Types of fire Extinguishers

1. Abc powder Type Fire Extinguishers
2. Water Type Fire Extinguishers
3. Foam Type Fire Extinguishers
4. Co2 carbon dioxide type fire Extinguishers
5. Modular Type Fire Extinguishers
6. car Fire Extinguishers
7. Fm 200 Co2 Flooding System
8. Clean Agent Type Fire Extinguisher
9. Trolley Type Fire extinguisher

There are different types of fire extinguishers because there are various types of fires. Each extinguisher is suitable for fighting certain types, and it’s important for you to know the differences if it’s your job to fight fires at work. Being able to immediately distinguish which extinguisher you need in an emergency could make a lifesaving difference.

Throughout this article, we will explain the different classes of fires, the symbols that identify these, and the different types of extinguishers and their uses.

What Are the Different Classes of Fires?

Fires must be fought carefully depending on the materials involved. That is why they have been classified in 6 different categories:

• Class A – Fires that involve solid flammables and dusts, such as wood, plastics, paper and cardboard, fabric and textiles, and dusts such as grain dust and flour.
• Class B – Fires that involve flammable liquids, such as gasoline, petroleum oil, paint, or diesel.
• Class C – Fires that involve flammable gases, such as propane, butane, or methane.
• Class D – Fires that involve combustible metals including metal swarf, such as magnesium, lithium, sodium, potassium, titanium, or aluminium.
• Electrical fires. Although it is not recognised as a separate class of fire in Europe, electrical fires that involve live equipment and electrical sources are also a type you should bear in mind. Think of it as an informal Class E.
• Class F – Fires that involve hot cooking oils and fats, such as vegetable oil, sunflower oil, olive oil, maize oil, lard, or butter (typically those used for deep-fat fryers).

• All extinguishers will have one or more of the following classes symbols, to indicate which class of fire they are suitable for.

What Are the Different Types of Fire Extinguishers?

There are five main types of fire extinguishers:

1. powder Fire Extinguisher
2. Water fire Extinguisher
3. Foam Fire Extinguisher
4. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂).
5. Wet chemical.

Each type is easily identifiable by their names, colours, and sometimes their hoses. Depending on their size, some may not come with a flexible hose, such as smaller foam or aqua water spray extinguishers.

1. Water Extinguishers

There are two main types water extinguishers: standard water spray and dry water mist.

Standard water extinguishers

These will be solid red and will have the word ‘water’ or ‘aqua spray’ printed across them in a signal red band, often with a white border. They are your classic model: they dispense water at a high pressure to extinguish flames.

Water extinguishers are only suitable for class A fires, which means they can fight fires that involve wood, cardboard, paper, plastics, fabric and textiles, and other solid materials.

Dry water mist extinguisher

These types of fire extinguishers will be solid red and will usually have the words ‘water mist’ printed within a white rectangle.

Dry water mist extinguishers are unique in that many of them can combat almost all types of fires, including class F fires that are usually difficult to attack. The extinguisher’s nozzle converts water into ‘dry’ microscopic particles, which are then drawn into the fire and simultaneously cool and suffocate it to extinguish the flames.

They are also effective for fire-fighting because they form a safety barrier between the user and the fire – which repels some of the heat – and do not leave hard-to-clean residue behind.

2. Powder Extinguishers

There are three types of powder extinguisher: ABC powder, M28 powder, and L2 powder.

ABC powder extinguisher

These types of extinguishers will say ‘powder’ in white text over a blue rectangle, and underneath the rectangle will be written ‘ABC powder’.

As their name suggests, these are designed to combat class A, B, and C fires – those involving solids, liquids, and gases. The powder acts as a thermal blast that cools the flames so burning cannot continue. Due to their non-conductive nature, they are also suitable for fighting electrical fires. However, they do not effectively penetrate the spaces in equipment easily, so the fire could still re-ignite.

3. Foam Extinguishers

Foam extinguishers are identifiable by the word ‘foam’ printed within a cream rectangle on their bodies. They are primarily water based but contain a foaming agent, which has rapid flame knock-down and a blanketing effect. It smothers the flames and seals vapours so that re-ignition cannot occur.

They are suitable for fighting class A and B fires.

When used against class A fires, the user can simply point and spray. However, when used against class B fires – those with flammable liquids – they should not be sprayed directly into the liquid. This could cause the fire to be pushed and spread to surrounding areas. The best method of application is to spray the foam nearby so that it can build up and flow across it.

4. Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) Extinguishers

These types of extinguishers can be identified by the text ‘carbon dioxide’ or ‘CO₂‘ printed in white on a black rectangle. They also have a distinct type of hose.

Carbon dioxide extinguishers are used for combating class B and electrical fires – they suffocate the fire by displacing oxygen in the air. Because they do not leave any substances behind and so minimise damage done to equipment, unlike other extinguishers, they are particularly useful for offices and workshops where electrical fires may occur.

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