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Protecting your property from fires starts with knowing what kind of fire is most likely to occur, and how. It surprises people to learn that there is not just one type of extinguisher. Fire extinguisher installation in London requires matching the extinguisher to the fire possible on your site. You may even need more than one extinguisher to handle various types of fires. No matter what kind of commercial or industrial site we are talking about, it is important for all employees to be closely familiar with the types, and classifications of fire to be more specific. In this guide, we will go through these classes, their causes, and how to prepare to handle any of these. A Guide to Different Types of Fire: Classes and Causes Not every fire starts the same way. Neither can every fire be controlled by the same means. Knowing the details of each class of fire can help each and every person on our business site understand how does a fire spread so that they can practice caution. In the event that a fire occurs, they know what to do and not to do and which fire extinguisher to use. Read on for a breakdown of the types of fires. Class A Fires: Ordinary Combustible Solids The most common (Class A) fires involve flammable solid materials. On the top of the list are your everyday objects which contain these organic materials: wood, paper, and cloths. Plastics are less common, but also in the Class A category of fires. These combustibles are common in nearly every commercial and industrial facility in the UK. Fire igniting only needs a combustible object, heat, and oxygen. The fires are often due to lack of care and not misinformation. Needless to say, both training and site inspection are crucial. Class B Fires: Flammable Liquids The fires that initiate due to flammable liquid are often the most hard-to-control fires. This class of fire includes flammable liquids that people are warned to handle with care, even those seasoned with its use, storage, and transport. Petrol, lubricant oils, solvents, alcohol, kerosene, and paints are some examples of dangerous combustible chemicals and other liquids. Since fuel is a basic need for most industries to operate, the risk of Class B fires is high. Commercial garages, warehouses, laboratories, and petrol stations are some examples of facilities which need strict guidelines and protocols about handling liquids that have a low flash point (i.e. catch fire easily). Up-to-code fire extinguishers should be easily accessible, and there should never be open flames or any other means of igniting a fire near liquid storage spaces. Class C Fires: Flammable Gases This class of fires occurs due to combustible gases such as butane, propane, and hydrogen. Some of these are a part of everyday operations in businesses which use gas cylinders. Like flammable liquids, such gases also pose significant fire risks, with gas explosions an occurrence in facilities where there is a case of leaking or improperly sealed cylinders, mishandling, and worn-out fuel lines connecting these cylinders to appliances. Site inspection and risk assessment are surefire ways to prevent a potential mishap from occurring. All commercial and industrial sites need to pay attention to safe gas cylinder storage conducted by trained employees. Class D Fires: Burning Metals Class D fires initiate due to metal burning, which makes these uncommon—but not unheard of. Common flammable metals include magnesium and lithium. Potassium is also a common metal in industrial sites, and is combustible. So, industrial sites that use these should make sure their workforce is aware of possible fire hazards. That said, it is also important to know that solid metal blocks and sheets of combustible metals do not catch fire as easily as metal shavings, powders, and dust. Any facilities that process metal by way of cutting and other work that results in small deposits need to be diligent about proper cleanup and disposal. Additionally, it is important that there are no open flames or high heat sources near the metal, irrespective of its physical form. Class D is one of the rare classifications of fire, but it can be deadly if it occurs without proper measures present to control it. Electrical Fires For electric fires, there is no specific class because a fire that occurs from electrical equipment can fall under at least one of the fire classifications. The electric current is the source of the fire rather than the equipment being the object that catches fire. Fire safety research and accident reports show that the most common causes of electrical fires are damaged cables, incorrect wiring, overloading outlets, and short circuits. Electrical fires are a danger in any business facility, from small eateries to large production sites. Thus, timley electric inspection is crucial, even if the problem with your equipment or systems show is not obvious. Plus, any time any appliance shows signs of damage, fault, or wear and tear, disconnect it, and go for repairs or replacement. Moreover, there should never be water exposure, open flames, and handling without safety gear for electrical components throughout a facility. Class F Fires: Fats and Grease A fire due to oil or grease set alight is a fire that is immensely hard to put out. Thus, this makes prevention of class F fires important. These fires are most common in commercial kitchens. The reasons are clear: high qualities of oil and grease and large burners are a part of everyday operations. A class F fire usually occurs when a pan or another container with oil is on the flame, not monitored for smoke and spillage or completely unattended. Shallow frying results in smaller fires, though still a risk of widespread damage. Deep frying is the more common cause of class F fires, especially if the oil is overly full or too old. In addition to inspection for safety inspection, comply with measures such as changing fryer oils frequently. You also need to train the staff in oil temperature and

It takes very little for a fire to start, and it can grow to a massive scale in a very short time. If you are in charge of the safety of a commercial space, of the people and the assets, then start with knowing how does a fire spread and how you can prevent it from happening. Be aware of the right fire detection systems for your property and what training everyone needs. In this guide, we will go over the specifics of fire spreading and taking measures to prevent and limit it. A Definitive Breakdown of How Does a Fire Spread Part of effective fire safety is understanding the different ‘types’ of fire. Experts from London fire security company inform about the essentials of a fire: oxygen, heat, and fuel. The source of heat should be hot enough to ignite something flammable. To spread, the ignited fire should be surrounded by ample fuel and oxygen. The higher the presence of these elements, the more dangerous the fire. Then, there is the matter of spreading. What are the ways which fire can spread? 1. Convection One of the worst ways fire can spread throughout a place is convection. To explain it simply: Rooms after rooms can be enveloped in flames in minutes, with possibly the entire floor on fire under half an hour. Convention is the most common ways fire spread in commercial sites like offices, shops, and storage facilities. 2. Conduction Direct contact between conducting materials is also an answer when you assess how does a fire spread. For instance, the constant friction between two metals that have conductive properties generates heat. If there is a flammable material in close vicinity, the heat from the friction can ignite it. That is what starts the fire. Conduction fires are more common in commercial properties where heat moves conductive components, like machinery in a warehouse. Any flammable materials around fuel this fire, and the flames spread on. Convection can also lead to fire spreading between rooms in larger spaces, potentially compromising the robustness of supporting building features. 3. Radiation Ever wonder how can fire spread from one property to another, even if there’s a gap? Heat moves through electromagnetic waves, which is the basis of a fire spreading via radiation. The heat (that ignites the fire) travels in various directions till it comes across something that takes it. It is often the reason why fires are able to spread from building to building to building, pass through windows and wreak havoc inside. All the ways a fire can spread out are very much possible in any property, but even more in commercial or industrial sites. The abundance of flammable materials, over-storage, and other reasons make the spread of fire easier. Naturally, the next step after learning how fire tends to start and make its way about is to inspect your property and take action to improve fire safety. How To Prevent and Limit Fire Incidents Knowing what are the ways which fire can spread is not where your fire safety journey ends. From building-wide training to investing to investing in high-quality, reliable fire alarms and extinguishers, there are ways you can both prevent fire and limit its damage in case it does start. For offices, warehouses, factories, and other such sites, the key to preventing fires is in the details. Take a look at what you can do to make sure that the people inside your commercial site and all the things stay safe from fire hazards. 1. Conduct Timely Fire Training, With Everyone Each person who works in the building has to have at least the basic knowledge of fire safety. From the janitorial staff to the higher management, fire safety training is essential. In fact, being responsible for fire safety in place of business you are required by law in many places to have fire safety training and protocols. Schedule detailed fire safety training for all your staff—with practical demonstrations. Every person not only needs to have training for how to respond well in the event of a fire but also avoid the ways fire can spread. 2. Go for Fire Risk Assessment on The Building It’s important to remember that training is one piece (though one important piece) of the puzzle that is securing your property against fire accidents. You need to hire specialists to conduct fire risk assessments. They will inspect the site from top to bottom, and identify the parts of the building itself and whatever is inside that can lead to the start and spread of fire. For older buildings, this assessment is as crucial as it is challenging. The age of these sites makes them more susceptible to fires. However, with a meticulous inspection, you can also take improve your fire safety training efforts, and take steps to make the building as secure as possible. 3. Remove or Secure Combustible Materials When you receive the results of a fire risk inspection, you may also get clear instructions on any unsafe storage practices. For example: Attention to fire safety training, risk assessment, and measures to minimize those risks. All of these combined can fortify fire safety. With the addition of high-quality smoke alarms and up-to-code fire extinguishers that can help keep everyone safe and minimize the potential damage to your company, it’s wise to consult with professional fire safety experts. Always stay on top of the ways to prevent and lessen the spread of fires, no matter how they start. Staying Alert About Fire Safety with Certified Experts At KForce London Fire and Security Company, we specialize in fire protection. We offer extensive training for offices, industrial operations, and other commercial sites on how does a fire spread and the ways to prevent it. Our team of experts is licensed to conduct fire risk inspections. We also provide supplemental fire safety support such as fire alarms and extinguishers (plus installation). If you need help with installing or maintaining fire protection at your site, contact