Different Types of Fire Extinguishers: When to Use Them
Your home should be a safe space for you and your loved ones, which is why fire safety is paramount. Having a fire extinguisher is essential for fighting fires and helping to prevent small fires from growing into larger, more dangerous ones. However, it is crucial to understand there are different types of fire extinguishers for different types of fires.
Learn the various types of fire extinguishers, how to use them, and when a fire is too risky to fight by yourself.
When a fire gets too out-of-hand and your home experiences fire damage, you need an experienced and trusted fire restoration company. CLEAR Restoration can address structural damage after a fire and alleviate your concerns about restoring your home after a fire. Contact us today at 225-245-3575 if you need fire restoration services.
[Related: How to Make Your Home Fire-Resistant]
What are the Different Types of Fire Extinguishers, and How to Identify Them
When purchasing a fire extinguisher for your home, you must learn the different types of fire extinguishers and how they address various fires.
- Class A: Designed for ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth. Class A fire extinguishers typically contain water, water mist, foam, dry powder, and wet chemical extinguishers.
- Class B: This type of fire extinguisher is designed for flammable liquids and gases, such as gasoline, oil, and propane. Class B fire extinguishers typically contain water mist, foam, dry powder, CO2, and wet chemicals.
- Class C: Class C fire extinguishers are designed for electrical fires in equipment like appliances and wiring. Class C fire extinguishers contain CO2, dry chemicals, and water mist.
- Class D: This type of fire extinguisher is for combustible metals like magnesium, aluminum, or lithium. Specialist dry powder extinguishers fall into this category.
- Class K: Designed for fires caused by fats and cooking oils, Class K fire extinguishers typically contain water mist and wet chemicals.
Now that you know the different types of fire extinguishers, you must know how to identify them. Each type of fire extinguisher comes with a label that specifies its class for the types of fires it combats. The label will have an icon and a letter (A, B, C, D, or K) representing the class of fire extinguishers.
- Class A: Green
- Class B: Red
- Class C: Blue
- Class D: Yellow
- Class K: Black
Tips for Using the Types of Fire Extinguishers
No matter what type of fire extinguisher you use, read the instructions on the label to learn the best way to use it. In the case of an emergency where you might not have the time to read through the instructions, it is best to remember the P.A.S.S. method:
- P – Pull the Pin
- A – Aim Nozzle of the Fire Extinguisher at the Base of the Fire
- S – Squeeze the Trigger Slowly and Evenly
- S – Sweep the Extinguisher from Side to Side to Cover All Areas
When using any type of fire extinguisher to fight a fire, maintain a safe distance to avoid injuring or harming yourself. Only attempt to fight small fires and evacuate immediately if the fire grows or becomes unmanageable.
Call the fire department immediately if the fire becomes too dangerous to use any type of fire extinguisher. Afterward, if you believe you need fire damage restoration services, call CLEAR Restoration. We are experienced in providing structural cleaning, deodorization, and more to restore your property and peace of mind. Contact us today if you need quick and reliable fire damage restoration from experienced professionals.
When to Call a Fire Damage Restoration Company
Unfortunately, you cannot fight all fires, and it’s essential to know when to evacuate a building to prevent harm to yourself and others and when to call a fire restoration company to restore your home. If there’s noticeable structural damage, strong smoke odors, or soot damage after a fire, contact a professional fire restoration company as soon as possible.
[Related: Fire Damage Restoration Process]
CLEAR Restoration is your go-to choice for fire restoration services. Our team of experts is well-equipped to handle various fire-related damages, ensuring that your home returns to its pre-fire condition. If you ever need fire restoration services, don’t hesitate to contact CLEAR Restoration at 225-245-3575. We’re here to help you leave this incident in the past as soon as possible.
