This blog post is all about fire extinguishers and what they are used for. Fire extinguishers have been around since the early 1900s, but with so many different types available these days it can be difficult to know which one is best suited for your business. In this article we will take a look at three of the most popular classes of fire extinguisher: ABC, BC and C. We’ll also discuss some safety tips to make sure you’re prepared in case of an emergency.
In the event of a fire, there are three classes that each provide unique benefits: ABC, BC and C. The most common type you’ll find in your office is an A-B-C extinguisher because it’s relatively cheap and readily available. So what do these letters represent? Here’s some info on the different types so you can decide which class to purchase for your business and this is a dry powder fire extinguisher.
ABC stands for “Air Blanket Curtain” or “Aqueous Film Forming Foam.” This type of extinguishing agent puts up a blanket before smothering flames with foam; this slows down how quickly heat reaches fuel sources by cutting off oxygen. It also creates water vapor, carbon dioxide gas, and polymers called “aqueous film-forming polymers” or “AFFP.”
BC stands for “Carbon Dioxide.” This is a gas that gets emitted from the canister and puts out fires quickly by smothering them. BC extinguishers are especially helpful in computer rooms because they don’t leave behind any harmful residue, but you’ll need to ventilate before re-entering. It’s also good for grease & flammable liquids such as oils, waxes, and paints thinner.
C stands for “Wet Chemical” which means these agents come with potassium acetate crystals dissolved in water- they’re more effective at putting out Class A flames (which include wood, cloths, paper) than other types of fire.
in a case of a fire you need to make sure you’re wearing the right type of protective equipment- this includes heavy gloves, a helmet with an attached face shield, and heat-resistant clothing.
The most important step is to not panic when you see flames & evacuate quickly. It’s always better to be safe than sorry and call the professionals and let them do their job.
If there is a fire, the best thing you can do is evacuate quickly and call professionals to help.
The second step in combating a fire would be removing any items that are on top of or near an area where flames have been observed but not yet extinguished. Don’t try to move it- just make sure it’s clear and don’t put yourself at risk by trying to clean up after the event. The last step in fighting fires for businesses with commercial kitchens will be shutting off the main gas supply if possible while evacuating everyone from the building until professional responders arrive- this includes turning off all other electric appliances as well. It may also mean closing down dining areas so your guests aren’t exposed to danger unnecessarily before anyone knows the fire has escalated.
The smart choice is to have a fire extinguisher handy at your office, kitchen, or in any other area that could be prone to fires. Be sure you know the type and contents of each fire extinguisher so you can tell whether it will work on an electrical or flammable material- this includes something like food grease as well. Halon systems are effective against live electrical arcs but not gases; dry chemical powders are good for class A liquids (liquid fuels), B solids & C greases while water may be better for some types of metals if there isn’t a danger from electricity arcing out. The National Fire Protection Association recommends having two kinds available: one with red lettering indicating ABC use and another with black indicating that it is for use on electrical fires.
When to Use an Extinguisher: if you see a fire, don’t hesitate – it’s important that you act quickly and decisively in order to put out the fire before too much damage can be done or someone gets hurt. If possible, throw something over the flames so they are smothered while applying your extinguisher; this prevents oxygen from feeding into the flame as well as cooling down some of its surroundings (or at least preventing them from getting hotter). **If your intent is to stop a burning liquid like oil or gasoline which might continue along after being sprayed with foam, spray copious amounts directly on top of it instead- do not soak but make sure there is enough coverage for whatever burns through.