Did you know that there are different types of fire extinguishers, and each type is designed to extinguish specific classes of fires? They can be confusing, so we’ve put together a handy guide to the main five types of fire extinguishers here in the UK and the types of fires they are designed to extinguish.
- Water fire extinguishers: Safe to use on ordinary combustible fires (such as wood, paper, textiles etc).
- Powder fire extinguishers: Safe to use on ordinary combustible fires, plus flammable liquid fires (such as gasoline, oil, or grease), gaseous fires and electrical fires (such as motors, appliances, or tools).
- CO2 fire extinguishers: Safe to use on flammable liquid fires and electrical fires.
- Foam fire extinguishers: Safe to use on ordinary combustibles fires and flammable liquid fires.
- Fire Blanket: Used to smother files, these are safe to use for chip pan, fryer and waste bin fires. They are also designed to wrap around someone whose clothes are burning.
- Wet Chemical fire extinguishers: Safe to use on ordinary combustibles fires, plus extinguishing fires involving cooking oils and fats, such as those in commercial kitchens.
It is important to use the right type of fire extinguisher for the type of fire you are dealing with, as using the wrong type can be ineffective or even dangerous. If you are unsure about what type of fire extinguisher to use, it is best to evacuate the area and call the fire department for assistance.
If you’d like to understand what to do in a fire, or if you have specific fire wardens / marshal obligations, our QA Level 2 Award in Fire Safety (RFQ) could be the course you need. We teach you an understanding of fire safety management at work and the specific roles and responsibilities related to fire safety in the workplace.
For more information about the courses we offer, please check out our website.
Please contact us on 01793 975353 or david.gearon@keyperformancetraining.co.uk for more information or to book a place on our next course – running on Tuesday 23rd May 2023.
