Fire Extinguishers - The Definitive Guide On Types And Uses

No matter where you live or work, there is always the risk, albeit often small, that a fire may break out. A conveniently positioned fire extinguisher will probably be your first line of defense, and may save lives and property. Fire extinguishers are mandatory at places where the incidence of fire is very high, notably places like gas stations and commercial kitchens.

Fire extinguishers come in various different sizes. There are the very large types that you would find at places like shipyards. These ones may require up to two people to carry them into position. Then you'll find the smaller portable styles that you find in small shops or homes.

There are four main 'classes' of extinguishers. They are classified according to the types of fires that they are designed to put out. First, we have Class A extinguishers that are used to extinguish fires made up of solid combustible materials (such as wood, paper, plastics etc.). Next come the Class B types which are designed to put out liquid fires. This fire fighting equipment is most suitable for highly flammable liquids such as gasoline. The next class of extinguishers (Class C) are used for fires when there is electricity involved. This style of fire extinguisher will not conduct electricity back to the user and is safe to use if there is a suspicion that electricity may be present. The last style of fire extinguishers are the 'Class K' versions. These units are utilized to put out cooking oil fires in commercial kitchens.

In terms of how they work, we have 2 major types of fire extinguishers. There is the stored pressure design, followed by the cartridge design. The stored pressure variation has the particular substance that extinguishes the fire, together with a propellant in the form of compressed air or nitrogen inside the unit. As you depress the trigger down, the extinguishing agent is expelled from the unit and a resulting powder gushes out from the nozzle to put out the flames. In the second design (the cartridge variant), there is no such pressure. Instead of this you have a tiny ancillary carbon dioxide cartridge that discharges into the cylinder when you depress the trigger. This way, it becomes converted to a stored pressure tank which then puts out the fire.

As a principle, you should keep the extinguisher in a place that is simple to get to. It is best to store them near escape routes or close to entrances and exits. You shouldn't install them higher than four feet off the ground, otherwise you will need some time to get it down. You might also consider storing them in places where they can be located easily. It isn't advisable to keep them inside cabinets or closets. As a precaution make sure that you educate your staff about where the extinguishers are and what they need to do in case of fire.

Extinguishers require ongoing maintenance. Usually they are serviced once a year by the manufacturer or by the Fire Department. Servicing involves cleaning the equipment, inspecting for rust and recharging of the gas which may have gone stale. The technicians will also check out the nozzle and handles to make sure they are in working condition.

Fire extinguishers are useful equipment. They can help to protect your business, property and most importantly, lives against fire. A little investment in their purchase can save you from huge losses and inconvenience.

By: Paul Mancini

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Paul Mancini is a gazetteer with more than 12 years editorial experience. Paul is currently employed as a freelance writer with fuzing.com, and is considered the resident specialist on Abc Fire Extinguishers and Home Fire Extinguisher.