Fire Extinguisher Types Singapore

To effectively fight fire, you must be prepared with the right type of extinguisher. A small fire can often be extinguished or contained before it becomes a major disaster. Failure to properly prepared to extinguish a fire not only you miss the chance of containing the blaze but also put yourself in an extremely hazardous situation. If you lack the tools or knowledge to fight a fire, no matter how small, get out of the building, call your local fire department and wait for them to arrive.

There are many fire extinguisher types available but the most common ones are:

• water fire extinguisher, water mist fire extinguisher
• foam fire extinguisher
• dry powder fire extinguisher
• Carbon Dioxide fire extinguisher
• wet chemical fire extinguisher

Water Fire Extinguisher

Water fire extinguishers are suitable for use on Class A fires. In other words, fires that involve ‘combustible materials’, such as paper, cardboard, wood or fabrics and other combustible material. They are recommended for general use in premises such as offices, shops, factories, industries and warehouses, where flammable materials are often stored.

Do not use on electrical equipment, flammable gas or liquids

Water Mist Fire Extinguisher

You will be glad to note that now with the innovative water mist technology, water mist extinguisher is capable of tackling almost all common fires including class A, B, C, F type of fires as well as fires involving live electrical equipment of up to 1000V!

As opposed to standard water fire extinguisher, the water mist fire extinguisher is capable of producing an ultra-fine mist which is so small that it leaves no trace or causes damage to your property. You need not have to be too troubled over the damages caused. The beauty of it is that it is completely safe for use even on electrical equipment like computers and printers, the small oil and fat fires, clothing and gas flames and are therefore is perfect for offices, workshops, churches, schools and homes.

The unique water mist has the cooling effect of water and creates a “mist curtain” cutting off the oxygen supply to suffocate the burning process. Another advantage is that it uses less water and can stifle the fire in a very short time compared to Carbon Dioxide or other fire extinguishers. One litre of water used by the water mist fire extinguisher can produce 22 billions droplets of water.

Foam Fire Extinguisher

Foam fire extinguishers are most effective on fires involving liquids such as oil, grease, gasoline, kerosene, acetone, paint or petrol but it is important to remember not to use them on kitchen fires as this would be highly dangerous. They work by smothering the fire with a layer of foam and deprive it of oxygen. They are more versatile than water extinguishers but care must still be taken around electrical fires which they are not generally suited for. Because they are a good general use extinguisher, foam extinguishers come in a wide range of sizes, from 1-litre to 9-litre.

Dry Powder Fire Extinguisher

Powder fire extinguishers are ideal for ‘multi-risk environments’. As with all of our extinguishers, dry powder extinguishers enjoy a 5-year guarantee. There are several types of dry powder extinguisher. The most commonly used is ‘ABC’ Powder, so called because it tackles A, B and C Class fires (combustible materials, flammable liquids and flammable gases). There are also two types of specialist powder extinguisher which are used in cases of fire involving flammable metals.  These types of fire are rare but dangerous and it is important to have the right powder extinguisher available if your business premises are exposed to this type of risk.

Carbon Dioxide Fire Extinguisher

Carbon Dioxide fire extinguishers or CO2 fire extinguishers are extinguishers for computer server rooms as they excel at putting out live electrical fires. As long as it is “plugged in,” it is considered a class C fire. It is generally deal with electrical current. Most importantly, they do not cause any damage or short-circuit to the electrical items in question. Having said that, care must be taken when using them in small spaces as there is a slim chance they may suffocate people. This kind of extinguisher does not greatly cool the source of the fire, so there is a small chance it may re-ignite and left much carbon dioxide in the air.

Don’t use for:

• Kitchen fires – especially chip-pan fires
• Combustible materials like paper, wood or textiles
• Flammable metals

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are invented specifically for use in deep fat cooking fires. The body is painted in red with a yellow panel above the operating instructions.

Wet Chemical Fire Extinguishers and Electricity

Wet chemical fire extinguishers are not developed for use on electrical equipment. In the modern kitchen environment, the use of electrical cables is inevitable, the wet chemical fire extinguisher is non-conductive. It is advisable to keep wet chemical extinguishers closely with other fire safety items such as a CO2 extinguisher for electrical items, and a substantial fire blanket such as a 1.8m x 1.2m size. Fire blankets should be used to smother small pan fires, not to deal with commercial fryer fires.

Where can you use a Wet Chemical Fire Extinguisher?

The wet chemical fire extinguisher can be used commonly in two places:

• Restaurant kitchens: The most common places where oil fires occurred are the restaurant kitchens. It is the place where speedy cooking takes place which causes negligent of the fire.

• Hotel kitchens: Fire usually happens in the hotel kitchen and has to be extinguished before it starts to spread rapidly. One of the most effective fire safety devices is the wet chemical fire extinguisher which is used to stop the deep fat cooking fire immediately.

ABC Fire Extinguisher Singapore

The Class ABC fire extinguisher can be used on three different kinds of fires: Class A (ordinary combustibles such as wood or paper), Class B (flammable liquid fires such as grease or gasoline) or Class C (electrical fires).

Before attempting to fight any fire, it is important to know what type of fire you intend to extinguish. Look? If you use water fire extinguisher to put out any potential electrical appliances, this will be disastrous. It is like you enhancing the burning.

Class ABC fire extinguisher can be used for multiple kinds of fires and is a versatile home fire extinguisher for household use. It is portable and easily available for putting out Class A, B & C fires.

The symbols may be a green triangle with an A, a red square with a B and a blue circle with a C. More modern picture symbols may be used instead, showing a garbage can and wood (A), a gas can (B) and an electrical plug (C).

Important!

You are to make sure the type of fire extinguisher you have is suitable for the type of fire. By using the wrong kind of fire extinguisher to put out a fire may actually cause the fire to spread even more.