Did you know that, according to data from the Fire Industry Association (FIA), in 2021 93% of fires in the UK were successfully tackled using portable extinguishers? Even more impressively, this was an increase from 80% in 2003. If people have the right equipment and training, they can extinguish many fires effectively without relying on the fire services. However, there can be some problems with the first part of this because there are so many different types of fire and extinguishers. We want to have a closer look at it here, then if you want reliable fire extinguisher service & supply in Saltburn, you can rely on us.
Types of fire
One of the most important things in ensuring you can extinguish fires successfully is understanding the different types. They can fall into one of six categories depending on the type of substances that are burning.
- The first type is Class A. They involve carbon based solids, so things like paper, wood, and textiles.
- Secondly is Class B. These involve flammable liquids, commonly fuels like petrol, paraffin, and oil.
- Next up is Class C. The substances here are flammable gases, such as methane and propane.
- Then we have Class D. The causes here are burning metals, common examples including aluminium and highly flammable magnesium.
- Next we have a really interesting category. Some refer to them as Class E, but generally the indication is an electrical symbol. Any piece of electrical equipment falls into this category.
- Finally, we have Class F. The causes are fats and cooking oils, making them one of the hardest to tackle.
Types of extinguisher
Because the sources of the fires and their nature can differ massively, we need different extinguishers to tackle them safely. There are currently five main types, categorised by what they use to tackle fire. If you need fire extinguisher service & supply in Saltburn, we’ll ensure you have the right types for every area in a property.
The first type of extinguisher is the simplest and just contains water. You can identify them by the red label. There are actually a few different variations here depending on how they deliver the water. Some have a spray nozzle to release a stream of water. Others have nozzles to create a higher pressure jet. Newer models have nozzles that create a mist. Generally water extinguishers are only safe to use on Class A fires. However, mist models may work on B, C and F too.
Next we have foam extinguishers, identifiable by a cream label. You can use them to tackle Class A and B fires, as well as some electrical ones. However, we won’t see them for too much longer. A ban is due to come in on 4th July 2025 because of environmental and health concerns arising from some of the chemicals.
The third type is dry powder, with a blue identification label. They are specialist models, best for Class D fires. You can also use them on Classes A, B, and C. The downside is they don’t provide any kind of cooling effect, so reignition can be an issue.
Next we have black label CO2 extinguishers. They are notable because they use carbon dioxide to displace oxygen and suffocate fires. You can use them for flammable liquids and electrical fires. In fact, they are typically best for electronics because they don’t cause damage to circuits. You have to be very careful when using them though, especially in confined spaces.
Finally we have wet chemical extinguishers with their yellow label. They use an alkali and water solution, spraying it as a fine mist. They are the most common type of extinguisher for Class F fires because they prevent oil and fat from splashing, stopping the fire from spreading.
Talk to us about fire extinguisher service & supply in Saltburn
ABC Fire Safety & Security is a knowledgeable company with a team of credited experts. We work to ensure that every client can make sure their properties are safer in the event of a fire. For example, we can offer risk assessments, fire door inspections, and more. We also supply and service extinguishers, ensuring you have the right type in the right locations for the respective type of fire that could occur.
So, if you want the best fire extinguisher service & supply in Saltburn, talk to us. We work with all kinds of businesses, as well as landlords with HMOs and commercial portfolios.
