicals to either absorb heat or coat the fire.

Class B fire extinguishers

Fires that originate from flammable liquids and gas can be extinguished by a class B fire extinguisher. This is the type of extinguisher you’ll want to use on a fire caused by oil or fuel.

Class C fire extinguishers

Class C fire extinguishers are effective against electrical fires from live wires, panels, and circuit breakers. The extinguisher works by releasing materials that stop the conduction of electricity.

Class D fire extinguishers

Class D fire extinguishers are used on combustible metals. These include magnesium, sodium, aluminum, and titanium.

Class K fire extinguishers

Commonly used in restaurant kitchens, class K fire extinguishers can effectively put out fires caused by cooking fats, greases, and oils. They use a process called saponification by releasing an alkaline agent to create a foam that traps vapors and puts the fire out.

Purchasing your fire extinguisher

Now that you know how many extinguishers you need and what types to get, you can head to the hardware store. Look for fire extinguishers that you can easily lift. Larger extinguishers may pack more power, but you must be able to use it properly.

Source: Safety Online