A fire extinguisher is an essential piece of safety equipment that is recommended in all homes and required by code in most businesses. As you decide which piece of equipment to purchase, you’ll need to understand the four most common types of extinguishers and what purpose they serve. The class indicated on each extinguisher tells you about the type of fire it is designed to protect against.

The Types of Fire Extinguishers

1. Class A

Class A fire extinguishers combat fires with ordinary combustibles. These combustibles include wood, paper, fabric, trash or plastic. This is the type you’ll likely see in an office environment or in someone’s home. It uses materials such as water or monoammonium phosphate to get the job done.

2. Class B

The Class B extinguisher combats fires that are fueled by a flammable liquid. This includes, but is not limited to, gasoline, paints, oils, kerosene, butane and propane. These extinguishers work by smothering the fire to put it out. They are not designed for cooking fires, however, as those are designated as Class K.

3. Class C

The Class C extinguisher is designed to combat electrical fires. This could include a fire fueled by appliances, motors, or other energized equipment. The fires could be as large as an industrial building or as small as an overloaded surge protector. This equipment is unique because it uses nonconductive materials to put out the flames.

4. Class D

The Class D extinguisher combats fires fueled by flammable metals. This includes titanium, aluminum and magnesium. They are most commonly required in laboratory and industrial environments.  These extinguishers use a dry powder to remove the heat from the fire and smother it to remove the oxygen.

The best way to protect yourself from fire danger is to analyze your most likely threats and purchase preventive equipment for it. The fully certified team at A-1 Fire Protection LLC is experienced in creating the perfect fire suppression system for their customers in Mid-south Desoto County. Whether you need a new fire extinguisher, a fire extinguisher recharge, or a range guard, they can handle it. Learn more on their website and call (662) 895-2177 to get started!