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Fires involving combustible metals such as, lithium, magnesium, aluminium, sodium, potassium, and their various alloys, class ‘D’ fire extinguishers are used.
Fires have different classifications as different extinguishing medium (water, carbon dioxide etc) react differently to types of fire and only the appropriate extinguisher should be used to attempt to extinguish a fire. When choosing the right fire extinguisher, it is important to know that no single type of fire extinguisher can be used on all types of fires. Your fire risk assessment should identify which types of fires are most likely to occur in your building/premises, making this a good place to start. BS 5306-8 notes that all workplaces will require the provision of a minimum of two water based (Class A) extinguishers with a combined minimum total fire rating of 26A per story or level up to 400mtr2 as primary protection (Clause 8.2.1).Both the Home Office and the Fire & Rescue Services recommend extinguishers approved to the European Standard BS EN3 and compliant with BS 5306-10 (formerly BS 7863) colour coding code of practice. The five different types of portable fire extinguishers are water, powder, foam, wet chemical and carbon dioxide (CO2). There are as many as 15 if you count the supplementary portable fire extinguishers. Anyone who may have to use a portable fire extinguisher should be trained by a professional to do so.
The type of extinguisher is identified by a colour coding as indicated below. The old fire extinguishers standard required the whole of the body of the extinguisher to be painted the appropriate colour. You will find these extinguishers in many premises and these are still legal, you do not need to change them unless the extinguisher is defective and needs to be replaced. New extinguishers are manufactured to the standard BS EN 3. the solution used in wet chemical extinguishers is alkaline, which means it can cause corrosion of some metals. produces a foam that acts initially as a blanket, covering the surface area and smoothering the fire. Combustible cooking fires require a special wet chemical extinguishing agent. Oil residues and grease are commonplace in catering and commercial kitchens and have the ability to reach extremely high temperatures and can re-ignite easily.brief details of maintenance arrangements; (Meaning last service – any previous issues/next scheduled service)
Electrical fires are not given their own full class, as they can fall into any of the classifications. After all it is not the electricity burning but surrounding material that has been set alight by the electric current. CO² fire extinguishers are rated class ‘B’ and originally designed for use on fires involving flammable liquids. As CO² is not a conductor of electricity, they are also used for electrical fires, but care must be taken because it is an asphyxiant and therefore dangerous to personal health when used in confined spaces. improved cooling properties compared with other types of foam fire extinguisher (excluding water types).They should be fixed where they can be easily seen. Fixing them inside cupboards or behind doors will waste valuable time if a fire breaks out. BS5306-8 (Clause 7.1) states that for fires involving electrical equipment there is no recognized classification for this additional type of fire. Electricity in itself does not burn but can cause fires in class A, B, C, D and F materials. Wet chemical fire extinguishers contain an odourless, clear fluid and are marked by a yellow label. They have their own classification called an F rating. These extinguishers are most suitable for use on deep fat fryers, and produce a light foam that rests on the hot surface and spreads itself over it until the entire surface is covered by foam, cutting off the oxygen supply. There is no single fire extinguisher which works on all classes of fire. What are the different classes of fire? even indoors, as soon as the CO 2 dissipates any remaining embers can start reignition of the fire.
Electrical fires - electrical equipment: once the electrical item is removed, the fire changes class Fire Extinguishers should be located in conspicuous positions, available at all times for immediate use. All extinguishers capable of extinguishing class F fires have a rating based on 4 benchmark tests using 5, 15, 25 and 75 litres of sunflower oil. The oil is heated to auto-ignition and allowed to pre-burn for 2 minutes. The fire is then extinguished and no re-ignition shall occur within 10 minutes of extinguishing the fire.
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The testing and maintenance of fire extinguishers is essential and required by law to ensure they work if and when they’re ever needed. Following these activities the extinguisher must be labelled appropriately to confirm their fitness for purpose. Electrical fires (the letter E is not used. Instead the symbol of an electric spark is displayed) – are fires caused by electrical equipment Fire extinguishers colour-coded green are vapourising liquids (Halons) and have been illegal, with some exceptions like aircraft and the military, since the end of 2003 as the result of the Montreal protocol. They need to be disposed of legally, for more information go to Phasing out Halons in portable fire extinguishers. A, (suitable for B and C, although without formal marking). Suitable for electrical risk if dielectrically tested and deploying de-ionised water. If certified suitable for small F fires does not create a mess or long term damage after the fire has been extinguished, and allows for a shorter business contingency plan.
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