Types of Fire Extinguishers and Their Uses

2/5/2021 (Permalink)

This is a fire extinguisher and an acronym to help remember how to use it.

Fire extinguishers are vital in putting out fires and lessening the damage that could be caused. There are 6 main types of fire extinguishers, which will be reviewed here as well as their best uses. 

• ABC Fire Extinguisher – This is the most common extinguisher. It sprays a fine chemical mist that acts as a blanket to suffocate the fire. The ABC extinguisher can stop the reaction of liquid or gas fires. 
• Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher – This is the cleanest extinguisher because it leaves no residue and requires no clean up. It works by removing the oxygen to the fire which in turn suffocates it. 
• Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher – This is best for fires involving animal or vegetable fats and oils. It has a solution that attacks fires in two ways. 

-First: A liquid mist acts to cool the fire. 

- Second: A thick soap like substance forms, due to a chemical reaction with the cooking medium, that seals the liquid and prevents reignition.  

• Water Mist Fire Extinguisher – This is the most versatile of the fire extinguishers because it works across most classes of fire. This is possible because the fire is fought on multiple layers. 

_ Water is dispensed in a fog like form, decreasing the oxygen. 

_ The water works to cool the temperature of the fire. 

_ The water has been de-ionized, thus allowing to be used on electrical fires because it will not act as a conductor. 

• Foam Fire Extinguisher – This sprays a foam that expands when it hits the air which will blanket the fire. This “blanket” starves the fire out of fuel by preventing the vapors from rising. Foam extinguishers are best used on flammable liquids like gas fires. 
• Clean Agent Fire Extinguisher – This style is stored in a liquid form when it hits the air it converts to gas, which is non-conductive, leaves no residue, and is eco-friendly. The clean agent extinguisher is best used for fires on electrical or computer equipment. 

Call SERVPRO of Orangeburg for any of you fire mitigation needs. (803)536-1285.