Types of Fire Extinguishers

Each extinguisher is required to have a label from the Underwriters Laboratory or Factory Mutual Testing Laboratory.  The Underwriters Laboratory labels are identified by the UL in a circle.  Once you find the label, look for the word “classification.”  On the right side or just below this, you will see a series of numbers and letters.  For example, you may see “2-A: 10-BC.”  Remove the numbers and what you have are the letter “ABC,” this is the designation of the class of fire (s) the unit is to be used on.  The numbers may be different but you still read them the same, i.e., 60-BC would be for class Band C fires only.

Classification of Fires

“A” - type fires are common combustible, i.e., wood, paper, cloth

“B” - type fires are flammable liquids, i.e., gas, oil, grease

“C” - type fires are electronically energized fires, i.e., computers, toasters, heaters, appliances.

Helpful Hints

Keep fire extinguishers handy.  Multi-purpose dry chemical extinguishers work well on wood, grease, other flammable liquid and electrical fires.  Make sure there is at least one extinguisher on each floor of your house, particularly in or near the kitchen, garage, laundry room and workshop.

Have every adult in the household read the extinguisher instruction manual so they know how to use it properly.

Periodically inspect your extinguishers to determine if they need to be recharged or replaced.