A fire extinguisher is an active fire protection device used to extinguish or control small fires , often in emergency situations.
When would you use a fire extinguisher?
You should only consider using a fire extinguisher if all members of your home have been alerted to the fire and the fire department has been called . Also, make sure you are safe from smoke and that the fire is not between you and your only escape route.
What fires are fire extinguishers used for?
- 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.
- Class C extinguishers are suitable for use only on electrically energized fires.
What is a fire extinguisher best used for?
These fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires on ordinary combustible materials such as firewood, plastic, cloth and paper . Class A extinguishers will serve you best if you keep them near a fireplace.
Do we need fire extinguishers?
Yes , provided you know when and how to use it. Fire extinguishers can be a small but important part of the home fire safety plan. They can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or suppressing it until the fire department arrives. ... You’ll also want to make sure that the fire is confined to one area.
What are the 5 types of 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 different sizes of fire extinguishers?
- 2-A:10B:C – 4 lb.
- 3-A:40B:C – 5 lb.
- 4-A:60B:C – 10 lb.
- 10-A:80B:C – 20 lb.
What are the main function of fire extinguishers?
Fire extinguisher, portable or movable apparatus used to put out a small fire by directing onto it a substance that cools the burning material , deprives the flame of oxygen, or interferes with the chemical reactions occurring in the flame.
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 type of fire extinguisher is best for home use?
It’s important that your fire extinguishers be UL-approved. Every single one of the experts we spoke with recommended an extinguisher with an ABC rating . Simply put, ABC extinguishers are the standard for home use.
Do fire extinguishers expire?
Even if there’s no expiration date , it won’t last forever. Manufacturers say most extinguishers should work for 5 to 15 years, but you might not know if you got yours three years ago or 13. ... If it falls anywhere else, the extinguisher is unreliable and should be serviced or replaced.
What type of fire extinguisher is most common?
The multi-purpose dry chemical fire extinguisher is the most common type of portable fire extinguisher for work and home use. Dry chemical fire extinguishers put the fire out by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle.
How effective are fire extinguishers?
Of the 4,401 fires reported, portable fire extinguishers successfully extinguished 4,216 fires (95%). A single fire extinguisher was used to extinguish the fire in 3,339 reported fires (72%). The most common types of fuel that were involved in these fires were Class A (47%), Class B (35%), and Class C 14%.
What is the legal requirement for fire extinguishers?
Fire and Rescue NSW recommends that a surrounding clearance of a minimum of 1000mm be maintained around each extinguisher. Extinguishers must be thermally protected IF installed in locations where the temperature is outside the range of 5C to 50C.
How much do fire extinguishers cost?
It costs only around $30 , so you can purchase one—or more than one—without breaking the bank. Despite its low price, the First Alert Standard Home Fire Extinguisher’s extinguishing agent is still rated to handle most home fires, including fabric, wood, paper, flammable liquids, and electrical fires.
What are the different Colours of fire extinguishers?
- Blue – Dry Powder.
- Black – Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Cream – Foam.
- Red – Water (Spray and Mist)
- Yellow – Wet Chemical.
