Did you know that there are five different types of fires? And, that different fire extinguishers are required depending on the type of fire? Well, the NFPA classifies different fires based on that has been ignited and the unique characteristics of each fire. In addition, there exists even more variety in the types of fire extinguishers available to combat these fires. Accordingly, it is important to recognize which type of fire you are most likely to encounter so you are prepared with the right tools in the event of a real emergency. Fire extinguishers are your first line of defense against fires while they are still small. Learn all about the different types of fire extinguishers and their uses in this article!
Check out this video for a quick summary on the types of fire extinguishers
According to the NFPA 10 Standard development for portable fire extinguishers, there are five classes of fires. Specifically, those classes are listed as Class A, B, C, D, and K. When you purchase a fire extinguisher, it will be rated to fight one or more of these fire classes. Class A is the most common type of fire, since the fuel for these types of fires are the most widespread. Class A fires are comprised of combustible materials such as wood, paper, fabric, trash, rubber, and light plastics. Thus, a class A fire extinguisher will be effective for wood, paper, and common materials.
| Class of Fire | Description |
|---|---|
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Fires with common materials like wood, paper, cloth, rubber, and plastics. |
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Combustible or flammable liquids, oil-based paints, petroleum greases, solvents, alcohols, and flammable gases |
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Persistent fires started by electrical equipment, like appliances, tools, computers, and any equipment that is energized or plugged into an outlet. |
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Fires that involve flammable metals like magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium. |
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Type of fires which involve vegetable oils, animal oils, and fats in cooking appliances. |
In order for a fire to occur, three factors must be present—Heat or ignition, a fuel source, and oxygen. Consequently, a fire extinguisher’s main objective is to eliminate one or more of these key elements. Fire extinguishers are rated for a certain class of fire, along with a numerical rating that indicates its extinguishing capabilities. As a helpful note, fire extinguishers are also labeled with symbols that indicate the type of fire they may be used on.
A typical fire extinguisher label has two numbers along with its classification lettering. The number before the “A” represents a multiple of 1.25 gallons of water whereas the number before the “B” represents a multiple of the area or size in square feet of fire to be extinguished. For example, a fire extinguisher classification of 1A:10B:C indicates that it provides the equivalent of 1.25 gallons of water applied on a class A fire. The number 10 indicates it can extinguish class B fires up to 10 square feet in size and the C indicates that it can be used for class C fires. In essence, the higher the number, the more effective the extinguisher is for that class. Generally when it comes to extinguishers, the bigger the better.
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| Extinguisher Types | Effective For | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Water | |
Water types cool down and smother fires until they are extinguished. |
| Film-forming Foam | |
These types discharge a foam that cuts off the fire's oxygen supply while absorbing heat. |
| Carbon Dioxide (CO2) | |
CO2 displaces oxygen, extinguishing the fire without damaging expensive equipment. For indoor use only. |
| Dry Chemical | |
Smothers the fire, separating it from oxygen and absorbing heat. Examples: Sodium bicarbonate, ammonium phosphate. |
| Wet Chemical | |
A fine mist of solution cools the fire and forms a foam coating to prevent reignition. Utilizes a chemical reaction to slow down grease fires. |
| Dry Powder | |
These types are intended for use on class D fires and for specific metals. |
| Clean Agent | |
Absorbs heat, and cuts off the fire's oxygen supply. Examples: Halotron, FM-200 |
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, cooking is the leading cause of home fires and home fire injuries. In 2021, fire departments in the U.S. responded to an estimated 170,000 home cooking fires. In most cases, a kitchen fire will start when someone leaves food unattended. Furthermore, kitchen fires are especially dangerous due to the presence of oils, fats or grease. Once cooking fats or oils ignite, it becomes a class K fire and requires a specialized extinguisher type.
A common mistake that people make is using a class B extinguisher in commercial kitchens for grease fires and deep fat cooking fires. Instead, use a class K extinguisher, which are designated for deep oil and fat cooking fires. Even though class K fires are a subset of class B fires, they must be treated with extra care and thus warrants a dedicated extinguisher type. Moreover, a class K extinguisher will require less cleanup than using a class B dry chemical extinguisher, while preventing re-ignition.
Often, people will also have a natural tendency to use water whenever they are confronted with a kitchen fire. After all, most people cooking will have a nearby sink that could be used as a water source. However, If you have a grease or oil fire, it is never a good idea to douse it with water. Pouring water on the fire may cause the flames to spread even further. The burning oil can vaporize the water, spreading oil and flames to other places in the kitchen, and possibly causing injury to yourself or anyone nearby. Due to the extreme dangers of this type of fire, it is recommended to get a class K extinguisher for your kitchen in addition to fire detection and an emergency escape plan.
The Badger 25064, a Class K Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are one facet of a complete fire safety plan that is often forgotten once a fire alarm has been installed. However, in homes and residential occupancies, it is recommended to get a multipurpose “ABC” dry chemical fire extinguisher to fight small fires before they grow. This type of extinguisher contains an ammonium phosphate base agent that has the additional characteristic of softening and stocking to hot surfaces. As a result, the coating suffocates the fire of oxygen, thus making it effective for a variety of combustible materials found in homes. Some examples of this type of extinguisher is the Badger 23497, Badger 22435, and First Alert PRO5. Choose an extinguisher with clear instructions and a pressure gauge that is easy to read. Also, replace your fire extinguisher every 12 years, or if the gauge reads empty.
It is critical that you use the correct fire extinguisher for your home or business. Review the combustible materials present in your building, so you know what class of fires you can expect. Additionally, improper use of fire extinguishers can hinder your efforts to extinguish the fire or even worsen the situation. For example, using a water fire extinguisher on an electrical fire can potentially cause electrocution and permanently damage your equipment. If you are looking for a fire extinguisher to protect your home, look no further than our fire extinguisher shop! Or if you own a business, contact us to find out how to create a complete, code-compliant fire safety plan for your building layout.
