Types of Fire Extinguishers

It is very important for every household to have a Fire Extinguisher that can be made use of in case of a fire related emergency. One never knows when a fire will erupt so it is better to be guarded against the happening of such an event than repent later on. A home based fire extinguisher is very easy to use. All you have to do is break the glass, take the container out, press the nozzle and release the gas inside while directing it towards the fire. Most fire extinguishers are quite effective against minor fires. However, you may need to take the help of a firefighting squad if the fire blows out of proportion.

Some of the types of fire extinguishers that are available in the market today and can be bought are listed below along with their description:

Class A: Class A fire extinguishers are suitable for putting out fires that involve materials like cloth, cardboard, paper, wood, etc. This type of extinguisher is suitable for homes that are largely made of wood. Their containers can be recognized by the green and black markings that consist of a green square with the symbol of a black colored dustbin or wood burning inside.

Class B: These types of fire extinguishers can be used to put out fires that have occurred as a result of liquids or grease that is inflammable. Factories that contain large amounts of rubber, kerosene oil, etc should install such fire extinguishers. They are recognized by the symbol of a red square with a black burning can.

Class C: These fire extinguishers should be used in cases where the fire has resulted out of short circuiting wires. Places that have lots of computers, electrical appliances and machines should have this type of fire extinguisher within their premises. The icon of a plug and socket in flames represents this type.

Class D: This type of extinguisher is used to put out fires arising out of metallic substances like magnesium, titanium, sodium. Their containers are signified by a yellow-colored star. The letter D is also showcased on the fire extinguisher.

Class K: This type of fire extinguisher is appropriate for commercial kitchens in restaurants, hotels and other eating houses. This is a fairly recent development in the field of extinguishers and is rarely available. It is comparatively more expensive than the other types present in the market.

You can install a Class K fire extinguisher in your kitchen and a Class A type in your living room, bedroom and other areas. Once you have installed it, you should ensure that your family members are acquainted with how to go about using it in a proper manner. A fire extinguisher should not be confined to one area of the house. Rather it should be spread over different levels of the household to be effective to the maximum possible extent. The kind of extinguisher you should go in for also depends a lot on your budget levels.