How to Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher for Your Home
We all want to feel safe at home, so we make every effort to be prepared for any possible scenario. One of the most critical steps we must take is to purchase a proper fire extinguisher. But when there are so many different fire extinguishers on the market, how do you know which one to buy?
Don’t worry; we’ve got you covered. This article will go over the various types of fire extinguishers, the minimum recommendations for domestic use of fire extinguishers and the required regulations by the authorities.
Who are the Fire Safety Authorities in Your Area of Residence?
Different authorities are responsible for fire and safety regulations in different parts of the UK. You must have the appropriate extinguishers for your premises, or you risk failing to meet current regulations.
The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 governs general fire safety in England and Wales.
Part 3 of the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 covers general fire safety requirements, supplemented by the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006.
Local fire and rescue authorities enforce this fire safety legislation on most premises. HSE is in charge of enforcement on construction sites and ships being built or repaired.
Types of Fire
Before we get into the different types of fire extinguishers, let’s go over the main scenarios in which we might use them.
- Class A: solid materials such as wood or paper, fabric, and some plastics
- Class B: liquids or gas such as alcohol, ether, gasoline, or grease
- Class C: electrical failure from appliances, electronic equipment, and wiring
- Class D: metallic substances such as sodium, titanium, zirconium, or magnesium
- Class K: grease or oil fires, specifically from cooking
Types of Fire Extinguishers
The five primary types of fire extinguishers are water, foam, dry powder, CO2, and wet chemicals. In addition to choosing the right type of fire extinguisher, you must look at the correct sizes and weights.
Water Fire Extinguisher
Water extinguishers were the first fire extinguishers and remain one of the most commonly used ones today. They can be identified by the WHITE-coloured label stating ‘Water’.
Standard water fire extinguishers only work on fires involving flammable solids. As mentioned above, fires involving flammable solids, such as paper, wood, and textiles, are ‘class A’.
Size available: 3 litres; 6 litres, and 9 litre
Application
| USE ON | DO NOT USE ON |
|---|---|
| Class “A” Fires- Flammable solids, such as paper, wood, and textiles, which are ‘class A’. | Electrical fires – it is extremely dangerous and could result in electrocution. Fires caused by flammable liquids such as fuel and paint (‘class B’ fires) Fires caused by flammable gases like methane and butane (‘class C’ fires) Oil and grease-related cooking fires, such as chip pan fires (‘class F’ fires) |
Foam Fire Extinguisher
A foam fire extinguisher is suitable for the majority of commercial premises. They are typically used to extinguish fires involving flammable solids and liquids.
They are distinguished by a CREAM-coloured label on the body that reads ‘Foam’.
Size available: 2 litres; 3 litres; 6 litres, and 9 litres.
Application
| USE ON | DO NOT USE ON |
|---|---|
Fires involving flammable solids, such as paper, wood, and textiles (‘class A’ fires) Fires involving some flammable liquids, such as petrol, diesel, and paint (‘class B’ fires) Fires involving electrical appliances IF the extinguisher has passed the 35kv conductivity test | A foam fire extinguisher is good for general use but is not specifically designed for electrical fires. |
Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher
There are two types of dry powder fire extinguishers – standard and special.
Almost any type of fire can be extinguished using a standard dry powder fire extinguisher. They are not
advised for use in confined areas, though.
Specialist dry powder extinguishers are used on fires involving flammable metal, lithium (L2 powder extinguishers only) and other flammable metals (M28 powder extinguishers only).
These fire extinguishers are al o known as ABC fire extinguishers, multi-purpose fire extinguishers and dry chemical fire extinguishers. They can be distinguished by a BLUE-coloured label stating ‘Powder’.
Size available: 1kg; 2kg; 3kg; 6kg and 9kg.
Application
| USE ON | DO NOT USE ON |
|---|---|
Standard dry powder extinguishers Fires involving flammable solids, such as paper, wood, and textiles (‘class A’ fires) Fires involving flammable liquids, such as petrol, diesel, and paint (‘class B’ fires) Fires involving flammable gases, such as butane and methane (‘class C’ fires) Electrical fires involving electrical equipment up to 1000v Specialist dry powder extinguishers Fires involving the flammable metal lithium (L2 powder extinguishers only) Fires involving all other flammable metals (M28 powder extinguishers only) | Fires involving cooking oil, such as chip pan fires (‘class F’ fires) Fires involving electrical equipment over 1000v Fires in enclosed spaces Fires involving flammable met ls UNLESS it is a specialist dry powder extinguisher |
CO2 Fire Extinguisher
The preferred extinguisher for electrical fires is a CO2 extinguisher. Although they also work on flammable liquid (class B) fires. The term “carbon dioxide extinguishers” or “carbon dioxide extinguishers” may also be used to refer to them.
They can be distinguished by a BLACK-coloured label stating ‘CO2’ and nozzle ends in a distinctive black ‘horn’.
Sizes available: 2kg and 5kg
Application
| USE ON | DO NOT USE ON |
|---|---|
Fires involving equipment such as computers, or generators (‘electrical’ fires) Fires involving some flammable liquids, such as petrol, diesel, and paint (‘class B’ fires) | Cooking fires involving oil and grease, such as chip pan fires (‘class F’ fires) |
Wet Chemicals Fire Extinguisher
Wet chemical extinguishers are one of the less well-known extinguisher types. Only wet chemical fire extinguishers are advised for use on cooking oil fires, and they are a crucial component of any professional kitchen’s safety supply kit. Additionally, they are referred to as “Class F” and “Class ABF” fire extinguishers.
They can be distinguished by a YELLOW-coloured label stating ‘Wet Chemical’ and a longer than usual hose with a ‘lance’ attachment.
Size available: 2 litres, 3 litres and 6 litres
Application
| USE ON | DO NOT USE ON |
|---|---|
Fires involving cooking oils and fats, such as lard, olive oil, butter and vegetable oil (‘class F’ fires) Fires involving flammable solids, such as paper, wood, and textiles (‘class A’ fires) Some wet chemical fire extinguishers are also cleared for use on class B fires – those involving flammable liquids, such as petrol, diesel, and paint. Check the label or ask your fire safety professional before using wet chemical extinguishers on this type of fire. | Fires involving flammable liquids (‘class B’ fires) UNLESS they are specifically cleared for this use Fires involving flammable gases, such as methane and butane (‘class C’ fires) Electrical fires |
What is the Best Fire Extinguisher Type for Domestic Use?
Powder fire extinguishers are most often recommended for domestic use.
These fire extinguishers work by spraying a chemical-based powder that efficiently douses flames and puts out the fire’s source. Powder fire extinguishers are also called ABC extinguishers because they can be used in fire classes A, B, and C.
Due to the chemicals in the powder used in these types of fire extinguishers, some surfaces in the home may be damaged. In an emergency, using powder fire extinguishers can also reduce visibility.
Using a 1 kg dry powder extinguisher is advised for domestic purposes. The fire is too big if it cannot be put out with a 1 kg extinguisher. Everyone should leave the house immediately, and you should dial 999.
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