Types of extinguishers

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Types of extinguishers

Choosing a fire Extinguisher

Water - Red

Best For

Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal etc. Fires involving solids.

Danger

Do not use on burning fat or oil or on electrical appliances.

How To Use

Point the jet at the base of the flames and keep it moving across the area of the fire. Ensure that all areas of the fire are out.

How It Works

Mainly by cooling burning material.

Multi-Purpose Dry Powder - Blue

Best For

Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal etc. Fires involving solids. Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol, etc.
But not on chip or fat pan fires.

Danger

Safe on live electrical equipment, although does not penetrate the spaces in equipment easily and the fire may re-ignite.

This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and care should be taken that the fire does not flare up again.

Smoldering material in deep seated fires such as upholstery or bedding can cause the fire to start up again.Do not use on chip or fat pan fires.

How To Use

Point the jet or discharge horn at the base of the flames and, with a rapid sweeping motion, drive the fire towards the far edge until all the flames are out. If the extinguisher has a shut-off control wait until the air clears and if you can still see the flames, attack the fire again.

How It Works

Standard Dry Powder - Blue

Best For

Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol etc.
but not on chip or fat pan fires.

Danger

Safe on live electrical equipment, although does not penetrate the spaces in equipment easily and the fire may re-ignite.

How To Use

This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and care should be taken that the fire does not re-ignite. Point the jet or discharge horn at the base of the flames and, with a rapid sweeping motion, drive the fire towards the far edge until all the flames are out. If the extinguisher has a shut-off control wait until the air clears and if you can still see the flames, attack the fire again.

How It Works

Knocks down flames.

AFFF (Aqueous film-forming foam) (multi-purpose) - Cream

Best For

Wood, Cloth, Paper, Plastics, Coal etc.
Fires involving solids.

Liquids such as grease, fats, oil, paint, petrol,etc.
but not on chip or fat pan fires.

Danger

Do not use on chip or fat pan fires.

How To Use

For fires involving solids, point the jet at the base of the flames and keep it moving across the area of the fire. Ensure that all areas of the fire are out.

For fire involving liquids, do not aim the jet straight into the liquid.
Where the liquid on fire is in a container, point the jet at the inside edge of the container or on a nearby surface above the burning liquid.
Allow the foam to build up and flow across the liquid.

How It Works

Forms a fire extinguishing film on the surface of a burning liquid. Has a cooling action with a wider extinguishing application than water on solid combustible materials.

Foam - Cream

Best For

Limited number of liquid fires.

Danger

Do not use on chip or fat pan fires. Check manufacturer's instructions for suitability of use on other fires involving liquids.These extinguishers are generally not recommended for home use.

How To Use

Do not aim jet straight into the liquid. Where the liquid on fire is in a container, point the jet at the inside edge of the container or on a nearby surface above the burning liquid. Allow the foam to build up and flow across the liquid.

How It Works

Forms a fire extinguishing film on the surface of a burning liquid. Has a cooling action with a wider extinguishing application than water on solid combustible materials.

Carbon Dioxide Co2 - Black

Best For

Liquids such as grease, fats, oil paint, petrol etc. but not on chip or fat pan fires.

Danger

This type of extinguisher does not cool the fire very well and you need to watch that the fire does not start up again.
Fumes from CO2 extinguishers can be harmful if used in confined spaces: ventilate the area as soon as the fire has been controlled.

How To Use

The discharge horn should be directed at the base of the flames and the jet kept moving across the area of the fire.

How It Works

Vaporizing liquid gas which smothers the flames by displacing oxygen in the air.

Fire Blanket

Best For

Fires involving both solids and liquids. Particularly good for small fires in clothing and for chip and fat pan fires provided the blanket completely covers the fire.

Danger

If the blanket does not completely cover the fire, it will not be able the fire to be extinguished.

How To Use

Place carefully over the fire. Keep your hands shielded from the fire. Do not waft the fire towards you.

How It Works

Smothers the fire.