Understand the Coding System When Buying Fire Extinguishers for the Home
Understanding the coding system is a necessity when buying fire extinguishers for your home. The codes correspond to specific types of fires you may encounter thus dictating the type of extinguisher you purchase. Every home should have at least one all purpose one stored openly in a central location; however, having two or three different types placed in strategic positions is optimal.
Class A Fires
When it comes to fires, you would most likely encounter a Class A fire which involves dry, flammable materials like wood and paper. When buying fire extinguishers to combat this type of fire, you want to choose one that is coded for Class A fires as these contain water and pressurized gas, the best ingredients for smothering and dousing the flames. However, you do not want to use this type on fires started by grease, gas or electrical sources as the fire could actually spread.
Class B Fires
Fat or petroleum based fires such as those originating from flammables like gas, grease or oil are best treated by extinguishers that are graded Class B. This type contains carbon dioxide within the canister which works to smother the flames without danger of spreading. It is possible to use a Class B product on some electrical fires (coded Class C) but it is not effective on Class A fires produced by dry combustibles. Be cautious when using this Class B fire repellant as it can produce a dry ice discharge that can cause blistering on the skin.
Class C and D Fires
Most electrical fires are coded as Class C whereas Class D fires are typically produced by combustible metals such as sodium, potassium and magnesium found only in laboratories. Unless you have an experimental lab in your home, you likely will not encounter a Class D fire and most home extinguishers are not coded for fires like that anyway.
Circuit breakers, computers, home theater systems, faulty wiring and a multitude of other appliances in the home can overheat, causing an electrical fire. The ingredients in a Class C canister typically involve a non-conductive form of carbon dioxide or a dry chemical which works to smother the flames. While some Class B extinguishers can work on electrical fires, you should never use a canister coded as Class A because the water in it can make the flames bigger.
As you can see, fires are not a one size fits all kind of deal when it comes to combating them. Walk through your home and determine what types of fires are possible and then choose the appropriately coded fire canisters. Or, you can consider an extinguisher that has multiple coded ratings. For example, in your kitchen and garage, there is a higher likelihood of having a gas, grease or electrical fire as opposed to a fire that breaks out in your bathroom or hobby room which would likely have paper products only. Therefore, you would choose a product that is coded for Class B and C fires.
When it comes to protecting your home, you should really consider buying fire extinguishers that correspond to certain risk areas of the home or choose those with multiple coded ratings. That way, in an emergency, you won’t have to contend with the possibility of spreading a fire, risking your home as well as your health.
Fire Gloves are important protection for those that need to frequently need to use fire extinguishers due to the nature of their job or specific situation. Regardless of your responsibilities, refrain from being around fire or areas of likely flareups when over tired and always be sure to have the proper protective equipment.
