Types of Fire Extinguishers

With so many fire extinguishers to choose from, selecting the proper one for your home can be a daunting task. Everyone should have at least one fire extinguisher at home, but it's just as important to ensure you have the proper type of fire extinguisher. Fire protection experts recommend one for the kitchen, the garage and workshop.

Fire extinguishers are divided into four categories, based on different types of fires. Each fire extinguisher also has a numerical rating that serves as a guide for the amount of fire the extinguisher can handle. The higher the number, the more fire-fighting power. The following is a quick guide to help choose the right type of extinguisher.

Class A extinguishers are for ordinary combustible materials such as paper, wood, cardboard, and most plastics. The numerical rating on these types of extinguishers indicates the amount of water it holds and the amount of fire it can extinguish. Class B fires involve flammable or combustible liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, grease and oil. The numerical rating for class B extinguishers indicates the approximate number of square feet of fire it can extinguish. Class C fires involve electrical equipment, such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water to extinguish class C fires - the risk of electrical shock is far too great! Class C extinguishers do not have a numerical rating. The C classification means the extinguishing agent is non-conductive. Class D fire extinguishers are commonly found in a chemical laboratory. They are for fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, potassium and sodium. These types of extinguishers also have no numerical rating, nor are they given a multi-purpose rating - they are designed for class D fires only.

 

Some fires may involve a combination of these classifications. Your fire extinguishers should have ABC ratings on them.

Here are the most common types of fire extinguishers:

Water extinguishers or APW extinguishers (air-pressurized water) are suitable for class A fires only. Never use a water extinguisher on grease fires, electrical fires or class D fires - the flames will spread and make the fire bigger! Water extinguishers are filled with water and pressurized with oxygen. Again - water extinguishers can be very dangerous in the wrong type of situation. Only fight the fire if you're certain it contains ordinary combustible materials only. Dry chemical extinguishers come in a variety of types and are suitable for a combination of class A, B and C fires. These are filled with foam or powder and pressurized with nitrogen. BC - This is the regular type of dry chemical extinguisher. It is filled with sodium bicarbonate or potassium bicarbonate. The BC variety leaves a mildly corrosive residue which must be cleaned immediately to prevent any damage to materials. ABC - This is the multipurpose dry chemical extinguisher. The ABC type is filled with monoammonium phosphate, a yellow powder that leaves a sticky residue that may be damaging to electrical appliances such as a computer

Dry chemical extinguishers have an advantage over CO2 extinguishers since they leave a non-flammable substance on the extinguished material, reducing the likelihood of re-ignition.

• Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are used for class B and C fires. CO2 extinguishers contain carbon dioxide, a non-flammable gas, and are highly pressurized. The pressure is so great that it is not uncommon for bits of dry ice to shoot out the nozzle. They don't work very well on class A fires because they may not be able to displace enough oxygen to put the fire out, causing it to re-ignite.

CO2 extinguishers have an advantage over dry chemical extinguishers since they don't leave a harmful residue - a good choice for an electrical fire on a computer or other favorite electronic device such as a stereo or TV.

It is vital to know what type of extinguisher you are using. Using the wrong type of extinguisher for the wrong type of fire can be life-threatening.

These are only the common types of fire extinguishers. There are many others to choose from. Base your selection on the classification and the extinguisher's compatibility with the items you wish to protect.

Fire Extinguishers
Choosing the proper type of fire extinguisher is an important issue. Using the wrong type of fire extinguisher can be dangerous; in some cases, it can encourage a fire to spread!

When choosing a fire extinguisher, consider the room for which you are purchasing it. In a kitchen, for example, a grease fire from cooking is likely to occur. Therefore, you would not want a water-based extinguisher, which would worsen the fire but a dry chemical extinguisher with ABC ratings.

If you have a room with delicate materials you wish to protect such as electronics, you may wish to opt for a CO2 extinguisher which won't leave a harmful residue.

Essentially, consider two things:
1) the material you wish to protect, and
2) the type of extinguishing agent that will be most effective at suppressing the possible type of fire caused by these materials.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors
There are many carbon monoxide detectors to choose from. The American Lung Association recommends that you consider the following when choosing a carbon monoxide detector for your home:

• Look for products recognized by reputable health and safety organizations.
• Check that the product is listed under the Underwriter's Laboratories Amended Standard UL 2034, effective October 1, 1995.
• Weigh the benefits of plug-in technology versus models powered by batteries that run out of power and need replacing.
• Choose a device that can be immediately reset and self-tested to ensure proper functioning.
• Select a detector that offers a complete five-year warranty on the sensor.

Smoke and Fire Alarms
Any type of alarm in your home will better your chances of surviving a fire than no alarm at all.

Consider the following when choosing a smoke or fire alarm:
When purchasing a smoke alarm, ensure yourself that it has been tested to the CAN/ULC S531-M standard by an approved testing agency.

There are two types of smoke alarms for home use. One type is called an Ionization alarm because it monitors "ions", electrically charged particles. Smoke particles entering the sensing chamber change the electrical balance of the air. The alarm is triggered when the change in electrical balance reaches a preset level.

The other type is called a photoelectric alarm because its sensing chamber uses a beam of light and a light sensor. Smoke particles entering the chamber change the amount of light that reaches the light sensor. The alarm is triggered when the smoke density reaches a preset level. Both types of smoke alarms are acceptable and perform effectively provided they are installed and maintained correctly.

Call Hydro Tech for assistance and purchasing the right Fire Extinguisher at 308-384-7083 or email us at hydrotech98@yahoo.com

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