Fire extinguishers can be a small but important part of the home fire safety plan. They can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or suppressing it until the fire department arrives. If those conditions have been met, you should pick up the fire extinguisher and attack the fire.
Fire extinguishers play a vital role in any fire protection plan in any environment. They are a first aid response to fire and can help prevent catastrophic damage to property and even loss of life.
If you’re a business or property owner, legislation holds you responsible for the provision of appropriate firefighting equipment on the premises – and this legislation rules that you ensure maintenance and regular inspections of the fire extinguishers are kept up to.
Here, we take look at the crucial role a fire extinguisher plays in any setting and highlight what you need to consider to meet legislation.
Fires are labelled by ‘class’ and the right fire extinguisher should be installed according to the class of fire the area is most at risk of. There are four main types of fire extinguisher, which are identifiable by their names, label colour and hoses or nozzles.
1. Water extinguishers are used on Class A fires – those whose source is solid (for example wood, paper and textiles).
2. Foam extinguishers are suitable for Class B fires (flammable liquids) and are recommended for Class A-risk areas too (those featuring combustible materials).
3. CO2 extinguishers though carrying a B classification, a CO2 unit is ideal for an electrical fire risk leaving no residue nor carrying a risk of damage to associated equipment.
4. Dry powder extinguishers (also known as ABC fire extinguishers) are suitable for Class A, B and C fires – those involving solids, liquids and gases.
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