All portable fire extinguishers are suitable for use on any fire

When choosing the right fire extinguisher, it is important to know that no single type of fire extinguisher can be used on all types of fires. Your fire risk assessment should identify which types of fires are most likely to occur in your building/premises, making this a good place to start. This article will help you learn what different types of fire extinguishers are available, what different classes of fire you may come across and which extinguishers should be used to tackle them, if it is safe to do so. The five types of fire extinguishers The five different types of portable fire extinguishers are water, powder, foam, wet chemical and carbon dioxide (CO2). There are as many as 15 if you count the supplementary portable fire extinguishers. Anyone who may have to use a portable fire extinguisher should be trained by a professional to do so. There is no single fire extinguisher which works on all classes of fire. What are the different classes of fire? There are six different classes (or types) of fire. There are: Class A – combustible materials caused by flammable solids such as wood, paper, and fabric. Class B – flammable liquids such as petrol, turpentine or paint. Class C - flammable gases: like hydrogen, butane or methane Class D fires - combustible metals, including chemicals such as magnesium, aluminium or potassium Electrical fires - electrical equipment: once the electrical item is removed, the fire changes class Class F fires - cooking oils and fats (typically...

A portable fire extinguisher can save lives and property by putting out a small fire or containing it until the fire department arrives; but portable extinguishers have limitations. Because fire grows and spreads so rapidly, the #1 priority for residents is to get out safely. Fire extinguishers are one element of a fire response plan, but the primary element is safe escape. Every household should have a Fire Extinguisher Location and Placement This resource identifies which occupancies require extinguishers and where they should be placed within them. It also outlines related requirements in NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers. Download the fact sheet Safety tips • Use a portable fire extinguisher when the fire is confined to a small area, such as a wastebasket, and is not growing; everyone has exited the building; the fire department has been called or is being called; and the room is not filled with smoke. • To operate a fire extinguisher, remember the word PASS: • Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism. • Aim low. Point the extinguisher at the base of the fire. • Squeeze the lever slowly and evenly. • Sweep the nozzle from side-to-side. • For the home, select a multi-purpose extinguisher (can be used on all types of home fires) that is large enough to put out a small fire, but not so heavy as to be difficult to handle. • Choose a fire extinguisher that carries the label of an independen...