How To Choose A Fire Extinguisher For Your House

Fire extinguisher serves as first line battle againstfire. It extinguishes fire by taking away the heat
the fire before fire brigade arrives your house ifelement of the Fire Triangle.iii. Cartridge operated
there is any fire. It is advisable to have at leastdry chemical
two fire extinguishers in your house.This agent works by creating a barrier between
Fire occurs if the following elements exist:the oxygen element and fuel element on Class A
(i) oxygenfire. It is also suitable for use on Class C fire.
(ii) heatIf you choose to use any of the above fire
(iii) fuel andextinguisher, you may achieve cost-effectiveness
(iv) chemical reaction.as it is suitable for both Class A and C fire.
These elements form the Fire Triangle.Other types of fire extinguisher which are suitable
Fire can be extinguished by removing or isolatingonly for one type of fire are:i. Water and foam
any of those elements in the Fire Triangle fromfire extinguisher
the rest.It is only suitable for Class A fire. It extinguishes
There are many types of fire extinguisherfire by taking away the heat element from the
available in the market. It is vital that you use theFire Triangle. It is not suitable for Class C fire
correct fire extinguisher to extinguish a fire. Thewhich involves electrical equipments. You may get
wrong type of fire extinguisher may not be ableelectrocuted because the water is current
to put off the fire and hence not effective. Usingconductor.ii. Carbon dioxide fire extinguisher
incorrect agent can allow the fire to re-ignite afterIt can be used on Class C fire. It operates by
apparently being extinguished successfully.taking away the oxygen element of the Fire
Some suppliers are ignorant about the suitableTriangle and removing heat.iii. Clean agent and
type of fire extinguisher for different householdhalogenated fire extinguisher
use. It is advisable to check the fire extinguisherIt extinguishes Class C fire only. It involves halon
you have in your home.agents and halocarbon agents. The agents
Household useextinguish fire by interrupting the chemical reaction
Normally a fire in a house occurs on wood, paper,of the Fire Triangle.
cloth, plastic etc. This type of fire is known asFor kitchen involving Class K fire, you need to use
Class A fire.wet chemical fire extinguisher. It operates by
Fire also quite often occurs in the kitchen involvingremoving the heat element of the Fire Triangle
cooking oil and grease like animal fats andand prevents re-ignition by creating a barrier
vegetable fats. This is Class K fire.between the oxygen and fuel elements. This type
Sometimes, fire also occurs at electricalof fire extinguisher can be used on Class C fire as
equipments like motor, transformer andwell.
appliances. This type of fire is called Class C fire.In conclusion, you need to have 2 fire
Recommendationextinguishers i.e. one for Class A and C fire and
The suitable fire extinguisher for household usethe other for Class K fire in the kitchen.
are:-i. Dry chemical fire extinguisherTips
It is effective on Class A and Class C fire. ItFire extinguisher must be maintained in
extinguishes fire primarily by interrupting theaccordance with the relevant local regulations. In
chemical reaction of the Fire Triangle. It works byMalaysia, fire extinguisher has to be maintained by
creating a barrier between oxygen and fuelthe supplier once per year and examined by the
elements of Class A fire.ii. Water mistFire Brigade Department. The Fire Brigade will
This type of fire extinguisher is primarily for Classissue a Fire Brigade Certificate upon completion of
A fire although they are safer for use on Class Cexamination and compliance with its regulations.