While many people know that there are different types of fires that could destroy your business. There are actually many different types of fire extinguishers you can have in your business. Let’s take a moment to go over some of these extinguishers and what type of fires they put out.
ABC Fire Extinguishers
Although many people look for only class A, B, or C fire extinguishers, there is an extinguisher that does the job of all three of these. ABC extinguishers are filled with a dry chemical agent known as mono ammonium phosphate and can fight all of these fires. This agent is corrosive and must be scrubbed off the surfaces once the first is out. This extinguisher is often found in schools and general office buildings.
Class K Fire Extinguishers
Class K fire extinguishers are filled with a blend of potassium acetate and potassium citrate. These fire extinguishers come in handy in commercial kitchens and can effectively combat fires fueled by cooking oils and grease. This extinguisher sprays its chemicals in a mist so the oils are not splashed. The mist also creates a barrier between the heat source and the oxygen that could reignite it.
Halotron Fire Extinguishers
Halotron fire extinguishers can fight class B, C, and even A fires. This extinguisher is not the powder often found in extinguishers, it is dispersed in a liquid that evaporates. It does not cling, cause static, or thermal shock, and is not a conductor. These characteristics make Halotron extinguishers an asset in offices, clean rooms, and storage areas where electronics are stored.
Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguishers
Commonly known as C02 extinguishers, carbon dioxide extinguishers are designed to fight electrical fires or fires caused by electrical equipment. These extinguishers work by displacing the oxygen in the area to smother the fire and rob it of its fuel source. Because it displaced the oxygen, it should not be used in a confined space.
Water/Water Mist Extinguishers
Water fire extinguishers are made to extinguish class but a water mist extinguisher is made for both A and C class fires. These two types of fire extinguishers do not have a chemical component, making them ideal for people who do not wish to use chemicals. They are frequently used in libraries and schools.
Purple K Extinguishers
The purple K fire extinguishers use a dry chemical component to combat class B and C fires. Although the name suggests the use of potassium or that it combats class K fires, it is actually not effective against those fires. A purple K fire extinguisher is most effective against flammable liquids like tar, petroleum greases, oil-based paint, solvents, alcohol, and flammable gases, as well as electrical fires.
There are many different types of fires and fire extinguishers to go with them. So is your business being protected correctly? For more information on purchasing your fire extinguishers, call Fireline today!
Types of Fire Extinguishers with Fireline
At Fireline, we offer an array of portable fire extinguishers, fire alarms, and sprinkler systems to keep commercial kitchens safe. Fireline offers the highest quality alarm systems to keep your business safe from fires and carbon monoxide poisoning. We also offer fire suppression systems as well to help keep commercial fires controlled should they break out. Our trained technicians will work with you to determine which air sampling smoke detection system is best for your business. We will also help install and maintain the system for your commercial building.