Stop, Drop, Roll and Extinguish - The A,B,C's of Fire Extinguishers

9/19/2018 (Permalink)

Fire extinguishers are a common sight in most houses across the United States as many states have implemented laws requiring each household to have one. What most people don’t know is that there are actually four different classes of fire extinguishers that work to put out different types of fires. It is important to be informed of these different classes in order to purchase the best extinguisher for your own house or apartment.

The classes of extinguishers are labeled as Class A, B, C, and D - each best for putting out a different type of fire.

• Class A extinguishers: best at putting out fires in ordinary combustible materials, such as wood and paper

• Class B extinguishers: best for use on flammable liquids such as gasoline, oil and grease

• Class C extinguishers: best for use only on electrically energized fires

• Class D extinguishers: best for use on flammable metals

Although there are four different classes, most fire extinguishers are sold as a combination of the classes to cover a broader range of fires. Some will be sold as A-B, or even A-B-C. Next time you are at the store shopping for you new extinguisher make sure you keep this information in mind to help you prepare best for any type of fire you may be faced with.

Content provided by: https://www.nationwide.com/fire-extinguisher-safety.jsp