When trying to decide which fire extinguisher is best for your property or business, you may feel overwhelmed from the many options available. At 1st Option Fire Protection, our goal is to make this process as seamless as possible for our clients. Whether you need information regarding general fire safety or fire extinguisher installation, feel free to contact us today at (346)528-5971.
Furthermore, in this blog we are going to discuss the variety of fire extinguisher classes available, their most common uses, and how they benefit your business while meeting Texas State Fire Codes.
Below, you can find a table of the different classes of fires and a description. This will give you a great understanding and serve as an aid to choosing the right fire extinguisher for you.
Class of Fire
Description
Class A
Fires in ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.
Fires that involve energized electrical equipment.
Class D
Fires in combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.
Class F
Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats)
Now we are going to list how some extinguishers differ from using either CO2, wet chemicals, water, Halon, or Dry-chemicals.
Film-Forming Foam Type
AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) and FFFP (film-forming fluoroprotein) are rated for both Class A and Class B fires. These discharge either a foam material rather than liquid or powder. These are great to float on and secure a liquid surface.
Water Type
Water is primarily filled in these extinguishers, however other additives may be added. A drawback of water-based extinguishers is that it is not suitable for cold environments, some water-based extinguishers can contain antifreeze to keep them operable.
Carbon Dioxide Type
CO2 extinguishers do not leave a residue after use. Listed for use on Class B and Class C fires. Typically used in food preparation areas, laboratories, and printing or duplicating areas.
Halogenated Agent Type
The bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211) fire extinguishers are similar to CO2 and are suitable for cold weather installation while leaving no residue when in use. These are listed for Class A, Class B, and Class C fires.
Dry Chemical Types
Extinguishers using powder composed of small particulates. These include sodium bicarbonate base and potassium bicarbonate base. These have special treatments that ensure proper flow by providing resistance to packing and moisture absorption (caking.)
Multi-purpose dry chemicals contain ammonium phosphate. Great dry chemical agent for Class B Fires, for Class A it smothers and isolates the fuel from air.
Wet Chemical Types
The liquid agent has a pH of 9.0 or less, for Class A fires it works as a coolant.Class K fires, a foam blanket forms to prevent reignition.
Dry Powder Types
These are recommended for Class D fires and have a specific technique from manufactures recommendation for use. These can be applied via extinguisher, or scooping and shoveling it onto a fire.
Now that we have a better understanding of different Fires Classes, Fire Extinguishers, and the types of solvents used we will go into detail Fire Codes in Texas and requirements for Fire extinguishers.
Retail-Stores and Offices:Should have at least one ABC extinguisher every 3,000 sq ft, with an employee no more than 75 feet from an extinguisher.
Industrial Facilities:BC or CO2 extinguishers may be required in addition to ABC Extinguishers.
Restaurants and Commercial Kitchens:Must have Class K Fire Extinguishers specifically for grease fires, in addition to ABC or BC extinguishers
If you need assistance, give 1st Option Fire Protection a Call Today at (346)528-5971.
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