Fire Extinguisher Anatomy

PRESSURE GAUGE
DISCHARGE LEVER (not found on CO2
extinguishers)

DISCHARGE LOCKING PIN CARRYING

AND SEAL HANDLE

DISCHARGE HOSE

DATA PLATE

DISCHARGE NOZZLE BODY

DISCHARGE ORIFICE
FIRES ARE CLASSIFIED BY THE TYPE OF FUEL BURNING

FUEL CLASSIFICATIONS

• Class A: ORDINARY COMBUSTIBLES - Wood, Paper, Cloth,

Trash, Plastics – Solids that are not metals.

• Class B: FLAMMABLE LIQUIDS AND GASES - Gasoline, Oil,

Grease, Acetone, Propane.

• Class C: ELECTRICAL – Energized Electrical Equipment; as

long as it is “plugged in”.

• Class D: COMBUSTIBLE METALS, such as magnesium,

titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.

• Class K: COOKING MEDIA - Grease, Fats and Oils.

 Fire Extinguisher Ratings
The Letters A,B,C,D,K
Represent the types of fire or class, for which the extinguisher has been approved for.
Some extinguishers are classified for only one type of fire, others may be classified for
multiple types of fires.

For Example the Number in Front of the A Classification Is the Rating

and Indicates how much water the extinguisher is equivalent to, and represents
1.25 gallons of water for every unit of one.

So…..a 4-A rated fire extinguisher would be equal to five gallons of

water (4 x 1.25 = 5)
 Fire Extinguisher Ratings Continued:

The Number in Front of the B (flammable liquid) Classification -

Represents the area in ft2 of a flammable liquid one-inch deep, that a non-
expert user should be able to extinguish.

Example:

For an extinguisher rated 10-B ; A non-expert user should be able to put out
a flammable liquid fire that is as large as 10 ft2 (square feet).
 Fire Extinguisher Ratings Continued:

C, D and K classified extinguishers are not generally given a numerical

rating.

The C classification indicates that the agents in the extinguisher are non
conductive – for an electrical fire.

The D classification indicates that the agents in the extinguisher can

be used for flammable metals.

The K classification indicates that the agents in the extinguisher can be

used for kitchen fires involving cooking oils and deep fryers. Normally
commercial use.
Fire Extinguisher Types
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper
PRESSURIZED WATER
■ Class “A” fires only
■ 2.5 gal. water (up to 1 minute discharge
time)
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease

■ Has pressure gauge to allow visual

capacity check
■ 30-40 ft. maximum effective range
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment
■ Can be started and stopped as necessary
■ Extinguishes by cooling burning material
below the ignition point.
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
CARBON DIOXIDE (CO2)
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper

■ Class “B” or “C” fires

■ 2.5-100 lb. of CO2 (8-30 seconds discharge
time)
■ Has NO pressure gauge--capacity verified
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease

by weight
■ 3-8 ft. maximum effective range
C Electrical Equipment
C Electrical Equipment ■ Extinguishes by smothering burning
materials
■ Effectiveness decreases as temperature of
burning material increases.
Fire Extinguisher Types (cont.)
MULTIPURPOSE DRY CHEMICAL
A Trash Wood Paper
A Trash Wood Paper

■ Class “A”, “B”, or “C” fires

■ 2.5-20 lb. dry chemical (ammonium
phosphate) 8-25 seconds discharge time)
B Liquids Grease
B Liquids Grease

■ Has pressure gauge to allow visual capacity

check
■ 5-20 ft. maximum effective range
C Electrical Equipment

■ Extinguishes by smothering burning

C Electrical Equipment

materials.
Fire Extinguisher Summary

EXTINGUISHER TYPE WORKS BY EFFECTIVE AGAINST

PRESSURIZED
COOLING
WATER

CARBON
SMOTHERING
DIOXIDE

MULTIPURPOSE
SMOTHERING
DRY CHEMICAL