What Do The Rating Symbols On A Fire Extinguisher Indicate?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Extinguishers are classified by a number and letter symbol. The number indicates the relative size of the extinguisher, and the letter

indicates the type of fire it will extinguish

. … On Type B extinguishers, the number tells you the square footage of the fire the extinguisher can put out.

What do the codes on a fire extinguisher tell you?

Fire Extinguisher Size Ratings

The Class

A size rating represents the water equivalency

. Each number represents 1 1⁄4 gallons of water. For instance, 2A means the extinguisher is just as effective as 2 1⁄2 gallons of water. … The Class B size rating indicates the square footage the extinguisher can cover.

What is fire rating in fire extinguisher?

Fire extinguishers carry classification ratings in accordance with the type of fires they have been designed to extinguish. The ratings are

A, B, C , D and K

. The ratings on fire extinguishers allows users to quickly identify the type of fire which an extinguisher will be most effective for.

How do you read a fire extinguisher rating?

Fire Extinguisher Ratings

Fire extinguishers are classified by fire type. The A, B, C rating system defines the kinds of burning materials each fire extinguisher is designed to fight. The number in front of the A, B, or C indicates the rating size of fire the unit can extinguish.

What do fire extinguisher numbers mean?

The letters indicate the type material the extinguisher can be used on; A for combustible solids (paper, wood and trash), B for combustible liquids (gasoline, oil, acetone) and C for electrical equipment. The number before the A

indicates the size of a wood panel that can be extinguished

,.

What does ABC mean in fire extinguisher?

Dry Chemical Extinguishers come in a variety of types. You may see them labeled: • “DC” short for “dry chem” • “ABC” indicating that

they are designed to extinguish class A,B,and C fires

, or • “BC” indicating that they are designed to extinguish class B and C fires.

What is ABC type fire extinguisher?

An extinguisher with an ABC rating is suitable for

use with fires involving ordinary combustibles, flammable liquids and energized electrical equipment

. An extinguisher that is rated for use with multiple hazards should include a symbol for each hazard type.

What are the 4 fire extinguishers?

When it comes to the types of fire extinguishers, there are five main types including

wet chemical, CO2, dry powder, foam and water

.

What are the six classes of fire?

  • Class A fires – are fires involving organic solids like paper, wood, etc.
  • Class B fires – are fires involving flammable liquids.
  • Class C fires – are fires involving flammable gasses.
  • Class D fires – are fires involving burning metals (eg aluminium swarf)

What are the 4 types of fire extinguishers?

  • Class A extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper.
  • Class B extinguishers are for use on flammable liquids like grease, gasoline and oil.

What is the maximum distance between fire extinguishers?

For Class A hazards, each extinguisher must be 2A or larger with a maximum travel distance of

75 feet

between extinguishers. If Class B hazards are present, 10B extinguishers should be positioned so the travel distance for an occupant to reach any extinguisher is 50 feet or less.

How do I choose the right fire extinguisher?

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) provides minimum recommendations for the home: Primary Fire Extinguishers – For your main home protection,

install a 2-A:10-B:C rated extinguisher on every level of your home

– no more than 40 feet apart. Include all locations where a fire may start.

What is the difference between 5BC and 10BC fire extinguisher?

In our tests, the 10BC units discharged only a fraction of a second longer than the 5BC, hardly “twice” anything. The 10BC, on average, discharged only

25% more fire suppressant than

the 5BC.

What are the 5 classes of fire extinguishers?

  • Class A Fire Extinguishers. Class A fire extinguishers are safe for use on ordinary combustible fires, like those fueled by paper or wood. …
  • Class B Fire Extinguishers. …
  • Class C Fire Extinguishers. …
  • Class D Fire Extinguishers. …
  • Class K Fire Extinguishers.

What does Abe stand for in fire extinguishers?

Also known as DCP, ABE, BE or just

plain old powder fire

extinguishers, they all mean the same type of fire extinguisher almost… Dry chemical powder (DCP) fire extinguishers are one of the most common fire extinguishers used in Australia.

What is 10 BC fire extinguisher?

A 10B extinguisher

can stop 10 square feet of Class B fire

, a 20B extinguisher can stop 20 square feet, and so on.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.