Fire Extinguishers
Information & Maintenance
Introduction
Any class of Fire Extinguisher is available kite marked to current British standards and comes with an extendable warranty. Fire extinguishers are supplied fully serviced, labelled and with a certificate for inspection and insurance purposes.
Types of fire extinguishers & classes
In the event of a fire, using the correct extinguisher is as important as discovering the fire itself. All modern fire extinguishers are clearly marked as to the type of fire they should be used on, so you can tackle small fires safely and easily. There are 5 main fire extinguishers currently in use which are listed below. Each fire extinguisher has instructions stating what type of fire it can be used on.
AFFF Foam Fire Extinguishers (Class A,B)
Modern Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF) fire extinguishers are another breed altogether, one of the best all-round units available.
As the foam fire nozzle is non-conductive, you can use an AFFF fire extinguisher near (but not directly on) live electrical equipment.
Co2 Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers (Class B,E)
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) extinguishers are used for class B and C fires. CO2 extinguishers contain carbon dioxide, a non-flammable gas, and are highly pressurized. The pressure is so great that it is not uncommon for bits of dry ice to shoot out the nozzle. They don't work very well on class A fires because they may not be able to displace enough oxygen to put the fire out, causing it to re-ignite. Best used on electrical items such as computers, printers, TV's, electric heaters and so on.
Dry Powder Fire Extinguishers (Class A,B,C,E)
Dry powder fire extinguishers are excellent all-round fire extinguishers, often recommended for use on vehicles.
Dry powder extinguishers are not suitable for use in enclosed spaces such as offices, hotels, schools, etc, as the fire-fighting agent creates a cloud that can obscure vision. The contents may also create breathing problems.
Water Fire Extinguishers (Class A)
Water extinguishers are suitable for class A fires only. Never use a water extinguisher on grease fires, electrical fires or class D fires - the flames will spread and make the fire bigger! Water extinguishers are filled with water and pressurized with oxygen. Again - water extinguishers can be very dangerous in the wrong type of situation. Only fight the fire if you're certain it contains ordinary combustible materials only.
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers (Class A,F)
Wet chemical fire extinguishers developed specifically for use on deep fat cooking fires.
These can be used on class A fires but are mainly just for the class F.
It is vital to know what type of extinguisher you are using. Using the wrong type of extinguisher for the wrong type of fire can be life-threatening.
Fire Class Ratting Chart
Fire Extinguisher Maintenance
Fire extinguishers do not have an indefinite life, even if they are never actually used. Their contents can lose pressure, the inside of the canisters are prone to rust and corrosion if liquid contents, and the canister seams can be weakened by continual high pressurization.
Seals can deteriorate, valves can stick, and fire extinguisher can become knocked and dented simply by being part of a building’s fixtures and fittings
Fire extinguisher maintenance and care in accordance with the Code of Practice stipulated in British Standard 5306 part 3 should be integrated into your premises Fire Risk Assessment and is, in effect, a legal requirement of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.
Annual inspections (or more frequent for high risk locations or corrosive environments) by a competent person will involve inspecting every fire extinguisher, and identifying those extinguishers which need repressurising, require replacement parts, or which have reached the end of their useful lives.
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S.K.Fire Protection
Fire Safety & Equipment Specialist
