Learn How to Make Use of Fire Extinguishers

An effective fire safety plan includes a number of considerations and products aimed at both preventing a blaze and correctly responding to flames should they ignite in a home or other property. By far one of the most common elements of a fire safety plan is a fire extinguisher, a piece of equipment that has been responsible for both saving lives and protecting property from extensive fire damage. Commonly found in many businesses and public areas, fire extinguishers are becoming increasingly common in private environments as well, especially in modern households with an awareness of the need for quality safety planning. Fire extinguishers are highly affordable pieces of equipment, are easy to store, making them ideal for nearly any environment. Understanding which type of extinguishers to use, however, and how to operate them, are critical. While some homeowners simply purchase fire extinguishers and reason that they'll read the included instructions when and if the unit needs to be used, being as informed as possible before purchasing and activating a fire extinguisher is the best way to practice sound fire safety.

Fire extinguishers come in many different types, each of which is intended for a specific type of fire, or for a combination of them. Fires are commonly thought of in terms of wood and paper blazes which are typically put out with water, but other types of fire may become worse --or even present serious danger of injury-- when water is used. As a result, fire extinguishers are distinguished by the ability of the canister's contents to put out various types of fires. Some extinguishers are solely for paper and wood fires, while others are specifically rated to handle grease fires, and still others are intended for chemical or electrical blazes. The type of extinguisher purchased is often determined by its intended location; a grease fire extinguisher, for instance, is likely to be placed in a kitchen or cafeteria, while a chemical extinguisher is a natural choice for a chemistry lab.

Discovering which type or types of fire an extinguisher can handle is as easy as identifying a standardized code on the extinguisher's label. A green triangle means that an extinguisher is "Class A," and is rated for fires involving paper, wood, many types of plastics, and other common flammable materials. A red square indicates that an extinguisher is "Class B." This type of extinguisher is meant for putting out fires that contain flammable liquids and gasses such as kerosene, gasoline, and grease. "Class C" extinguishers are marked with a blue circle and should be used on electrical fires, such as those containing kitchen or household appliances, space heaters, and anything else that may deliver an electric shock if treated with water. A yellow decagon on a fire extinguisher means that the unit is rated for "Class D," which addresses chemical fires, and should only be used in an environment where combustible metals and other substances commonly found in a lab are present. Frequently, extinguishers can be found in combinations, such as "ABC," which allows them to be used for a variety of fire types. While some fire extinguisher users prefer to have specific extinguishers for specific areas of a home or business, others may find it more convenient to opt for combination extinguishers.

Once an extinguisher or a set of units are purchased, knowing what to do in the event of a fire is critical. Fire extinguishers should always be accompanied by simple, easy-to-read instructions, typically printed on the unit itself. A mechanism such as a pin or other device typically sits atop an extinguisher's assembly, and must be pulled or depressed in order to activate the materials within the canister. After this step is completed, it's usually possible to begin combating flames simply by pulling a handle or grip on the fire extinguisher's head. While it may be tempting to aim the stream of extinguishing material at visible flames, it is important to point towards the base of the fire, as this helps ensure that the fire's fuel is extinguished. While an extinguisher is often able to completely put out a small fire, some blazes may be too large, deep, or otherwise complex to succumb completely to the available material within an extinguisher, and falling back on a pre-planned fire safety routine is essential at such a point.

Some types of fire extinguishers are known to produce a sticky or even possibly damaging residue after use, and as a result, cleaning up any affected items or areas is a good idea once the fire is determined to be completely extinguished. Choosing to purchase fire extinguishers for a personal or business property is a great step towards preventing injury and loss, but knowing how to use the units --and which types to have available-- are just as important.