A Quick Guide To The Different Types Of Fire Extinguisher

Being as prepared as possible in case of fire is your best line of defence, ensuring the full protection of you and your family should the worst happen.

Of course, you need to have smoke alarms and fire alarms fitted on site so you’re alerted to an emergency, but for added peace of mind you might also want to make sure you have some fire-fighting equipment on site like fire blankets and fire extinguishers. 

This, of course, is a legal requirement if you have a business premises, but it can also be beneficial for homeowners who want to enjoy full peace of mind.

What you will find, however, is that there are various different fire extinguishers available depending on the type of fire you expect to be dealing with. Note that there is no single fire extinguisher that will work on all types of fire. To help you work out which ones would be most appropriate for you, here’s a quick equipment guide that could prove useful.

Electrical fires

Electrical fires are very common and have many different causes - although you can help prevent them from posing a risk by having an electrical contractor come out to do regular health checks of the system.

To put these fires out, you will need a carbon dioxide extinguisher, which works by suffocating the fire through displacement of the oxygen the fire needs to burn. They can also be used on fires caused by flammable liquids like paint and petrol, but should not be used on kitchen fires, flammable metals or anything combustible like wood, paper or textiles.

Class F fires (cooking oils)

To protect yourself in the kitchen at home from fires caused by cooking oils and fats, invest in a wet chemical fire extinguisher. These can also be used on paper and cardboard, wood and coal, and fabrics and textiles, but do not use them on electrical fires, flammable metals or flammable liquid or gas fires.

Class A fires (combustible materials)

Water fire extinguishers are effective at putting out Class A fires caused by organic materials like wood, coal, fabrics, textures, paper and cardboard, but they shouldn’t be used on kitchen fires, electrical fires or flammable gas and liquids.

You can also use foam fire extinguishers on Class A fires as they’re water-based. These have a cooling effect on the fuel, creating a barrier between the flame and what’s burning, thus putting it out.

Another option for Class A fires is dry powder extinguishers, which are effective for A, B and C fires, but they’re not recommended for domestic properties or for use in enclosed spaces because the powder can be easily inhaled and it can be hard to clean up the residue once the fire is out.