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There are basically four different types or classes of fire extinguishers, each of which
extinguishes specific types of fire. Newer fire extinguishers use a picture/labeling system to designate which types of fires they are to be used on so users can quickly identify the classes of fire on which the extinguisher will be effective.. Older fire extinguishers are labeled with colored geometrical shapes with letter designations. Both of these types of labels are shown below with the description of the different classes of extinguishers.
Also located on the fire extinguisher label is the UL rating. The UL rating is broken down into Class A and Class B:C ratings. These numerical ratings allow you to compare the relative extinguishing effectiveness of various fire extinguishers. For example, an extinguisher that is rated 4A:20B:C indicates the following:
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1. The A rating is a water equivalency rating. Each A is equivalent to 1 1/4 gallons of
water. 4A = 5 gallons of water.
2. The B:C rating is equivalent to the amount of square footage that the extinguisher can cover, handled by a professional. 20 B:C = 20 square feet of coverage.
3. C indicates it is suitable for use on electrically energized equipment.
When analyzing these ratings, note there is not a numerical rating for Class C or Class D fires. Class C fires are essentially either a Class A or a Class B fire involving energized electrical equipment where the fire extinguishing media must be non-conductive.
The fire extinguisher for a Class C fire should be based on the amount of the Class A or Class B component.
For extinguisher use on a Class D fire, the relative effectiveness is detailed on
the extinguisher nameplate for the specific combustible metal fire for which it is
recommended.
Fire Extinguisher Ratings
Portable Fire Extinguishers
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ABC DRY CHEMICAL
ABC Dry Chemical is a multipurpose extinguishing agent that is suitable for use on Class A, Class B and Class C fires.
Typical Uses: For public areas such as offices, classrooms, churches, parking garages, and hotel/motel assembly halls and guest areas. For businesses such as retail stores, light manufacturing facilities, research facilities, auto dealerships, vehicle/ aircraft/marine service centers, and manufacturing processes such as painting, dipping, and coating.
Not recommended for use on sensitive electronic equipment or aircraft structure.
STANDARD DRY CHEMICAL
Standard Dry Chemical
Standard (BC) Dry Chemical is a sodium bicarbonate based extinguishing agent that is suitable for use on Class B and Class C fires.
Typical Uses For flammable liquid hazards in public areas such as offices, classrooms, churches, parking garages, and hotel/motel assembly halls and guest areas. For flammable liquid hazards in businesses such as retail stores, light manufacturing facilities, research facilities, auto dealerships, vehicle/aircraft/marine service centers, and manufacturing processes such as painting, dipping, and coating.
Not recommended for use on sensitive electronic equipment.
PURPLE K DRY CHEMICAL
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Purple K Dry Chemical is a high performance extinguishing agent most effective for dealing with flammable liquid fires. Purple K is suitable for use on Class B and Class C fires.
Typical Uses For flammable liquid hazards in public areas such as offices, classrooms, churches, parking garages, and hotel/ motel assembly halls and guest areas. For flammable liquid hazards in businesses such as retail stores, light manufacturing facilities, research facilities, auto dealerships, vehicle/aircraft/marine service centers, and manufacturing processes such as painting, dipping, and coating.
Not recommended for use on sensitive electronic equipment.
The most common use of portable fire extinguishers is:
HALOTRON
Halotron is a clean, non conductive gaseous agent that is an excellent replacement for Halon 1211 extinguishers. Halotron is suitable for use on Class A, Class B and Class C fires.
Typical Uses: For protecting sensitive electronic equipment in offices, classrooms, churches, parking garages, and hotel/ motel assembly halls and guest areas. For protecting sensitive electronic equipment in businesses such as retail stores, light manufacturing facilities, research facilities, auto dealerships, vehicle/aircraft/marine service centers, and manufacturing processes such as painting, dipping, and coating. Recommended for use on sensitive electronic equipment.
CARBON DIOXIDE
Carbon Dioxide is the trusted non-conductive clean agent and is most effective for dealing with electronic equipment fires. CO2 is suitable for use on Class B and Class C fires.
Typical Uses: For protecting sensitive electronic equipment in offices, classrooms, churches, parking garages, and hotel/ motel assembly halls and guest areas. For protecting sensitive electronic equipment in businesses such as retail stores, light manufacturing facilities, research facilities, auto dealerships, vehicle/aircraft/marine service centers, and manufacturing processes such as painting, dipping, and coating.
Recommended for use on sensitive electronic equipment.
COMBUSTIBLE METAL - CLASS D
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Specifically designed for use on combustible metal fires, this extinguisher features a discharge assembly that keeps the operator at a safe distance while providing accurate application of the agent on the fire. From the heat of the fire, the sodium chloride based agent forms a crust to exclude air from the burning material. Suitable for use on Class D fires such as those involving magnesium, sodium, potassium and sodium-potassium alloys. There is data showing that zirconium, uranium, titanium, and powdered aluminum fires can be controlled and extinguished with this unique extinguisher.
Typical Uses: Metal production and machining operations.
WET CHEMICAL - CLASS K
Wet Chemical extinguishers contain a blend of Potassium Acetate and Potassium Citrate that is extremely effective in suppressing high temperature fires involving cooking oils and grease. The units incorporate a spray nozzle that ensures the agent is applied gently to the burning oil thus preventing splashing. It’s unique cooling properties deliver exceptional heat absorption ensuring the fire remains out. Wet Chemical is suitable for use on Class A and K fires.
Typical Uses: For protecting cooking oil and grease fires in commercial kitchens. This extinguisher is designed to complement existing pre-engineered hood systems.
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Class A Extinguishers will put out fires in ordinary combustibles,
such as wood and paper. The numerical rating for this class of fire
extinguisher refers to the amount of water the fire extinguisher
holds and the amount of fire it will extinguish.
Class B Extinguishers should be used on fires involving
flammable liquids, such as grease, gasoline, oil, etc. The numerical
rating for this class of fire extinguisher states the approximate
number of square feet of a flammable liquid fire that a non-expert
person can expect to extinguish.
Class C Extinguishers are suitable for use on electrically
energized fires. This class of fire extinguishers does not have a
numerical rating. The presence of the letter “C” indicates that the
extinguishing agent is non-conductive.
Class D Extinguishers are designed for use on flammable metals
and are often specific for the type of metal in question. There is no
picture designator for Class D extinguishers. These extinguishers
generally have no rating nor are they given a multi-purpose rating
for use on other types of fires.
Class K Extinguishers are used on fires involving cooking media
(fats, grease, and oils) in commercial cooking sites such as
restaurants. These fire extinguishers work on the principle of
saponification. Saponification takes place when alkaline mixtures,
such as potassium acetate, potassium citrate, or potassium
carbonate, are applied to burning cooking oil or fat. The alkaline
mixture combined with the fatty acid creates a soapy foam on the
surface that holds in the vapors and steam and extinguishes the fire.
These extinguishers are identified by the letter K.
are designed for use on flammable metals and are often specific for
the type of metal in question.
Inspections
Portable fire extinguishers must be visually inspected monthly. The inspection should assure that:
1. Fire extinguishers are in their assigned place;
2. Fire extinguishers are not blocked or hidden;
3. Fire extinguishers are mounted in accordance with NFPA Standard No. 10 (Portable Fire Extinguishers);
4. Pressure gauges show adequate pressure (a CO2 extinguisher must be weighed to determine whether leakage has occurred);
5. Pin and seals are in place;
6. Fire extinguishers show no visual sign of damage or abuse;
7. Nozzles are free of blockage.
Maintenance, inspection, and testing of an extinguisher are the responsibility of the employer.
Maintenance should be done at least annually or more often if conditions warrant. The employer shall record the annual maintenance date and keep these records for one year after the recorded date or the life of the shell of the extinguisher.