Key Takeaways:
- Fire extinguishers are classified by the types of fires they can put out: A, B, C, D, or K.
- Fire extinguishers also have size ratings that indicate how much extinguishing agent they contain and how large of a fire they can handle.
- The size of a fire extinguisher is usually measured by the weight of the agent in pounds, ranging from 2.5 to 350 lb.
- The size rating of a fire extinguisher is expressed as a combination of numbers and letters, such as 2-A:10B:C or 10-A:80B:C.
- The number before A indicates the water equivalency of the agent, the number before B indicates the area in square feet that the extinguisher can cover, and the letter C indicates that the extinguisher can be used on electrical fires.
- To choose the right size fire extinguisher for your home or business, you need to consider the type and size of the potential fires, the location and accessibility of the extinguisher, and your ability to carry and operate it.
What are the Different Types of Fire Extinguishers?
Fire extinguishers are designed to fight different types of fires, depending on the fuel source. There are five main classes of fire extinguishers:
- Class A fire extinguishers are for fires fueled by ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, paper, cloth, and plastic. They use water or dry chemical agents to cool down and smother the fire.
- Class B fire extinguishers are for fires fueled by flammable liquids and gases, such as gasoline, oil, paint, propane, and alcohol. They use carbon dioxide, dry chemical, or foam agents to displace oxygen and starve the fire.
- Class C fire extinguishers are for electrical fires involving live wires, appliances, computers, and other equipment. They use non-conductive agents, such as carbon dioxide or dry chemical, to interrupt the electrical current and prevent shock hazards.
- Class D fire extinguishers are for fires fueled by combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, sodium, and potassium. They use specialized dry powder agents to smother and isolate the fire.
- Class K fire extinguishers are for fires fueled by cooking oils and fats, such as vegetable oil, animal fat, and grease. They use wet chemical agents to cool down and form a layer over the burning oil.
Some fire extinguishers can be used on more than one class of fire. For example, an ABC fire extinguisher can be used on class A, B, and C fires. A BC fire extinguisher can be used on class B and C fires. A CO2 fire extinguisher can be used on class B and C fires. A Halotron fire extinguisher can be used on class A, B, and C fires.
What are the Different Sizes of Fire Extinguishers?
The size of a fire extinguisher indicates how much extinguishing agent it contains and how large of a fire it can handle. The size is usually measured by the weight of the agent in pounds (lb), ranging from 2.5 to 350 lb. The larger the size, the more effective the extinguisher is at putting out a fire.
The size rating of a fire extinguisher is expressed as a combination of numbers and letters that correspond to the classes of fire it can fight. For example:
- A 2-A:10B:C fire extinguisher weighs 4 lb and can be used on class A, B, and C fires.
- A 3-A:40B:C fire extinguisher weighs 5 lb and can be used on class A, B, and C fires.
- A 4-A:60B:C fire extinguisher weighs 10 lb and can be used on class A, B, and C fires.
- A 10-A:80B:C fire extinguisher weighs 20 lb and can be used on class A, B, and C fires.
The numbers before A and B indicate how much fire-fighting power the extinguisher has for each class of fire. The higher the numbers, the larger the fire that can be extinguished.
The number before A indicates the water equivalency of the agent. For example:
- A 1-A rating means that the agent has the same effect as 1.25 gallons of water.
- A 2-A rating means that the agent has the same effect as 2.5 gallons of water.
- A 3-A rating means that the agent has the same effect as 3.75 gallons of water.
- A 4-A rating means that the agent has the same effect as 5 gallons of water.
The number before B indicates the area in square feet that the extinguisher can cover. For example:
- A 10-B rating means that the extinguisher can cover 10 square feet of fire.
- A 20-B rating means that the extinguisher can cover 20 square feet of fire.
- A 40-B rating means that the extinguisher can cover 40 square feet of fire.
- A 80-B rating means that the extinguisher can cover 80 square feet of fire.
The letter C indicates that the extinguisher can be used on electrical fires. There is no numeric rating for class C fires, because the size of the fire depends on the voltage and amperage of the electrical source.
There are no separate size ratings for class D and K fire extinguishers, because they are specialized for specific types of fires. Class D fire extinguishers are usually rated by the type of metal they can extinguish, such as D-Mg for magnesium or D-Na for sodium. Class K fire extinguishers are usually rated by the cooking appliance they can protect, such as K-1 for deep fat fryers or K-2 for griddles.
How to Select the Right Size Fire Extinguisher for Your Needs?
To choose the right size fire extinguisher for your home or business, you need to consider several factors, such as:
- The type and size of the potential fires. You should select a fire extinguisher that matches the classes of fire that are most likely to occur in your location. For example, if you have a kitchen, you should have a class K fire extinguisher. If you have a garage, you should have a class B fire extinguisher. If you have an office, you should have a class C fire extinguisher. You should also select a fire extinguisher that has enough size rating to handle the largest possible fire in your location. For example, if you have a large warehouse, you should have a larger fire extinguisher than if you have a small closet.
- The location and accessibility of the fire extinguisher. You should place your fire extinguisher in a visible and reachable location, near the exit and away from potential fire hazards. You should also have enough fire extinguishers to cover all areas of your location. For example, if you have multiple floors, you should have at least one fire extinguisher on each floor. If you have multiple rooms, you should have at least one fire extinguisher in each room.
- Your ability to carry and operate the fire extinguisher. You should select a fire extinguisher that is light enough for you to carry and maneuver easily. You should also be familiar with how to use your fire extinguisher properly. You should follow the PASS method: Pull the pin, Aim at the base of the fire, Squeeze the lever, and Sweep from side to side.
Fire Extinguisher Size Comparison Chart
The following table shows some common types and sizes of fire extinguishers and their corresponding weights and ratings.
| Type | Size (lb) | Weight (lb) | Rating | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ABC | 2.5 | 5 | 1-A:10B:C | A, B, C |
| ABC | 4 | 7 | 2-A:10B:C | A, B, C |
| ABC | 5 | 9 | 3-A:40B:C | A, B, C |
| ABC | 10 | 19 | 4-A:60B:C | A, B, C |
| ABC | 20 | 35 | 10-A:80B:C | A, B, C |
| BC | 2.5 | 6 | N/A:5B:C | B, C |
| BC | 5 | 10 | N/A:10B:C | B, C |
| BC | 10 | 17 | N/A:20B:C | B, C |
| BC | 20 | 33 | N/A:40B:C | B, C |
| CO2 | 5 | 14 | N/A:5B:C | B, C |
| CO2 | 10 | 23 | N/A:10B:C | B, C |
| CO2 | 15 | 34 | N/A:15B:C | B, C |
| CO2 | 20 | 44 | N/A:20B:C | B, C |
| Halotron I*¹²³⁴⁵ |
*Halotron I is a clean agent that leaves no residue and is safe for electronics.
| Type (Halotron I) | Size (lb) | Weight (lb) | Rating | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Halotron I | 2.5 | 5.5 | 1-A:10B:C | A, B, C |
| Halotron I | 5 | 9 | 2-A:10B:C | A, B, C |
| Halotron I | 11 | 19.5 | 2-A:20B:C | A, B, C |
| Halotron I | 15.5 | 28.5 | 2-A:30B:C | A, B, C |
How to Use a Fire Extinguisher Safely and Effectively?
Knowing how to use a fire extinguisher properly can save lives and property. Here are some tips on how to use a fire extinguisher safely and effectively:
- Before using a fire extinguisher, make sure that you have a clear escape route and that the fire is small and contained. If the fire is too large or spreading, evacuate the area and call the fire department.
- Check the label of the fire extinguisher to make sure that it is suitable for the type of fire you are facing. Do not use a water-based fire extinguisher on electrical or grease fires, as it can make the fire worse.
- Hold the fire extinguisher upright and pull the pin to break the seal. Aim the nozzle at the base of the fire, not at the flames.
- Squeeze the lever to release the extinguishing agent. Sweep the nozzle from side to side until the fire is out or the extinguisher is empty.
- Keep a safe distance from the fire and watch for any signs of re-ignition. If the fire re-ignites, use another fire extinguisher or evacuate the area.
Conclusion
Fire extinguishers are essential tools for preventing and controlling fires in homes and businesses. However, not all fire extinguishers are the same. They have different types and sizes that correspond to the classes of fire they can fight and the amount of fire-fighting power they have. To choose the right size fire extinguisher for your needs, you need to consider the type and size of the potential fires, the location and accessibility of the extinguisher, and your ability to carry and operate it. You also need to know how to use a fire extinguisher safely and effectively in case of an emergency.
I hope this article has helped you understand more about fire extinguisher size comparison and how to select the best one for your needs. Thank you for reading! 😊
