
What is the best brand of fire extinguisher?
What brand of fire extinguisher is best?
- Best Overall: Amerex B500 Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher at Amazon.
- Runner-Up, Best Overall: Kidde Pro 210 Fire Extinguisher at Amazon.
- Best High-Capacity: Kidde 466204 Pro 10MP Fire Extinguisher at Amazon.
- Best Aerosol: First Alert Tundra Fire Extinguisher Aerosol at Amazon.
What do the B C ratings mean on fire extinguishers?
Thus, a 4A will equal about five gallons of water. The numbers on a B or C rating will indicate the square footage that extinguisher can handle. The letter indicates the type of fire that the fire extinguisher can be used on. For example, a rating of 2B means that the fire extinguisher can be used to combat two square feet of a Class B fire.
What is the best fire extinguisher for a home?
a) Type
- Class A: Paper, wood and cloth fires. The best fire extinguishers for these types of fires are foam or water fire extinguishers.
- Class B: Kerosene, gasoline, cooking oil and other flammable liquid fires. Foam extinguishers are the best for class B fires.
- Class C: Flammable gas fires such as propane and butane. ...
- Electrical fires: A CO2 is the best.
What is the difference between 5BC and 10BC fire extinguisher?
What is the difference between 5BC and 10BC fire extinguisher? In our tests, the 10BC units discharged only a fraction of a second longer than the 5BC, hardly “twice” anything. The 10BC, on average, discharged only 25% more fire suppressant than the 5BC. What is the best size fire extinguisher for home use?

What does 5a 25b mean on a fire extinguisher?
The Class A size rating represents the water equivalency. Each number represents 1 ¼ gallons of water. For instance, 2A means the extinguisher is just as effective as 2 ½ gallons of water. 4A is equivalent to 5 gallons of water. The Class B size rating indicates the square footage the extinguisher can cover.
What does 4 A 20 BC mean?
For example, 4A means the fire extinguisher is as effective as 5 gallons of water. The numbers before B and C are a measure of the amount of square feet the fire extinguisher can put out. For example, a 20:BC fire extinguisher can extinguish a fire over 20 square feet.
What is the difference between a 2A and 3a fire extinguisher?
There is a number rating for fire extinguishers classified for use on type A or B Fires. For Type A fires, a 1 would have the equivalent of 1¼ gallons of water, a 2 would be equivalent to 2½ gallons, 3 would be 3¾ gallons of water, and so forth.
What does 1 A 10 B C mean?
Weight: 2.5 Pounds. Classification: 1A:10B:C. Good for: The smallest fires including those in the home or vehicles. It provides the equivalent of 1.25 gallons of water against Class A fires. The number 10 indicates that the extinguisher fights Class B fires as large as 10 square feet.
What should I look for when buying a fire extinguisher?
Buy only extinguishers that have been listed or certified by a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL, ETL, CSA, and FM Approvals. You'll notice letters on the extinguishers, which indicate the type(s) of fires they can handle.
What's the best fire extinguisher for home use?
Our pick. First Alert PRO5. A fine extinguisher. Easy to handle and effective against all types of common fires, this First Alert model exceeds the minimum recommendations for the home and is easy to find. ... Runner-up. Amerex B402. Almost identical, harder to find. ... Also great. First Alert HOME1. A smaller extinguisher.
What does 4A mean on a fire extinguisher?
5 gal.The A rating is a water equivalency rating. Each A is equivalent to 1-1/4 gallons of water. 4A=5 gal. of water. The B:C rating is equivalent to the area (square footage) that, related to the degree of training and experience of the operator, the extinguisher can cover.
What does 2 A 10 BC mean?
A fire extinguisher that is rated 2A:10 BC means it has a fire fighting capacity equivalent to: 2.5 Gallons of Water and 10 Square Feet for a BC Type Fire.
What does 3 A 40 B C mean?
This 3-A:40-B:C rated fire extinguisher is suitable for light manufacturing, dining area, auto showroom, parking garage and storage areas. Multipurpose Dry Chemical. ULC-rated 3-A:40-B:C. Supplied with wall hook. Suitable for use on fires common to the home and office.
What are the 4 types of fire extinguishers?
There are four classes of fire extinguishers – A, B, C and D – and each class can put out a different type of fire.
What does ABC mean on fire extinguisher?
class A,B,and C firesDry Chemical Extinguishers come in a variety of types. You may see them labeled: • "DC" short for "dry chem" • "ABC" indicating that they are designed to extinguish class A,B,and C fires, or • "BC" indicating that they are designed to extinguish class B and C fires.
How do you read the numbers on a fire extinguisher?
The numbers indicate how much of the fire can be put out by the fire extinguisher. Every number before the A means it is as effective as 1 ¼ gallons of water. For example, 2A means the fire extinguisher is as effective as 2 ½ gallons of water, and so on.
What does BC mean in years?
before ChristStandardized under the Julian and Gregorian calendars, the system spread throughout Europe and the Christian world during the centuries that followed. AD stands for Anno Domini, Latin for “in the year of the Lord”, while BC stands for “before Christ”.
What does BC stand for in dates?
Before ChristB.C. or B.C.E.? Many people use the abbreviations B.C. and A.D. with a year (for example, A.D. 2012). B.C. refers to "Before Christ," and the initials, A.D., stand for Anno Domini, which is Latin for "In the year of our Lord." This system was devised by a monk in the year 525.
What does BC era mean?
Common EraCommon Era / Full name
What does BC and AD stand for?
Anno DominiAnte Christum natum / Full name
What is in a Fire Extinguisher?
Different fire extinguisher types may have some design variations, but they generally feature the same components and operate in similar fashion. T...
What is a Tagged Fire Extinguisher?
Tagged fire extinguishers arrive inspected and tagged so that, in most locales, they can be used immediately upon delivery. They have been tested t...
What is the Difference Between a Rechargeable and Non-Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher?
Rechargeable fire extinguishers are built to be reused. Note that when a rechargeable fire extinguisher is used, it needs to be recharged before go...
How Long Do Fire Extinguishers Last?
Fire extinguishers are generally warranted for somewhere between 5 - 15 years, but be sure to review your model's warranty for specific information.
Where Do You Recharge Fire Extinguishers?
Whether needed as part of regular maintenance or immediately after use, your extinguisher should be recharged by a trained professional from a fire...
How Do You Dispose of Fire Extinguishers?
If the extinguisher is charged, call your local fire department and ask if they take recycled canisters. If not, take the extinguisher to a hazardo...
What is the best extinguisher for a fire?
1. Carbon Dioxide Extinguisher: Suited for electrical fires and flammable liquids. This extinguisher uses CO2 to suffocate the fire. 2. ABC Powder Fire Extinguisher: This extinguisher is multipurpose and uses a fine chemical powder to blanket the fire and remove oxygen.
What is a class A fire extinguisher?
Class A extinguishes fires on typical combustibles like wood, plastic, or paper. Class A, B, and C are ideal for the typical home. Class D and K are better suited for restaurants, manufacturing facilities, or your garage if it doubles as a workshop. Homeowners should look for an ABC extinguisher.
What are the different types of fire extinguishers?
Each extinguisher receives a letter classification to identify the type of fires it’s designed to put out: 1 Class A extinguishes fires on typical combustibles like wood, plastic, or paper 2 Class B extinguishes flammable liquids like gas and oil 3 Class C extinguishes electrical fires 4 Class D extinguishes fire involving metal 5 Class K extinguishes typical kitchen fires involving oil and grease
What is the best fire extinguisher for Class K fires?
3. Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher: This fire extinguisher is ideal for Class K fires involving animal and vegetable fats. This extinguisher uses mist to cool the fire and then covers the area with a solution to prevent fires from reigniting.
How long do fire extinguishers last?
Most fire extinguishers won’t have an expiration date listed. However, most last between 10 to 12 years. Check the manufacturing date listed on the UL nameplate near the classification information. Additionally, you should look at the gauge on the top of the extinguisher at least monthly.
Is it dangerous to use a powder based extinguisher indoors?
Using the wrong type of extinguisher can be dangerous. For example, using a powder-based extinguisher shouldn’t be used indoors as it can cause breathing problems. Alternatively, if you use an extinguisher not designed for electrical fires, you risk being electrocuted.
Where should the needle be on an extinguisher?
Additionally, you should look at the gauge on the top of the extinguisher at least monthly. The needle should be in the green section. You’ll need to replace or recharge any extinguisher that’s been used or has damage to the hose or nozzle.
How big is a fire extinguisher?
Sizes can range from as small as 2.5 lb. to as large as 350 lb. While the largest extinguishers will come with built-in wheels to make transportation manageable, size is always important to consider.
What is a water based fire extinguisher?
Water-Based Fire Extinguishers. Water extinguishers combat Class A fires; water mist extinguishers fight both Class A and C fires. Water serves as the extinguishing agent. Since they don't use chemicals, these extinguishers are often used in libraries, schools, and hospitals.
What is the Difference Between a Rechargeable and Non-Rechargeable Fire Extinguisher?
Rechargeable fire extinguishers are built to be reused. Note that when a rechargeable fire extinguisher is used, it needs to be recharged before going back into service. Fire extinguishers can be recharged by contacting a trained technician at a fire extinguisher servicing company.
How long are fire extinguishers tagged?
They have been tested to ensure that they operate properly and display tags that are valid for 12 months from the date of inspection per the NFPA-10 code. Before purchasing a tagged extinguisher, check your local fire inspection codes to make sure it won't need to be re-tagged to meet the specific guidelines of your county or state.
Why is it important to have a fire extinguisher?
Having a fire extinguisher is crucial to the safety of your restaurant, employees, and customers. It is important that you understand the different types of fire extinguishers as well as the associated components and terminology so you can choose the fire extinguisher that's right for your operation.
What is a class A fire?
Class A Fires. Fueled by organic, combustible materials such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics. These fires pose a risk to restaurants with wood-burning stoves, campgrounds, and other outdoor venues.
What is electrical fire?
Electrical fires involving energized electrical equipment, such as short-circuiting machinery and overloaded electrical cables. These are a danger in breaker rooms, server rooms, or any area with a high volume of electrical equipment.
What are the different types of fire extinguishers?
There are five primary types of fire extinguishers, each designed to put out different kinds of fires. For use with ordinary materials like cloth, wood and paper. Often found in homes and businesses. For use with combustible and flammable liquids like grease, gasoline, oil and oil-based paints. Often found in homes and businesses.
How to release a fire extinguisher?
Pull the pin. Hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you and release the locking mechanism.
What to remove from an extinguisher?
Remove any dust, oil, or grease that might be on the outside of the extinguisher.
Can a fire extinguisher be used on a small fire?
Fire extinguishers can be helpful on a small fire. Consider providing a checklist to help people prepare to use a fire extinguisher on a potential fire.
Can children use fire extinguishers?
If you’re unsure about whether or not it’s safe to use a fire extinguisher, and for all other situations, alert others, leave the building, and call 911 from a mobile or neighbor’s phone. It is not recommended that children use fire extinguishers.
Can you use a fire extinguisher on a neighbor's phone?
It is not recommended that children use fire extinguishers .
How many gallons of water is in a class fire extinguisher?
A = Class A fire and the amount of chemicals/agent in the extinguisher equivalent to the amount of water the extinguisher holds equal to 1.25 gallons of water. The number 6 that precedes the class fire letter A is the number of equivalents. Therefore, the 6A equates to 7.5 gallons of water extinguishing capability (6 x 1.25 = 7.5).
What is the UL fire extinguisher class?
Fire extinguishers are labeled to identify the classes/types of fire (Class A, B, C, D, or K) on which the extinguisher will be effective and the relative fire extinguishing effectiveness or capacity. The UL rating is commonly broken down into Class A and Class B:C ratings.
What does UL stand for in fire extinguishers?
Each of these types of fire extinguishers comes with a UL Rating on its label. UL stands for Underwriters Laboratories, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to public safety. UL performs product testing for evaluation of safety risk and performance values on a vast variety of products and offers third-party certification when certain standards are met. A UL listing on a product means that the product has been tested and determined that it meets UL’s requirements which are based on nationally recognized safety standards.
What does C mean in fire?
C = means agent is non-conductive and could also be used on a Class C fire.
What is a multipurpose fire extinguisher?
Multipurpose Extinguishers. Most portable extinguishers are rated for use with more than one classification of fire. For example, an extinguisher with a BC rating is suitable for use with fires involving flammable liquids and energized electrical equipment.
What are the ABCs of fire extinguishers?
ABCs of Fire Extinguishers. Portable fire extinguishers are classified by the type of fires they are designed to extinguish. There are five basic classifications of fuel and extinguishers, and extinguishers are labeled with either letter-shaped or pictorial symbols that indicate what types of fires they are intended for.
What is the best way to extinguish a combustible metal fire?
The most common method for extinguishing a combustible metal fire is to cover the burning material with a dry powder, such as sand, which will not react with the material. If you store or use combustible metals, contact ...
Can you extinguish a fire with flammable gas?
Note: Do not attempt to extinguish a fire involving flammable gas unless there is reasonable assurance the source of fuel can be promptly shut off. In fact, if the only fuel burning is the leaking gas, the best method for extinguishing the fire is to shut off the fuel supply.
What is the water equivalency of fire extinguishers?
The number next to the letter A ranges can from 1 to 40, which is the water equivalency for extinguishers. The number next to B and C is a measure of square feet of fire the extinguisher can extinguish.
What is UL fire extinguisher?
Each rated fire extinguisher label has a UL rating. Rated fire extinguishers are tested by the Underwriters Laboratory (UL) for safety and performance. The alpha numerical ratings are the UL performance and effectiveness designation, this is another way of saying how effective the extinguisher will be in different types of fires.
What is the yellow powder used in fire extinguishers?
This is a yellow powder that will leave a sticky residue one the fire has been extinguished. These are the most popular style fire extinguisher and represent about 80% of the extinguishers sold. Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Fire Extinguishers are used for Class B and Class C fires.
Can you use water on an electrical fire?
These are Electrical Fires such as appliances, wiring, circuit breakers and outlets. Never use water on an electrical fire due to the risk of electrocution. CO2 fire extinguishers and Dry Chemical Fire Extinguisher are both used for Electrical Equipment Fires. Class D Fire Extinguisher is used for Class D Fires.
Can you use a Class A fire extinguisher on a Class B fire?
Never use a Class A fire extinguisher on flammable liquids or electrical fires as the extinguisher will spread the fire or electrocution could occur. Class B Fire Extinguisher is used for Class B Fires. These are flammable liquid fires including Oils, Gasolines, and paints.
