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Domestic Fire Extinguishers (UK)
There are mainly four types of fire extinguisher which are suitable for use.
* Water
* Foam
* Dry Powder (ABC rated)
* Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
No single type of extinguisher is totally effective on every kind of fire. So before buying a fire extinguisher, it is vital to look carefully at what type of fire it has to be used on.
The following chart shows you what type of extinguisher can be used for the different types of fire risks. Each risk type has a letter associated with it (A, B, C, F), with the exception of electrical risk. Fire extinguishers for sale in the UK are all marked with some of these letters to indicate to the buyer which risk the extinguisher can be used for. Next to these letters the buyer can also see numbers, which indicate how strong the extinguisher is in the relevant category - The higher the number, the bigger a fire the extinguisher can tackle.
Using the table above as a reference you can see which exstinguishers are most suitable.
In a typical fire spinning scenario, we are likely to face 2 kinds of fires.
The first is a fuel dump fire. If you have followed safety advice, your fuel will be paraffin or lamp oil.(or similar). This means that the fire will be slow spreading (in comparison to more volatile fuels), and burn at a lowish temperature. Foam, dry powder and CO2 are suitable for tackling this fire.
The second kind will be a clothing or prop fire caused by a very small amount of paraffin transferring from a fire wick to nearby material. Although started by a transfer of fuel, the amount in use is small enough for this to be classed as a solids fire, allowing water to be used as well as foam and dry powder.
We can determine from the above that the safest extinguishers to have on site are foam and dry powder, as both can be used for a fuel dump or clothing fire.
Using an Extinguisher
P.A.S.S
Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important - in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish. Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher - different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!
* Water
* Foam
* Dry Powder (ABC rated)
* Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
No single type of extinguisher is totally effective on every kind of fire. So before buying a fire extinguisher, it is vital to look carefully at what type of fire it has to be used on.
The following chart shows you what type of extinguisher can be used for the different types of fire risks. Each risk type has a letter associated with it (A, B, C, F), with the exception of electrical risk. Fire extinguishers for sale in the UK are all marked with some of these letters to indicate to the buyer which risk the extinguisher can be used for. Next to these letters the buyer can also see numbers, which indicate how strong the extinguisher is in the relevant category - The higher the number, the bigger a fire the extinguisher can tackle.
| Colour | Type | A - Solids (wood, paper, cloth, etc) |
B- Flamable Liquids |
C- Flamable Gasses |
Electrical Equipment |
F- Cooking Oils & Fats |
Special Notes |
 |
Water |  Yes |
 No |
No |
No |
No |
Dangerous if used on 'liquid fires' or live electricty. |
 |
Foam | Yes |
Yes |
No |
No |
Yes |
Not practical for home use. |
 |
Dry Powder | Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Safe use up to 1000v. |
 |
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) | No |
Yes |
No |
Yes |
Yes |
Safe on high and low voltages. |
Using the table above as a reference you can see which exstinguishers are most suitable.
In a typical fire spinning scenario, we are likely to face 2 kinds of fires.
The first is a fuel dump fire. If you have followed safety advice, your fuel will be paraffin or lamp oil.(or similar). This means that the fire will be slow spreading (in comparison to more volatile fuels), and burn at a lowish temperature. Foam, dry powder and CO2 are suitable for tackling this fire.
The second kind will be a clothing or prop fire caused by a very small amount of paraffin transferring from a fire wick to nearby material. Although started by a transfer of fuel, the amount in use is small enough for this to be classed as a solids fire, allowing water to be used as well as foam and dry powder.
We can determine from the above that the safest extinguishers to have on site are foam and dry powder, as both can be used for a fuel dump or clothing fire.
Using an Extinguisher
P.A.S.S
Pull the Pin at the top of the extinguisher. The pin releases a locking mechanism and will allow you to discharge the extinguisher.
Aim at the base of the fire, not the flames. This is important - in order to put out the fire, you must extinguish the fuel.
Squeeze the lever slowly. This will release the extinguishing agent in the extinguisher. If the handle is released, the discharge will stop.
Sweep from side to side. Using a sweeping motion, move the fire extinguisher back and forth until the fire is completely out. Operate the extinguisher from a safe distance, several feet away, and then move towards the fire once it starts to diminish. Be sure to read the instructions on your fire extinguisher - different fire extinguishers recommend operating them from different distances. Remember: Aim at the base of the fire, not at the flames!!!!
Last updated by Nick Nomad Apr. 27, 2009.
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