Foam Fire Extinguishersįoam fire extinguishers use water to create a foam that doesn’t just cool down the fuel, it also blocks the fire from its source. However, water fire extinguishers should only be used on Class A fires. As this extinguisher can put out common fires, it’s no surprise that this is one of the most popular types of extinguisher. Water-Fire Extinguishers have a red label and are designed to gradually cool down the flames. With this in mind, it’s important to know when to use a different type of fire extinguisher. Whilst ABC fire extinguishers can help battle several types of fire, they are not effective for every fire class. When To Use A Different Type Of Fire Extinguisher Moreover, as with any type of fire extinguisher, it is important to keep your ABC fire extinguisher well-maintained and serviced to ensure it is always in good working order. This includes damage to electrical equipment and the corroding of metal machinery. More than that, an ABC fire extinguisher can cause damage to your building and the surrounding areas. When inhaled, this fine powder can impair breathing and potentially trigger an asthma attack. The reason for this is that the powder can remain in the air even after the emergency is over. It is worth noting that specialist dry powder extinguishers may not be effective for all metal fires.ĭespite having many uses, dry powder extinguishers should not be used in small or enclosed spaces, unless a fire safety risk assessment concludes otherwise. On top of this, you can get specialist dry powder extinguishers that are designed to tackle Class D fires involving combustible metals. They are also suitable for use against fires involving electronic equipment designed for use at less than 1000v. This chemical works to smother flames and put out an array of different fires by separating the fuel from the oxygen. Usually, these extinguishers have a blue label and use a dry chemical called mono-ammonium phosphate. So, What Is An ABC Fire Extinguisher Used For?ĪBC extinguishers, also referred to as ABC dry powder extinguishers, are effective against fires involving ordinary combustibles (Class A), flammable liquids (Class B) and flammable gases (Class C). Class F (Cooking Oils and Fats)Ĭlass F fires can occur when flammable cooking oils and fats are exposed to heat sources and are left unattended during use. In such cases, this would be considered a Class C fire risk. For example, electrical power tools that are used on construction sites can cause sparks to ignite flammable gases. In fact, electrical fires can sometimes fall into other classes. Instead, they are marked with an electrical spark symbol. Electrical FiresĪs electricity is considered a source of ignition rather than a fuel, electrical fires do not have their own full class. This type of fire is less common than the other classifications. Class D (Metals)Ĭlass D fires involve flammable materials, such as magnesium, aluminium and titanium. If you’re working with flammable gases at your facility, it’s important to make sure that such work is carried out by a competent person. Propane, butane and methane are common causes of Class C fires. This type of fire involves flammable gases. It’s important to keep any flammable liquids used at your facility away from potential sources of ignition. Class B (Liquids)Ĭlass B fires involve flammable liquids, such as petrol, diesel and paint. As these materials are frequently found in homes and offices, this is one of the most common types of fire. Class A (Solids)Ĭlass A fires occur when combustible organic materials, such as paper, wood, and fabric catch fire. These are simply categorised by what the fire uses as fuel. In the UK, there are five main classes of fire. You’ll need to establish the fire risks at your facility before you can choose an appropriate extinguisher. If you try to put out a fire using the wrong type of extinguisher, you may end up doing more harm than good. Understanding The Fire Classificationįirstly, it’s important to understand that not every fire is the same. Below, we’ll take a look at which types of fires ABC fire extinguishers are suitable for, as well as the corresponding extinguishers for each fire type. ABC fire extinguishers are often a good choice as they are extremely versatile and can tackle a range of different fire types. In some cases, using the wrong type of extinguisher can make a fire worse.įor this reason, it’s important to know which fire extinguisher will offer the best fire protection for your property. Having said that, it’s important to note that not all fire extinguishers will put out the same types of fires. It’s fair to say that a fire extinguisher is a necessity in any office, home or even vehicle.
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