Confused About What Kind of Fire Extinguisher You Need For Your Specific Needs?

If a fire breaks out in your home, whether big or small, your first thought is will I need a fire extinguisher to put this out? If so, do I have the right one to do the job. It can be so confusing and a little scary to think that you could be making the situation worse if you don't act appropriately with the correct type. I'm here to tell you what you need and when.

Did you know that there are five different types of agents used to put out fires? Every extinguisher canister tells you what type of agent it has and the type of fires it extinguishes.

Let's go over the 5 types of fire extinguishers available and the kinds of fires they are used for:

Class A: used to extinguish common, ordinary materials like paper, wood, plastic, and cloth. The extinguishing agents in a Class A extinguisher are water, chemical foam, and dry chemical.

Class B: specifically used for fires that are started with flammable liquids like grease, gas, or oil. The extinguishing agents in a Class B extinguisher are Carbon dioxide (CO2), halon, dry chemical, aqueous film forming foam (AFFF).

Class C: proper type of extinguisher to put out fires that involve appliances that are electronically charged or plugged into an electrical outlet. The extinguishing agents used in a Class C extinguisher are CO2; halon; dry chemical.

Class D: designed configured for use on specific types of flammable metals as in magnesium and titanium which are usually found in manufacturing factories. The extinguishing agents used in a Class D extinguisher are dry powder.

Class K: intended for fires that are started with vegetable, animal, or fatty oils from cooking appliances. You will find these types of extinguishers in commercial type kitchens from restaurants or cafeterias. The extinguishing agents used in a Class K extinguisher are wet chemical (Potassium acetate based)

You will also find extinguishers that are made for a combination of fires in a multipurpose manner such as those labeled as B-C or A-B-C which are intended for each and any of those types of fires.

When Should I Use a Fire Extinguisher and When Should I Not?

Although extinguishers are great for the use of small fires, they do not have the capabilities to put out a fire that is rapidly growing out of control. They have a limited amount of extinguishing agents that must be utilized efficiently to get the job done. Once that fire gets out of control, only qualified firefighters can extinguish them.

Use a Fire Extinguisher Only When:

911 has been called and everyone has been alertedr
It's a fire that is small and containedr
You can safely stand away from the deadly toxic smoker
You have the availability to make your escape in the event that it becomes out of controlr
Anytime your instincts tell you it is still safe to do so

If all of these factors are not present, then you SHOULD NOT attempt to use a fire extinguisher. Leave the dwelling immediately and call 911.