Fire & Fire Equipment
Classes of Fires: General fires can be classed as 'A', 'B', 'C' or 'Electrical'. Below are the internationally recognised symbols for each of the above classes with a description of the type of fire.
Class 'A' (SOLIDS)
Fires involving combustible solids such as paper, wood, textiles, rubber, plastic etc.
Class 'B' (FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS)
Fires involving flammable liquids such as petrol, oil, paint, solvents etc.
Class 'C' (FLAMMABLE GASES)
Fires involving flammable gases such as propane, butane, acetylene etc.
Electrical
Fire involving live electrical equipment.
In addition Class ‘D’ covers fires involving combustible metals and Class ‘F’ which covers cooking oil fires.
Types of Fire Extinguishers: European Standard BS EN3 specifies that all fire extinguishers are to be coloured RED with a small colour coded panel to indicate its contents.
Water fire extinguishers
• Colour coded red panel
• Suitable for use on Class ‘A’ fires
• May contain additives to improve capability or resistance to electrical hazards
• Not suitable for fires involving live electrical equipment
Foam fire extinguishers
• Colour coded cream panel
• Suitable for use on Class ‘A’ and ‘B’ fires
• Water based foam additive
• Not suitable for fires involving live electrical equipment
Dry Powder fire extinguishers
• Colour coded blue panel
• Suitable for use on Class ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ fires
• Special powders available for ‘D’ class fires
• Can be used on Electrical fires
• Very messy and can damage equipment
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers
• Colour coded black panel
• Suitable for use on Class ‘B’ and Electrical fires
• Harmless to electrical equipment and machinery
• Dangerous to use in confined spaces
Wet Chemical fire extinguishers
• Colour coded canary yellow panel
• Suitable for use on Class ‘F’ fires
• Lance provided for safer use
Fire Blankets
• Suitable for use on small pan fires
Halon fire extinguishers were banned from general use by the Montreal Protocol and as of December 2003 can only be used by certified uses such as the Armed Forces and the Aviation Industry.
If you have any concerns over the quantity, types or serviceability of the fire extinguishers at your workplace then Fire Link would be happy to provide free advice.
