You need a fire extinguisher in your home is to protect yourself, your family, and your home from an unexpected fire emergency. Having a fire extinguisher can save your life and also save you money on fire restoration by minimizing damage. But, did you know there are different classes of fire extinguishers? Do you know the best place to have on in case an emergency does occur? Do you know how to use one if the time comes? Being prepared ahead of time can save you time, money, and even possibly a life.
Knowing Which Fire Extinguisher You Need
Not all fire extinguishers are made equal. Certain types are better for certain fire emergencies. Here are the different classes of fire extinguishers and what they are best used for.
Class A: Best used for extinguishing fires on ordinary combustibles such as wood and paper.
Class B: Best used for extinguishing fires on flammable liquids such as grease, gasoline, and oil.
Class C: Best used for only extinguishing electrically energized fires.
Class D: Best used for extinguishing fires on flammable metals.
Class K: Best used for extinguishing fires on substances like animal and vegetable fats that are common in commercial cooking oils and greases.
If you are looking for a multipurpose fire extinguisher, no worries. There are fire extinguishers with multiple class ratings such as A-B, A-B-C, B-C, etc. They also have symbols — the letter A within a green triangle, the letter B within a red square, etc. — to make it easier to locate the type that’s best suited for your home.
How Many Fire Extinguishers Should I Have in My Home?
If you are not sure how many fire extinguishers to buy, you need to consider where fires typically start. According to SafeWise, the top three places that fires typically start are the kitchen, bedroom, and chimney. The top three causes are cooking, heating equipment, and electrical equipment. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) recommends having a multipurpose fire extinguisher large enough to put out a small fire but light enough that it won’t be difficult to manage. They also recommended having one fire extinguisher on each level of your home, located near exits, placed within 40-feet of each other, and in plain view so they won’t be difficult to find when they are needed. A couple of common places to absolutely have one are the kitchen, garage, and any place that could generate open-flame heating.
How Do I Use A Fire Extinguisher?
Being well prepared for a fire emergency includes knowing how to use a fire extinguisher. Before using a fire extinguisher, the NFPA states that you need to make sure the fire is contained to a small area, is not growing in size, everyone has exited the home or building, the room is not filled with smoke, and the fire department has or is being called. After evaluating those requirements, there is a four-step process to using a fire extinguisher and the best way to remember it is by remembering the word “PASS.”
P – Pull the pin, hold the extinguisher with the nozzle pointing away from you, and release the locking mechanism.
A – Aim low while pointing the extinguisher at the base of the fire.
S – Squeeze the lever evenly and slowly.
S – Sweep the nozzle from side to side until extinguished.
Take note that if the fire starts up again, repeat the last three steps to extinguish it. Don’t wait until a fire occurs to take the time to familiarize yourself with your fire extinguisher and all the information that pertains to it. Research, place the extinguisher where you can find it quickly, and remember the “PASS” steps to use the extinguisher if the time comes.
Fire Restoration You Can Count On With Entrusted
Fire restoration and mitigation are Entrusted’s specialty. We know how overwhelming it can be to restore your home to its former glory, but we are here to help you through every step of the process. To minimize damage to your home, it is so important to start the restoration process immediately. If you are in need of fire restoration experts, call our 24/7, on-call Entrusted specialists today.