Portable Fire Extinguishers

Class A – Ordinary Combustible Solids

These portable fire extinguishers are typically used on carbon-based fires consisting of wood, paper or plastic. These fires are most commonly encountered by firefighters.

Class B – Flammable & Combustible Liquids

These fire extinguishers are used to combat fires originating from flammable liquids such as petrol, oil, kerosene or cleaning products.

Class C – Flammable Gases

Portable fire extinguishers are for use on flammable gases, often contained in kitchens and work areas. Sources of these fires include; L.P.G., butane, natural gas and methane.

Class D – Combustible Metals

These portable fire extinguishers are used for fires originating from burning metals such as; magnesium, aluminium, sodium or titanium etc.

Class E – Electrical Fires

These fire extinguishers are used for originating from frayed electrical cables and wiring, often occurring in homes. Many appliances such as; computers, heaters or appliances can cause these fires.

Class F – Cooking Oils and Fats

These fire extinguishers are used to extinguish fires originating from fats and oils often found in kitchen fires.

Water and Foam

Water and Foam fire extinguishers extinguish the fire by taking away the heat element of the fire triangle. Foam agents also separate the oxygen element from the other elements.

Water extinguishers are for Class A fires only – they should not be used on Class B or C fires. The discharge stream could spread the flammable liquid in a Class B fire or could create a shock hazard on a Class C fire.

Carbon Dioxide

CO2 fire extinguishers extinguish a fire by taking away the oxygen element of the fire triangle and also be removing the heat with a very cold discharge.

Carbon dioxide portable fire extinguishers can be used on Class B & C fires. They are usually ineffective on Class A fires.

Wet Chemical

Wet Chemical is a new agent that extinguishes the fire by removing the heat of the fire triangle and prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier between the oxygen and fuel elements.

Wet chemical of Class K extinguishers was developed for modern, high efficiency deep fat fryers in commercial cooking operations. Some may also be used on Class A fires in commercial kitchens.

Dry Chemical Powder

Dry Chemical Powder fire extinguishers extinguish the fire primarily by interrupting the chemical reaction of the fire triangle.

Today’s most widely used type of fire extinguisher is the multipurpose dry chemical that is effective on Class A, B, and C fires. This agent also works by creating a barrier between the oxygen element and the fuel element on Class A fires.

An ordinary dry chemical portable fire extinguishers is for Class B & C fires only. It is important to use the correct extinguisher for the type of fuel! Using the incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite after supposably being extinguished successfully.