Different Types of Fire Extinguishers You Must Know

Installing fire extinguishers on your site is a great move to limit property damage and keep everybody safe, but not all these are the same. Different types of fire extinguishers are ideal for certain fires and experts in fire extinguisher installation in London will give you a better idea of which are best for you. Staying informed about fire extinguishers in the meantime is a vital step in proactive safety.

This guide will dive into different fire extinguishers and the classes of fire each can effectively put out.

A Guide to Types of Fire Extinguishers and Their Correct Use

A cylinder that dispenses water spray or carbon dioxide may come to your mind when you think about fire control. There are actually various types of cans to choose from as per the types of fires likely to occur in your facility. Moreover, you also need to figure out the correct size and weight of the cylinders. A fire that occurs due to a flammable solid versus a short circuit fire needs a distinct suppressor. Take a look at this breakdown of each fire extinguisher type:

Water Extinguisher

Water is a popular way to put out fires has a limited use, especially for fires in commercial lots. That said, water remains one of the most vital fire extinguisher types in homes. It is also needed in your office, warehouse, or any other commercial site you work at.

The water sprayed from the cylinder cools the burning material and ‘kills’ the fire. Pairing water extinguishers with fire alarm systems in London that triggers sprinklers is ideal for home and office fires. You will find cylinders for putting fires out with water in 3, 6, and 9-litre sizes.

Classes of Fire a Water Extinguisher Tackles

These cylinders are seen as the usual way to supress fire. However, current fire safety regulations in London suggest that water is only ideal for Class A fires. These fires usually start due to flammable solids like paper and wood, as well as textiles, which is why water cans are vital for storage units, warehouses, and textile factories.

Foam Extinguisher

Foam extinguishers are also known as Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) due to combining water and a film of foam. The former helps cool the flames while the latter smothers these by cutting off the contact of oxygen.

You can tell a foam extinguishers apart from the others types of fire extinguishers by the cream label that reads ‘Foam’. When browsing fire suppression tools, you will see that these come in capacities of 2, 3, 6, and 9 litres.

Classes of Fire That a Foam Extinguisher Suppresses

A foam extinguisher can be used for Class A fires involve combustible solids, flammable solids like wood and textiles. It is also for Class B fires that occur due to flammable solvents like spirits and paint, plus petrol and diesel. Experts say that foam cylinders for fire control can be more powerful and safe than water extinguishers.

Dry Powder Extinguisher

Dry powder extinguishers are also known as multi-purpose cylinders as you can use these to control many types of fires. You can find these in many sizes (measured in kilograms) with labels that read ‘Powder Extinguisher’. What sets these apart from different types of fire extinguishers is that there is risk of suffocation is closed spaces. Dry powder does not cool the fire and will settle on the fire to quickly cut off the oxygen that feeds it.

Note: Dry powder cylinders also control Class D fires that occur due to flammable metals like potassium and magnesium. However, you need specialist dry powder cylinders that can suppress metal fires.

While all cylinders need timely upkeep, fire extinguisher maintenance has to be done often for the dry powder category. Hydrostatic testing is vital to check the integrity of the container and ensure proper usage.

Classes of Fire a Dry Powder Extinguisher Controls

A dry powder fire cylinder works well on fires that occur due to flammable solids (Class A) and liquids (Class B). The key reason for choosing this cylinder is for Class C fires that involve flammable gases like propane and butane. You can also control certain electrical fire, and there are limited to electronics that are under 1000 volts.

Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher

CO2 or carbon dioxide fire cylinders are fire extinguishers for electrical fires with a unique black nozzle and the black label that says ‘CO2 Extinguisher’. These cylinders contain carbon dioxide as a liquid which turns to gas while dispensing. You will usually find that CO2 cans come in 2 and 5 kg containers in the UK.

By countering oxygen with carbon dioxide, these cylinders become a potent solution for tough electrical fires. That said, the same force can be risky if used on flammable liquids, because it causes the fire to grow.

CO2 extinguishers are one of the fire cylinder types crucial for areas with many electrical devices, such as offices, schools, and hospitals. Additionally, they work best when used with foam fire cylinders.

Classes of Fire a CO2 Extinguisher Tackles

CO2 can suppress fires that result from electrical malfunctions in devices such as computers (Class K or ‘Electrical’ fires). The extinguisher also controls some Class B fires, like those involving paint and liquid fuel.

Wet Chemical Extinguisher

Wet chemical fire cylinders are Class F extinguishers—the only type safe for cooking oil fires. Thus, these are regulations in fast food places and commercial kitchens in London.

Potassium is the key ingredient which is released in a gentle spray to avoid igniting fats and oils. This forms a protective layer over the grease and smothers the flames. Working with a fire security company is often a legal need for many businesses in the food service industry. Make sure that you get an expert to inspect your site to ensure is there is a need for a wet chemical fire cylinder.

Wet chemical fire cylinders come in sizes of 2, 3, and 6 litres. These cylinders have a yellow label indicating ‘Wet Chemical’, and have a longer hose compared to regular cylinders.

Classes of Fire a Wet Chemical Extinguisher Controls

A wet chemical extinguisher is the only sound method to control fires due to overheated cooking oils and fats (Class F). It also suppresses class A (combustible solids) fires. You can use a wet chemical cylinder for flammable liquids only if allowed on the label.

Bottom Line: Ensure Optimal Fire Protection with Accurate Extinguishers

Know the types of fire extinguishers and then choose the right ones for your home, commercial or industrial space. It is more than just about fulfilling a responsibility for safety. The wrong fire cylinder is not only useless against an unmatched class of fire, but may actually worsen the incident.

Make your site secure by choosing the right extinguishers and proper installation with the help of KForce Security. Our fire safety experts can conduct an inspection and point out the risk of types of fire that can occur. We also provide high-quality extinguishers and other suppression system equipment at fair rates. Reach out now and book a risk assessment for your home or workplace.