Types of Fire Extinguishers

Fire extinguishers are classified into several types based on the kind of fire they are designed to combat. These classifications are typically found on the label of the extinguisher and determine its suitability for specific fire scenarios.

Water and Foam Extinguishers: These are most effective on Class A fires, which involve ordinary combustibles like wood, paper, and cloth. The water component cools the burning material, while the foam separates the oxygen from the fire.

Carbon Dioxide Extinguishers: These are ideal for Class B fires, which involve flammable liquids such as oils, gasoline, and certain paints, as well as Class C fires involving electrical equipment. Carbon dioxide extinguishes a fire by displacing oxygen and removing the heat with a cold discharge.

Dry Chemical Extinguishers: Dry chemical extinguishers can handle Class A, B, and C fires depending on the type of agent used. These extinguishers work by interrupting the chemical reaction of a fire. ABC dry chemical extinguishers are among the most versatile and common.

Each type of extinguisher has specific instructions for use, generally involving the acronym PASS: Pull the pin, Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, Squeeze the handle, and Sweep the nozzle from side to side covering the area of the fire until extinguished.

Oh man, there’s a bunch of these fire extinguisher types but let me tell ya about the ones I’ve used. So like, you’ve got your basic water extinguishers which are pretty straightforward for stuff like paper or wood. Then there’s this one with foam which is also for similar fires but just makes less mess I guess. The CO2 type is super cool — literally! It’s great for electrical fires or anything with flammable liquids cause it doesn’t leave a residue. And dude, the dry chemical one can tackle pretty much any small fire. Just remember the PASS method: Pull, Aim, Squeeze, and Sweep. Simple and it works, trust me, I’ve had to deal with a couple of minor fires over the years.