|
Extinguishers
&
Coding
classification of fire hazards
Fire extinguishers are
categorised based on the types of fire they are capable of
combating. There is not one fire extinguisher that will contain all
fire types.
Class A Ordinary combustibles like
wood, fabric, paper & certain plastics.
Class B Flammable liquids such as
gasoline, oil & solvents.
Class C Gaseous fires involving
flammable gases such as propane.
Class D Combustible metals such as
magnesium, sodium, potassium, sodium-potassium alloys, zirconium,
uranium, titanium, powdered aluminum, lithium & lithium alloy that
require specialised extinguishing agents.
Class E Electrical fires arising from
electrical equipment.
Class F Fires involving cooking oils &
fats commonly found in kitchens.
Class F-500 A water type fire
extinguisher containing a cooling agent which prevents re-ignition
of lithium batteries.
type
of
fire |
class
of
fire |
|
Water |
Foam |
Powder |
CO2 |
Vapourising Liquid |
Wet
Chemical |
Water
with agent |
|
Red
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Silver |
|
Blue |
White |
White |
Black
|
Grey |
Oatmeal
|
| |
ABE |
BE |
|
|
|
|
Ordinary combustibles |
A |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
Limited
effect |
|
YES |
YES |
|
Liquids |
B |
Dangerous |
YES |
YES |
YES |
Limited
effect |
|
|
YES |
|
Gases |
C |
|
|
YES |
YES |
Limited
effect |
|
|
|
|
Combustible metal |
D |
|
|
|
|
|
YES |
|
|
|
240V Electrical |
E |
Dangerous |
Dangerous |
YES |
YES |
YES |
|
Dangerous |
Dangerous |
|
Oil/Fat |
F |
Dangerous |
Limited
effect |
|
|
Limited
effect |
|
YES |
YES |
|
LiFePO4 12V Lithium battery |
F-500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
YES |
thanks to Mike Sargeant for
this information
december 2008
updated by Rob to include
Lithium 12volt batteries
updated december 2025
|
