Fire extinguishers are a vital piece of equipment, able to stop a fire in its tracks or at least prevent the fire from spreading, buying people nearby vital time to get to safety.
Most of us think of a typical fire extinguisher as being red like the reliable P50 fire extinguishers from https://www.lsfiresolutions.co.uk/fire-extinguishers/ecoextinguishers/p50, but have you noticed that each fire extinguisher sports one of five colours at its top? Let’s have a look at the different types and when they should be used.
Water fire extinguishers
The most commonly found fire extinguishers are red and contain water. These are safe for putting out fires involving combustible materials, such as wood, paper or fabric. As you’d expect, they’re not to be used on electrical fires or flammable liquids, where it would definitely make matters worse. All businesses should have a water fire extinguisher, and should undertake a fire risk assessment to identify any specific risk areas to ascertain whether any additional fire extinguishers are needed, according to experts at Envesca.
Foam and Wet Chemical Extinguishers
A foam fire extinguisher has a cream label. Similarly to water based extinguishers, it can be used on combustible materials, but also on flammable liquids. This isn’t safe for electrical fires either. A wet chemical extinguisher, with yellow labelling, can be used for combustible materials fires and oil-based fires. It shouldn’t be used for electrical fires or flammable liquids.
Powder and CO2 Fire extinguishers
There are also two more types of fire extinguisher: powder – with a blue label, and CO2, with a black label. CO2 fire extinguishers are not safe for combustible materials fires, but they work effectively on flammable liquid fires and electrical fires. They shouldn’t be used in a confined space, since they can cause serious breathing difficulties to anyone who is in the vicinity.
Powder fire extinguishers are safe for use on all types of fires, including combustible materials, flammable liquid fires and electrical fires. Unlike most of the others, powder is also suitable and effective for putting out gaseous fires.
