There are five types of fire extinguishers available in the UK. These fire extinguishers can put out fires and save people’s lives. However, if you use the wrong one on the wrong fire you can make the fire worse. You could even put you and your health at risk too. In this blog post we share what you can and can’t do with a fire extinguisher.
If you need fire extinguishers in your business premises and you’d not sure of the right one for you, then call our fire safety experts. Our fire specialists can come to your business and recommend the right fire extinguishers for you. They will do this based on your business type and the products or services you sell. They will the things within your business and the amount of people in the building. The size of your building and how many floors will also place an important part in recommending the right fire extinguishers for your business.
Below we have listed the five main types of fire extinguishers, along with what you can and can’t do with fire extinguishers.
Water Extinguisher
A water fire extinguisher can be used on wood, paper and fabric fires safely. It must not be used on electrical fires, flammable liquids or on flammable metal fires.
AFFF Foam Extinguisher
If there is a risk of wood, paper and fabric fires in your workplace, as well as flammable liquid fires, you will be recommended a AFFF Foam extinguisher. This fire extinguisher can put out the mentioned fires with ease. It must not be used on electrical fires or flammable metal fires though.
CO2 Extinguisher
CO2 extinguishers are recommended in buildings where flammable liquid fires and electrical fires have a potential of happening. A CO2 extinguisher must not be used on wood, paper or fabric fires. This type of extinguisher can also not be used in confined spaces and the horn of the extinguisher must not be held when operating this extinguisher.
Dry Powder Extinguisher
Dry power extinguishers are safe for use on wood, paper and fabric fires. You can also put out flammable liquid fires with this extinguisher. This type of fire extinguisher is safe for use on gaseous fires and electrical fires too.
Wet Chemical Extinguisher
A wet chemical extinguisher can be used on wool, wood and fabric fires. It is also safe for us on cooker fires and deep fat fryer fires too. You can’t use this extinguisher on electrical fires, flammable liquid fires or gaseous fires.
If you’re not sure of the right fire extinguishers for your business or how many you need, call our fire safety specialists in Peterborough.
