Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher, Knowing Its Class
You know your home needs at least one fire extinguisher, but did you know there are different types? I didn’t do this two days ago, but it’s not the kind of thing you want to learn when you really need it. Different fire extinguishers actually have different purposes and are designed to fight specific types of fires, so it’s important to prepare accordingly.
Fire extinguisher marking codes
Typically, you will find fire extinguishers in one of five categories: A, B, C, D or K. Each of them puts out a specific type of fire. Here’s the breakdown:
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Class A extinguishes ordinary flammable materials, such as paper, wood, plastic, etc.
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Class B extinguishes flammable liquids such as oil, paint, petroleum, gas, etc.
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Class C is for electrical fires.
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Class D extinguishes flammable metals (e.g. titanium, aluminum, sodium, magnesium, etc.).
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Class K extinguishes cooking fires caused by flammable fat or oil.
Class K is easy to remember since it is similar to K for “kitchen”, but the rest you just have to remember. There are ABC fire extinguishers designed to put out common flammable, flammable liquid and electrical fires, and they would be great to have in your home.
Tips for using a fire extinguisher
If the fire you are dealing with involves a flammable gas, do not attempt to extinguish it with a Class B device unless you know you can shut off the gas supply. If the only fuel burning is leaking gas, the best option is to simply shut off the fuel supply. If you extinguish a flammable gas fire without shutting off the fuel source, unburned gas may escape and an explosion may occur if it is exposed to the ignition source.
If you have a lot of flammable metals (for which you need a Class D), contact the fire department or other professional to find out exactly what kind of fire extinguisher you need and how much. Some fire extinguishing agents can react with flammable metal fires, making the situation worse, so make sure to cover the fire with dry powder. Sand is fine, but inside a Class D fire extinguisher is a mixture of powdered graphite, granular sodium chloride and a small amount of copper, which work well.
Fire extinguishers for you
Which fire extinguishers you buy depends on what flammable materials you deal with at home, but here are good options for anyone:
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The First Alert HOME1 ABC Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher ($24.99) puts out origin A, B, and C fires, plus you can recharge it (which you should do annually).
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The Kidde Kitchen Fire Extinguisher ($25.94) is designed to put out fires without damaging the stove.
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Grab a six-pack of Kidde ABC fire extinguishers for every room in your home ($140, also sold in two- and four-packs).
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A BC fire extinguisher for your car or boat, such as the First Alert Automotive and Marine Fire Extinguisher ($24.28).
Check the package labels, but be prepared to replace all fire extinguishers every 10 years. Some sources say 12 years is normal, but in this case it’s better to be safe.