To ensure the safety of staff, customers and visitors, fire extinguishers are mandatory in business premises and public spaces. If you want to buy a fire extinguisher for your premises, you need to take a number of things into account. There are different types of fire extinguishers, each with their own specific characteristics. Which fire extinguisher is suitable for your environment depends on a number of factors. To help you on your way, we have created an overview of the different types of fire extinguishers and their purposes.
These are the different types of fire extinguishers
Fire extinguishers come in different shapes and sizes. Unfortunately, not every type of fire extinguisher is suitable for extinguishing every fire. Fires are categorized into fire classes (class A to F), based on the fire causes and flammable materials present. If you want to purchase a suitable fire extinguisher, you must determine whether it can extinguish the flammable materials present in the building.
Below you will find an overview of the most commonly used fire extinguishers.
CO2 fire extinguisher
A CO2 fire extinguisher extinguishes a fire with CO2 gas (carbon dioxide). The gas comes out of the extinguisher with great force, takes away the oxygen around the fire and dissolves in the air. The great advantage of CO2 is that the gas leaves no residue and therefore does not cause any extinguishing damage. This makes the CO2 fire extinguisher the designated extinguisher in environments with sensitive or valuable items, such as electronic equipment.
A CO2 fire extinguisher is suitable for the following fire classes:
- Fire class B: liquid fires (such as petrol, oil, acetone and fats)
- Fire class E: fires in live equipment (no longer an official class)
Powder fire extinguisher
One of the most commonly used fire extinguishers in public buildings and business premises is the powder extinguisher . And that is not so strange. The powder extinguisher can be used for the most common fires, such as liquid fires, solid fires and gas fires. The fire extinguisher is filled with a powder extinguishing agent and extinguishes the fire by keeping the fuel and oxygen separate. A disadvantage of this type of fire extinguisher is the collateral damage that the powder can cause to electrical equipment. In addition, the powder left behind must be cleaned up with an industrial vacuum cleaner.
There are different types of powder fire extinguishers for the different fire classes:
- ABC powder extinguisher: suitable for solid, liquid and gas fires
- D powder extinguisher: suitable for metal fires
Foam extinguisher
Less widely applicable than the powder extinguisher, but no less effective is the foam extinguisher . A foam extinguisher works on the basis of water and a foam-forming extinguishing agent and is able to extinguish solid and liquid fires. In solid fires, the water cools the seat of the fire. The vapour that is then created takes away the oxygen. In liquid fires, the foam-forming agent forms a suffocating layer over the seat of the fire.
A foam extinguisher can be used in offices, school buildings and homes, among other places, and is therefore suitable for the following fire classes:
- A (solid fuel fires)
- B (liquid fires).
- Some foam extinguishers are also suitable for fires with fire class F (oil and grease fires).
Should the fire extinguisher be able to extinguish an electrical fire? Then use a spray foam extinguisher. This is a foam extinguisher that atomizes the extinguishing agent, which makes conduction of electricity impossible.
Fire hose reel
Water is suitable for extinguishing or slowing down many incipient fires. A fire hose reel therefore offers a solution in various buildings. The extinguisher is connected to the water mains and can therefore be used without restriction – in contrast to other types of fire extinguishers. In addition to the inexhaustible supply of water, the user-friendly operation is a major advantage of a fire hose reel.
Water is only recommended for extinguishing solids such as wood, textiles, paper and rubber. A fire hose reel is therefore only suitable for class A fires.
Other extinguishing agents
Did you know that, in addition to the different types of fire extinguishers, there are more extinguishing agents? For example, you can also increase fire safety in your building with fire blankets .
Fire blankets
Fire blankets, also called fire blankets, are blankets made of (virtually) non-flammable material. When a fire blanket is placed over a starting fire, the oxygen supply is stopped and the fire is extinguished. A fire blanket cannot extinguish large fires, but is suitable for small fires and can be placed around a burning person. The blanket is lightweight, easy to use and does not cause any damage. This makes it, possibly in combination with a fire extinguisher, the ideal means of increasing fire safety in a room.
Is checking a fire extinguisher mandatory?
The different types of fire extinguishers therefore play an important role in the fire safety of a building. Unfortunately, fire extinguishers and fire hose reels can become damaged and lose their effectiveness. If a fire extinguisher does not function properly, this can have major consequences. It is therefore wise to regularly check a fire extinguisher. In fact, a periodic inspection is even mandatory. Fire extinguishers must be subject to an inspection at least once every two years and fire hose reels must even be checked annually. Is a fire extinguisher not ready for use? Then you risk a hefty fine.
You can outsource the inspection of a fire extinguisher to the professionals of ESE International. When you conclude a service contract, our REOB/VEBON certified service employees will come by to check all fire extinguishers professionally and according to the legal NEN standards.
Read more about fire extinguisher maintenance .
Want to know more?
Want to know more about the different types of fire extinguishers or do you have a BHV question? Then contact the specialists at ESE International. Want to buy a fire extinguisher for your building? Then take a look at our webshop.