ABC stands for Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie; these are the letters used to designate the different types of fire extinguishers that you may find in your workplace or office building, whether you’re an employee or just visiting.
ABC of Fire Extinguisher represents the classification of fire extinguishers by the type of fires they can put out: A – Ordinary combustibles, C – Electrical equipment, B – Burning liquids and gases, and D – Metal Fires.
Some other workplace safety equipment that you might see includes alarms, sprinklers, fire hoses, and fire blankets. In this article, we will focus on fire extinguishers; What they mean, why they’re important, and how to use them correctly if needed; these are what will be covered in “ABC Of Fire Extinguisher”.
What Is the ABC of Fire Extinguisher
ABC of Fire Extinguisher stands for A, B, and C fire extinguishers. They indicate what type of fire it can be used on.
So let’s have a look at the ABC of Fire Extinguisher in detail:
- A-Type Fire Extinguisher: This is mainly used to put out fires that involve combustible materials like wood, paper, cloth, and rubber.
- B-Type Fire Extinguisher: This is mainly used to put out fires that involve flammable liquids like gasoline, kerosene, and oil.
- C-Type Fire Extinguisher: This is mainly used to put out fires that involve electrical equipment like cables and circuit breakers, as well as live wires themselves.
READ: Class A B C D K Fire Extinguishers
In conclusion, you can use these three types of fire extinguishers as ABC, to put out fires at home.
Class A Fire Extinguisher
Class A fires involve ordinary combustibles, like paper and wood. In general, you can use a water-based fire extinguisher on these types of fires. Be sure to check your extinguisher for signs of damage (even though it was new when you bought it) before using it; class A fire extinguishers have a limited lifespan that’s usually determined by how often they’re used—over time, they begin to lose their effectiveness.
Class B Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers with a Class B rating are effective against flammable liquid fires. These can be fires where cooking liquids, oil, gasoline, kerosene, or paint have become ignited. Two commonly used chemicals are effective in fighting these types of fires.
The core difference between a Class A and a Class B fire is that ‘A fires burn with an open flame, while ‘B fires burn with little or no visible flames present. Many different types of fire extinguishers come under class B, like carbon dioxide and Halon fire extinguishers. Usually, to deal with a solid-burning material, a water extinguisher is used.
When choosing an extinguisher, there are a few things that you should consider. The first thing to consider is the hazard of fire for your business. Many fires require different types of extinguishers. Some companies have classes on what type of fire extinguishers they will be using and which ones to use depending on what kind of fire you are dealing with.
Class C Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers with a Class C rating are suitable for fires in “live” electrical equipment. Both monoammonium phosphate and sodium bicarbonate are commonly used to fight this type of fire because of their nonconductive properties.
Unfortunately, these extinguishers can be toxic to humans; they should be handled only by trained and experienced professionals.
The most important thing to remember when using a Class C fire extinguisher is to stay clear of areas with live electrical equipment. Also, turn off the electricity in advance if possible. If you don’t, you could become electrocuted.
Class ABC Fire Extinguisher
Fire extinguishers are classified according to their firefighting capability. The most common type is the Class ABC Fire Extinguisher, which represents a multi-purpose extinguisher that can be used on different types of fires. It should be noted, though, that not all Fire Extinguishers belong to Class ABC. There are also B Fire Extinguisher, C Fire Extinguisher, and D Fire Extinguisher, among other types.
READ: Halon Fire Extinguisher: How It Works And Its Limitations
This classification system helps determine what type of fire each specific Fire Extinguisher can fight. In general, you need to know what kind of classification your Fire Extinguisher belongs to use it properly.
Fire Extinguisher Use and Instructions
- To use a fire extinguisher, first select an ABC type of fire extinguisher according to the type of fire you need to put out (note: there is no C class). ABC stands for flammable solid, flammable liquid, and electrical. Then, carefully follow these steps:
- Using a fire extinguisher is simple and easy, but very important. First, check that it has been serviced and is in good working order. Only use a fire extinguisher if you know what type of fire it is designed to put out, or if your safety or property may be in danger. Never use water on an electrical fire; ABC extinguishers are highly recommended for electrical fires.
- To pick a suitable fire extinguisher for your needs, check that it is suitable for use on fires and is marked with an international standard that matches your fire type. Then find out where your fire extinguishers are in case of emergencies. You should ideally have one in each room that you spend time in regularly.
- If you need to use a fire extinguisher, ask for help from the fire service. If there is an immediate risk of danger, do not hesitate – press down firmly on your extinguisher’s nozzle and aim it at what is burning. Use short bursts where possible to limit damage.
- Keep in mind that you may be liable if you misuse a fire extinguisher. Always take time to read your extinguisher’s instructions, even if it is an ABC type. If you don’t know how to use one, ask someone with experience, and make sure that they are kept in a place where everyone can see them.
- ABC extinguishers are particularly important for homes with a house fire plan. Most home fires that take place in people’s living rooms or kitchens can be tackled by ABC extinguishers. The same goes for common household items, such as chip pans and wood-burning stoves. Never use an ABC type on fires involving liquids, electrical equipment, or grease unless you are trained to do so by a professional.
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