Fire and extinguisher

 Classes of Fire 

There are Six Classes of Fire

 CLASS A  

combustible materials: flammable solids, such as  wood, paper, and fabric

combustible metals: chemicals such as magnesium, aluminum or potassium 

 CLASS B  

flammable liquids: petrol, turpentine or paint 

CLASS C  flammable gases: hydrogen, butane or methane 

 CLASS D  combustible metals: chemicals such as magnesium, aluminum or potassium 

CLASS E  electrical equipment: once the electrical item is removed, the fire changes class 

CLASS F  cooking oils: typically, a chip-pan fire.

Types of Fire Extinguishers 

Wet Chemical Extinguishers 

• Designed for used on Class F fires, involving cooking oil and fats 

• Can also be used on Class A fire 

• Label colour is yellow 

• Good for commercial kitchens and canteens

Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Extinguishers 

·Mainly designed for use on electrical fires 

·Can also be used on Class B fires 

·Works by suffocating fires by displacing the oxygen 

· Colour label is black 

· Ideal for computer server rooms and premises with electrical appliances and equipment

Foam Extinguishers 

• Most commonly used for Class B fires 

• Water based and can also be used on Class A fires 

• Should not be used for fires caused by flammable metals, kitchen fires and electrical fires 

• Work by creating cooling effect on the fuel 

• When poured on burning liquid, fire is extinguished by creating a barrier between the fuel and the flame 

• Label colour is cream

Water Extinguishers 

• Most commonly used for Class A fires a 

• Good for fires caused by various organic materials including fabric, textiles, coal, wood, cardboard and paper 

• Should not be used for kitchen fires, fires caused by flammable gas and liquids as well as fires that involve electrical equipment 

• Works by cooling effect on the burning fuel 

• Water mist extinguishers equipped with a different nozzle releases mist particles that suffocate the fire and also protect the user by creating a wall of mist 

• Label colour is red

Dry Powder Extinguishers 

• Also known as ABC extinguishers as it can be used for class A, B and C fires 

• Should not be used in enclosed space 

• Can be used on fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000 volts 

• Should not be used for fires involving cooking oil 

• Can be used for fires caused by flammable metals 

• Label colour is blue.