AFRICA Q-HSE DEPARTMENT

EXTINGUISHER SELECTION
Document N°: HSE-WI-0008 Rev 04

1. FIRE CLASSES - FUELS – APPROPRIATE EXTINCTION EQUIPMENT CORRESPONDENCE

The following table is used to make an appropriate selection of an extinguisher according to the materials present and
the type of fire to fight. Selecting 2 extinguishes (Water and CO 2) enables most fires to be fought. If in doubt about the
class of fire, use both types of extinguisher.

CLASS FUELS EXTINGUISHING AGENT => EXTINCTION PROCESS

Wood, Paper, Cardboard,  Water -> cooling
A Textiles, Non liquefiable  multi-purpose powder (A.B.C.) -> inhibition
plastics, etc.  foam -> cooling - smothering
 Carbon dioxide -> smothering
Ether, Alcohol, Oil, Petrol,
 BC or ABC powder -> inhibition
B White Spirit, Liquefiable
 Foams -> cooling - smothering
plastic
 dry sand – covering -> smothering
Town gas, Butane,  Close mains -> remove fuel
C Propane, Acetylene,  Carbon dioxide -> smothering
Hydrogen  BC or ABC powder -> inhibition
 Special powders -> smothering
Aluminium, Magnesium  Dry sand -> smothering
D
Potassium, Sodium  Dry cement -> smothering
 Graphite -> smothering

2. EXTINGUISHERS FOR MOBILE EQUIPMENT

The following table is used to make an appropriate selection of an extinguisher according to the mobile equipment.
To transport dangerous goods, trucks must be equipped with the material listed above, plus one or more extinguishers
according to the level of danger and the quantity of dangerous goods transported.

MOBILE
TYPE EXTINGUISHER
EQUIPMENT
Single truck and semi-trailer, 3.5 tons< GVW < 7.5 2 kg ABC powder extinguisher in the
tons cab
6 kg ABC powder extinguisher in the
Trucks Single trucks and semi-trailers, GVW > 7.5 t
cab
6 kg ABC Powder or 5 kg CO2
Container carriers
extinguisher in the cab
SWL < 7 tons 2 kg CO2 or if not, ABC / DCP Powder
Fork-lift
SWL > 7 tons 6 kg ABC powder if greater
9 kg ABC / DCP Powder or Foam
/
Super stacker water extinguisher
/ DCP - Dry Chemical Powder