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Types of Fire Extinguishers

February 5, 2025
Information

Types of Fire Extinguishers

There are several different types of Fire Extinguishers, below is information on the most common types from the NFPA (National Fire Protection Association):

In the hands of a trained person, portable fire extinguishers are great tools to protect people and property from fire during early stages. When using an extinguisher or selecting an extinguisher to install, it’s important to know the characteristics of different fire extinguishers.

Class of Fire   Description
Class A Fires Fires in ordinary combustible materials, such as wood, cloth, paper, rubber, and many plastics.
Class B Fires Fires in flammable liquids, combustible liquids, petroleum greases, tars, oils, oil-based paints, solvents, lacquers, alcohols, and flammable gases.
Class C Fires Fires that involve energized electrical equipment.
Class D Fires Fires in combustible metals, such as magnesium, titanium, zirconium, sodium, lithium, and potassium.
Class K Fires Fires in cooking appliances that involve combustible cooking media (vegetable or animal oils and fats).

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

IFP - Types of Fire Extinguishers

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January 30, 2025
Fire Prevention

Prevent Fires

Information on How to Prevent Fires by the U.S. Fire Administration and F.E.M.A.

Appliance and Electrical Fires:

  • Always plug major appliances — refrigerators, stoves, washers and dryers — directly into a wall outlet.
  • Never use an extension cord with a major appliance. The extension cord can overheat and start a fire.
  • Unplug small appliances when you are not using them.
  • If the appliance has a cracked, damaged or loose cord, replace the appliance.
  • Do not overload power strips.
  • Avoid putting cords where they can be damaged or pinched, like under a carpet or rug.

Basement and Garage:

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet away from the Furnace, Water Heater and any other heat generating equipment.
  • If you have oil, gas or wood-burning equipment in the basement, you should also have a carbon monoxide alarm installed in the basement.

Batteries:

  • Stop using lithium-ion batteries if you notice an odor, change in color, too much heat, change in shape, leaking or odd noises.
  • Don’t put lithium-ion batteries in the trash. Recycle them at your local battery recycling location.
  • Don’t put lithium-ion batteries in direct sunlight or keep them in hot cars. This is a fire risk.

Cooking:

  • Stand by your pan. If you leave the kitchen, turn the burner off.
  • Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove so that no one can bump them or pull them over.
  • Keep anything that can catch fire away from your stovetop.

Heating:

  • Keep anything that can burn at least 3 feet from all heat sources including fireplaces, wood stoves, radiators, space heaters or candles.
  • Turn space heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.
  • Never use an oven to heat your home.

Candles:

  • Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and feel like real candles.
  • Use flashlights, not candles, if you have a power outage.
  • Blow out candles when you leave a room or home, or when you go to bed.

By following the tips above you can make your home a safer place. Check out more tips for Fire Prevention at the U.S. Fire Administration

  • The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

 

Outlet fire

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January 16, 2025
Fire PreventionSafetyInformation

Winter Fire Safety

Keep safe this winter with the following tips from the NFPA (Nation Fire Protection Association):

Heating –

Heating is a leading cause of US home fires and home fire injuries and third leading cause of home fire deaths. December, January and February are the peak months for heating fires. Space heaters are the type of equipment most often involved in home heating equipment fires.

Carbon Monoxide –

Often called the invisible killer, carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless gas created when fuels such as gasoline, wood, coal, propane, etc. do not burn completely. In the home, heating and cooking equipment that burn fuel are potential sources of CO. Carbon monoxide incidents are more common during the winter months, and in residential properties.

Generators –

Portable generators are useful during power outages; however, many homeowners are unaware that the improper use of portable generators can be risky. The most common dangers associated with portable generators are carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning, electrical shock or electrocution, and fire hazards.

 

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

Generator in snow.

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January 9, 2025
Information

Types of Smoke Alarms – Part 2

Part 2 of the different types of Smoke Alarms from the NFPA.

How are Smoke Alarms Powered?

There are many ways that smoke alarms can get their power.

Replaceable batteries –

Some smoke alarms will get all their power from batteries that are replaceable. They can be a 9v battery, AAA battery, AA battery, or another type of battery. These batteries should be replaced at least once a year, and the alarm tested every month.

10-year battery alarms –

Some smoke alarms come with a sealed, non-replaceable battery that can provide power to the smoke alarm for up to 10 years. This alarm does not require the batteries to be replaced, however, you should still be testing them monthly.

Hardwired with battery backup –

Some smoke alarms are provided with both primary power that is hardwired in from the home’s electrical system and a secondary battery backup. The secondary battery backup can be either a battery that needs to be replaced at least yearly, or it can be a 10-year sealed battery that does not need to be replaced.

How often do I need to replace my smoke alarms?

Smoke alarms must be replaced –

– Every 10 years based on the date of manufacture on the back label (7–10 years for combination CO/smoke alarm)
– If the alarm sounds an end-of-life signal (see back of alarm for description of signal)
– If the alarm fails a monthly test
– After a fire event

 

The author of this content cannot be liable for any use or misuse of the contents. This is a guideline and is meant for information only.

 

Smoke Alarm with 9 volt battery

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