However, you cannot buy the first fire extinguisher you see and expect it to keep your business safe. Every business is different and so are the potential dangers they face. Fire extinguishers are specialized pieces of equipment that are designed to put out fires of different classes. Fire extinguisher ratings are based on the five classes of fires.
Do you have the right fire extinguishers for your unique risks? There are several different classifications of fires based primarily on the fuel source. By understanding what each fire class means, you can understand which fire types are a safety hazard at your business. Once you are aware of what types of fires your business may encounter, you can buy the proper extinguisher for protecting against them. Class A fires are defined as ordinary combustibles.
These types are fires use commonly flammable material as their fuel source. Wood, fabric, paper, trash ,and plastics are common sources of Class A fires. This is essentially the common accidental fire encountered across several different industries.
Trash fires are one such example. Class A fires are commonly put out with water or monoammonium phosphate. The Class B fire is defined as one that uses a flammable liquid or gas as its fuel base. Common liquid based fuel sources include petroleum based oils and paints, kerosene, and gasoline. Flammable gases such as butane or propane are also common fuel sources in Class B fires.
Class B fires should be extinguished using foam, powder, or carbon dioxide extinguishers , according to the Fire Equipment Manufacturer's Association. These types of extinguishers work by cutting off a fire's oxygen supply.
Class C fires, referred to as Class E in Australia , involve electrical equipment. This type of fire might be started by old wiring in walls, frayed electrical cords, worn-out breaker boxes, or faulty appliances.
Electrical fires are very common in both homes and industrial settings. According to Strike First, the first thing you should try to do if an electrical fire starts is to disconnect the appliance or item from its power source only if it is safe to do so. If possible, you should try to extinguish the flames using a carbon dioxide or dry powder fire extinguisher. If and when the power source is disconnected, the fire can become a different class of fire, typically Class A.
Do not try to put out an electrical fire with a water or foam extinguisher, as both of those materials can conduct electricity and potentially make the situation more dangerous. Read More: 11 tips everyone should know to stay safe, according to self-defense coaches.
It takes high levels of heat to ignite most metals , which makes Class D fires pretty rare outside of laboratories and industrial settings. According to University of Massachusetts Boston's Office of Environmental Health and Safety, Class D fires are oftentimes caused by alkali metals such as potassium, magnesium, aluminum, and sodium, as these can ignite when exposed to air or water.
Although you're unlikely to face a Class D blaze in your home, the Fire Equipment Manufacturer's Association advised extinguishing these types of fires with a dry powder extinguisher only.
Dry powder extinguishers work on metal fires by separating the fuel from oxygen or removing the heat element of the blaze, but foam or water extinguishers can potentially increase the intensity of the flames and cause dangerous explosions, according to Imperial Systems. Because of the high flash point of cooking oils and fats, Class K fires often start when a pan is left unattended for too long on a stove. If possible, you'll want to turn off the heat on your cooking appliance and remove the fire from the heat source as soon as possible.
Just as you shouldn't use water to try and extinguish a Class B fire, dousing a cooking oil fire with liquid is likely to create a dangerous splatter effect and spread the flames. These are mandatory in many commercial kitchens and are a good investment if you do any amount of cooking at home. If you have any doubt at all about your ability to quickly and safely extinguish a fire, you should immediately evacuate.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, it can take just 30 seconds for a small flame to turn into a major blaze. In the event of a fire, the Red Cross recommended leaving the area or building as quickly as possible after yelling to alert anyone nearby. Always use stairs rather than elevators, stay low to the ground, and use the back of your hand to feel if closed doors are warm to the touch, as you should never open doors that do not feel cool.
CO2 extinguishers are ideal for places with a lot of electrical equipment such as offices or server rooms because they are safe to use on fires involving electrical apparatus. Carbon dioxide extinguishers do not leave any residue, unlike a foam extinguisher. They can also be used on Class B fires, those involving flammable liquids such paraffin or petrol. CO2 extinguishers work by smothering the fire and cutting off the supply of air. Wet chemical extinguishers are suitable for use on Class F fires involving cooking oils and fats, such as lard, olive oil, sunflower oil, maize oil and butter.
They are extremely effective, when used correctly. The wet chemical rapidly knocks the flames out, cools the burning oil and chemically reacts to form a soap-like solution, sealing the surface and preventing re-ignition. Although they are primarily designed for use on Class F fires, cooking oils and deep fat fryers.
They can also be used on Class A fires wood, paper and fabrics and Class B fires flammable liquids. Fire blankets are primarily for use on hot oil fires such as frying pans or small deep fat fryers. They can also be used on someone whose clothing has caught fire. They work by smothering the fire, stopping access to the oxygen fuelling it and extinguishing it. Browse range. Classes of fire Class A - fires involving solid materials such as wood, paper or textiles.
Class B - fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel or oils. Class C - fires involving gases.
Class D - fires involving metals.
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