Fire Extinguisher Classification

All fire extinguishers are not a ranking, mainly to show what kind of fires they are safe for them. This is important because using a fire extinguisher on the wrong type of fire can have disastrous consequences. For example, if you use a water extinguisher on a fire involving electrical equipment, you risk electrocution and possible death.

The classifications consist of letters and numbers. Part of the letter classification extinguisher tell us what type of fire the device is designed for. Each type of fire is given a class, which is designated by one letter. When you look at the rankings on the side of a fire extinguisher, you will see one or more letters, showing all types of fire apparatus that is safe to use on. So there may be a letter or number.

The other thing extinguisher classifications do is tell us something about the effectiveness of a fire extinguisher, or 'how much' fire it can extinguish. This is indicated by a number that is displayed next to the letter on the ranking. A higher number indicates that the device can handle a larger fire. The numbers correspond directly to define the tests that the fire extinguisher has been submitted. The note ends up with a device generally relate to the actual amount (distances or areas) of fire he was able to extinguish. For example, a rating of 13 means that the device was able to put out 1.3 million fire in the test situation.

Extinguisher on each you will see one or more letters, and a number, giving you important information about the type of fire you can use it and how it may be. Such information can be crucial when you need to make a decision on whether to fight against a fire or not.

There are slight differences between classifications extinguisher in the United Kingdom and the United States. The British system is the same for all of Europe and Australia.

Extinguishers to deal with fires involving everyday combustible materials such as paper, cardboard, wood and textiles are given a classification 'A'. It's the same in both the UK and U.S..

Fire extinguishers designed specifically for use on flammable liquids such as oils, spirits and petrol, are rated "B". Again, this ranking is the same in the United Kingdom and the United States.

In the United Kingdom is a separate class C fire extinguishers are safe for flammable gases, such as natural gas or propane. United States this category is included in the classification "B".

The devices that deal with fire on combustible metals are classified as "D" in both the UK and U.S..

In the United Kingdom, electric lights have a separate classification, if they are sometimes erroneously referred to as "E" class. Electricity is considered more like a fire cause and source of ignition of a classification in the United Kingdom. Remove the power supply and fire becomes a class A, B or another. U.S. electric lights are known as 'C' class.

Finally, specialized devices that are only safe to use in deep fat burning fires are classified as "F" in the United Kingdom and "K" in the United States.

extinguisher classifications give you valuable information that you need if you encounter a fire. Information on the fire extinguisher is only useful if you are sure what is burning. If you have any doubt about what is on fire, you should not try to extinguish it.