| Which fire extinguishers are proper for your home or | | | | Foam Fire Extinguishers remove the heat from the fire, |
| office? When selecting one for different areas where | | | | and separate the oxygen from the other elements. |
| you live or work, you have many options from which | | | | This type of fire extinguisher is ideal for both Class A |
| to choose. Each type of fire extinguisher is effective | | | | and Class B fires. Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) |
| for particular types of fires. Thus, when choosing a | | | | is especially useful for putting out liquid spill fires that |
| certain type of fire extinguishers, try to match them up | | | | include substances such as: |
| with the most likely types of fires that would occur | | | | • Fats |
| there. | | | | • Oil |
| Before determining which type of fire extinguishers | | | | • Paints |
| you need, you should first review the types of fires | | | | • Petrol |
| that exist. The UK classifies fires into six different | | | | 3. Powder Fire Extinguisher: |
| categories, based on the type of fuel that, well--fuels | | | | Do you need a fire extinguisher that is effective for |
| the fire: | | | | various types of fires? If so, then consider this type of |
| • Class A: Solids | | | | fire extinguisher. In particular, Powder Fire Extinguishers |
| • Class B: Liquids | | | | are ideal for Class B fires, which include substances |
| • Class C: Gases | | | | such as: |
| • Class D: Metals | | | | • Hydrogen |
| • Class F: Cooking Oils | | | | • Methane |
| • Electrical fires | | | | • Natural Gas |
| After learning the types of fires that exist in the UK, it | | | | • Propane |
| is time to select the right type of fire extinguisher. The | | | | 4. Water Fire Extinguisher: |
| five major types are: | | | | As we have learned in the earliest stages of our lives, |
| 1. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguisher | | | | water functions as one of the most effective |
| As you may recall from science lessons in primary | | | | substances for extinguishing fires. Just as carbon |
| school, carbon dioxide is the "stuff" that we breathe | | | | monoxide alarms are efficient in warning about the |
| out, and what plants breathe in. CO2 fire extinguishers | | | | deadly gas, Water Fire Extinguishers are strictly |
| remove both heat and oxygen from the fire. These | | | | efficient in putting out Class A fires. Water fire |
| extinguishers are primarily effective for Class B fires | | | | extinguishers function by removing heat from the fire, |
| and electrical fires in particular. On the other hand, they | | | | which thus puts out the flames. |
| are relatively useless when combating Class A fires. | | | | 5. Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher: |
| Since the Montreal Protocol has made Halon | | | | This is the only type of fire extinguisher that specializes |
| extinguishers illegal in the UK, consider the co2 fire | | | | in extinguishing Class F fires. However, it is also useful |
| extinguisher as a substitute. Carbon dioxide fire | | | | in putting out Class A fires as well. |
| extinguishers are also perfect for office settings, as | | | | If you are preparing to fight a fire, then you have |
| the substance is risk-free when using it around | | | | several excellent options. Thus, when choosing a fire |
| electrical equipment. | | | | extinguisher, be certain to choose wisely! |
| 2. Foam Fire Extinguisher | | | | |