A quick overviews on the different types of fire extinguishers, how they operate and their use by classification -Sponsored by Champion Fire & Security

1. A Quick Guide To:
Fire Extinguishers
By: Kevin Sample

2. Fire Extinguisher Classes
Class A Common Combustibles:paper, wood, plastic etc
Class B Flammable Liquids: paraffin, petrol, oil etc
Class C Electrical Equipment: propane, butane, methane etc
Class D Combustible Metals: aluminium, magnesium, titanium etc
Class K Cooking Media: Cooking Oil & Fat

3. The Fire Triangle
Essential in understanding how fire extinguishers
operate in relation to the fire.

4. Water & Foam Extinguishers
Extinguish the fire by taking away the
heat element of the fire triangle.
Foam agents also separate the oxygen
element from the other elements.

5. Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers
Extinguish the fire by taking away the
oxygen element of the fire triangle.
Remove the heat element by utilizing a
cold discharge.

6. Dry Chemical Extinguishers
Extinguish the fire by interrupting the
chemical reaction of the fire triangle.
The multipurpose dry chemical agent also
works by creating a barrier between the
oxygen element and fuel element on Class A
fires.

7. Wet Chemical Extinguishers
Extinguish the fire by removing the heat of
the fire triangle and prevents re-ignition by
creating a barrier between the oxygen and
fuel elements.
Developed for modern, high efficiency deep
fat fryers in commercial cooking operations.

8. Clean Agent Extinguishers
These include halon agents as well as less
ozone depleting halocarbon agents. They
extinguish the fire by interrupting the
chemical reaction of the fire triangle

9. Dry Powder Extinguishers
Extinguish the fire by separating the fuel
from the oxygen element or by removing the
heat element of the fire triangle.

10. Water Mist Extinguishers
Extinguish the fire by taking away the heat
element of the fire triangle.
They are an alternative to the clean agent
extinguishers where contamination is a
concern.

11. Fire Extinguishers
Reminder: Check the class designation on
the fire extinguisher and read the printed
instructions before engaging with any fire.