| Water is one of the most efficient fire | | | | not held in case of a freeze burn. Some newer |
| extinguisher types. They should only be used on | | | | co2 fire extinguisher types have frost free horns |
| Class A fires including Paper, wood, fabrics, | | | | as an added safety feature. The most frequent |
| furniture, etc. | | | | extinguisher mix for efficient fire fighting is a |
| A water fire extinguisher is solid red in colour with | | | | water or foam alongside a CO2 extinguisher. |
| a hose and nozzle attached, so you can direct a | | | | Dry powder fire extinguishers are the most |
| stream of water at the bottom of the fire. As | | | | flexible fire extinguisher types and are able to |
| water conducts electricity, water fire | | | | extinguish Flammable solids, liquids, gasses and |
| extinguishers shouldn't be used near exposed to | | | | electrical fires. These are often recommended for |
| live electricity cables. Water extinguishers are best | | | | use on vehicles and in the home, but although |
| kept alongside a CO2 extinguisher so the risk of | | | | they are multi purpose, powder fire extinguishers |
| electrical fires is covered in your building. Water | | | | are not recommended for use in enclosed spaces, |
| extinguishers work by extinguishing the flames | | | | or on sensitive electrical equipment if other more |
| and soaking (cooling) the materials in the fire. | | | | suitable types of extinguisher are available. |
| As with water, AFFF foam works on Class A | | | | Powder fire extinguishers can be distinguished by |
| fires but can also extinguish class B / flammable | | | | their blue panel, and work by smothering the fire |
| liquid fires. When sprayed onto a fire, AFFF foam | | | | and preventing re-ignition |
| extinguishes and smothers the flames, then seals | | | | Wet chemical fire extinguishers have been |
| in any dangerous vapours under the surface of | | | | designed specifically for extinguishing deep fat |
| foam. Foam also penetrates porous materials and | | | | cooking fires. (Class F fires). Before the creation |
| cools the fire as the water in the foam | | | | of wet chemical extinguishers, most industrial |
| evaporates. As the foam extinguisher is | | | | kitchens had foam or powder extinguishers, |
| non-conductive and tested to the BS EN3 | | | | however normal fire extinguisher types such as |
| 35,000V dielectric test, they may be used near | | | | these can aggravate a cooking fat fire as they |
| but not on live electrical equipment. Foam fire | | | | cannot lower the temperature of oil risking |
| extinguishers can be distinguished by their cream | | | | re-ignition, and can make hot oil splash up on |
| colour coded panel. | | | | contact with the extinguishing agent. |
| Carbon dioxide or Co2 fire extinguishers are safe | | | | When operated, a wet chemical extinguisher cools |
| to use on electrical fires. The Co2 gas is | | | | the flames and fat, and smothers the hot fat to |
| non-conductive and does not leave a residue | | | | prevent re-ignition. A wet chemical fire |
| behind that will effect the future performance of | | | | extinguisher has a yellow panel on its body and a |
| electrical equipment unlike foam or powder | | | | long lance used to safely distribute the |
| extinguishers. These fire extinguisher types are | | | | extinguishing agent at a distance. This specialist |
| also effective on Class B fires (flammable liquids). | | | | fire extinguisher is not intended for use on |
| Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers are distinguished | | | | electrical equipment, but has passed the BSi 35kv |
| by a black panel on the extinguisher body and by | | | | conductivity test in case inadvertently used. |
| their horn which is to be pointed at the fire but | | | | |