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All You Ever
Wanted to
Know About
Fire
Extinguishers
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. 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.
Additionally, Class A and Class B fire extinguishers have a numerical
rating which is based on tests conducted by Underwriter’s Laboratories
that are designed to determine the extinguishing potential for each
size and type of extinguisher. Click on any of the topics listed below
for additional information that may be helpful to know.
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Fire Extinguisher
Ratings
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topics
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Multi-Class
Ratings |
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Many extinguishers available today can
be used on different types of fires and will be labeled with
more than one designator, e.g. A-B, B-C, or A-B-C. Make sure
that if you have a multi-purpose extinguisher it is properly
labeled. |
This is the old style of labeling indicating
suitability for use on Class A, B, and C fires. |
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This is the new style of labeling that
shows this extinguisher may be used on Ordinary Combustibles,
Flammable Liquids, or Electrical Equipment fires. This is the
new labeling style with a diagonal red line drawn through the
picture to indicate what type of fire this extinguisher is NOT
suitable for. In this example, the fire extinguisher could be
used on Ordinary Combustibles and Flammable Liquids fires, but
not for Electrical Equipment fires. |
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topics
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Types
of Fire Extinguishers (select
images for a closer view) |
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Dry Chemical extinguishers
are usually rated for multiple purpose use. They contain an
extinguishing agent and use a compressed, non-flammable gas
as a propellant. |
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Halon extinguishers
contain a gas that interrupts the chemical reaction that takes
place when fuels burn. These types of extinguishers are often
used to protect valuable electrical equipment since them leave
no residue to clean up. Halon extinguishers have a limited range,
usually 4 to 6 feet. The initial application of Halon should
be made at the base of the fire, even after the flames have
been extinguished. |
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Water These
extinguishers contain water and compressed gas and should only
be used on Class A (ordinary combustibles) fires. |
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Carbon Dioxide
(CO2) extinguishers are most effective on Class
B and C (liquids and electrical) fires. Since the gas disperses
quickly, these extinguishers are only effective from 3 to 8
feet. The carbon dioxide is stored as a compressed liquid in
the extinguisher; as it expands, it cools the surrounding air.
The cooling will often cause ice to form around the “horn”
where the gas is expelled from the extinguisher. Since the fire
could re-ignite, continue to apply the agent even after the
fire appears to be out. |
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topics
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How
to Use a Fire Extinguisher
Even though extinguishers come in a number of shapes and sizes,
they all operate in a similar manner. Here’s an easy
acronym for fire extinguisher use: |
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P A S
S -- Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep
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 Ketchikan
Home Page | KFD
Home Page |
Questions? Comments? Send an
to Ketchikan Fire Department
The Ketchikan
Fire Department — Ketchikan,
Alaska
The information here appears
courtesy of the:
Hanford
Fire Department
located in South Central Washington
State 
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