Fire safety is a crucial aspect of any working environment, and having the right firefighting equipment at your disposal can make all the difference. Portable handheld fire extinguishers are life critical pieces of essential equipment that come in various types, each designed to combat specific types of fires. Francis Fire install and provide servicing for several different types of fire extinguishers in and around the county of Cheshire. It’s paramount to understand more about each type of fire extinguisher, their suitability, and what types of fires each extinguisher is designed to combat. In this latest blog post, we will explore five common types of first aid fire fighting fire extinguishers, their applications, and the importance of choosing the right one at the right time. The five types of extinguishers include: –
- Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers
- Foam Fire Extinguishers
- Water Fire Extinguishers
- Powder Fire Extinguishers
- CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Fire Extinguishers
Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers
Wet chemical fire extinguishers are designed to combat Class F Fires, which generally involve cooking oils and fats. These extinguishers typically contain potassium acetate, often with potassium citrate or potassium bicarbonate added. When operated, a wet chemical fire extinguisher creates a fine mist, which initially cools the flames, followed by smothering, and prevents splashing, reducing the chances of fire spreading Suitable for: commercial kitchens, restaurants, hotels, food courts, and catering facilities Etc.
Foam Fire Extinguishers
Foam fire extinguishers are nowadays typically installed for highly effective Class B (contained flammable liquids) first aid firefighting. These extinguishers work by forming a blanket of foam over the fire, initially smothering it, followed by some cooling, and preventing re-ignition. Foam can also be used as a protective barrier for non-involved (not on fire) stored flammable liquids. Foam fire extinguishers are generally installed and readily available in manufacturing and industrial settings. Suitable for: industrial, manufacturing, warehousing, and storage facilities Etc.
Water Fire Extinguishers
Water fire extinguishers are designed for Class A fires involving common combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth. Water fire extinguishers work by cooling the fuel and ensuring it burns at a much slower pace until the fire is fully extinguished. Most premises nowadays have a water fire extinguisher installed, and are often found in premises like retail units, offices, schools, care homes, and hospitals. Suitable for: hospitals, schools, offices, retail stores, warehouses, and community centres Etc.
Powder Fire Extinguishers
Powder fire extinguishers are extremely versatile, suitable for use on Class A (combustible materials), Class B (running flammable liquids), Class C (flammable gases) and Electrical fires. It’s for this reason they’re known as ‘ABC’ dry powder fire extinguishers. This extinguisher provides some smothering but is designed to chemically interfere with the fire triangle, disrupting the source of oxygen. Suitable for: petrol station forecourts, garages, chemical sites, manufacturing, industrial, and multiuse warehouses Etc.
CO2 Fire Extinguishers
A CO2 fire extinguisher contains pure carbon dioxide. It is designed to displace oxygen and suffocate the fire. This type of extinguisher is suitable for Electrical fires and can be used on Class B fires (flammable liquids). With being a clean agent, it’s non-damaging to electrical equipment, machinery, and the area around its use. To note, CO2 is an oxygen depleting gas as such should not be deployed in confined spaces, or areas with poor ventilation, improper use could cause asphyxiation resulting in possible death. Also, improper use of CO2 can cause thermic shock resulting in skin burns, which may cause scarring. Suitable for: electrical machinery, electrical installations, office buildings, manufacturing, educational establishments Etc.
Which Types Of Fire Extinguishers Do I Require?
The types and quantity of first aid fire fighting fire extinguisher(s) required for your premises will depend on several factors such as the site-specific fire risks present in your working environment. Fortunately, Francis Fire, your local family run business, provides the professional expertise required to ensure maximum fire safety and compliance with the latest fire safety regulations. A fire extinguisher site assessment will be conducted, as the first step, to identify what type(s) of fire extinguisher(s) are required, or to confirm your existing provision is correct in-line with British Standards BS5306 Part 8, your up-to-date Fire Risk Assessment, The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 and Fire Safety Act 2022.
Contact Francis Fire
If you’re looking for a Cheshire-based and Google 5-star-rated fire extinguisher company, look no further than Francis Fire. We are BAFE Third Party Accredited and provide extensive fire extinguisher installations, as well as annual servicing, repairs and renewals, including out of hours responses. You can trust in Francis Fire knowing that your fire safety is at the forefront of our priorities and our number one responsibility. Types of organisations and industries we provide local fire extinguisher services for include micro businesses, offices, schools, care homes, dentists, warehouses, factories, manufacturing, industrial and commercial units, local retail shops, and many more. Call your Google 5-star-rated fire extinguisher company today at 01270 361 209 or use our online contact form and we’ll get back to you promptly. We look forward to dealing with your enquiry.
Our Previous Clients: Testimonials
“The engineer Wayne was absolutely amazing, explained everything thoroughly, replaced our extinguishers and went through all health and safety that we needed, can’t recommend him enough!! 5 star service for sure!!” “We recently had our fire extinguishers serviced with Wayne. He was friendly and extremely knowledgable. Highly recommend.”
Further reviews can be found on our testimonials page.