Fire Extinguisher Types

In the hands of a trained person, portable fire extinguishers are great tools to protect people and property from fire during early stages. When using an extinguisher or
selecting an extinguisher to install, it’s important to know the characteristics of different fire extinguishers. This blog will address the different types of fire extinguishers by
breaking them down by their extinguishing agent, which is the material inside the extinguisher that gets applied to the fire.

Class of Fire Description

Class A Fires Fires in ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.
Class B Fires Fires in flammable liquids, combustible liquids, petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, lacquers,
alcohols, and flammable gases.
Class C Fires Fires that involve energized electrical equipment.
Class D Fires Fires in combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.
Class K Fires Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats).

Water
Water is the primary liquid used in these extinguishers, although sometimes other additives are also included. A drawback for pure water fire extinguishers is that it is not suitable for use in freezing
conditions since the water inside will freeze and render the extinguisher unusable. Certain types of water fire extinguishers contain antifreeze which will allow the extinguisher to be used in freezing
conditions. Water type fire extinguishers can also sometimes contain wetting agents which are designed to help increase its effectiveness against fire. These extinguishers are intended primarily for use
on Class A fires.

Water mist extinguishers are a type of water fire extinguisher that uses distilled water and discharges it as a fine spray instead of a solid stream. Water mist extinguishers are used where contaminants
in unregulated water sources can cause excessive damage to personnel or equipment. Typical applications include operating rooms, museums, and book collections.

Film-forming foam type

AFFF (aqueous film-forming foam) and FFFP (film-forming fluoroprotein) fire extinguishers are rated for use on both Class A and Class B fires. As the name implies, they discharge a foam material rather
than a liquid or powder. They are not suitable for use in freezing temperatures. An advantage of this type of extinguisher when used on Class B flammable liquid fires of appreciable depth is the ability
of the agent to float on and secure the liquid surface, which helps to prevent reignition.

Carbon Dioxide type

The principal advantage of Carbon Dioxide (CO2) fire extinguishers is that the agent does not leave a residue after use. This can be a significant factor where protection is needed for delicate and costly
electronic equipment. Other typical applications are food preparation areas, laboratories, and printing or duplicating areas. Carbon dioxide extinguishers are listed for use on Class B and Class C fires.
Because the agent is discharged in the form of a gas/snow cloud, it has a relatively short range of 3 ft to 8 ft (1 m to 2.4 m). This type of fire extinguisher is not recommended for outdoor use where
windy conditions prevail or for indoor use in locations that are subject to strong air currents, because the agent can rapidly dissipate and prevent extinguishment. The concentration needed for fire
extinguishment reduces the amount of oxygen in the vicinity of the fire and should be used with caution when discharged in confined spaces.

Halogenated agent types

“Halon”
The bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211) fire extinguisher has an agent that is similar to carbon dioxide in that it is suitable for cold weather installation and leaves no residue. It is important to
note that the production of Halon has been phased out because of the environmental damage it causes to the earth’s ozone. Some larger models of Halon 1211 fire extinguishers are listed for use on
Class A as well as Class B and Class C fires. Compared to carbon dioxide on a weight-of-agent basis, bromochlorodifluoromethane (Halon 1211) is at least twice as effective. When discharged, the agent
is in the combined form of a gas/mist with about twice the range of carbon dioxide. To some extent, windy conditions or strong air currents could make extinguishment difficult by causing the rapid
dispersal of the agent.

Halon Alternative Clean Agents

There are several clean agents that are similar to halon agents in that they are nonconductive, noncorrosive, and evaporate after use, leaving no residue. Larger models of these fire extinguishers are
listed for Class A as well as Class B and Class C fires, which makes them quite suitable for use on fires in electronic equipment. When discharged, these agents are in the combined form of a gas/mist or
a liquid, which rapidly evaporates after discharge with about twice the range of carbon dioxide. To some extent, windy conditions or strong air currents could make extinguishing difficult by causing a
rapid dispersal of agent. Clean agent type extinguishers don’t have a detrimental effect on the earth’s ozone so these are more widely available than Halon type extinguishers.

Dry chemical types

Ordinary Dry Chemical
The fire extinguishing agent used in these devices is a powder composed of very small particulates. Types of agents available include sodium bicarbonate base and potassium bicarbonate base. Dry
chemical type extinguishers have special treatments that ensure proper flow capabilities by providing resistance to packing and moisture absorption (caking).

Multipurpose Dry Chemical

Fire extinguishers of this type contain an ammonium phosphate base agent. Multipurpose agents are used in exactly the same manner as ordinary dry chemical agents on Class B fires. For use on Class
A fires, the multipurpose agent has the additional characteristic of softening and sticking when in contact with hot surfaces. In this way, it adheres to burning materials and forms a coating that
smothers and isolates the fuel from air. The agent itself has little cooling effect, and, because of its surface coating characteristic, it cannot penetrate below the burning surface. For this reason,
extinguishment of deep-seated fires might not be accomplished unless the agent is discharged below the surface or the material is broken apart and spread out.

Wet chemical
The extinguishing agent can be comprised of, but is not limited to, solutions of water and potassium acetate, potassium carbonate, potassium citrate, or a combination of these chemicals (which are
conductors of electricity). The liquid agent typically has a pH of 9.0 or less. On Class A fires, the agent works as a coolant. On Class K fires (cooking oil fires), the agent forms a foam blanket to prevent
re-ignition. The water content of the agent aids in cooling and reducing the temperature of the hot oils and fats below their auto-ignition point. The agent, when discharged as a fine spray directly at
cooking appliances, reduces the possibility of splashing hot grease and does not present a shock hazard to the operator. Wet chemical extinguishers also offer improved visibility during firefighting as
well as minimizing cleanup afterward.

Dry powder types

These fire extinguishers and agents are intended for use on Class D fires and specific metals, following special techniques and manufacturer’s recommendations for use. The extinguishing agent can be
applied from a fire extinguisher or by scoop and shovel. Using a scoop or shovel is often referred to as a hand propelled fire extinguisher.
 The 5 Different Classes of Fires
The 5 main classes of fires are categorized by what caused the fire or what the fire uses as fuel, and are as follows:

 Class A: solid materials such as wood or paper, fabric, and some plastics

 Class B: liquids or gas such as alcohol, ether, gasoline, or grease

 Class C: electrical failure from appliances, electronic equipment, and wiring

 Class D: metallic substances such as sodium, titanium, zirconium, or magnesium

 Class K: grease or oil fires specifically from cooking

Understanding the 5 different classes of fires can help you determine the biggest fire risks at your facility, depending on the fuels and fire hazards present as well as how best to
prepare in case of a fire emergency.
Let’s break down each of the 5 different classes of fires more thoroughly.

Class A Fires: “Ordinary” Fires

Class A fires are the most common of the 5 different classes of fires. They occur when common combustible materials like wood, paper, fabric, trash, and light plastics catch fire. These
accidental fires are ubiquitous across a variety of industries, so it’s recommended to have adequate protection against “ordinary” fires in addition to other condition-specific fires.
Despite being “ordinary”, don’t rule this class of fire as low-risk. If there’s an abundance of fuel present, these fires can intensify quickly. It’s best to put out a Class A fire quickly before it
spreads using water or monoammonium phosphate.

Class B Fires: Liquids & Gases

Class B fires involve flammable liquids and gases, especially fuels like petroleum or petroleum-based products such as gasoline, paint, and kerosene. Other gases that are highly
flammable are propane and butane, which are common causes of Class B fires. The best way to deal with these types of fires is by smothering them or removing oxygen using foam or
CO2 fire suppression equipment.
Be aware that Class B fires do not include grease fires or cooking fires, which belong to their own class, Class K.

Class C Fires: Electrical Fires

Electrical fires fall under Class C and are common in facilities that make heavy use of electrical equipment, but they can occur in a wide range of industries. For example, data
centers might be an obvious risk area for Class C fires. They must have safeguards in place to deal with electrical fires.
Construction sites are another common Class C fire risk: electrical power tools or appliances used for cooking can cause sparks to ignite combustible materials and intensify rapidly.
Old buildings with bad wiring or space heaters present more concerns.
Electrical fires require non-conductive materials to extinguish the flame, so water alone is not a good solution. Facilities with sensitive equipment may prefer clean agent
suppression because it won’t leave residue or damage electrical equipment.

Class D Fires: Metallic Fires

Class D fires are not as common as the other classes, but they do require special attention because they can be especially difficult to extinguish. Metallic fires involve flammable
materials like titanium, aluminum, magnesium, and potassium — all commonly occurring in laboratories.
Class D fires cannot be addressed with water, as this can exacerbate the fire and be potentially dangerous. Dry powder agents are the best solution for smothering the flames and
limiting damage to property or people.

Class K Fires: Grease Fires or Cooking Fires

Class K fires involve flammable liquids, similar to Class B fires, but are specifically related to food service and the restaurant industry. These common fires start from the combustion of
liquid cooking materials including grease, oils, and vegetable and animal fats.
Because they can spread quickly and be difficult to manage, Class K fires are some of the most dangerous. Water can make the situation worse, but smothering the flames or using a
wet agent fire extinguisher is effective.
Now that we understand how each fire starts, we can prepare for how to fight them — or better yet, prevent them from happening in the first place.

How to Prepare for the 5 Different Classes of Fires

Being ready for whatever fire danger involves three areas of focus: equipping yourself with the right fire extinguisher for your corresponding fire classes, committing to regular fire safety
training, and keeping all equipment in peak condition. If you can maintain each of these, you should be able to react appropriately in a fire emergency — no matter what class of fire you
face.

Choose the Right Fire Extinguisher

Different types of fire extinguishers exist in order to address the 5 different classes of fires. Each fire class describes the fuel or material a fire is burning or what caused it to start —
therefore, using the right extinguisher is essential to put out the fire safely.
Here’s a quick chart to help you identify the right fire extinguisher for each class of fire.

Fire Class Fuel Type How to Suppress Fire Extinguisher Type

Freely burning
Class A Water, Smothering ABC/powder, water, water mist, foam
combustibles

Class B Burning liquid or gas Smothering ABC/powder, CO2, water mist, clean agent

Class C Electrical fire Non-conductive chemicals ABC/powder, CO2, water mist, clean agent

Class D Metallic fire Dry powder agent Powder

Smothering, wet
Class K Cooking or grease fire Wet chemical, water mist
chemical
Application for any type of leave shall be made on this Form and to be accomplished at least in duplicate with documentary requirements, as follows:

1. Vacation leave*
It shall be filed five (5) days in advance, whenever possible, of the effective date of such leave. Vacation leave within in the Philippines or abroad shall be indicated in the form for
purposes of securing travel authority and completing clearance from money and work accountabilities.

2. Mandatory/Forced leave
Annual five-day vacation leave shall be forfeited if not taken during the year. In case the scheduled leave has been cancelled in the exigency of the service by the head of agency, it
shall no longer be deducted from the accumulated vacation leave. Availment of one (1) day or more Vacation Leave (VL) shall be considered for complying the mandatory/forced leave
subject to the conditions under Section 25, Rule XVI of the Omnibus Rules Implementing E.O. No. 292.

3. Sick leave*
• It shall be filed immediately upon employee's return from such leave.
• If filed in advance or exceeding five (5) days, application shall be accompanied by a medical certificate. In case medical consultation was not availed of, an affidavit should be
executed by an applicant.

4. Maternity leave* – 105 days

• Proof of pregnancy e.g. ultrasound, doctor’s certificate on the expected date of delivery
• Accomplished Notice of Allocation of Maternity Leave Credits (CS Form No. 6a), if needed
• Seconded female employees shall enjoy maternity leave with full pay in the recipient agency.

5. Paternity leave – 7 days

Proof of child’s delivery e.g. birth certificate, medical certificate and marriage contract

6. Special Privilege leave – 3 days

It shall be filed/approved for at least one (1) week prior to availment, except on emergency cases. Special privilege leave within the Philippines or abroad shall be indicated in the form
for purposes of securing travel authority and completing clearance from money and work accountabilities.

7. Solo Parent leave – 7 days

It shall be filed in advance or whenever possible five (5) days before going on such leave with updated Solo Parent Identification Card.

8. Study leave* – up to 6 months

• Shall meet the agency’s internal requirements, if any;
• Contract between the agency head or authorized representative and the employee concerned.

9. VAWC leave – 10 days

• It shall be filed in advance or immediately upon the woman employee’s return from such leave.
• It shall be accompanied by any of the following supporting documents:
a. Barangay Protection Order (BPO) obtained from the barangay;
b. Temporary/Permanent Protection Order (TPO/PPO) obtained from the court;
c. If the protection order is not yet issued by the barangay or the court, a certification issued by the Punong Barangay/Kagawad or
Prosecutor or the Clerk of Court that the application for the BPO, TPO or PPO has been filed with the said office shall be sufficient to support the application for the ten-day leave; or

d. In the absence of the BPO/TPO/PPO or the certification, a police report specifying the details of the occurrence of violence on the victim and a medical certificate may be considered,
at the discretion of the immediate supervisor of the woman employee concerned.

10. Rehabilitation leave* – up to 6 months

• Application shall be made within one (1) week from the time of the accident except when a longer period is warranted.
• Letter request supported by relevant reports such as the police report, if any,
• Medical certificate on the nature of the injuries, the course of treatment involved, and the need to undergo rest, recuperation, and rehabilitation, as the case may be.
• Written concurrence of a government physician should be obtained relative to the recommendation for rehabilitation if the attending physician is a private practitioner, particularly on
the duration of the period of rehabilitation.

11. Special leave benefits for women* – up to 2 months

• The application may be filed in advance, that is, at least five (5) days prior to the scheduled date of the gynecological surgery that will be undergone by the employee. In case of
emergency, the application for special leave shall be filed immediately upon employee’s return but during confinement the agency shall be notified of said surgery.
• The application shall be accompanied by a medical certificate filled out by the proper medical authorities, e.g. the attending surgeon accompanied by a clinical summary reflecting the
gynecological disorder which shall be addressed or was addressed by the said surgery; the histopathological report; the operative technique used for the surgery; the duration of the
surgery including the perioperative period (period of confinement around surgery); as well as the employees estimated period of recuperation for the same.

12. Special Emergency (Calamity) leave – up to 5 days

• The special emergency leave can be applied for a maximum of five (5) straight working days or staggered basis within thirty (30) days from the actual occurrence of the natural
calamity/disaster. Said privilege shall be enjoyed once a year, not in every instance of calamity or disaster.
• The head of office shall take full responsibility for the grant of special emergency leave and verification of the employee’s eligibility to be granted thereof. Said verification shall
include: validation of place of residence based on latest available records of the affected employee; verification that the place of residence is covered in the declaration of calamity area
by the proper government agency; and such other proofs as may be necessary.

13. Monetization of leave credits

Application for monetization of fifty percent (50%) or more of the accumulated leave credits shall be accompanied by letter request to the head of the agency stating the valid and
justifiable reasons.

14. Terminal leave*

Proof of employee’s resignation or retirement or separation from the service.

15. Adoption Leave

• Application for adoption leave shall be filed with an authenticated copy of the Pre-Adoptive Placement Authority issued by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD).
Mythunderstanding #1: Spalling of Concrete

Spalling is a physical process of the breakdown of surface layers of masonry (typically concrete) which crumble into small pebble-like pieces in
response to high temperatures and/or mechanical pressure. The physical appearance of spalling may also include striated lines, discoloration of the
masonry and pitting or rough texture to the concrete that remains attached to the slab. Spalling is caused by heating, mechanical pressure, or
both. This heat and/or pressure causes uneven expansion of the materials that make up the concrete (such as sand and gravel), the reinforcing
steel and the concrete mix, or the surface and subsurface layers of the concrete. Alternatively, the heat may release the water in the concrete.
Pressure created by rapid changes in temperature, such as application of cold water to the heated concrete surface during firefighting
operations, can also cause spalling. These processes break the bond that holds the solids together and thus cause the concrete to crumble.

Concrete spalling above a doorway.

Whether or not concrete will spall when heat is applied is highly variable and depends on the complex interaction of
the composition of the masonry material, temperature and temperature change from burning fuel load, configuration
of materials, pressure on the concrete and local conditions. If the concrete is “green,” meaning recently poured, it is
more susceptible to spalling because its water content is higher than concrete that has cured. If the concrete is
reinforced with rebar, it may also be more susceptible to spalling because applied heat is absorbed at different rates by
the metal and by the surrounding masonry; the metal heats faster and expands, putting pressure on the concrete that
may cause it to fracture. How well the surface absorbs liquid may also be a factor in whether or not spalling is
produced.

Closeup of spalling above same doorway.

The presence of spalling at a fire scene was traditionally seen as an indicator that the fire had burned very hot, which could
only occur if an ignitable liquid was used. However, physics and research have not borne this out to be fact. When an ignitable
liquid is poured, it pools on the hard surface, such as a concrete floor. When the pool is ignited, what is burning is the vapors
being given off by the flammable liquid, not the liquid itself. This burning can only occur where the vapors mix with oxygen
and have access to flame—namely on the top of the pool and at the edges of the pool. The bottom of the pool, the part in
contact with the masonry, does not burn. The burning does heat the liquid, but the maximum temperature of the liquid
cannot reach higher than the liquid’s boiling point, which in the case of gasoline is 300ºF—typically not hot enough to cause
the expansion of water in the concrete that creates spalling. In addition, an ignitable liquid pool on concrete burns quickly,
only a few minutes, which is typically not long enough to heat the concrete to temperatures conducive to spalling.

Spalling on a concrete foundation wall.

In fact, it has been shown that spalling is more likely to occur from radiant heat released by burning materials over a
period of time than from the comparatively short burn period of a pool of ignitable liquid. This excessive radiant
heat can be created by a variety of conditions, including burning of modern furnishings and collapse bringing hot
materials into contact with the masonry.

This photo shows an incendiary fire scene at a four-story wood frame

apartment building under construction. This photo was taken prior to
processing the scene; the majority of the building was destroyed by
fire.
The building had exterior sheathing, but no interior walls. The piles of
debris in background are gypsum, which was stacked and ready for
installation. This was a "giant wood crib fire" that caused spalling of
concrete.
Spalling can also result from other causes that are unrelated to fire, including corrosion of supporting rebar that places
stress on the concrete, the expansion and contraction of the freeze/thaw cycle, and chemicals like deicers and fertilizers. If
spalling is present, the investigator should also consider whether that spalling existed prior to the fire.

However, none of this should be taken to mean that spalling is never related to use of an ignitable liquid. Two examples are
illustrative. First, radiant heat from a burning ignitable liquid pool can heat the concrete around the edges of the pool more
significantly than the concrete under the pool, which is protected by the liquid’s inability to heat beyond its boiling point.
Therefore, spalling may occur around the edges of the pool, and therefore a “protected” area with spalling around its edges
MAY indicate that an ignitable liquid was present. This spalling may extend to the areas with cracks or joints where the
ignitable liquid might have seeped. The second example requires the presence of a floor covering to increase the radiant
heat output. If an ignitable liquid is poured on carpet that covers a concrete floor, the intense radiant heat from the burning
carpet in close contact with the concrete surface may cause spalling, something that may not have happened if the
ignitiable liquid had not been present. Close-up of the spalling of the concrete pad in
the four-story apartment building under
construction.
The presence of spalling at a fire scene cannot be taken as a definitive indicator that an accelerant was used in the fire. Rather, the presence of the spalling should be explained, if possible, and then
treated as one of many factors that enter into assessing the totality of the circumstances at the scene and their relationship to determining the heat source and first material ignited.
Does a mezzanine count as a storey?
A mezzanine floor does not count as an extra storey within a building. Why Build a Mezzanine Floor? Mezzanine floors are the perfect way to create additional floor space within
large, high-ceilinged spaces. They allow you to take advantage of a room's height and can be used for lots of purposes.

There is no minimum standard height for a mezzanine. However, it should be optimised for its intended use. For example from our experience, in retail settings, the most common
height is 3.4m.

How high is a mezzanine floor?

6 feet, 4 inches
A Mezzanine floor is a partial, intermediate floor in any story or room of a building having an area not more than one-half of the area of the room or space in which it is constructed. A
mezzanine floor shall be constructed with a clear ceiling height of not less than 1.90 meters (6 feet, 4 inches) above and below.
What is an exit route?
An exit route is a continuous and unobstructed path of exit travel from any point within a workplace to a place of safety. An exit route consists of three parts:
• Exit access – portion of an exit route that leads to an exit.
• Exit – portion of an exit route that is generally separated from other areas to provide a protected way of travel to the exit discharge.
• Exit discharge – part of the exit route that leads directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside.

How many exit routes must a workplace have?

Normally, a workplace must have at least two exit routes to permit prompt evacuation of employees and other building occupants during an emergency.
More than two exits are required, however, if the number of employees, size of the building, or arrangement of the workplace will not allow employees to
evacuate safely. Exit routes must be located as far away as practical from each other in case one is blocked by fire or smoke.
Exception: If the number of employees, the size of the building, its occupancy, or the arrangement of the workplace allows all employees to evacuate safely
during an emergency, one exit route is permitted.

What are some other design and construction requirements for exit routes?
• Exit routes must be permanent parts of the workplace.
• Exit discharges must lead directly outside or to a street, walkway, refuge area, public way, or open space with access to the outside. These exit discharge
areas must be large enough to accommodate the building occupants likely to use the exit route.
• Exit stairs that continue beyond the level on which the exit discharge is located must be interrupted at that level by doors, partitions, or other effective means
that clearly indicate the direction of travel leading to the exit discharge.
• Exit route doors must be unlocked from the inside. They must be free of devices or alarms that could restrict use of the exit route if the device or alarm fails.
• Side-hinged exit doors must be used to connect rooms to exit routes. These doors must swing out in the direction of exit travel if the room is to be occupied by
more than 50 people or if the room is a high-hazard area.
• Exit routes must support the maximum permitted occupant load for each floor served, and the capacity of an exit route may not decrease in the direction of exit
route travel to the exit discharge.
• Ceilings of exit routes must be at least 7 feet,
6 inches high.
• An exit access must be at least 28 inches wide at all points. Where there is only one exit access leading to an exit or exit discharge, the width of the exit and
exit discharge must be at least equal to the width of the exit access. Objects that project into the exit must not reduce its width.
• Outdoor exit routes are permitted but must meet the minimum height and width requirement for indoor exit routes and must
− have guardrails to protect unenclosed sides if a fall hazard exists;
− be covered if snow or ice is likely to accumulate, unless the employer can demonstrate accumulations will be removed before a slipping hazard exists;
− be reasonably straight and have smooth, solid, substantially level walkways; and
− Not have a dead-end longer than 20 feet.

Fact Sheet
What are the requirements for exits?
• Exits must be separated by fire resistant materials—that is, one-hour fire-resistance rating if the exit connects three or fewer stories and two-hour fire-
resistance rating if the exit connects more than three floors.
• Exits are permitted to have only those openings necessary to allow access to the exit from occupied areas of the workplace or to the exit discharge. Openings
must be protected by a self-closing, approved fire door that remains closed or automatically closes in an emergency.

FIRE SERVICE RECOGNITION DAY – December 14