American Safety Zone - Fire Extinguishers

Fire Extinguishers -- Everyone Should Have One

When purchasing a fire extinguisher for your home, there are some things you should know. On this page, we'll explore the different classes of fire extinguishers and the different types of fire extinguishers that are on the market today.

Different Classes of Fire Extinguishers

There are four different classes of fire extinguishers for different kinds of fires, and they are rated Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D. If you're looking for one for your home, you can get a multi-rating fire extinguisher. Here's a breakdown of what each type is for:

Class A - These are for fires caused by ordinary combustibles like paper and wood.
Class B - These are for fires caused by flammable liquids.
Class C - These are for electrical fires.
Class D - These are for flammable metals. You should not need a Class D fire extinguisher in your home.

There are also multi-class fire extinguishers. These are good fire safety products to have in your home because most of them are a combination of Class A and Class B, and some even have those plus Class C.

Different Types of Fire Extinguishers

When we refer to different types of fire extinguishers, we mean the type of chemical that's inside that puts the fire out. Generally, the type of chemical used depends on what caused the fire--was it wood or paper or grease or electricity? Here's an outline of the different types:

Dry chemical - This is what you'll find in most home fire extinguishers because it puts out fires caused by a variety of things.
Halon - These have a gas that stops the reaction when certain types of fuels burn. It also protects electrical equipment because there's no powdery mess to clean up or that can damage equipment.
Water - Obviously this isn't for electrical fires. These should only be used on fires started by paper or wood.
Carbon Dioxide - These work best on fires caused by flammable liquids or electrical fires.

Keep these things in mind when you're buying a fire extinguisher, and as always, make sure you know the rules of fire safety.