Fire extinguishers are often forgotten until needed, like most emergency and safety tools. They are essential for any building, whether commercial, industrial, or residential; no place won’t need a fire extinguisher. There are a lot of types of fire extinguishers and brands. In the following article, we will be discussing the different fire extinguisher types, their top brands, and the correct way to use them.
There are several fire extinguisher types, but the most common ones are around five types of extinguishers; we will be talking about their specifications and uses. However, before we talk about different types of extinguishers, we need to talk about the classes of fire and how different classes require different measures and types of extinguishers.
What Are the Types of Classes of Fire?
There are different types of fire categorised into A, B, C, D, and K. The first type or Type A, is made when ordinary combustible materials like paper, wood, trash, or cloth burn.
The second type (Class B) is made from flammable liquids like oil, alcohol, and gasoline or flammable gases similar to propane, butane, and methane.
The third type (Class C) is made from electrical equipment like air conditioning, fridges, or circuit breakers. It is ignited usually due to an electrical fault, overheating, or a blown fuse.
The fourth type (Class D) is made from combustible metals similar to magnesium, sodium, or titanium. They can be ignited because of a reactive element.
The fifth type (Class K) is made from commercial cooking equipment or oils, like animal fats, vegetable fats, or greases.
What are the Different Fire Extinguisher Types?
After understanding the different classes of fires, we can explore the different types of fire extinguishers and which type can be used with which fire class.
Dry Powder Extinguisher
The dry powder extinguisher is the most common extinguisher used. This is due to the fact that they work on three classes of fire. They can be portable or mobile extinguishers.
Contents: monoammonium phosphate, sodium bicarbonate, or potassium bicarbonate.
Usage: The dry powder helps interrupt the chemical reaction and smother the fire.
Best for: They are best for fire classes A, B, and C.
Foam Extinguisher
Although it looks similar to a powder extinguisher, this one is a water-based one. It cannot be used with Class C fires that are ignited because of electrical equipment.
Contents: Aqueous Film Forming Foam (AFFF)
Usage: The water-base foam forms a thick blanket that covers the fire, preventing oxygen from reaching the burning material.
Best for: They are best for fire classes A and B.
Water Extinguishers
This type of extinguisher has a lot of limitations because you can not use it with electrical fires or flammable fires Classes B & C. However, they are environmentally friendly as they leave no residue after they extinguish the fire.
Contents: Water
Usage: They cool the burning material below its ignition point, helping to stop the fire.
Best for: They are best for fire classes A and C
Water Mist Extinguishers
Although this extinguisher’s base is also water. However, deionized water doesn’t conduct electricity and can be used with electrical fire. They are environmentally friendly and leave no residue.
Contents: Deionized water
Usage: They produce a fine mist that cools the fire and reduces the oxygen supply.
Best for: They are best for fire classes A.
CO2 (Carbon Dioxide) Extinguishers
This type is environmentally friendly as well and leaves no residue. They are high-maintenance and need regular check-ups.
Contents: Carbon dioxide gas
Usage: The CO2 displaces the oxygen around the fire and cools the fuel, which helps extinguish the flames.
Best for: They are best for fire classes B and C.
The Different Designs of the Fire Extinguishers:
Cylinder Shape
This is the most used and known shape for the fire extinguishers. The portable cylinder-shape
Wheeled Extinguishers or Mobile Extinguishers
They are very similar to the previous one but they have wheels to facilitate transportation in emergencies.
Automatic Extinguishers
Similar to sprinklers, this type is used when it detects a fire it releases the extinguishing agents.
What Are the Top Brands of Fire Extinguishers in Saudi Arabia?
There are many great brands for fire extinguishers in Saudi Arabia; however, these are the top three brands that produce high-quality, top-tier products.
SFFECO
This factory has been operating since 1983. They have decades of experience producing high-quality fire extinguishers and designing new revolutionary models. All their products are SASO-approved.
RAKME
This brand has over 21 years of experience in providing top-notch fire extinguishers. They have a well-earned reputation in the manufacturing industry.
KANEX
Kanex has been producing fire extinguishers for over 2 decades and they are very well known in the Saudi market for producing high-quality products.
FAQs:
What is the ABCD Type of Fire Extinguisher?
As mentioned before, the dry powder extinguishers can cover classes A, B, and C. However, this type doesn’t work with class D as well. Fire Class D is ignited by combustible metals and this type requires another type of extinguisher like Metal fire extinguisher.
What does PASS stand for?
PASS is an acronym used to explain how to use a fire extinguisher Pass, Aim, Squeeze the sweep.
Conclusion
Fire extinguishers are a necessity for any building or construction project. El-Buroj, as a project supplier, can provide any project with the needed fire extinguishers. Whether they are dry powder, water, foam, or water. You can easily request any fire extinguisher type through our WhatsApp services.