Fire Extinguishers

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Fire extinguishers can be a small but important part of the fire safety plan. They can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or suppressing it until the fire department arrives. All types of extinguishers require a basic inspection annually to check weight, externally validate the correct pressure, and find any signs of damage or corrosion. Cartridge extinguishers are to be opened up for internal inspection, and to have the weight of the cartridge tested. Labels must be inspected for legibility, and where possible, dip tubes, hoses and mechanisms must be tested for clear, free operation. 

Fire extinguishers are designed to tackle specific types of fire. There are six different classes of fire and several different types of fire extinguishers. 

• Water
• Foam
• Wet Chemical
• Co2
• Powder

• Class A – fires involving solid materials such as wood, paper or textiles.
• Class B – fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, diesel or oils.
• Class C – fires involving gases.
• Class D – fires involving metals.
• Class E – fires involving live electrical apparatus. (Technically ‘Class E’ doesn’t exists however this is used for convenience here)
• Class F – fires involving cooking oils such as in deep-fat fryers