Fire extinguishers are an essential piece of equipment for any home or business, as they can help put out small fires before they have a chance to spread and cause significant damage. However, with so many different types of fire extinguishers available at fire extinguisher suppliers, it cannot be easy to know which one is the best fit for your needs. This article will discuss the different types of fire extinguishers and how to choose the right one for your home or business.

Classes of fire extinguishers:

Fire extinguishers are classified based on the type of fire they can extinguish. The four main classes of fire extinguishers are:

Class A fire extinguishers:

Class A fire extinguishers are designed to prevent fires caused by ordinary combustibles such as wood, paper, cloth, and trash. These fires are the most common and are usually the easiest to put out. Class A fire extinguishers are usually filled with water or a foam solution and are identified by a green label with the white letter “A.”

Class B fire extinguishers:

Class B fire extinguishers are designed to put out fires caused by flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil, and paint. These fires are more difficult to put out and require a special type of extinguishing agent. Class B fire extinguishers are usually filled with a dry chemical, such as mono ammonium phosphate, and are identified by a red label with a white letter “B.”

Class C fire extinguishers:

Class C fire extinguishers are designed to prevent fires caused by electrical equipment such as computers, appliances, and wiring. These fires can be particularly dangerous as the electrical current can cause the fire to spread quickly. Class C fire extinguishers are filled with a non-conductive extinguishing agent, such as carbon dioxide, and are identified by a blue label with the white letter “C.”

Class D fire extinguishers:

Class D fire extinguishers are designed to prevent fires caused by metals such as magnesium, titanium, and potassium. These fires can be particularly challenging as they require a special type of extinguishing agent. Class D fire extinguishers are filled with a dry powder, such as sodium chloride, and are identified by a yellow label with the white letter “D.”

 In addition to the above classes, multi-purpose extinguishers can put out multiple types of fires, such as the Class ABC extinguisher, which can put out fires from all the above classes.