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Home Fire Extinguishers

Each year in the UK there are around 60,000 house fires, resulting in the loss of lives and also the devastation that fire brings. It is important to have the right fire safety equipment in your home to help protect your life and the lives of those around you. Even if you do not have an open or wood burning fire, there are numerous other hazards within any house, which may require the arresting powers of a fire extinguisher.

Commercial Fire extinguisher manufacturers classify their products into the following:

Class A

• Usage: Fires involving wood, paper, rubbish, rags or textiles.
• Action: Control the fire by wetting down and cooling down the flames.

Class B

• Usage: Fires involving gases or flammable liquids.
• Action: They cut off the oxygen and reduce flames.

Class C

• Usage: Fires involving electrical equipment and wiring.
• Action: They contain Co2 or a dry chemical as water conducts electricity.

Class D

• Usage: Fires involving combustible metal such as aluminium, sodium, magnesium or zinc.
• Action: These are usually industrial fires and not found in a normal household

Here is a quick guide to help you choose the right fire extinguisher for the right part of your home. If you are in any doubt, we advise that you contact your local fire station for more help and information.

Co2

This type of extinguisher can be used on the widest range of fires in a home. It is ideal for use on textiles, wood, flammable liquids and electrical fires. It cannot be used on fires caused by cooking fats or oils. This is a good device for living areas and garages. The kitchen requires an alternative device such as a fire blanket.

Water

Water fire extinguishers are ideal for putting out fires on furniture and carpets, but are dangerous when used on flammable liquids or cooking fats. Water fire extinguishers are best kept and used in bedrooms and living rooms.

Foam

Foam extinguishers are most effective on woods and flammable liquids, petrol, spirits but not for electrical fires. This type of extinguisher is best kept in the garage or shed where these kinds of products can usually be found.

Fire Blanket

A fire blanket is ideally located on a wall in an easy to reach place in a kitchen. It can stop small pan fires from spreading. They can also be used to smoulder flames if someone has caught their clothes alight.