Types of Fire Extinguishers

Three ways to extinguish a fire

• Starvation - Removal of fuel

• Smothering - Removal of oxygen

• Cooling - Removal of heat

• Remove any one of the three

components and fire cannot start or be

sustained

Fire classification

• Class A: SOLIDS such as paper, wood, plastic etc• Class B: FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS such as paraffin,

petrol, oil etc• Class C:  FLAMMABLE GASES such as propane,

butane, methane etc• Class D:METALS such as aluminium, magnesium,

titanium etc• Class F:Cooking OIL & FAT etc

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Water • 6 or9 litre size• Suitable for Class A Fires• Not for use on flammable

liquids• Not to be used near to

live electrical apparatus• Discharge time,

approximately 60 seconds• Weighs approximately 15

kilos

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Foam• Multi-Purpose Foam

Spray• 9 litres, 6 litres or 2 litres• Ideal for burning solids

and hydrocarbon liquids• Can be rated for use on

live electrical equipment

Types of Fire ExtinguishersDry Powder • 1kg, 2kg, 3kg, 6kg, and 9kg capacities• ABC powder for burning solids, burning

liquids and if specially trained, burning gases

• Could be harmful in a confined space, and will contaminate prepared foods, and delicate electronic equipment

• Little cooling effect

Types of Fire Extinguishers

SPECIAL FIRE EXTINGUISHERS

• ‘FryFighter’• For Class F Fires

(overheated cooking oils/ fats)

• ‘Unique’ Wet Chemical’ formulation to suponificate the burning fat

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Carbon Dioxide (CO2)

• Clean non conductive agent• Ideal for fires involving live

electrical apparatus• Noisy in operation• Some parts of the

extinguisher will become very cold

• Little to no cooling effect

Other Fire Fighting Equipment

• Hose - Reels

• Fire Blankets

Remember!Extinguishers are only for dealing with

small fires.

DO NOT CONTINUE TO FIGHT A FIRE IF:

• it is dangerous to do so,

• there is a possibility that your escape route may be cut off by the fire or smoke,

• the fire continues to grow in spite of your efforts,

• there are gas cylinders threatened by a fire.

• If you have to withdraw, close windows and doors behind you whenever possible.

• Do NOT use a fire extinguisher to put out a fire involving burning gas. Turn off the gas supply if it is safe to do so, or leave such fires to the fire brigade.

Speedy intervention using a portable fire extinguisher could prevent total devastation such as: