Types of Portable Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers in Orlando & Central FL

If a fire starts in your building, one of the best ways to minimize damage is to arm your employees with the proper type of fire extinguishers. Do you know which ones are appropriate for your business?

Learn more about portable fire extinguishers here. Then, call United Fire Protection at 407-218-8348 to arrange fire extinguisher installation at your Central Florida business.

Fire Classifications

The Underwriters’ Laboratories (UL) classifies fire extinguishers based on the type of fire they put out. These classifications include:

• Class A: Wood, paper, textiles, and some types of plastic are considered “ordinary combustibles.” When these ignite, it’s considered a Class A fire.
• Class B: When flammable liquids burn—including oil, gasoline, and kerosene—it’s called a Class B fire.
• Class C: No matter what combustibles are burning, any fire that involves live electrical wiring is classified as a Class C fire.
• Class D: Combustible metal fires—which can occur in industrial settings with high amounts of magnesium, titanium, sodium, and other volatile metals—are known as Class D fires.
• Class K: Blazes that occur in the kitchen as a result of flammable grease, oil, or fat are called Class K fires.

Types of Fire Extinguishers

Once you understand the five different classes of fire, you can start shopping for the right portable fire extinguishers for your needs. Various extinguishing agents are used to fight fires, but the most important thing is to find the class rating labeled on the cylinder.

Here’s a breakdown of the five types of extinguishers we sell and install, along with how you should use them.

• ABC fire extinguishers: Monoammonium phosphate is the extinguishing agent used in multipurpose extinguishers, which are capable of extinguishing Class A, B, and C fires. They work by insulating and smothering the flames to separate them from the oxygen in the air and break the chain reaction required for them to burn. Monoammonium phosphate is also non-conductive, making it safe to use when electricity is involved.
• CO2 fire extinguishers: Carbon dioxide is appropriate for fighting fires in rooms with delicate electrical equipment because it leaves no corrosive residue behind. CO2 extinguishers can douse burning petrol and oil. This makes them suitable for Class B and C fires. However, make sure to never use CO2 on cooking fires. The fast discharge of extinguishing agent has the potential to splatter burning grease and exacerbate the situation.
• Wet chemical fire extinguishers: Wet chemicals are designed to tackle Class K fires in commercial kitchens. They work by smothering and cooling flammable cooking grease to prevent re-flashing. You can also use wet chemical extinguishers to fight Class A fires that break out in the kitchen.
• Halon fire extinguishers: Halon is rated for Class B and C fires, but it’s also effective against Class A fires. Because of the ozone-depleting effects of Halon, production of this extinguishing agent ended with the Clean Air Act of 1994. However, stockpiles remain, allowing for the sale and use of extinguishers charged with recycled Halon.
• Halotron fire extinguishers: This halogenated clean agent is similar to Halon, but it has been approved as environmentally acceptable by the EPA. Different types of Halotron extinguishers are rated for either Class A, B, and C fires or Class B and C fires.

Install Portable Fire Extinguishers in Central Florida

This guide should give you an idea of which portable fire extinguishers are appropriate for your business. Whether you still have questions about fire extinguishers or you’re ready to place your order, please contact United Fire Protection today. We have over two decades of experience delivering quality fire protection services to customers in the Orlando metro area.

Our Service Area: Altamonte Springs, Apopka, Casselberry, DeBary, DeLand, Deltona, Kissimmee, Lake Mary, Lakeland, Longwood, Maitland, Orange City, Orlando, Oviedo, Sanford, St. Cloud, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Winter Park, Winter Springs, and the surrounding areas.