Fire Extinguisher Ratings

 


Fire Extinguisher Ratings




Fire extinguishers are often the first line of defense when it comes to stopping fires while they are still small.

A key component of successfully using an extinguisher is ensuring the type of extinguisher is a match for the type of fire.

There is the risk of spreading a fire if you use the wrong extinguisher, this is one of the reasons we only recommend that only those who are trained use extinguishers.

Numerical fire ratings on fire extinguishers are standardized and help users select the appropriate extinguisher for specific fire hazards.

Here's how numerical ratings typically work for different classes of fires:









Class A

Class A fires are those that involve ordinary combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.

So, when you see a fire extinguisher with a class A rating then you know it can safely put out a fire made of ordinary combustibles.

The numerical rating for Class A fires indicates the equivalent extinguishing capability in terms of water.

For example: A 2A rating means the extinguisher has the equivalent extinguishing power of 2.5 gallons of water.

A 4A rating would indicate it has the equivalent power of 5 gallons of water. Higher numbers signify greater effectiveness against Class A fires.

Example: A fire extinguisher with a 3A rating can effectively extinguish a fire involving ordinary combustibles, such as wood or paper, with the power equivalent of 3.75 gallons of water.


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Class B

Extinguishers with a Class B rating are designed to be used on fires that involve flammable liquids and gases (think oil-based paint, alcohol, gasoline etc.).

Class B rated extinguishers also have a number associated with them.
The numerical rating for Class B fires indicates the coverage area in square feet that the extinguisher can effectively cover.

For instance:
A 10B rating means the extinguisher can cover a flammable liquid fire of up to 10 square feet.

A 20B rating would indicate it can cover a larger area, up to 20 square feet. Higher numbers denote greater coverage area for Class B fires.

Example: A fire extinguisher with a 20B rating can effectively cover a Class B fire involving flammable liquids over an area of up to 20 square feet.






Class C

Class C rated extinguishers can put out fires that involve energized electrical equipment.

There are no numerical components for Class C ratings of extinguishers, we only care about the conductivity of the fire extinguisher.
Class C extinguishers are not assigned numerical ratings because they are designed to be non-conductive and safe to use on fires involving energized electrical equipment.

They typically carry a "C" designation. Example: A fire extinguisher labeled as "10ABC" means it is suitable for Class A, B, and C fires.

It has a 10B rating for flammable liquids and gases, and the "C" designation indicates it is safe for use on energized electrical equipment.






Class D

Fires that involve combustible metals, such as magnesium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.

There are no numbers associated with the Class D ratings of extinguishers.
Class D extinguishers are rated based on their effectiveness against specific types of combustible metals, such as magnesium or sodium.

Example: A Class D fire extinguisher rated for magnesium fires might be labeled as "D-Mg", indicating it is specifically designed to extinguish fires involving magnesium.




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Class K
Class K extinguishers are used on fires that involve cooking appliances that use cooking oils and fats (think deep fat fryer).

There are no numerical components for Class K ratings because they are only tested on a single size fire source.

This is tested by lighting a deep fat fryer fire and extinguishing it without any splashing of the oil or reignition.

For more information on requirements related to portable fire extinguishers, check out NFPA 10, Standard for Portable Fire Extinguishers.


Understanding these numerical ratings is crucial for selecting the right type and size of fire extinguisher to effectively combat specific fire hazards in different environments.

Regular maintenance and training in the use of fire extinguishers are also essential for their proper functioning during emergencies.


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