Fire. It seems to appear out of nowhere, but the damage can be lasting. The worst time to think about fire safety is when you’re facing one. Do you know how to operate a fire extinguisher? At home or at work, do you know where your extinguisher is — right now? And if you don’t have one, do you know what type you need?
Small fires can still be a big deal. The difference between whether or not a small fire becomes big can be one person equipped with a small, handheld fire extinguisher, known as an ABC extinguisher. Simple, easy to use, but most likely single use.
While red is standard, did you know that fire extinguishers come in different types and colors, including white silver, black, yellow, and more? If you are somewhere unfamiliar and find yourself facing a fire, look for the common cylindrical or oval shape and familiar nozzle to help identify and locate an extinguisher.
Types of Extinguishers:
- Type A Extinguishers –> Used for Combustible solids: wood, paper, cloth, rubber, plastics, or anything that creates ash.
- Type B Extinguishers –>Used for Liquids and gasses: gasoline; and oil paints and stains.
- Type C Extinguishers –>Used for Electrical sparks from equipment, cables, and overloaded outlets.
- Type D Extinguishers –>Used in manufacturing on combustible metals like Magnesium, Aluminum, and Titanium.
- Type K Extinguishers –>Used in industrial kitchens for oils and fats.
Color Indication in Fire Extinguishers :
Fire extinguishers’ color coding helps identify the type of extinguishing agent they contain: red for water, cream for foam, blue for dry powder, black for carbon dioxide (CO2), and yellow for wet chemical.
Here’s a more detailed breakdown:
- Red: Water (spray and mist)
- Cream: Foam
- Blue: Dry powder
- Black: Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
- Yellow: Wet chemical
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